Solid Electrolyte Patents (Class 204/421)
  • Patent number: 11662268
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a device may include a printed circuit board that includes at least two exposed conductor traces on a first side of the printed circuit board that are not in contact with each other; a material, that includes a substance that forms an electrically conductive solution when dissolved by a polar solvent, in contact with the at least two exposed conductor traces and fastened to at least one of the printed circuit board and the at least two exposed conductor traces; and a fastener on a second side of the printed circuit board, opposite the first side of the printed circuit board, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Warren Mundt, Sandor Farkas
  • Patent number: 11635403
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for measuring a semiconductor gas sensor based on virtual alternating current impedance. The method comprises: combining measurement parameters of virtual measurement frequencies in a first predetermined range and virtual parallel capacitance values in a second predetermined range, and measuring gas with known concentrations at each characteristic quantity among nine characteristic quantities in the case of each combination; obtaining multiple characteristic values corresponding to the same gas concentration at each characteristic quantity after traversing all parameter combinations and all nine characteristic quantities; and selecting virtual measurement frequencies in a third range, virtual parallel capacitance values in a fourth range and one or several corresponding characteristic quantities as the finally selected measurement parameters for measuring the unknown gas concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Aijun Yang, Dawei Wang, Xiaohua Wang, Mingzhe Rong, Jianbin Pan, Xianbo Huang, Jifeng Chu, Huan Yuan
  • Patent number: 11630074
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a measuring method for a semiconductor gas sensor based on alternating-current impedance. The method includes the steps: connecting the semiconductor gas sensor to a capacitor in parallel, connecting an alternating-current impedance measuring device to the semiconductor gas sensor and the capacitor, combining measuring parameters under measuring frequencies within a first preset range and parallel capacitance values within a second preset range, and measuring a gas with a known concentration according to each of nine features under each combination; traversing all parameter combinations and all the nine features to obtain a plurality of feature values corresponding to the same gas concentration under each feature; and selecting measuring frequencies within a third range, parallel capacitance values within a fourth range and a certain or several of the corresponding features as measuring parameters finally selected for measuring an unknown gas concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiaohua Wang, Dawei Wang, Aijun Yang, Mingzhe Rong, Jianbin Pan, Xianbo Huang, Jifeng Chu, Huan Yuan
  • Patent number: 11567031
    Abstract: In an example of a selective, real-time gas sensing method, a gas sample, potentially including a specific gas molecule to be sensed, is supplied to an interface between a working electrode and an ionic liquid electrolyte. Based on at least one unique electrochemical reaction of the specific gas molecule to be sensed, a driving force is implemented to initiate a series of reactions involving the specific gas molecule. In response to the implementation of the driving force, a signal indicative of the specific gas molecule is monitored for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Oakland University
    Inventors: Xiangqun Zeng, Yongan Tang
  • Patent number: 11520380
    Abstract: Disclosed in various embodiments are an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a power control circuit for controlling power supplied to at least one component of the electronic device; at least one submergence recognition circuit including a first pole connected to at least one port of the power control circuit, and a second pole connected to a ground; a processor electrically connected to the power control circuit; and a memory electrically connected to the processor, wherein the memory can be configured, during execution thereof, to store instructions for allowing the processor to: control the power control circuit such that power is supplied to the submergence recognition circuit; sense a current flowing from the submergence recognition circuit to the power control circuit; and determine, on the basis of the sensing result of the current, whether an area in which the submergence recognition circuit is arranged has been submerged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wanjae Ju, Kiyeong Jeong, Hyoseok Na
  • Patent number: 11408547
    Abstract: A modular hopper tee including a modified tee box, a tee box liner, a readily detachable inflow adapter for coupling a first pipe to the tee box and a readily detachable outflow adapter for coupling a second pipe to the tee box, the liner and adapters being constructed from an elastomeric polymer such as polyurethane. Each of the inflow and outflow adapters includes a flange portion and a cylinder portion extending through the flange portion, the flange portion dividing the cylinder portion into a first cylinder portion that extends through a sidewall opening of the tee box and sealingly engages the liner and a second cylinder portion that is located outside of the box. A metal cylinder member, which is embedded within the first cylinder portion and surrounds an exterior of the second cylinder portion, is provided for reinforcing the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Bailey-Parks Urethane, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Tutor
  • Patent number: 11391604
    Abstract: A sensor module according to one mode of the present disclosure includes a sensor part and a case configured to house the sensor part. The case includes: a contact part formed from an elastic body and including a contact surface with which to contact an installation target of the sensor module; and a magnet disposed along the contact surface of the contact part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masanobu Oe
  • Patent number: 11360158
    Abstract: An insulation resistance measuring apparatus designed to calculate a complex impedance of an ac circuit including a measuring resistor, a coupling capacitor, an insulation resistor installed in a vehicle, and a ground capacitance. The insulation resistance measuring apparatus includes a sine wave current applying device which applies an ac signal to the measuring resistor and measures a voltage change appearing at a junction of the sine wave current applying device and the measuring resistor. The ac signal and the voltage change are used to determine the complex impedance. A resistance value of the insulation resistor is calculated as a function of the complex impedance. This structure enables the circuit to be reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomomichi Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 11362366
    Abstract: The present invention is provided to reduce the influence of expansion and contraction of an active material, form a favorable interface between the solid electrolyte and the active material, and increase ion conductivity in the electrolyte, thereby obtaining a wide operation temperature range. A secondary battery composite electrolyte includes an inorganic compound having an Li ion conductivity at room temperature that is 1×10?10 S/cm or more and having particle diameter of 0.05 ?m or more and less than 8 ?m, and an organic electrolyte. The weight ratio between the organic electrolyte and the inorganic compound is 0.1% or more and 20% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuomi Yoshima, Yasuhiro Harada, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 11328769
    Abstract: A resistance change device includes a first resistance change layer that occludes and discharges ions of at least one type, and resistance of the first resistance change layer, changes in accordance with an amount of the ions in such a manner that the resistance decreases when the ions are discharged and the resistance increases when the ions are occluded; a second resistance change layer that occludes and discharges the ions, and resistance of the second resistance change layer changes in accordance with the amount of the ions in such a manner that the resistance increases when the ions are discharged and the resistance decreases when the ions are occluded; and an ion conductive layer that carries the ions and is provided between the first resistance change layer and the second resistance change layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hideyuki Noshiro
  • Patent number: 11327043
    Abstract: A gas sensor element includes: an element base being a ceramic structure including a sensing part; and a leading-end protective layer being a porous layer disposed around an outer periphery of the element base in a predetermined range on a side of the sensing part. The leading-end protective layer includes: a first layer disposed at least on two main surfaces of the element base; a second layer disposed to cover the end portion and four side surfaces of the element base including the two main surfaces; and a third layer disposed to cover the second layer. The second layer has a porosity of 30% to 80%, and has a thickness of 30 to 50 times thickness of the first layer, and the third layer has a porosity of 15% to 30%, and has a thickness of 5 to 10 times the thickness of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Hino, Atsushi Watanabe, Ryo Hayase
  • Patent number: 10948449
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes a sensor housing having a plurality of inlet passages, wherein each of the plurality of inlet passages has a cross-sectional area of no greater than 11,309 ?m2. The electrochemical gas sensor further includes a working electrode within the housing which is responsive to an analyte gas and an electrolyte within the sensor housing in ionic contact with the working electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Keith Davis, Michael Alvin Brown, Mark Flori Zanella, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10935513
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) includes a substrate, a working electrode formed on a surface of the substrate, a counter electrode formed on the surface of the substrate, a dielectric layer covering a portion of the working electrode and counter electrode and defining an aperture exposing other portions of the working electrode and counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Chung Chiun Liu
  • Patent number: 10927465
    Abstract: An oxygen evolution catalyst of the formula: Sr2MCoO5 where M=Al, Ga wherein M is bonded with four oxygen atoms to form a tetrahedron. The catalyst is operated at a potential of less than 1.58 volts vs. RHE at a current density of 50 ?A/cm2 for a pH of 7-13. The catalyst is operated at a potential of less than 1.55 volts vs. RHE at a current density of 50 ?A/cm2 and a pH of 13. The oxygen evolution catalyst of the formula: Sr2GaCoO5 wherein the catalyst is operated at a potential of less than 1.53 volts vs. RHE at a current density of 50 ?A/cm2 and a pH of 7. The oxygen evolution catalyst of formula: Sr2GaCoO5 wherein the catalyst maintains a current within 94% after 300 minutes at a potential of 1.645 volts vs. RHE wherein the current is greater than 1 milliamp and a pH of 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Qin Zhou, Krishna Reddy Gunugunuri, Chen Ling, Hongfei Jia
  • Patent number: 10900926
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a first electrode; a metal oxide layer that is on the first electrode and has a resistance value that changes when the metal oxide layer contacts hydrogen atoms; a second electrode on the metal oxide layer; and an insulating film that covers at least a part of side surfaces of the first electrode, the metal oxide layer, and the second electrode. In the metal oxide layer, a part of a first interface between the first electrode and the metal oxide layer is not covered by the insulating film and is exposed to a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Katayama, Zhiqiang Wei, Shunsaku Muraoka, Kazunari Homma
  • Patent number: 10634640
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a sensor element having a measuring electrode and a reference electrode, a housing accommodating the sensor element, and an element cover including an inner cover having an inner side wall section and an inner bottom wall section, and an outer cover having an outer side wall section and an outer bottom wall section. Inner side surface holes and outer side surface holes are formed in the inner side wall section and the outer side wall section. Inner bottom surface holes and outer bottom surface holes are formed in the inner bottom wall section and the outer bottom wall section. The ratio of the total surface area of the outer side surface holes with respect to the total surface area of the inner bottom surface holes is 8 to 47. The total surface area of the inner side surface holes is 2 to 8 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Mizutani, Nobuyuki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 10446835
    Abstract: A compound MjXp which is particularly suitable for use in a battery prepared by the complexometric precursor formulation methodology wherein: Mj is at least one positive ion selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and transition metals and j is an integer representing the moles of said positive ion per moles of said MjXp; and Xp, a negative anion or polyanion from Groups IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA and VIIA and may be one or more anion or polyanion and p is an integer representing the moles of said negative ion per moles of said MjXp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Nano One Materials Corp.
    Inventor: Teresita Frianeza-Kullberg
  • Patent number: 10429213
    Abstract: A monitoring instrument, such as a gas detection instrument, an easily replaceable sensor, and a mounting structure for the monitoring instrument. The monitoring instrument has a sensor attachment member that facilitates installation of the sensor. Alignment of the sensor during installation is facilitated by any of a number of alignment structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: United Electric Controls Co.
    Inventors: John Golden, Roger Iacabone, Levon Khatchadourian, Adam Karlgren, Andrew Liptak, Robert McCarey, Stephen Mills, John Sestito, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10281358
    Abstract: A semiconductor sensor includes a cavity; a fluid connection between the cavity and an inlet area; a pump diaphragm that bounds the cavity; and a measuring diaphragm that bounds the cavity. The fluid connection includes a diffusion channel having multiple openings in the inlet area or multiple diffusion channels having respectively an opening in the inlet area, and it is possible to close at least one of the openings using laser light in order to influence an effective length or an effective cross section of the fluid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Haeffelin, Harald Guenschel, Janine Riedrich-Moeller, Marcus Ahles
  • Patent number: 10274418
    Abstract: A calibration suspension unit has a container made of a flexible material that is filled with a calibration suspension for the calibration of a turbidity meter. There exists no air supernatant above the calibration suspension in the container. Further, a method for the manufacture of a calibration suspension unit is provided and its use for the calibration of a turbidity meter is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Tintometer GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Grabert, Ulrich Lundgreen
  • Patent number: 10153496
    Abstract: Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. The active cells include anodes and cathodes spaced apart along the length, with each including a porous portion and a non-porous conductor portion. The active cells reside between opposing porous anode and cathode portions. The electrical series connections between active cells are made between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by direct contact between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by non-porous conductive vias or elements that extend through an intervening support structure that separates the non-porous anode conductor portions from the non-porous cathode conductor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 10113988
    Abstract: Provided is a gas sensor free from an unbonded space being in communication with an internal space. A gas sensor, which includes a sensor element including a plurality of layers that are bonded and formed of an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte and which reduces a predetermined gas component of a measurement gas to identify a concentration of the gas component on the basis of a current flowing through the solid electrolyte, includes an internal space in which a measurement gas having the ability to reduce the gas component is provided. Of the plurality of layers, an interlaminar bonding layer, which bonds a layer forming a bottom surface of the internal space and a layer forming a side surface of the internal space, projects into the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoya Saito, Takayuki Sekiya, Takeshi Omori, Sumiko Horisaka
  • Patent number: 10054573
    Abstract: A method for fitting a protection tube to a gas sensor includes: a step for engaging tube-end opening jigs which have been inserted into the inside of a protection tube through its one end portion, with this end portion, for maintaining this end portion at an opened state, a step for bringing tube-end holding jigs into contact with this engagement portion from outside for holding the tube through pinching between these jigs, and a step for inserting the sensor into the inside of the tube being held through pinching, wherein the insertion of the sensor into the inside of the tube is continued even after an end portion of the sensor comes into contact with the inner surface of the tube, while the engagement of the tube with the tube-end opening jigs is gradually released, thereby fitting the tube to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Isaka, Nobukazu Ikoma, Yutaka Nakane
  • Patent number: 9989487
    Abstract: A gas sensor element of an air/fuel ratio sensor includes a plurality of through holes formed in an insulating substrate at forward end regions of corresponding electrode pads to which the through holes are connected. In the gas sensor element, the through holes are not formed within the longitudinal rear end regions and center regions of the electrode pads. Since in each of the electrode pads, the region of the electrode pad other than its forward end region occupies a greater area than that of the forward end region, it is easy to bring connection terminals into contact with the regions of the electrode pads other than their forward end regions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connection terminals from coming into contact with the through holes, so as to thereby prevent occurrence of an electrical connection failure between the connection terminals and the electrode pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Mizutani, Yuta Oishi, Masaki Onkawa
  • Patent number: 9804118
    Abstract: In a sensor element, a reference gas regulation pump cell pumps in oxygen to the periphery of a reference electrode in which a reference gas is introduced, by the flow of a control current Ip3 between the reference electrode and an outer pump electrode located in a region exposed to a measurement-object gas. An average current density of the reference electrode under the flow of the control current Ip3 is higher than 0 ?A/mm2 and lower than 400 ?A/mm2. The average current density is preferably not higher than 170 ?A/mm2. An average value of the control current Ip3 is preferably higher than 1 ?A. The outer pump electrode as a measurement-object gas side electrode of the reference gas regulation pump cell may be provided on an outer surface of a layered body (or more specifically, on a second solid electrolyte layer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sekiya, Naoya Saito, Shota Kageyama
  • Patent number: 9791405
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting the oxygen content in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine includes: a sensor element having a measurement electrode; a metal cap that surrounds the sensor element; a heat dissipation element that connects the sensor element and the metal cap; and a bracket for the sensor element. The bracket is in the form of a plastic housing configured to accommodate evaluation electronics for the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Andreas Wildgen
  • Patent number: 9678029
    Abstract: The exposure of an aircraft component to an oxidation catalyst, such as a deicing solution, may be detected with the aid of an electrical conductivity sensor. In some examples, a system includes an aircraft component, an electrical conductivity sensor mechanically connected to the aircraft component and configured to generate an output, and a processor configured to detect an oxidation catalyst exposure event based on the output generated by the electrical conductivity sensor. The electrical conductivity sensor may be configured and positioned to generate a signal indicative of electrical conductivity of a substance to which the aircraft component is exposed. The processor may be configured to detect an oxidation catalyst exposure event by at least determining whether the electrical conductivity indicated by the signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined conductivity threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Rateick
  • Patent number: 9528960
    Abstract: A cross-sectional shape of a gap of a gas sensor element has an end point A which is one of contact points at which the cross-sectional shape is in single-point contact with a virtual straight line parallel to a lamination direction, the one contact point being closest to one side of the laminated structure, an end point B which is one of the contact points closest to another side of the laminated structure, an end point C having the greatest separation from a straight line AB toward a solid electrolyte ceramic layer, and an end point D having the greatest separation from the straight line AB toward another ceramic layer. The distance H1 between the straight line AB and the end point C and the distance H2 between the straight line AB and the end point D satisfy 0.25?H1/H2<1.00 or 1.00<H1/H2?4.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Oya
  • Patent number: 9437999
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing an oxygen sensor that is excellent in responsiveness and can be preferably used for diagnosis of catalyst deterioration. An oxygen sensor 1 equipped with an oxygen sensor element 11 comprising a solid electrolyte 21 and Pt coatings, as a pair of electrodes, on both surfaces of the solid electrolyte 21 is manufactured. The method comprises at least steps of: providing a Pt coating 23 on at least one of the solid electrolyte 21 surfaces exposed to the gas to be tested so as to form closed pores 23a inside the Pt coating 23; and heating either the Pt coating 23 or 24 exposed to gas to be tested in a gas atmosphere with higher oxygen concentration than that of the atmospheric gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Kawai
  • Patent number: 9343753
    Abstract: Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. A reaction zone positioned along a portion of the length is configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature, and has at least one active layer therein comprising an electrolyte separating an anode from an opposing cathode, and fuel and oxidizer gas passages adjacent the respective anode and cathode. At least one cold zone positioned from the first end along another portion of the length is configured to remain below the operating reaction temperature. The anode and cathode each have electrical pathways extending to an exterior surface in the cold zone for electrical connection at the lower temperature. The electrolyte includes at least a portion thereof comprising a ceramic material sintered from a nano-sized powder. In one embodiment, the sintered nano-sized powder provides an uneven surface topography on the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 9134266
    Abstract: A reference electrode with an in-situ modified porous diaphragm has at least one housing (1, 201, 301), a first conductor element (4, 204, 304), a modifying electrolyte which is capable of free-flow movement and is contained in the housing (1, 201, 301), and a porous diaphragm (3, 203, 303) which establishes a liquid connection between the modifying electrolyte and a measurement medium (9, 209, 309). The modifying electrolyte seeps out through the porous diaphragm during operation. The modifying electrolyte has a first component and a surface-modifying component which modifies the surface of the porous diaphragm (3, 203, 303) in situ during the passage of the modifying electrolyte. A method for modifying the porous diaphragm in situ is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Rolf Thrier
  • Patent number: 9077021
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid oxide cell comprising a support layer, a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second cathode layer, wherein at least one of the electrode layers comprises electrolyte material, a catalyst and agglomerated particles selected from the group consisting of alkali oxides, earth alkali oxides and transition metal oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Technical University of Denmark
    Inventors: Peter Halvor Larsen, Mogens Mogensen, Peter Vang Hendriksen, Søren Linderoth, Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 9011659
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode at a predefined distance from one another. The sensor apparatus includes a substrate arranged in a predefined first region of the sensor carrier such that the first electrode and the second electrode are substantially electrically decoupled from one another if the outer side of the sensor carrier is substantially free of particles. A third electrode is coupled to a solid electrolyte that is additionally coupled to the second electrode. A diffusion barrier is coupled to the third electrode in a predefined third region and the exhaust gas is applied to the third electrode only in the third region via the diffusion barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Philippe Grass
  • Patent number: 8974657
    Abstract: Amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise, in one embodiment, an electrolyte layer, a sensing electrode layer comprising a ceramic phase and a metallic phase, and a counter electrode layer, wherein the cell is operable in an oxidizing atmosphere and under an applied bias to exhibit enhanced reduction of oxygen molecules at the sensing electrode in the presence of one or more target gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) or NH3 and a resulting increase in oxygen ion flux through the cell. In another embodiment, amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise an electrolyte layer comprising a continuous network of a first material which is ionically conducting at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; a counter electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a second material which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: NexTech Materials Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott L. Swartz, Matthew M. Seabaugh, Lora B. Thrun, Paul H. Matter, Michael J. Day, William J. Dawson, Buddy E. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20140360875
    Abstract: A sensor includes a sensor element and a heating element for heating the sensor element. The sensor element has a front electrode, configured to be exposed to a substance which is to be measured, and a counterelectrode. Electrical contact can be made with the sensor element by electrical contact-making members. In one embodiment, the heating element has an electrically conductive heating structure. At least one of the electrically conductive heating structure, the front electrode, the counterelectrode, and at least one of the electrical contact-making members is constructed at least partially from a large number of particles which are connected to one another. The particles are formed at least partially from a noble metal or a noble metal alloy. A sensor of this kind, in particular a gas sensor or a particle sensor, allows improved production together with good performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Philipp Nolte
  • Publication number: 20140335425
    Abstract: A polymer that provides for effective proton/cation transfer within, through, across the polymer. The polymer may be used in an electrochemical sensor and may include a redox active species and a facilitator of proton transfer that may provide for the “shuttling”/transfer of a proton through the polymer. As such, the polymer may provide for protons to be transferred through the polymer from or to a conducting substrate. The polymer may also provide for separation of components, fluids, materials in an electrochemical system while still allowing for a transfer, shuttling of protons or cations between the components, fluids or material. The proton, cation transfer polymer may be used in a battery, an electrochemical sensor or a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Nathan Lawrence, Steven Antony Gahlings
  • Patent number: 8721857
    Abstract: A gas sensor element includes a main body and a protective layer. The main body has four plane portions and four corner portions each of which is formed between one adjacent pair of the plane portions. The four corner portions include a pair of first corner portions that are formed on a porous diffusion-resistant layer side in a lamination direction of the main body and a pair of second corner portions that are formed on a heater layer side in the lamination direction. The protective layer is comprised of an inner protective layer that covers at least the first corner portions of the main body and an outer protective layer that covers the entire outer periphery of the main body and the inner protective layer. The protective layer has a larger average thickness at the first corner portions than at the plane portions of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Murai, Hiroyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8617372
    Abstract: An array-type sensor that senses NH3 includes non-Nernstian sensing elements constructed from metal and/or metal-oxide electrodes on an O2 ion conducting substrate. In one example sensor, one electrode may be made of platinum, another electrode may be made of manganese (III) oxide (Mn2O3), and another electrode may be made of tungsten trioxide (WO3). Some sensing elements may further include an electrode made of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 and another electrode made of LaCr0.95Mg0.05O3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: David Lawrence West, Frederick Charles Montgomery, Timothy R. Armstrong, Robert J. Warmack
  • Patent number: 8567231
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes an inner electrode formed on an inner surface of a base body. The inner electrode has an inner sensing portion formed in a gas contact inner region such that the inner sensing portion is located on the whole of a heat-facing area of the gas contact inner region facing a heating portion in a radial direction of the base body, a terminal contact portion formed in a rear end region such that the terminal contact portion is located in at least a part of the rear end region in a circumferential direction of the base body and a lead portion formed only on a part of the inner surface of the base body in the circumferential direction of the base body so as to connect the inner sensing portion and the terminal contact portion to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isomura, Aya Sato, Takayoshi Atsumi
  • Patent number: 8506780
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes an internal space, diffusion control part, pumping cell, and measuring cell. The diffusion control part communicates with the internal space and has a slit-like shape with a smaller thickness than that of the internal space. The pumping cell pumps out oxygen from the internal space when voltage is applied between a first electrode fowled on a surface of the internal space and a second electrode formed outside the internal space. The measuring cell measures a current flowing between a third and fourth electrodes when a voltage is applied between the third and fourth electrodes. The third electrode is formed in the diffusion control part, and can reduce an oxide gas component in a predetermined gas component to which a predetermined diffusion resistance has been applied by the diffusion control part. The fourth electrode is formed in a part different from the diffusion control part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mika Murakami, Hiroki Fujita, Sumiko Horisaka, Takashi Ito, Sang Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 8470163
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an exhaust gas sensor that includes positioning at least a portion of a subassembly of the exhaust gas sensor in a mold fixture, overmolding at least a portion of the subassembly with a ceramic material, and removing the overmolded subassembly from the mold fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: John Robison
  • Publication number: 20130146469
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide solid oxide cells and components thereof having a metal oxide electrolyte that exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity. Certain of those embodiments have two materials, at least one of which is a metal oxide, disposed so that at least some interfaces between the domains of the materials orient in a direction substantially parallel to the desired ionic conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicants: UT-BATTELLE, LLC, C3 INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher, Gerard M. Ludtka, Arvid E. Pasto
  • Patent number: 8460527
    Abstract: A gas sensor contains a sensor element for detecting the concentration of a particular gas component in a measurement gas and a housing for supporting the sensor element inside, and the sensor element has a rectangular solid structure of a solid electrolyte body containing a ceramic material. In the gas sensor, four edges of the solid electrolyte body are beveled over the entire length thereof to form eleventh to fourteenth chamfered portions corresponding to the four edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Suzuki, Kouji Tagawa, Kunihiko Nakagaki
  • Patent number: 8449741
    Abstract: A method is provided for influencing the properties of cast iron by adding magnesium to the cast iron melt and measuring the oxygen content of the cast iron melt. Magnesium is added to the cast iron melt until the oxygen content of the cast iron melt is approximately 0.005 to 0.2 ppm at a temperature of approximately 1,420° C. A sensor for measuring the oxygen content in cast iron melts contains an electrochemical measuring cell containing a solid electrolyte tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Danny Habets
  • Patent number: 8377274
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a gas sensor element having a first measurement chamber (16); a first pumping cell (11); a second measurement chamber (18) into which a gas to be measured having a controlled oxygen partial pressure is introduced; and a second pumping cell (13) having a second inner pump electrode (13b) and a second counterpart electrode (13c) pump electrode configured to detect a specific gas component. The second inner pump electrode is made of a material that contains, as a principal ingredient, two kinds of Pt particles having different particle sizes and whose particle size ratio measured by a sedimentation particle-size distribution ranges from 1.75 to 14.2. A mixing ratio between large Pt particles and small Pt particles has a mass ratio of 10/90 to 50/50. A 10 kHz-1 Hz resistance value across the second pumping cell at 600° C. is 150? or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Ohya, Tomohiro Wakazono, Kenji Kato, Koji Shiotani
  • Publication number: 20120276468
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition having the formula (I): xXO2.yY2O5, (wherein: 0.5<x<0.7; 0.3<y<0.5; X comprises one or more of silicon, titanium, germanium and zirconium; and Y comprises one or more of phosphorus, vanadium arsenic and antimony), or a hydrate thereof, in which the composition comprises more than 50 wt % or more of crystalline material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: University Court of the University of St Andrews
    Inventors: Pierrot Sassou Attidekou, John Thomas Sirr Irvine
  • Patent number: 8240127
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the voltage-controlled performance regulation of the heating of an exhaust-gas probe in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The aim of the invention is to provide a method in which the operating temperature of the probe is achieved in the shortest possible time without damage to the probe. To achieve this, the heating voltage during the heating phase of the probe is rapidly brought up to a high temperature in a start phase in relation to a subsequent phase, or a dramatic leap in temperature is achieved, preferably up to the full operating voltage and the heating voltage is then continuously or quasi-continuously reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Wahl, Walter Strassner, Lothar Diehl, Stefan Rodewald, Juergen Sindel
  • Publication number: 20120187000
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample. A solid state electrochemical sensor can include a redox active moiety having an oxidation and/or reduction potential that is sensitive to the presence of an analyte immobilized over a surface of a working electrode. A redox active moiety having an oxidation and/or reduction potential that is insensitive to the presence of the analyte can be used for reference. Voltammetric measurements made using such systems can accurately determine the presence and/or concentration of the analyte in the sample. The solid state electrochemical sensor can be robust and not require calibration or re-calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Sensor Innovation, Inc. A Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Carolyn R. KAHN, Elicia WONG, James A. WILKINS, Dean MANSOUR, Vern NORVIEL, Robbie Singh SIDHU
  • Patent number: RE45100
    Abstract: A low cost room temperature electrochemical gas sensor for sensing CO and other toxic analyte gases has a solid protonic conductive membrane with a low bulk ionic resistance. A sensing electrode and a count counter electrode, which are separated by the membrane, can be made of mixed protonic-electronic conductors. Embodiments of the inventive sensor also include an electrochemical analyte gas pump to transport the analyte gas away from the counter electrode side of the sensor. Analyte gas pumps for the inventive sensor include dual pumping electrodes situated on opposite sides of the membrane, and include a means for applying a DC power across the membrane to the sensing and counter electrodes. Another embodiment of the inventive sensor has first and second solid protonic conductive membranes, one of which has a sensing electrode and a counter electrode separated by the first membrane, and the other of which has dual pumping electrodes situated on opposite sides of the second membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products Inc.
    Inventors: Yousheng Shen, Franco Consadori, D. George Field
  • Patent number: RE45186
    Abstract: A low cost room temperature electrochemical gas sensor with humidity compensation for sensing CO, alcohol vapors and other toxic analyte gases has a solid protonic conductive membrane with a low bulk ionic resistance. A sensing electrode and a counter electrode, optionally a counter electrode and a reference electrode, which are separated by the membrane, can be made of mixed protonic-electronic conductors, or can be made of a thin electrically conducting film such as platinum. A reservoir of water maintain the solid protonic conductive membrane at constant 100 percent relative humidity to compensate for ambient humidity changes. Embodiments of the inventive sensor also include an electrochemical analyte gas pump to transport the analyte gas away from the counter electrode side of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products Inc.
    Inventors: Yousheng Shen, Franco Consadori, D. George Field