With Gas Diffusion Electrode Patents (Class 204/432)
  • Patent number: 10814288
    Abstract: Gas separation modules and methods for use including an integrated adsorbent and membrane. In certain refining applications, it is paramount to obtain high purity product gases. Adsorbent beds are effective at removing certain contaminants, such as CO2, from gas streams containing product and contaminant constituents to form a product-rich stream. The integrated membrane permits a further separation of products from any unadsorbed contaminant to produce a high purity product, such as hydrogen, stream. The gas separation modules described herein include stacked, radial, and spiral arrangements. Each modules includes a configuration of feed and cross-flow channels for the collection of contaminant gases and/or high purity product gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, David C. Calabro, Hans Thomann, Randall D. Partridge
  • Patent number: 10060906
    Abstract: A CO2-sensitive planar sensing device is disclosed, which has an electrode with an ion-selective layer, an electrolyte layer and an outer layer. The electrolyte layer has osmotically active species in an amount of 0.8-6.0 milliosmol per m2 of electrolyte layer area, and has a hydrophilic osmolarity increasing component which does not add bicarbonate ions or chloride ions to the electrolyte layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Radiometer Medical ApS
    Inventors: Poul Ravn Sørensen, Dorthe Krabbe Munck
  • Patent number: 9995412
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a three-dimensional slat structure having a plurality of interstices configured to generate a high power, high flow rate of fluids by electroosmotic flow. The microfluidic device includes a housing for holding and moving fluids through the slat structure, and a plurality of electrodes that generate an electric field within the plurality of interstices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Wave 80 BioSciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Laser, Amy Droitcour, Hailemariam Negussie, Radu Raduta, Jared Frey
  • Patent number: 9719915
    Abstract: A cap for a gas sensor module is described herein. The cap can include at least one wall forming a cavity having a first portion and a second portion. The cap can also include an inlet tube coupling feature disposed in the at least one wall, where the first location is adjacent to the first portion of the cavity. The cap can further include an outlet tube coupling feature disposed in the at least one wall, where the second location is adjacent to the second portion of the cavity. The cap can also include a distribution channel coupling feature disposed in the at least one wall, where the third location is adjacent to the first portion of the cavity. The cap can further include a receiving channel coupling feature disposed in the at least one wall, where the fourth location is adjacent to the second portion of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Abhijeet Vikram Kshirsagar, Chinmaya Rajiv Dandekar, Sagar Shivajirao Chavan
  • Publication number: 20140311905
    Abstract: A printed gas sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a partially porous substrate, an electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and an encapsulation layer. The electrode layer comprises one or more electrodes that are formed on one side of the porous substrate. The electrolyte layer is in electrolytic contact with the one or more electrodes. The encapsulation layer encapsulates the electrode layer and electrolyte layer thereby forming an integrated structure with the partially porous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: KWJ ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Stetter, Vinay Patel, Melvin W. Findlay, Michael T. Carter
  • Patent number: 8845871
    Abstract: An electrochemical oxygen sensor includes a micro-porous plastic membrane supported on a sealing disk and located between a gas inflow port and the sensor's electrolyte. The membrane and disk minimize thermal shock effects due to using the sensor at a first location, at a first temperature, and then moving it to a second location at a different temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Chapples, John Anthony Tillotson, Ian McLeod, Martin Williamson
  • Patent number: 8795484
    Abstract: A printed gas sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a porous substrate, an electrode layer, a liquid or gel electrolyte layer, and an encapsulation layer. The electrode layer comprises two or more electrodes that are formed on one side of the porous substrate. The liquid or gel electrolyte layer is in electrolytic contact with the two or more electrodes. The encapsulation layer encapsulates the electrode layer and electrolyte layer thereby forming an integrated structure with the porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: KWJ Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Stetter, Edward F. Stetter, Daniel D. Ebeling, Melvin Findlay, Vinay Patel
  • Patent number: 8783019
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system is disclosed that can diagnose the performance of an exhaust treatment oxidation catalyst in converting NO to NO2. The exhaust treatment system is fluidly coupled to an internal combustion engine, and includes an oxidation catalyst disposed in an engine exhaust stream; a reductant source for injecting a reductant into the exhaust stream downstream of the oxidation catalyst; an SCR catalyst disposed in the exhaust stream downstream of the reductant source; and a gas sensor, disposed in the exhaust stream downstream of the oxidation catalyst and upstream of the reductant source, comprising a plurality of sensing or pumping cells that measures NO concentration in the exhaust gas and NO2 concentration in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Clifford Bedford, Julian C. Tan, Janean E Kowalkowski
  • Patent number: 8747636
    Abstract: A gas sensor is disclosed. The gas sensor includes a gas sensing electrode and a counter electrode disposed within a housing, and respective conductors that connects the gas sensing electrode and the counter electrode to a sensing circuit. The housing includes walls defining a cavity containing electrolyte in fluid communication with the gas sensing electrode and counter electrode and wherein the walls further comprise one or more coatings or second layers superimposed on the walls. The one or more coatings or second layers have a lower water vapor transport rate than that of the walls, such that, in use, water vapor transport between the electrolyte and atmosphere through the walls of the housing is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Life Safety Distribution AG
    Inventors: Paul Westmarland, Dan Hawkinson, Tony Downer
  • Patent number: 8741118
    Abstract: A sensor control apparatus includes: a gas sensor including an oxygen concentration detection cell having a first solid electrolyte body, a reference electrode and a detection electrode, and a heater; an electric current supply unit that supplies electric current to the oxygen concentration detecting cell; an activation determination unit; a heater control unit that sets a first target temperature equal to or higher than an activation determination temperature when the activation determination unit determines that the temperature of the gas sensor is equal to or higher than the activation determination temperature; an automatic stop detection unit; and a first temperature switching unit that controls electric current supplied to the heater such that the target temperature of the heater is switched to a second target temperature different from a temperature at which blackening is generated in the first solid electrolyte body when an automatic stop is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20140131201
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of making ammonia gas indicator, using single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/alumina (Al2O3) composite thick film, comprising the steps of (a) preparing a nanoporous SWCNTs/Al2O3 composite thick film of thickness in the range of 60 to 65?m prepared by sol-gel process; (b) curing the film at a temperature in the range of 450° C. to 500° C. for a time period in the range 0.5 to 2 hour to obtain a cured sample; (c) providing thick film planar electrodes of Ag—Pd paste on same side of the cured sample by screen printing; and (d) heat treating the resultant cured sample with electrodes at a temperature in the range of 800° C. to 850° C. for a time period in the range of 0.5 to 2 hours to obtain a gas indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: Jamia Millia Islamia, Department of Electronics & Information Technology
    Inventors: Prabhash Mishra, Saikh Saiful Islam, Kamalendu Sengupta
  • Patent number: 8702935
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes a housing, a first working electrode within the housing and having a first section of gas transfer medium and a first layer of catalyst on the first section of gas transfer medium, and at least a second working electrode within the housing and having a second section of gas transfer medium and a second layer of catalyst on the second section of gas transfer medium. At least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium includes at least one area in which the structure thereof has been irreversibly altered to limit diffusion of gas through the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium or the second section of gas transfer medium toward the other of the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Brian Keith Davis, Towner Bennett Scheffler, Michael Alvin Brown
  • Patent number: 8691066
    Abstract: A current collector wire (1) is over-moulded with a seal (2) made from a thermoplastic elastomer (Santoprene 64) having a (64) Shore A hardness rating. In a three electrode carbon monoxide sensor three current collector wire (1a, 1b, 1c) and seal (2a, 2b, 2c) combinations are inserted into the body (3) through receiving apertures (12a, 12b, 12c) in a side wall of the body, so that the current collectors protrude through connection apertures (12a, 12b and 12c). The outside diameters of the seals and the bores of the apertures are dimensioned to provide an interference fit of the one in the other. The seals are pressed home into receiving apertures in the body (3) to provide compression of the seals against both current collectors and the aperture bores resultant from the interference. Gold-plated phosphor bronze clips (8) are attached which locate on and are retained by barbs on the housing, thereby trapping the current collector wires and providing electrical contact to external circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: City Technology Limited
    Inventor: Graham Collins
  • Patent number: 8632665
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical sensor including a housing with a chamber containing an electrolyte, at least one measuring electrode for oxygen detection, at least one counter electrode and at least one reference electrode, wherein the sensor has a two-part diffusion barrier, wherein a first part of the barrier forms a labyrinth with a second part of the barrier disposed between the measuring and the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: MSA Auer GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Eckhardt, Martin Weber
  • Patent number: 8623190
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for performing maintenance on an apparatus. The device has a flow duct with a wall section in which at least one apparatus which projects into the flow duct and which is to be reworked after a certain operating time is arranged. A vessel which is open towards the wall section is arranged to as to be movable relative to the wall section in such a way that in an open position it is arranged at a distance from the apparatus, and in a second position forms, together with the wall section, a sealed volume which is separated from the rest of the flow duct and in which the maintenance of the apparatus is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Brückner, Ingo Riesen
  • Patent number: 8613843
    Abstract: An electro-chemical sensor for methane is described having a catalyst to react methane or other low molecular weight hydrocarbons and a detector to detect the turnover or reaction rate and using such information to determine the concentration of the methane or other low molecular weight species. The sensor is preferably used for measurements in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Gareth John Jones, Li Jiang
  • Patent number: 8414751
    Abstract: A gas sensor (100) in a sensor housing (1) has a gas-permeable membrane (7) for the inlet of a gas sample to be analyzed to a measuring electrode (6). The gas sensor (100) is provided with a test gas generator (18), which has a generator housing (8). The generator housing (8) is fastened in the area of the gas-permeable membrane (7) and has a central gas outlet opening (21) for the gas sample to pass into the sensor and has outlet openings (19) directed towards the gas-permeable membrane (7) for the test gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Andreas Nauber, Michael Sick, Julia Danckert, Peter Tschuncky
  • Patent number: 8366894
    Abstract: A multi-gas microsensor assembly for simultaneously detecting carbon dioxide and oxygen in real time. According to one embodiment, the assembly comprises a non-conductive, solid substrate. A plurality of sensing electrodes, a single reference electrode, and a single counter electrode are positioned on one side of the non-conductive, solid substrate. In addition, all of the electrodes are in intimate contact with the same side of a solid-polymer electrolyte anion-exchange membrane, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane having at least one gas diffusion opening aligned with each sensing electrode. The sensor is operated in a three-electrode potentiostatic mode, in which a constant potential is maintained between the sensing and reference electrodes, and the current is measured between the sensing and counter electrodes. Control of the electrodes is achieved with a small bi-potentiostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Giner, Inc.
    Inventors: Mourad Manoukian, Anthony B. LaConti, W. Michael Krebs, Linda A. Tempelman, John W. Forchione, Jr., Erich Muehlanger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8317998
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrochemical gas sensor includes: a) exposing, for a first predetermined duration, the electrochemical gas sensor to an atmosphere containing a target gas while the gas reaction capability of the electrode assembly is substantially reduced from a working level, such that target gas is collected within the housing; b) increasing the gas reaction capability of the electrode assembly to a level at which it consumes collected target gas and thereby outputs a signal to the sensing circuit, including an initial transient decay signal; c) monitoring the transient decay signal; and d) analysing the rate of decay of the transient decay signal to determine whether the performance of at least one component of the electrochemical gas sensor is within acceptable limits. An apparatus for operating an electrochemical gas sensor, adapted for connection to an electrochemical gas sensor via a sensing circuit for control thereof, can carry out the disclosed method(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Life Safety Distribution AG
    Inventors: Keith Francis Edwin Pratt, John Chapples, Martin Jones, Stefan Dan Costea, Mihai Gologanu
  • Patent number: 8303788
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor has a working electrode having a gas porous membrane and a catalyst layer formed on one side of the membrane; a counter electrode, electrolyte in contact with the catalyst both of the working electrode and of the counter electrode; and a support that is in contact with, and presses against the side of the working electrode remote from the electrolyte and that compresses the electrodes and the electrolyte together. The support includes open areas enabling gas to contact the membrane. The support provides a faster response and provides greater efficiency of catalyst usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell Analytics AG
    Inventors: Martin Williamson, David O'Grady
  • Patent number: 8287706
    Abstract: A laminated gas sensor element including a detection element including a solid electrolyte body having a pair of electrodes formed thereon laminated together with a heater element. A porous protection layer is formed on at least a distal end portion of the laminated gas sensor element which is to be exposed to a gas to be measured. The surface of the porous protection layer has 10 or more small pores each having a diameter of 1 ?m to 5 ?m inclusive and an aspect ratio of 0.5 to 2.0 inclusive within an area measuring 50 ?m×50 ?m, and one to less than 20 large pores each having a diameter of 8 ?m to 20 ?m inclusive and an aspect ratio of 0.5 to 2.0 inclusive within an area measuring 100 ?m×100 ?m. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the laminated gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Muraoka, Masaki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8252158
    Abstract: An electrochemical oxygen sensor includes a micro-porous plastic membrane supported on a sealing disk and located between a gas inflow port and the sensor's electrolyte. The membrane and disk minimize thermal shock effects due to using the sensor at a first location, at a first temperature, and then moving it to a second location at a different temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Chapples, John Anthony Tillotson, Ian McLeod, Martin Williamson
  • Patent number: 8241487
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a sensing surface, and a matrix overlaying the sensing surface. The sensing device includes a photoformed membrane overlaying at least a portion of the matrix. The photoformed membrane includes a directly photoformed organosiloxane polymer that is substantially permeable to gaseous molecules and substantially impermeable to non-gaseous molecules and ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care Inc.
    Inventors: Margot Leanne McCann, Sandra Kay Shaw, Karl John Anthony Underwood, Harvey Eric Rabe
  • Patent number: 8197653
    Abstract: Cartridge unit for an electrochemical sensor includes a cartridge (2) prefilled with electrolyte and having a first end closed by a selectively permeable membrane (7), and a second end (6) having a fastening device (11) arranged for fastening the cartridge to the electrochemical sensor (24). The cartridge unit further has a supporting member (3) to which the cartridge (2) is detachably fastened, and closing devices (4, 20) for closing the second end (6) of the cartridge (2). These closing devices (4, 20) are able to be opened by a user to allow the cartridge (2) to be fastened to the electrochemical sensor (24) and then to be detached from the supporting element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hach Lange Sarl (Hach Lange GmbH)
    Inventors: Yannick Delessert, Daniel Rosset, Gérard Stehlé, James Hide, Serge Hediger
  • Patent number: 8187437
    Abstract: A mediator-based electrochemical gas sensor reacts selectively with hydrogen sulfide. The gas sensor has an electrolyte solution (9), which contains a mediator compound in the form of metallates of transition metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Herbert Kiesele, Frank Mett, Sabrina Sommer
  • Publication number: 20120125772
    Abstract: A printed gas sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a porous substrate, an electrode layer, a liquid or gel electrolyte layer, and an encapsulation layer. The electrode layer comprises two or more electrodes that are formed on one side of the porous substrate. The liquid or gel electrolyte layer is in electrolytic contact with the two or more electrodes. The encapsulation layer encapsulates the electrode layer and electrolyte layer thereby forming an integrated structure with the porous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: KWJ ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Stetter, Edward F. Stetter, Daniel Ebeling, Melvin Findlay, Vinay Patel
  • Patent number: 8128794
    Abstract: A water pollution sensor for detecting a heavy metal, the water pollution sensor including: a base member; a conductive layer formed at a portion of one of surfaces of the base member and consisting of a conductive material; an insulating layer formed on the conductive layer to enable a portion of the conductive layer to be exposed; and a bismuth layer formed on a portion of the exposed conductive layer and including bismuth powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang Kyu Rhee, Gyoung-Ja Lee, Hi Min Lee, Min Ku Lee, Sang-Hoon Lee, Sung Mo Hong, Jong Keuk Lee, Ju Myoung Kim
  • Patent number: 8110081
    Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a galvanic fuel cell type oxygen sensor comprises providing a pressure equalization port leading to the interior of an inner core housing that contains the membrane, the electrolyte and the anode and cathode electrodes and hermetically sealing the sensor housing except for its sample inlet port and its sample outlet port. By connecting the same vacuum source to both the pressure equalization port and the sample outlet port, the device's membrane is less subject to movement or rupture as gas samples are drawn in via the sample inlet port. A technique for ensuring a hermetic seal is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Medical Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. Fitzgerald, C. Peter Howard
  • Patent number: 8083914
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor is disclosed which comprises a gas sensing electrode and a counter electrode disposed within a housing, the housing having an aperture for gas ingress, the gas sensing electrode and counter electrode being separated by a region containing electrolyte, and means for connecting the gas sensing electrode and the counter electrode to a sensing circuit. An electrolyte-absorbing element is disposed inboard of the aperture, between the housing and the gas sensing electrode, in order to absorb electrolyte passing through the gas sensing electrode whilst maintaining a gas path through the electrolyte-absorbing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Life Safety Distribution AG
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Millar, Martin Jonathan Kelly
  • Publication number: 20110290672
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor for detecting ozone or nitrogen dioxide in a gas sample has a measuring electrode (3) formed of carbon nanotubes (CNT) or a counterelectrode (8) in an electrolyte solution (9), which contains lithium chloride or lithium bromide in an aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Drager Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Frank METT, Sabrina SOMMER, Christoph BERNSTEIN, Kerstin LICHTENFELDT
  • Patent number: 8002957
    Abstract: A fuel cell sensor is provided for detecting the presence of acetylene and hydrogen in a fluid. The sensor includes a sensing element having first and second gas diffusing electrodes spaced from one another. The first gas diffusing electrode can be used for sensing acetylene. The second gas diffusing electrode can be used for sensing hydrogen. A fuel cell spacer having an acidic electrolyte is disposed between the sensing element and a common electrode. The sensing element can be configured to have a specific ratio of the area between the first gas diffusing electrode in relation to the area of the second gas diffusing electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yves Grincourt, Elena Babes-Dornea
  • Publication number: 20110100813
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes a housing, a first working electrode within the housing and having a first section of gas transfer medium and a first layer of catalyst on the first section of gas transfer medium, and at least a second working electrode within the housing and having a second section of gas transfer medium and a second layer of catalyst on the second section of gas transfer medium. At least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium includes at least one area in which the structure thereof has been irreversibly altered to limit diffusion of gas through the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium or the second section of gas transfer medium toward the other of the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: BRIAN KEITH DAVIS, TOWNER BENNETT SCHEFFLER, MICHAEL ALVIN BROWN
  • Patent number: 7918978
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a sensing surface, and a matrix overlaying the sensing surface. The sensing device includes a photoformed membrane overlaying at least a portion of the matrix. The photoformed membrane includes a directly photoformed organosiloxane polymer that is substantially permeable to gaseous molecules and substantially impermeable to non-gaseous molecules and ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: I-STAT Corporation
    Inventors: Margot Leanne McCann, Sandra Kay Shaw, Karl John Anthony Underwood, Harvey Eric Rabe
  • Patent number: 7909971
    Abstract: A microfluidic electrochemical reactor includes an electrode and one or more microfluidic channels on the electrode, where the microfluidic channels are covered with a membrane containing a gas permeable polymer. The distance between the electrode and the membrane is less than 500 micrometers. The microfluidic electrochemical reactor can provide for increased reaction rates in electrochemical reactions using a gaseous reactant, as compared to conventional electrochemical cells. Microfluidic electrochemical reactors can be incorporated into devices for applications such as fuel cells, electrochemical analysis, microfluidic actuation, pH gradient formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Ralph G. Nuzzo, Svetlana M. Mitrovski
  • Patent number: 7906008
    Abstract: The present invention deals with a device for quick estimation of biochemical oxygen demand of beverage waste water. This device consists of an immobilized microbial membrane attached to an electrode, multimeter and a laptop workstation installed with a developed software. BOD measurement of beverage waste water using this device is rapid, reproducible and effective as compared to conventional titration based methods. This device also excludes COD estimation as required for BOD estimation of waste water. This bio-electrochemical device may find wide commercial application in beverage industries emanating waste waters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Rita Kumar, Abha Joshi, Anil Kumar, Tushya Kumar Saxena
  • Patent number: 7867370
    Abstract: A gas sensor element has a solid electrolyte body of oxygen ionic conductivity, a target gas electrode and a reference gas electrode formed on both surfaces of the solid electrolyte body, respectively, a porous diffusion resistance layer, and a catalyst support trap layer. The porous diffusion resistance layer covers the target gas electrode and through which target gases to be measured are passing. The catalyst support trap layer is formed on the outer surface of the porous diffusion resistance layer and supports noble metal catalyst. In the gas sensor element, the noble metal catalyst is made of platinum, rhodium, palladium supported in the catalyst support trap layer. In particular, an addition amount of palladium in the total amount of the noble metal catalyst is within a range of 2 to 65 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tsuji, Akio Tanaka, Keigo Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20100314264
    Abstract: A method of correcting NOx sensor includes the steps of preparing a corrective map in advance, finding an existing proportion of NO or NO2 in a mixture of NOx in exhaust gases before coming into an NOx sensor, and correcting an NOx concentration that the NOx sensor detects actually. The corrective map records relationships between temperature physical quantities that are relevant to a temperature of the exhaust gases, oxygen-concentration physical quantities that are relevant to an oxygen concentration in the exhaust gases, and the existing proportion. The existing proportion is found with reference to the corrective map using the temperature physical quantities and oxygen-concentration physical quantities that are detected actually. The NOx concentration is corrected on the basis of not only the existing proportion but also a difference between an NO2 diffusion velocity and an NO diffusion velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroki NISHIJIMA, Takeshi HIRABAYASHI, Fumitaka KATO
  • Patent number: 7811433
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor is provided for the detection of carbon dioxide gas. The sensor includes a non-conductive solid substrate and at least one each of a metal oxide sensing electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode positioned on the substrate. A solid polymer electrolyte anion-exchange membrane is in intimate contact with the sensing electrode, reference electrode and counter electrode. The sensor is highly sensitive and selective to carbon dioxide and has very rapid response time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Giner, Inc.
    Inventors: Mourad Manoukian, Anthony B. LaConti, Linda A. Tempelman, John Forchione
  • Patent number: 7811362
    Abstract: An oil gas separation membrane combines a gas permeable yet oil and temperature resistant bulk polymer membrane such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene); a porous metal support such as sintered metal frit disk made with stainless steel, bronze or nickel; and an highly gas permeable adhesive that bonds firmly the bulk polymer membrane and the metal frit surface together. The adhesive is either a homogenous polymer that has desirable gas permeability, or a coalescent porous polymer particulates network. A gas sensor employing the oil gas separation membrane for detecting and monitoring fault gases of oil filled electrical equipment requires no mechanical wearing or moving part such as pump and valve and the gas sensor is operated normally under various temperature and pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: RenYan Qin
  • Patent number: 7799202
    Abstract: Gas-selective electrodes in liquid analyzing devices have a characteristic curve K with a linear portion L and a non-linear portion NL. In the non-linear portion NL, the characteristic previously could only be estimated so that determinations of the concentration were rather inexact. According to the present application, the electrode is rinsed with an acid and the zero point voltage UN at the electrode is determined during the rinsing. Using the zero point voltage UN, the non-linear portion NL of the characteristic K is determined with high precision so that even low concentrations c can be determined with great accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hach Lange GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Battefeld, Klaus Bittner, Andreas Golitz, Markus Hahn, Michael Kussmann, Aurelia Stellmach-Hanulok
  • Publication number: 20100224491
    Abstract: A gas-sensor element having a layer-type arrangement or configuration, in particular for determining gas components and/or concentrations of gas components of a measuring gas, having a sensor cell, including a first electrode, which is to be exposed to the measuring gas, a second electrode, which is to be exposed to a reference gas, and a solid-state electrolyte situated between the two electrodes, including a reference-air channel situated between the electrode that is exposed to the reference gas and the solid-state electrolyte, and including a heating element. In the superposition of two gas-sensor element layers, a path formed by an electrode facing the heating element is developed at a lateral offset with respect to a path formed by the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Tabery, Oliver Dotterweich, Andreas Opp, Antje Taeuber, Frank Buse, Christoph Renger, Harald Guenschel
  • Patent number: 7790006
    Abstract: A free chlorine measurement system and sensor are provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the sensor has a porous working electrode disposed in an electrolyte proximate a porous membrane. The membrane allows free chlorine therethrough where it is reduced and generates a current. The current is related to the free chlorine concentration. The internal electrolyte solution is pH stabilized with a long-term pH stabilizer that has a solubility in water at room temperature between about 1.2 moles/liter and about 0.001 moles/liter. The stabilizer can be an acid or a base depending on whether the pH is to be stabilized at a relatively low value or a relatively high value respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Dong Feng, Jishou Xu, Joshua Steven Garretson
  • Publication number: 20100193356
    Abstract: A sensor element for gas sensors is described for determining gas components of a gas mixture, especially in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, having at least one electrochemical measuring cell and at least one porous layer that is exposed to the gas mixture. The porous layer contains palladium, platinum, ruthenium, an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal, the platinum being contained in the porous layer at a minimum concentration of 1.5 wt. %. Furthermore, a method and an impregnating solution are described for producing the sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Wahl, Joerg Jockel, Andreas Opp, Matthias Kruse, Detlef Heimann, Frank Buse, Ulrich Eisele, Bernd Schumann, Christoph Renger, Harry Braun, Berndt Cramer
  • Patent number: 7758735
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor with at least one ionic liquid (4) as the electrolyte, contains at least one electrode (1), whose active surface is substantially larger than the geometric area covered by said electrode (1). The electrolyte and at least one of the electrodes (1, 2, 3) are in direct contact with the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Drägerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Hengstenberg, Peter Tschuncky
  • Patent number: 7727368
    Abstract: A lead free, galvanic sensor. The sensor having a housing, a cathode, an anode, a diffusion barrier, contact wires and an electrolyte, the anode being made of a tin containing alloy. The sensor electrolyte is an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid or an aqueous solution of a cesium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: IT Dr. Gambert GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Gambert
  • Patent number: 7722813
    Abstract: A urea concentration identification device comprising a concentration identification sensor unit (2) and a support unit (4) attached at the bottom end thereof with this sensor unit and provided at the top end thereof with a mounting unit (4a) to a urea solution tank opening. The concentration identification sensor unit (2) has an indirectly-heated concentration detector and liquid temperature detector provided with metal fins (21c),(22c), respectively, for heat-exchanging with urea solution. The concentration identification sensor unit (2) is provided with a cover member (2d) that forms an opposite-ends-opened urea solution induction passage so as to surround the metal fins (21c), (22c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Inoue, Akiko Kubota, Takayuki Takahata
  • Patent number: 7704374
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor is provided with a carbon-based measuring electrode (3) that it can be used for a large number of electrochemical detection reactions and can be manufactured at a low cost. The measuring electrode (3) contains carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Drägerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sabrina Sommer, Herbert Kiesele, Frank Mett
  • Patent number: 7677231
    Abstract: An exhaust sensor control system for an exhaust sensor is mounted in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust sensor includes a sensor element for generating an output in accordance with the status of an exhaust gas and a heater for heating the sensor element. The exhaust sensor control system includes a recovery value counting means for counting the elapsed time or the cumulative intake air amount after internal combustion engine startup as a characteristics recovery value; a heater control means for controlling the heater with a recovery target temperature; a stop period counting means for counting stop period during which the internal combustion engine is stopped; and a determination value correction means for decreasing the characteristics recovery value or increasing a recovery determination value with an increase in the stop period during which the internal combustion engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20100025241
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrogen gas sensor which requires no purging, has excellent hydrogen gas selectivity, and can be produced at relatively low cost. The hydrogen gas sensor includes a detection unit having a base body composed of a solid polymer electrolyte or a carbon-containing solid polymer electrolyte obtained by dispersing a carbon material in a solid polymer electrolyte and a catalyst layer provided on one of the surfaces of the base body to perform catalytic function on contact with hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GUNZE LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomoko Hane, Akio Kiyohara
  • Publication number: 20100006434
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting phosgene includes a pair of electrodes separated by an electrode gap, and a layer of conducting polymer material positioned over and making electrical contact with the pair of electrodes, the layer of conducting polymer material being modified with an amine such that the electrical resistance of the conducting polymer material measured across the electrodes is responsive to changes in an amount of phosgene to which the conducting polymer material is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Shabnam Virji, Robert Kojima, Richard B. Kaner, Bruce H. Weiller