Three Or More Electrodes Patents (Class 204/412)
  • Patent number: 10191009
    Abstract: Methods and sensing instruments are provided which perform automated electrochemical sensing and determination of metals in a liquid sample, such as drinking water or waste water. With use of microelectrode arrays, concentrations of metal are determined through a double potential step variation on anodic stripping coulometry, and the ability to generate these results provides for compact sensor networks that can be remotely deployed for determination of metals in samples, for real-time, decentralized sample monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Mohamed M. Marei, Richard P. Baldwin, Thomas J. Roussel, Jr., Robert S. Keynton
  • Patent number: 10132934
    Abstract: A detection device is formed in a body of semiconductor material having a first face, a second face, and a cavity. A detection area formed in the cavity, and a gas pump is integrated in the body and configured to force movement of gas towards the detection area. A detection system of an optical type or a detector of alpha particles is arranged at least in part in the detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Sara Loi, Alberto Pagani
  • Patent number: 10041903
    Abstract: In a cross section of the gas sensor element which is perpendicular to its lengthwise direction and through which all first to fourth lead portions penetrate, when the cross section is bisected into two regions with respect to the width direction of the gas sensor element, the first lead portion and the fourth lead portion are disposed in one of the regions and the second lead portion and the third lead portion are disposed in the other region, and the second lead portion and the third lead portion are disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction with no overlap as viewed in a stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Mizutani, Nobuo Furuta
  • Patent number: 10036721
    Abstract: A method is described for operating a sensor element for detecting at least one concentration of a gas in a measuring gas chamber. The sensor element includes at least one pump cell having at least two pump electrodes connected to each other by at least one solid electrolyte. At least one measuring variable is detected in the method, and at least one compensating variable is determined. The compensating variable is at least partially dependent on capacitive effects on at least one junction between at least one of pump electrodes and the solid electrolyte. At least one corrected measuring variable is determined from the measuring variable and the compensating variable. The concentration of the gas in the measuring gas chamber is determined from the corrected measuring variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Goetz Reinhardt, Hartwig Lehle, Bernhard Ledermann
  • Patent number: 10020528
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode, and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The solid electrolyte layer contains a zirconia-based material as a main component. A first intensity ratio of tetragonal crystal zirconia to cubic crystal zirconia in a Raman spectrum in a central portion of the solid electrolyte layer is greater than a second intensity ratio of tetragonal crystal zirconia to cubic crystal zirconia in a Raman spectrum of an outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Shinji Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 9991565
    Abstract: A sensor system for detecting a leak of a system component from an electrochemical storage system, in particular a lithium-ion battery. To determine a defect in the electrochemical storage system, the sensor system includes a reaction chamber containing a detection component, and a measuring device for determining a physical variable within the reaction chamber. The value of the physical variable is changeable by a chemical reaction of the system component with the detection component, so that a leak of the system component is detectable via a change in the value of the physical variable. Also described is a sensor element for such a sensor system, an electrochemical storage system having such a sensor system or sensor element, the use of such a sensor system or sensor element, and a mobile or stationary system, for example an electric vehicle, equipped with the sensor system, the sensor element, or the storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kathy Sahner, Jens Grimminger, Marcus Wegner, Dirk Liemersdorf
  • Patent number: 9983164
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor assembly is disclosed. In some implementations, the electrochemical sensor assembly comprises at least one electrochemical sensor/cell including a substrate with a cavity formed on a first side of the substrate, an ionic conductor is disposed within the cavity, and a lid assembly positioned over the cavity. The lid assembly may include a plurality of electrodes and a gas permeable region positioned over the plurality of electrodes, where the plurality of electrodes include a working electrode configured to react a molecular species when the molecular species is received through the gas permeable region. The lid assembly may be sealed to the substrate with a bonding layer disposed between the lid assembly and the substrate. The bonding layer may be curable with light or thermally curable at a suitably low temperature to avoid thermal damage to the ionic conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan G. Allen, Jim Chih-Min Cheng
  • Patent number: 9947954
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes seven current collecting members and six fuel cells that are alternate stacked with reference to the stacking direction. Each of the six fuel cells includes an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte layer that is disposed between the anode and the cathode and contains a zirconia-based material as a main component. The six fuel cells include a first fuel cell disposed in the center with reference to the stacking direction, and a second fuel cell disposed in one end with reference to the stacking direction. An intensity ratio of tetragonal crystal zirconia to cubic crystal zirconia in a Raman spectrum of the solid electrolyte layer of the first fuel cell is greater than an intensity ratio of tetragonal crystal zirconia to cubic crystal zirconia in a Raman spectrum of the solid electrolyte layer of the second fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Shinji Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 9891162
    Abstract: An online colorimetric analyzer that generates an indication of a material in a sample is provided. The analyzer includes a peristaltic pump configured to convey. A photometric cell is operably coupled to the peristaltic pump to receive the sample. An illumination source is disposed to direct illumination through the sample in the photometric cell along an angle of incidence. A photodetector disposed to receive illumination passing through the photometric cell along the angle of incidence and provide a signal indicative of a color of the sample. A controller is coupled to the illumination source, the photodetector and the peristaltic pump. The photometric cell is tilted relative to vertical such that a surface of liquid present when the photometric cell is partially filled substantially reflects the illumination away from the angle of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Butcher, Chang-Dong Feng, Jeffrey Lomibao, Calin Ciobanu
  • Patent number: 9885694
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detection of the concentration of at least one gaseous target substance (10) in a gas or a gas mixture (20), especially air, wherein: a) a first measured value (11) of the concentration of the at least one gaseous target substance (10) is saved as the first measured value (11) in a predetermined way and then b) the at least one target substance (10) is kept away from the sensor (1) with a gas shielding device (2) for a predetermined period of time, so that the concentration of the at least one target substance (10) measured by the sensor changes, c) before the end of the shielding of the sensor (1), the magnitude of the measured concentration and/or the direction of the change in concentration of the gaseous target substance (10) as detected by the sensor (1) is saved as the second measured value (12), d) the sensor (1) is then exposed again to the gas (20) with the at least one gaseous target substance (10), while e) on the basis of the difference between the first measure
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: MSA EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Warratz, Martin Weber
  • Patent number: 9864345
    Abstract: A process for creating a predictive data set predicting the amount of target constituents are in an electrolyte solution at varying temperatures is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: TECHNIC, INC.
    Inventors: Kazimierz Wikiel, Aleksander Jaworski, Wojciech Wikiel
  • Patent number: 9843262
    Abstract: Power controller includes an output terminal having an output voltage, at least one clock generator to generate a plurality of clock signals and a plurality of hardware phases. Each hardware phase is coupled to the at least one clock generator and the output terminal and includes a comparator. Each hardware phase is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of clock signals and a reference voltage, combine the corresponding clock signal and the reference voltage to produce a reference input, generate a feedback voltage based on the output voltage, compare the reference input and the feedback voltage using the comparator and provide a comparator output to the output terminal, whereby the comparator output determines a duty cycle of the power controller. An integrated circuit including the power controller is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Shepard, Noah Andrew Sturcken
  • Patent number: 9835581
    Abstract: A gas sensor having a housing with first and second chambers featuring a porous separator located there between. The first chamber of the sensor being connected to atmosphere via a gas diffusion aperture. The gas sensor having a sensing electrode disposed within the first chamber and at least a second electrode disposed within the second chamber. The sensor having an ionic liquid electrolyte disposed within the second chamber where the sensing electrode and at least second electrodes comprise platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Chapples, Martin Geoffrey Jones
  • Patent number: 9791404
    Abstract: Provided are: an electrode for a gas sensor formed as a porous electrode so as to stably allow reduction in electrode resistance for excellent low-temperature activity; and a gas sensor. The electrode (108, 110) for the gas sensor is adapted for use on a surface of a solid electrolyte body (109), which is predominantly formed of zirconia, and contains particles (2) of a noble metal or an alloy thereof, first ceramic particles (4) of stabilized zirconia or partially stabilized zirconia and second ceramic particles (6) of one or more selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, MgO, La2O3, spinel, zircon, mullite and cordierite, wherein the second ceramic particles are contained in an amount smaller than that of the first ceramic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Oya, Yuta Oishi
  • Patent number: 9754848
    Abstract: Provided is a gas sensor package, including: a gas sensing element; and a substrate on which the gas sensing element is disposed, in which a through hole corresponding to the gas sensing element is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Gon Jun, Jee Heum Paik, Ji Hun Hwang
  • Patent number: 9743221
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for user association with a gas detector using passive NFC tags. Applicants propose a gas detector with a near-field communication (NFC) reader built into the gas detector, thereby allowing the user to scan their employee identification (ID) badge or a specialized individualized NFC tag. In some embodiments, an NFC tag may be attached to an employee ID badge. The gas detector may communicate via NFC with the badge and/or tag, and may recognize the badge and/or tag as associated with a specific user. When the user starts their shift, the gas detector with an NFC reader can scan the tag and associate the user with the detector and store the information in a log for archival purposes. This process can be completed by the user, and does not require connecting the gas detector to a computer to provide the association.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mahdi Javer, Kirk William Johnson, Kelly Englot, Stephen Mroszczak
  • Patent number: 9732657
    Abstract: In this invention, an EMF oxygen sensor is subjected to an activation process applying unidirectional voltage between an atmosphere electrode and an exhaust electrode thereof. A control device controlling the oxygen sensor in which a voltage was applied with the atmosphere electrode being positive, additionally applies unidirectional voltage between the electrodes to make the atmosphere electrode positive, for example, when the oxygen sensor was used under an environment in which the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine was rich relative to the theoretical air-fuel ratio. Conversely, a control device controlling the oxygen sensor in which a voltage was applied to make the atmosphere electrode negative, additionally applies unidirectional voltage between the electrodes to make the atmosphere electrode negative, for example, when the oxygen sensor was used under an environment in which the air-fuel ratio was lean relative to the theoretical air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichiro Aoki, Takanori Sasaki, Go Hayashita
  • Patent number: 9726627
    Abstract: A chemical sensor may include an electrode array for electrically interfacing with a fluid sample. The sensor can apply an electrical potential to the sample in order to effect a current flow within the sample. The sensor can measure the resulting current through the sample and determine characteristics about the fluid sample from the current measurement. In one mode of operation of the sensor, the applied electrical potential can be controlled to cause desired electrochemical reactions, such as oxidation or reduction, to occur within the sample to determine the concentration of the oxidized or reduced sample constituent. In another mode of operation, the applied electrical potential causes a current to flow simply due to the conductivity of the sample. In various embodiments, the sensor comprises a controller and a switch for switching between various modes of operation and applying appropriate electric potentials to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney H. Banks
  • Patent number: 9689753
    Abstract: A handheld analyte meter, such as a blood glucose meter, has a measurement module, a rechargeable battery and a charging control to select a maximum charging current to regulate self-heating during recharging that can interfere with analyte tests. Self-heating by the meter can bias temperature measurements made inside the meter that are used to determine whether the temperature is acceptable for testing. Prior to beginning a charging session, the charging control selects the maximum charging current that does not change during the charging session based capacity of a charging source along with a first temperature measured near the battery that is compared with a first temperature range. By selecting the maximum charging current in this manner, the risk of the measurement module preventing a test under high lock-out conditions and the risk of the measurement module allowing a test when low lock-out conditions that are masked is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine E. Ramey, Joseph M. Simpson
  • Patent number: 9689837
    Abstract: Provided is a small-sized device for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential, whereby an oxidation-reduction current and an oxidation-reduction potential can be measured by reducing noise even when a signal from a solution being measured is small. A device for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential is provided with a substrate (10), a working electrode (15) mounted on a surface of the substrate (10), and a bipolar transistor (21) for amplifying the output of the working electrode (15) also provided on the surface of the substrate (10), and the signal amplified by the bipolar transistor (21) is inputted to a processing circuit (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: National University Corporation Toyohashi University of Technology
    Inventors: Masato Futagawa, Kazuaki Sawada, Sou Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9692026
    Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an alkaline electrolytic solution, a separator structure, and a resin container. The separator structure includes a ceramic separator composed of an inorganic solid electrolyte exhibiting hydroxide ion conductivity and optionally a resin frame and/or resin film disposed to surround the periphery of the ceramic separator. The separator structure is bonded to the resin container with an adhesive, and/or the ceramic separator is bonded to the resin frame and/or the resin film with the adhesive. The adhesive is selected from an epoxy resin adhesive, a natural resin adhesive, a modified olefin resin adhesive, and a modified silicone resin adhesive, and the adhesive exhibits a variation in weight of 5% or less after immersed, in a solidified form, in a 9 mol/L aqueous KOH solution at 25° C. for 672 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naomi Hashimoto, Kenshin Kitoh, Yuichi Gonda
  • Patent number: 9678244
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems related to a spectroelectrochemical cell apparatus including a cell body that has a first volume, a transparent sample window defined in the cell body, the transparent sample window defining an optical path through the cell body and having a second volume, a working electrode extending through the cell body and into the transparent sample window in the optical path, a counter electrode extending through the cell body, a reference electrode extending through the cell body, a sample inlet extending through the cell body, a solvent inlet extending through the cell body, an electrolyte inlet extending through the cell body, an ionic fluid inlet extending through the cell body, a detection species inlet extending through the cell body, a fluid outlet extending through the cell body, and a fluid mixer located within the cell body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Shen, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9655986
    Abstract: The device for the treatment of a gaseous medium according to the invention comprises in flow direction of the gaseous medium a plasma-generating device for the generation of a plasma in the gaseous medium. The plasma comprises in particular excited molecules, radicals, ions, free electrons, photons and any combination thereof. Furthermore, the device according to the invention comprises at least one dielectric structure, in particular at least one fused silica tube. The plasma is conveyable into the at least one dielectric structure, in particular after generation in the plasma-generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Beaudouin
  • Patent number: 9638663
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for conducting diagnostic assays. The cartridge consists of an assembly of components that are easily assembled. The cartridge provides means for receiving a patient sample, precisely controlling fluid introduction, onboard storage of assay fluid and conducting different assay protocols and detection of a plurality of analytes. Methods of use for the cartridge are described. The disclosed invention is suitable for point of care environments or any place where rapid, ultrasensitive testing is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Proxim Diagnostics Corporation
    Inventor: Mikhail Briman
  • Patent number: 9640818
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell includes the steps of detecting hydrogen peroxide concentration during power generation by a hydrogen peroxide concentration sensor provided directly on a membrane electrode assembly and determining an operating condition of the fuel cell based on the detected hydrogen peroxide concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Furuyama, Keiko Yamazaki, Ryo Jinba, Hiromichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9631999
    Abstract: An NOx detection apparatus computes a first NOx concentration NOxpo on the basis of a second pumping current Ip2, and sets correction coefficients a, b (concentration variation correction information) on the basis of the first NOx concentration NOxpo. Therefore, the NOx detection apparatus can set the correction coefficients a, b in accordance with the concentration of NOx actually contained in a to-be-measured gas. Since the NOx detection apparatus uses Equation 3, determined by the correction coefficients a, b, for correction of the first NOx concentration NOxpo, the NOx detection apparatus can correct the first NOx concentration NOxpo in accordance with the state of change of the NOx concentration even when the magnitude of an output variation caused by a pressure change changes depending on the NOx concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Onogi, Kenji Kato, Satoshi Teramoto
  • Patent number: 9617576
    Abstract: The present invention provides an enzyme electrode composed of a carbon particle on which glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) with flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as a coenzyme is supported and an electrode layer contacting the carbon particle, wherein the carbon particle and/or the electrode layer are/is composed of the carbon particles with a particle diameter of not more than 100 nm and a specific surface area of at least 200 m2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: BIOENGINEERING LABORATORIES, LLC, ARKRAY, INC., ULTIZYME INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Wakako Tsugawa, Koji Sode
  • Patent number: 9551684
    Abstract: A gas sensor element which has water-permeable electrodes, and water-impermeable leads connected to the electrodes A first electrode (133) has a space exposure portion (133b) exposed to internal space (160) of a gas sensor element (10) which communicates with an ambient atmosphere. A first lead (137) is connected to the first electrode (133). The first electrode (133) includes a first connection portion (133d) which is disposed at a position not exposed to the internal space (160) and connected to the first lead (137), and which is a portion of the first electrode (133) located most distant from the internal space (160). The entire first connection portion (133d) is located in a region A1 which extends from the internal space (160) over a distance of 1.0 mm or less. Also enclosed is a gas sensor including the gas sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Kamada, Masaki Nakagawa, Koji Shiotani
  • Patent number: 9541533
    Abstract: A gas sensor (1) has a platelike detection element (5) extending in an axial direction and a ceramic member (67) having an element insertion hole (81) into which the detection element (5) is inserted. When the ceramic member (67) is viewed from the axial direction, the element insertion hole (81) has a main insertion hole (83) having a substantially quadrate shape surrounded by four sides, and relief holes (85), (86), (87) and (88), each of which is surrounded by an outline connecting ends of two adjacent sides of the four sides of the main insertion hole (83) and located radially outward of the main insertion hole (83) so as to communicate with the main insertion hole 83.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takehiro Oba, Shingo Ito, Makoto Kume, Daisuke Tahira
  • Patent number: 9535184
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor module (10) for measuring an electrical variable, comprising at least one electrode (12, 13), which is arranged in a housing (58) made of an electrically insulating material and which can be connected to an electrical measuring device by means of a connecting cable, wherein the electrode has a sensor element, which is arranged between an inner and an outer contact plate (26,27) made of a carbon material and which is coupled to the connecting cable, wherein an outer contact plate (27) of the electrode is arranged in an outer face of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SCHUNK WIEN GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventors: Gerhard Denner, Werner Plach
  • Patent number: 9404881
    Abstract: Assay modules, preferably assay cartridges, are described as are reader apparatuses which may be used to control aspects of module operation. The modules preferably comprise a detection chamber with integrated electrodes that may be used for carrying out electrode induced luminescence measurements. Methods are described for immobilizing assay reagents in a controlled fashion on these electrodes and other surfaces. Assay modules and cartridges are also described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain preferred embodiments, these modules are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Meso Scale Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Eli N. Glezer, Jonathan K. Leland, Mark A. Billadeau, Joseph M. Leginus, Bandele Jeffrey-Coker, Jeffery D. Debad, Koustubh A. Phalnikar, Sriram Jambunathan
  • Patent number: 9395324
    Abstract: A thin film/MEMS electrochemical gas sensor includes a body having first and second joined subassemblies to form an interior portion of the body, and is composed of a semiconductor material. The body includes at least one opening configured to allow air to pass into the interior portion of the body. A membrane stack is located in the interior of the body, producing an electrical signal that represents a concentration of target gas in the air at the membrane stack. Conductive contacts are configured to provide electrical connection to the membrane stack to access the electrical signal produced by the membrane stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: UTC FIRE & SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anis Zribi, Ken Mott
  • Patent number: 9395318
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electrochemical sensor device comprising: an integrated electrochemical sensor element having: a substrate; first and second electrodes formed on the upper surface of the substrate; and an electrolyte layer formed on the first and second electrodes so as to electrically contact both the first and second electrodes; and a sensor integrated circuit electrically connected to the first and second electrodes of the integrated electrochemical sensor element. The integrated electrochemical sensor element and the sensor integrated circuit are provided in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: AMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Matthias Merz, Dimitri Soccol
  • Patent number: 9372169
    Abstract: Provided is a method for accurately quantifying a chemical substance contained in a sample solution at a significantly low concentration of not more than 1×10?8M. A measurement system used for the method includes a counter electrode 13, a first reference electrode 12, a first working electrode 11a, a second working electrode 11b, a second reference electrode 14 and a gel-coated electrode 15. The gel-coated electrode 15 is electrically equivalent to the second working electrode 11b. The gel-coated electrode 15 comprises an electrode body 31 and a gel 34. The surface of the electrode body 31 is coated with the gel 34. The gel 34 contains a standard electrolyte and an ionic liquid. The gel 34 contains no water. The ionic liquid is hydrophobic and nonvolatile. The ionic liquid is composed of a cation and an anion. The standard electrolyte is composed of the cation and a halide ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Arimoto
  • Patent number: 9372170
    Abstract: In an electrochemical gas sensor (1), a carrier substrate (2) has an underside (3) and a top side (4), wherein an electrode structure (20) with an electrolyte layer (6) is arranged at the top side (4), while a gas inlet for a measurement gas is formed at the underside (3). A porous region (7) formed of a porous material is provided in the carrier substrate (2), such that diffusion openings in the porous material connect the underside (3) to the top side (4) in a gas-permeable manner, and a connection (5, 27) of a measurement electrode (25, 26) is formed in a gas-tight surface region (33, 34, 35) at the top side (4) adjacent to the porous region (7) and the connection (5, 27) is at least partly covered by the electrolyte layer (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Testo AG
    Inventors: Ralf Stich, Peter Ziegler, Luciana Pitta-Bauermann
  • Patent number: 9354157
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assessing subgrade corrosion is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to assess soil corrosivity and subgrade corrosion of a structure without disturbing the site where the structure resides and includes a probe having a plurality of electrodes and sensors configured to conduct environmental and corrosion measurements at the site, and a controller having a potentiostat contained therein to determine a corrosion rate at the site, wherein the corrosion rate provides an indicator of the amount of corrosion of the structure over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Scott Murray
  • Patent number: 9354197
    Abstract: The design and manufacture method of an oxygen concentration sensor made with silicon micromachining (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) process for applications of oxygen measurement with fast response time and low power consumption is disclosed in the present invention. The said silicon oxygen concentration sensor operates with an yttrium stabilized zirconia oxide amperometric cell supported on a membrane made of silicon nitride with a heat isolation cavity underneath or a silicon nitride membrane with silicon plug for mechanical strength enforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Wisenstech Ltd.
    Inventors: Liji Huang, Chih-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 9297779
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor (100) is configured to detect an oxygen concentration or air-fuel ratio in exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas sensor includes a sensor element (10) and a glass coating film (20). The sensor element is configured to detect an oxygen concentration or air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas sensor. The glass coating film (20) is formed on at least part of a surface of the sensor element and capable of absorbing a Mn component contained in the exhaust gas at 700° C. The internal combustion engine uses a fuel having a Mn concentration in excess of 20 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Miwa, Sumio Kamiya, Hirotaka Sakakibara, Tomoaki Shinma
  • Patent number: 9291590
    Abstract: Improvements in references electrodes, halogen sensors, pH sensors, TDS sensors, combinations thereof, and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Digital Concepts of Missouri, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Mosley, Paul Decker
  • Patent number: 9224415
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a microprobe includes a supporting base, an insulating layer, and an electrode layer arrayed in a first direction in this order. A principal surface of the microprobe is formed in a second direction different from the first direction. A step is formed on at least the electrode layer on the principal surface, and the electrode layer is partitioned into a first area and a second area by the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Yongfang Li, Yasushi Tomizawa, Akihiro Koga, Gen Hashiguchi, Masakazu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9179856
    Abstract: A device is described for measuring a parameter of living tissue, in particular a glucose level, which parameter affects a response of said tissue to an electric field. The device comprises a substrate (2), which carries a ground electrode (10) as well as a plurality of signal electrodes (12a, 12b, 13a-13c, 14). The gaps (15) between the ground electrode and the signal electrodes are filled with a solid filler material (16) in order to provide an even surface. Optical reflection detectors (23a, 23b, 23c) can also be located in these gaps in order to avoid field distortions and obtain a compact design. The backside of substrate (2) carries electronic high-frequency components for improving signal quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: BIOVOTION AG
    Inventors: Andreas Caduff, Mark Stuart Talary, Hans-Joachim Krebs, Alexander Megej, Francois Dewarrat
  • Patent number: 9163575
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an engine system with an exhaust gas recirculation system and catalyzing and non-catalyzing intake oxygen sensors. In one example, the catalyzing oxygen sensor is utilized to measure and control exhaust gas recirculation while fuel vapor purge is measured and controlled based on the catalyzing and non-catalyzing sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9151737
    Abstract: A tank ventilation system having an intake tract, the tank ventilation system including a hydrocarbon reservoir, a sensor, and a valve. The valve and the sensor are arranged in a fluid line that couples the hydrocarbon reservoir to the intake tract. The sensor captures a hydrocarbon concentration of a fluid in the fluid line. A captured value of the hydrocarbon concentration is measured using the sensor. When the open valve, a mass flow of the fluid flowing through the fluid line into the intake tract is captured or determined. An air/fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture fed to the internal combustion engine is determined. An estimated value of the hydrocarbon concentration in the fluid line is determined according to the mass flow of the fluid and the air/fuel ratio. The sensor is calibrated according to the captured value of the hydrocarbon concentration and the estimated value of the hydrocarbon concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Wildgen
  • Patent number: 9121840
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a preservation system for storage and logistic transport of nutritional substances. The preservation system obtains information about the nutritional substance to be preserved, senses and measures the external environment to the preservation system, senses and measures the internal environment to the preservation system, senses and measures the state of the nutritional substance, and stores such information throughout the period of preservation. Using this accumulated information, the preservation system can measure, or estimate, changes in nutritional content (usually degradation) during the period of preservation. Additionally, the preservation system can use this information to dynamically modify the preservation system to minimize detrimental changes to the nutritional content of the nutritional substance, and in some cases actually improve the nutritional substance attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Eugenio Minvielle
  • Publication number: 20150136600
    Abstract: A gas sensing system includes an air intake hole which comprises a plurality of micro-flow channels, a replaceable sensor for receiving an air from the air intake hole and detecting the received air, and a processing unit coupled to the replaceable sensor and doing determination for the component of the air according to a detection result of the replaceable sensor. Wherein, the replaceable sensor includes a plurality of sensing chips arranged in an array and each sensing chip is coated with a sensing thin film separately to detect a different gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Hsiang-Chiu Wu, Shih-Wen Chiu, Ting-I Chou, Chia-Min Yang, Da-Jeng Yao, Hsin Chen, Kea-Tiong Tang
  • Publication number: 20150068895
    Abstract: An amperometric sensor circuit for measuring chlorine concentration in water. The circuit includes first and second working electrodes coated with a hydrophilic membrane. A power supply and biasing circuit is configured to deliver a generally constant voltage between the first working electrode and a reference electrode and to generally deliver a constant current between the second working electrode and a counter electrode. A measurement circuit measures the current between the counter electrode and the first working electrode. A processing circuit is provided for determining the chlorine concentration based on the current measured by the measurement circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Carine Beriet, Yves De Coulon, Cyrille Lemoine
  • Publication number: 20150053576
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement, comprising: at least three half-cells, each of which has a pH-sensitive membrane, and a measuring circuit, which is embodied to register a half-cell potential of each half-cell relative to a shared reference potential. The half-cell potential of each half-cell depends on the pH-value of a measured liquid contacting its pH-sensitive membrane. The sensitivity of a first of the three half-cells corresponds to a change of its half-cell potential relative to a change of the pH-value of the measured liquid causing it; the sensitivity of a second of the three half-cells corresponds to a change of its half-cell potential relative to a change of the pH-value of the measured liquid causing it; the sensitivity of a third of the three half-cells corresponds to a change of its half-cell potential relative to a change of the pH-value of the measured liquid causing it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Torsten Pechstein, Thomas Wilhelm, Michael Hanko
  • Patent number: 8961758
    Abstract: An ion-selective electrode comprising: a housing, which surrounds a housing interior; an ion-selective membrane; especially a polymer membrane; and a sensing system, which is in contact with the ion-selective membrane, for sensing a potential of the ion-selective membrane, wherein the ion-selective membrane at least partially fills the housing interior, and is in contact with a medium surrounding the housing via at least one traversing bore through a housing wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess—und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Wilke
  • Publication number: 20150047978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate for a microfluidic device comprising a polymeric base plate, at least one sensor formed over the polymeric base plate for detecting at least one target analyte from a sample, the sensor comprising at least one reference electrode and at least one working electrode, wherein a plurality of nanostructures deposited over the working electrode for increasing the surface area of the working electrode, and at least one recognition element bound to or deposited over the nanostructures. The microfluidic device of the present invention is a point-of-care, self calibrated, self contained hand-held device for rapid screening and diagnosis of various disease markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: PIRAMAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED
    Inventors: Vijaywanth Mathur, Vaishali Nevreker, Rahul Mathew
  • Patent number: 8951395
    Abstract: A biosensor for electrochemically measuring a sample may include a first member made of an insulating material, an electrode system including a working electrode and a counter electrode formed on the first member, a second member fixed over the first member, a sample flow channel provided between the first member and the second member, a hydrophilic section provided on at least a part of the internal surface of the sample flow channel and extending from a first end near the electrode system to a second end on the opposite side, and a flow stop area provided on a section adjacent to the second end on the first member or on the internal surface of the sample flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Reiko Machida, Takao Yokoyama, Yayoi Irie, Hisako Takagi, Yoshihiko Umegae, Toshio Tanabe