Abstract: In a method for performing diagnostics on line systems, in particular crank casing venting systems of internal combustion engines, a correction value for an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine is formed in each of at least two chronologically successive determining steps. The correction values or values which are derived therefrom are used to detect a faulty state of the line system.

Abstract: In a method for performing diagnostics on line systems, in particular crank casing venting systems of internal combustion engines, a correction value for an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine is formed in each of at least two chronologically successive determining steps. The correction values or values which are derived therefrom are used to detect a faulty state of the line system.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sensing element is provided, in particular for determining the oxygen content in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, a composite construction having at least one ceramic paste (green film) present in film form being sintered to yield the sensing element, and sharp edges of the sensing element being blunted before sintering to increase the thermal shock resistance of the sensing element.

Abstract: A sensor element for limit current probes for determining the &lgr; value of gas mixtures and a method of calibrating such sensor elements. The sensor element has an internal and an external pump electrode arranged on a ceramic body, the internal pump electrode being arranged in a diffusion channel delimited by a diffusion barrier, and a gas intake orifice running through the ceramic substrate and the diffusion channel in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the surface of the ceramic substrate. The diffusion resistance of the diffusion barrier can be adjusted essentially linearly by selectively changing the diameter of the gas intake orifice. Calibration is performed by selecting at least one sensor element of a production lot, whose pump voltage is, measured at a selected pump current, from which the optimum diameter of the gas intake orifice can be calculated from the deviations from the ideal values using a simple ratio.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensor for measuring a gas concentration of a sampled gas with an electrochemical element, including an electrochemical pump cell with a first and a second electrode and with a gas chamber which is connected to the sampled gas via a gas inlet opening and in which one of the two electrodes is located, with the gas inlet opening being covered by a porous covering. Also a method for producing an electrochemical sensor of this type.

Abstract: A ceramic composite having at least one electrical resistor run integrated into the ceramic composite, with the composite including at least one layer that covers the resistor run toward the outside. The layer covering the resistor run has at least one opening through which the resistor run can be trimmed.

Abstract: In a planar sensor element having a gas-containing layer situated between impermeable covering layers, the gas-containing layer is enclosed by a sealing frame over its entire periphery in a plane running between the covering layers, and at least one of the covering layers has a through hole for the exchange of air (reference gas) between the gas-containing layer and the ambient environment.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for ascertaining gas concentrations in gases, particularly in exhaust gases of combustion engines, includes an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte which is provided with electrode layers arranged at a distance from one another and with at least one resistance heating element that is separated from the solid electrolyte by an electrical insulating layer, a foil binder layer being provided between the electrical insulating layer and the solid electrolyte. At least one electron-conductive intermediate layer is provided between the electrode-side electrical insulating layer and the adjacent solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A ceramic composite having at least one electrical resistor run integrated into the ceramic composite, with the composite including at least one layer that covers the resistor run toward the outside.

Abstract: A sensor for determining gas components and/or gas concentrations in gag mixtures, in particular, in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, includes an inner pump electrode, an inner pump electrode supply conductor, a measuring electrode and a measuring electrode supply conductor. The inner electrode and the measuring electrode are in contact with the measuring area. In addition, separation is maintained between the measuring electrode supply conductor and the inner pump electrode supply conductor at least in the hot area of the sensor. At least in the hot area at least one of the electrode supply conductors is in contact with at least one oxygen reservoir, there being an at least largely gas-tight barrier between this and the measuring area.

Abstract: A sensor element for limiting-current sensors for determining the lambda value of gas mixtures, in particular of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. The sensor element has inner and outer pump electrodes arranged on a solid electrolyte foil. The inner pump electrode is arranged in a diffusion channel that is bordered by a diffusion barrier, the pump electrode lying in the diffusion direction of the gas mixture downstream of the diffusion barrier. The gas entry hole, essentially perpendicular to the surface of the solid electrolyte foil, is led through the solid electrolyte foil into the diffusion channel. The diffusion barrier is arranged so as to be set back in the diffusion channel from the interior wall of the gas entry hole. For manufacturing the sensor element, a chamber created upstream of the diffusion barrier is filled with a cavity-creating material, which evaporates in the sintering of the sensor element and thus forms a cavity in the diffusion channel.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor measures a gas concentration of a measured gas with an electrochemical element. The electrochemical sensor includes an electrochemical pump cell with a first solid electrolyte body, a first and a second electrode, and a gas chamber, which is connected to a measured gas chamber via a gas inlet opening and in which one of the two electrodes is located. The electrochemical sensor also includes a second solid electrolyte body with an electrochemical sensor cell (e.g., a Nernst cell), which has a third electrode and a reference gas chamber in which a fourth electrode is located, with the electrodes having a supply conductor for electrical contacting. A supply conductor of the fourth electrode is provided with an electrically insulating layer to insulate it against the second solid electrolyte body.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor determining a gas concentration of the measuring gas. The sensor has an electrochemical element including a first solid electrolyte body having an electrochemical pump cell and a first (external pump) and a second (internal pump) electrode and having a gas chamber which is connected to the measuring gas chamber via a gas supply opening and in which the second electrode is arranged. The electrochemical element also includes a second solid electrolyte body having an electrochemical sensor cell (e.g., a Nernst cell) and a third and fourth electrode, each electrode having a lead for the electrical contacting. The leads of the first and second electrodes are decoupled capacitively from the lead of at least the fourth electrode by a device.

Abstract: A sensor element for an electrochemical sensor, in particular for determining the oxygen content in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The sensor element has at least one measuring electrode exposed to a measuring gas, at least one reference electrode exposed to a reference gas, at least one heating device having one heating conductor and two heating conductor leads, and a reference gas channel. The heating conductor has at least two heating circuit trace segments outside the vertical projection of the reference gas channel, the two heating circuit trace segments being connected by a connecting segment routed over the reference gas channel. The circuit trace cross section of the connecting segment is larger than the cross section of one of the heating circuit trace segments.