Patents Assigned to Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
  • Publication number: 20020108603
    Abstract: For reduction of toxic components in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, particularly of nitrogen oxides in motor vehicles, a portion of the exhaust gases, essentially operating as inert gases, are recirculated into the combustion chamber of the engine for the purpose of reducing the peak combustion temperature. In the air intake region the engine is fed an adjustable mixture of partially recirculated exhaust gas and air, wherein the mass of in-flowing air and the mass of exhaust gas recirculated from the engine following its cleaning and cooling are fed respectively to its own flow rate sensor. From the determined mass flow amounts of in-flowing air and recirculated exhaust gas, an actual value signal is formed and compared with a target value signal dependent upon the respective performance specification. A regulation deviation of the actual value signal leads to an adjustment signal, which intervenes into the exhaust gas recirculation for the purpose of adjusting the amount recirculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Karlheinz Wienand, Matthias Muziol, Karlheinz Ullrich, Gerhard Damaschke
  • Publication number: 20020109577
    Abstract: An electrical resistor has a resistance layer containing platinum or a platinum group metal, which is applied to an electrically insulating surface of a substrate, wherein the resistance layer is constructed as a thin layer element and is made of a physical mixture of finely dispersed ceramic and metal. Preferably, the ratio of finely dispersed ceramic to metal lies in a range of about 5 to 50% by weight. Preferably, the finely dispersed ceramic is selected from SiO, Sio2, Ta2O5, MgO, Al2O3, and mixtures thereof. The resistor is used as a reference resistor in a sensor (temperature sensor) together with a temperature-dependent measuring resistor, wherein both resistors are arranged on a common substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Loose, Martin Turwitt, Karl-Heinz Wienand
  • Publication number: 20020100686
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining the oxygen activity in metal melts or slag melts has a measuring head arranged on the end of a carrier tube, on which head an electrochemical measuring cell is arranged. The electrochemical measuring cell has a solid electrolyte tube closed on one end, which is surrounded on the closed end and at least on a portion of its periphery by a steel tube closed on one end. A reference material and a filler material adjoining the reference material are arranged inside the solid electrolyte tube on its closed end. A metal rod is arranged as an electrode along the solid electrolyte tube in such a manner that, on the one hand, it stands in contact with the reference material and, on the other hand, it projects out of the open end of the solid electrolyte tube. The open end of the solid electrolyte tube has a closure which is constructed as a cap, which fits on the exterior of the steel tube or the solid electrolyte tube, and the closure is gas-permeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International, N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Knevels, Frank Mingneau
  • Publication number: 20020084885
    Abstract: A method for producing a platinum-containing resistor, configured as a temperature sensor, includes applying a resistive coat to a ceramic support having a surface of electrically insulating material, covering an outer surface of the resistive coat with at least one layer of an electrically insulating material, which is preferably applied as a diffusion barrier in the form of an intermediate layer, and forming an electrode on the side of the resistive coat facing away from the substrate surface and spaced therefrom, using a thick-film technique. This electrode, comprising a layer of platinum, is covered by a glass passivation layer and is therefore surrounded by the electrically insulating material of the diffusion barrier and the glass passivation layer. The electrode is negatively electrically biased in relation to at least one connection of the resistive layer or the measuring resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Karlheinz Wienand, Stefan Dietmann, Margit Sander, Christiaan Baerts
  • Patent number: 6380840
    Abstract: An easy to manufacture temperature sensor has a measuring resistor with a substrate having an electrically insulating surface and a resistance layer situated thereon. The measuring resistor is surrounded by a casing of temperature-stable plastic, which serves as a primary housing, which together with the embedded measuring resistor is surrounded by an additional plastic extrusion coating as an outer housing, wherein the leads of the measuring resistor are passed through the primary housing and the plastic extrusion coating to the outside. The measuring resistor is suited for use in durable consumer goods, as for example washing machines, dryers and motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Karlheinz Wienand, Frank Schlag, Gerhard Damaschke
  • Patent number: 6363312
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a computer for determining an air-to-fuel (A/F) ratio of an internal combustion engine in which information characteristic of the engine relating the A/F ratio of the engine, the exhaust gas temperature of the engine, the speed of the engine and a parameter related to the load of the engine is previously stored in the computer. The method comprises the steps of: measuring the exhaust gas temperature of the engine; measuring the speed the speed of the engine; measuring the parameter related to the load of the engine; computing the A/F ratio based on the previously stored information, the measured exhaust gas temperature, the measured speed and the measured parameter related to the load; and outputting a signal representative of the A/F ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Griffin
  • Patent number: 6355151
    Abstract: A gas sensor is provided for measurement of oxygen and/or the air-to-fuel lambda ratio and hydrocarbons and/or carbon monoxide in gas mixtures. To reliably measure a plurality of gaseous components, the sensor is provided with a reference electrode representing a constant oxygen partial pressure, an oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte, and at least two measuring electrodes, the measuring electrodes and the reference electrode being mounted directly on the solid electrolyte and having electrical leads for connection and for take-away of electrical measurement signals. The solid electrolyte (1) is constructed with a measurement gas side exposed to the gas mixture and a reference gas side separated from the gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Susanne Brosda, Ulrich Guth, Silvia Lenaerts, Götz Reinhardt, Ulrich Schönauer
  • Patent number: 6353381
    Abstract: An electrical temperature sensor has a platinum-containing resistance layer as a measuring resistor, which is applied on the electrically insulating surface of a ceramic substrate. For protection against contamination or damage, the resistance layer is provided on its side facing away from the ceramic substrate with an intermediate layer as a diffusion barrier layer. In a first embodiment, a platinum layer as an electrode is applied on the intermediate layer spaced from the resistance layer. The electrode protects the measuring resistance against platinum poisons, such as stray silicon ions, which could emerge, for example, from a passivation layer made of glass. In a second embodiment, the electrical temperature sensor is provided with a multiple layer, wherein a covering layer is applied on the intermediate layer as a passivation layer made of glass. Also in this embodiment, an electrode in the form of a platinum layer can be applied spaced from the resistance layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Dietmann, Margit Sander, Christian Baerts, Karlheinz Wienand
  • Patent number: 6351884
    Abstract: A printed circuit board with at least one component part as a measuring resistor, heat resistor or measuring electrode arrangement has at least two contact pads connected with conductor paths for electrical and mechanically fast connection with lead ends of a jacketed connection cable stripped of their insulation, wherein the cable end with its outer jacket is positionable in a mounting element arranged immovably in relation to the printed circuit board at a distance from the contact pad of the conductor path. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting element has channel-shaped recesses for clamp fastening of the lead jacket, which is arranged with its lead exit area adjacent to a respective contact pad of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V
    Inventors: Gerhard Damaschke, Frank Schlag, Karlheinz Wienand
  • Publication number: 20020006155
    Abstract: For detecting the temperature of a fluid, particularly a flowing liquid or gaseous medium, in the hollow space of a housing, a temperature-measuring element is provided that can be connected to an evaluation device via a plug arrangement and is arranged in a protective tube of a sensor housing, which is closed on one side, and with a connection piece firmly affixed thereto. The protective tube projects at least with its tip into an opening of the hollow space that is sealed off from the outside atmosphere using an elastic O-ring. The temperature-measuring element is arranged in the region of the tip of the protective tube on one end of a longitudinally extending circuit board and is connected via strip conductors to the plug arrangement that leads to the outside. The plug arrangement is surrounded by a screw sheath of the sensor housing, which is firmly connected to the protective tube and is provided with a threading that projects into the housing of the hollow space for the purpose of mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wienand, Matthias Muziol
  • Publication number: 20010053172
    Abstract: For measuring temperature of a fluid flowing in a tube, a temperature measuring device is provided with an electric temperature sensor which is securely attached to a tube section so as not to shift in an axial or radial direction. The temperature sensor is applied mechanically fixed on strip conductors on the outer side of the tube section by a thermally and electrically good-conducting paste. The sensor is protected against the outside by a hollow housing, preferably sheath-shaped, surrounding the tube section with a spacing. A connection cabel, electrically and mechanically firmly connected with the sensor, is guided out of the sheath-shaped housing through an opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Ullrich Sakowsky, Matthias Muziol
  • Publication number: 20010051108
    Abstract: A sensor and method are provided for ascertaining a soot concentration in flowing, soot particle-bearing gases, wherein at least a component stream of a soot particle-bearing gas stream flows through at least one molded element which is open-pored at least in the flow direction, and wherein the temperature of the molded element is measured with at least one temperature probe. The sensor is a soot sensor, which has at least one molded element which is open-pored at least in the flow direction, at least one electric heating element and at least one temperature probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Ulrich Schonauer
  • Publication number: 20010042685
    Abstract: A gas sensor and a process are provided for manufacturing a gas sensor with an oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte, which has a measurement gas side and a reference gas side and which separates a measurement gas space from a reference gas space, at least one measurement electrode being arranged on the measurement gas side of the solid electrolyte and at least one reference electrode being arranged on the reference gas side of the solid electrolyte, and with a support which is gas-permeable at least in the area of the electrodes. The problem presents itself of providing an economical gas sensor, in which the gas supply to the electrodes takes place through a gas-permeable support, as well as providing a simple process for manufacturing the gas sensor. The problem is solved for the gas sensor in that the oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte and the electrodes are constructed as thin layers and are arranged on the gas-permeable support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Silvia Lenaerts, Guido Cappa
  • Publication number: 20010035044
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement is provided for soot particle-bearing gases, having a soot sensor in a gas conduit, and its use in methods for determining a soot concentration in flowing, soot particle-bearing gases, wherein at least one component stream of a soot particle-bearing gas stream in a gas conduit flows by and/or through at least one electrically-conducting structure. The problem presents itself of making available a sensor and a method for determining soot concentrations in flowing gases, with which even small amounts of soot can be reliably recorded. The problem is solved by a measuring arrangement with a soot sensor, which has an electrically-conducting structure with an electrical charge, and wherein an arrangement for generating another electrical charge on the soot particles is provided in the gas upstream of the soot sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Bjorn Larsson, Ulrich Schonauer
  • Patent number: 6300571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mineral-insulated supply line for a sensor, including a sleeve and at least one internal conductor arranged in the sleeve, with one end of the at least internal conductor connected with a sensor element or its supply line and with the sleeve containing a mineral powder as insulation material. To obtain a high temperature-resistant and corrosion-resistant supply line for gas sensors, at least one internal conductor is made of a metal from the group consisting of tantalum, titanium, niobium, molybdenum, vanadium, zirconium, rhenium, and osmium, or of an alloy based on at least one of these metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Robert Scannell, Annette Kipka
  • Publication number: 20010026577
    Abstract: A sensor for temperature measurements has a temperature-dependent measuring element, which is arranged in one end of a quartz glass tube facing the measurement, wherein a connection line of the measuring element is guided to the outside through the other end of the quartz glass tube. The quartz glass tube is itself surrounded by a protective tube made of stainless steel, which is closed off at its end facing the measurement by a rotationally symmetric formed body, preferably a sphere made of stainless steel. A spacer made of electrically insulating material, preferably mica, is provided between the formed body or sphere and the measuring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Matthias Muziol
  • Publication number: 20010020397
    Abstract: A sampler is provided for melts, especially for slag lying on top of molten metals, having a one piece or multi-piece body arranged on a carrier. The body of the sampler has an intake and a sample chamber, wherein the intake has a surface which is at least partially formed by a slag-repellant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Guido Cappa, Guido Neyens, Johan Knevels
  • Publication number: 20010020327
    Abstract: In order to connect contact surfaces of electric component blanks for layer resistors to at least two elongated, metallic connection leads, elongated, slot-shaped openings are made, e.g., by etching, in a continuous metal sheet to manufacture a connection lead blank. The openings border on later connection leads of the connection blank and cross-struts yet to be removed. In a second step, the connection lead blank is brought into a cassette and seized, whereby one of the cross-struts projects out of the cassette and is separated in a third step, such that the free ends of the parallel-running connection leads project out of the cassette. In a fourth step, the cassette is brought into a bonding or welding device, so that the free ends of the connection leads cover the contact surfaces of a component blank or a multi-component blank and are connected together by a bonding or welding operation. In case a multi-component blank (multi-unit plate) is used, it is then separated into individual components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Karlheinz Ullrich, Karl-Heinz Wienand, Armin Lotz
  • Publication number: 20010020592
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the oxygen content of a measurement gas using a sensor, as well as the use of the sensor according to the method. The problem presents itself of making available a method by which lambda can be determined as accurately and as simply as possible in a broad range of 0.8 to about 20. The problem is solved for the method in that the determination of the oxygen content of the measurement gas is performed by the first and the second measuring cells in a serial manner, wherein the oxygen content of the measurement gas is determined by the second measuring cell in a lambda range of 0.8 to 1.4 and by the first measuring cell in a lambda range of ≧1 to 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Sandow, Silvia Lenaerts
  • Publication number: 20010015287
    Abstract: A printed circuit board has a conductor path applied to a substrate having an electrically insulating surface, the conductor path preferably being constructed in the shape of a meander and containing connection areas with holes to which small contact plates are applied for the purpose of later bonding with connection leads. The small contact plates are applied in a hard soldering process with the aid of solder paste to the connection areas of the conductor paths and to the surface area of the substrate surface which is made of ceramic and exposed by the holes. It is consequently possible, dispensing with so-called bonding wires, to directly connect connection leads or bonding lugs electrically with the conductor path and mechanically with the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is preferably designed as a measuring resistor, wherein the conductor path is applied as a resistance layer of platinum or platinum group metal in a thin film process to a small ceramic plate of aluminum oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Muziol, Karlheinz Wienand