Gas Sample Sensor Patents (Class 204/424)
  • Publication number: 20150144487
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor (100; 200) is configured so as to detect an oxygen concentration or air-fuel ratio in exhaust gas. The exhaust gas sensor includes a sensor element (10) and a manganese reaction layer (20). The sensor element detects an oxygen concentration or air-fuel ratio. The manganese reaction layer is formed on at least part of a surface of the sensor element and is formed of a substance containing an element capable of generating a complex oxide having manganese through reaction with a manganese oxide in the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas sensor is configured to detect an oxygen concentration or air-fuel ratio in exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine that utilizes a fuel having a Mn concentration in excess of 20 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Miwa, Sumio Kamiya, Hirotaka Sakakibara, Tomoaki Shinma
  • Patent number: 9039879
    Abstract: In a gas sensor sensing a specific gas component contained in gas to be measured, oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte is used in a sensing element for sensing the specific gas component. A terminal unit is used, which comprises a pair of insulators, each having an inner side surface, disposed to pinch and hold the base end portion of the sensing element on the pair of electrode-mounted surfaces of the sensing element. The terminal unit comprises two pairs of metal terminals and a spring member. The metal terminals electrically contact electrode pads of the sensing element, pair by pair, respectively, and are disposed on the inner side surfaces of the insulators. The spring members press the pair of insulators at one or more positions of electrode-mounted surfaces of the sensing element in a width direction so that the insulators are pressed to be opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiji Kanao
  • Patent number: 9034170
    Abstract: Electrode configurations for electric-field enhanced performance in catalysis and solid-state devices involving gases are provided. According to an embodiment, electric-field electrodes can be incorporated in devices such as gas sensors and fuel cells to shape an electric field provided with respect to sensing electrodes for the gas sensors and surfaces of the fuel cells. The shaped electric fields can alter surface dynamics, system thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and adsorption/desorption processes. In one embodiment, ring-shaped electric-field electrodes can be provided around sensing electrodes of a planar gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Blackburn, Eric D. Wachsman, Frederick Martin Van Assche, IV
  • Publication number: 20150101937
    Abstract: A device for signal processing. The device includes a signal generator, a signal detector, and a processor. The signal generator generates an original waveform. The signal detector detects an affected waveform. The processor is coupled to the signal detector. The processor receives the affected waveform from the signal detector. The processor also compares at least one portion of the affected waveform with the original waveform. The processor also determines a difference between the affected waveform and the original waveform. The processor also determines a value corresponding to a unique portion of the determined difference between the original and affected waveforms. The processor also outputs the determined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicants: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, EmiSense Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Leta Yar-Li Woo, Robert Scott Glass, Joseph Jay Fitzpatrick, Gangqiang Wang, Brett Tamatea Henderson, Anthoniraj Lourdhusamy, James John Steppan, Klaus Karl Allmendinger
  • Patent number: 9003866
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a detecting element; and a protector having a tube portion surrounding the detecting portion, and a bottom portion the protector having a first opening disposed at the tube portion and a second opening at the bottom portion. The bottom portion includes first and second bottom wall portions, the second bottom wall portion protrudes toward the leading end side, and at least a part of the inner face thereof is located at the leading end side with respect to the outer face of the first bottom wall portion. The second opening is provided on a side opposite the inner space of the tube portion in a communication passage formed by the inner face of the second bottom wall portion, and an opening area of the second opening is larger than an area of the largest imaginary circle that can be placed inside the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Tsuzuki, Takaya Yoshikawa
  • 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: 20150060274
    Abstract: A gas sensor element (3) includes: a solid electrolyte body (3s) having a bottomed tubular shape and a closed front end, and extending in the direction of an axial line O; an inside electrode (50) which is provided on an inner surface of the solid electrolyte body; an outside electrode (51) which is provided on an outer surface of the solid electrolyte body; and a porous protective layer (80) which covers the outside electrode, the porous protective layer has an inside region (81) which covers the outside electrode and an outside region (82) which covers the inside region and has a lower porosity than the inside region, and the outside region is formed of a sintered body of ceramic and glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori ISHIKAWA, Naoki YAMADA, Koji SHIONO
  • Patent number: 8961761
    Abstract: An oxygen sensor control apparatus includes internal resistance detection means S3, controlled internal resistance obtaining means S4 to S11, and heater energization control means S12. When a timing for detecting the internal resistance R(n) comes during a lean period TL, the controlled internal resistance obtaining means uses the detected internal resistance R(n) as the controlled internal resistance Rf. When a timing for detecting the internal resistance R(n) comes during a rich period TR, the controlled internal resistance obtaining means uses, as the controlled internal resistance Rf, a value obtained by correcting the detected internal resistance R(n) on the basis of a latest lean resistance R(k) such that a variation of the internal resistance which stems from the difference between the lean state and the rich state and which is contained in the detected internal resistance R(n) is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Maeda
  • Patent number: 8959988
    Abstract: In an oxygen sensor control apparatus, a CPU obtains a correction coefficient for calibrating the relation between output value of an oxygen sensor and oxygen concentration when a fuel cut operation is performed. When the amount of scavenging air (total supply amount of air) becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount in each fuel cut period, the CPU calculates an average output value Ipav from a plurality of output values (concentration corresponding values) Ipr of the oxygen sensor, from which values deviating from a predetermined range R1 have been removed. Subsequently, the CPU averages the values obtained in a plurality of fuel cut periods to thereby obtain a plural-time average output value Ipavf. The CPU obtains a correction coefficient for correcting the actual output value Ip of the oxygen sensor 20 on the basis of the Ipavf value and a previously set reference output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inagaki, Kentaro Mori
  • Patent number: 8961760
    Abstract: A micromechanical solid-electrolyte sensor device includes a micromechanical carrier substrate having a front side and a back side. The micromechanical solid-electrolyte sensor device also includes a first porous electrode and a second porous electrode. The micromechanical solid-electrolyte sensor device also includes a solid-electrolyte embedded between the first porous electrode and the second porous electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Fix, Andreas Krauss
  • Publication number: 20150041334
    Abstract: A catalytic conversion characteristic of a catalyst, which indicates a relationship between an air-to-fuel ratio and a catalytic conversion efficiency of the catalyst, includes a second air-to-fuel ratio point, which is a point of starting an outflow of NOx from the catalyst and is located on a rich side of a first air-to-fuel ratio point that forms an equilibrium point for a rich component and oxygen. A constant current circuit, which induces a flow of an electric current from an exhaust side electrode to an atmosphere side electrode through a solid electrolyte layer in a sensor element, is connected to the sensor element. A microcomputer controls a current value of the electric current, which is induced by the constant current circuit, based on a difference between the first air-to-fuel ratio point and the second air-to-fuel ratio point at the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Mikiyasu MATSUOKA, Shingo NAKATA, Takao MISHIMA
  • Patent number: 8951396
    Abstract: A cathodic material for use in an electrochemical sensor comprising: a carbonaceous material and an oxygen reduction catalyst associated with the carbonaceous material; and wherein the cathodic material does not materially exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Associated electrochemical sensors may include an anode and cathode that are disposed upon the same or opposite sides of an ion exchange membrane and/or exposed to the same or different gaseous environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Joel C. Nemes
  • Patent number: 8943799
    Abstract: In a control device for an internal combustion engine including an air-fuel ratio sensor that includes a catalyst layer that covers an exhaust gas-side electrode, an oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst layer is acquired based on a sensor output of the air-fuel ratio sensor. The sensor output is corrected if the oxygen storage capacity is higher than a predetermined value and the sensor output is in a predetermined range in the vicinity of the theoretical air-fuel ratio. Preferably, the oxygen storage capacity is calculated by integrating the product of a deviation amount ?A/F of the sensor output with respect to the theoretical air-fuel ratio and a dwell time thereof. A correction period in which a correction operation is performed is set based on the oxygen storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanori Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20150027888
    Abstract: A stopper is described for sealing a housing of an exhaust gas sensor, in which the stopper has a base body which contains a fluoroelastomer, and in which the stopper has at least one through channel for leading through a connecting cable. A seal is situated, at least in places, between the base body of the stopper and the through channel. The seal contains at least one thermoplastically processable fluoropolymer-containing material having a melting point or melting range between 170° C. and 320° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Soyez, Frank Stanglmeier, Jens Schneider, Eckart Reihlen
  • Patent number: 8940144
    Abstract: A sensor element of a gas sensor for determining gas components in gas mixtures, having at least one electrochemical measuring cell which is formed by a ceramic substrate and electrodes placed thereon. The sensor element includes at least one interior chamber which is sealed in a gas-tight manner, in which at least one first internal electrode is positioned, which forms an electrochemical cell with each of a second and an additional electrode of the sensor element, one of the electrochemical cells being an electrochemical pump cell, and the second or other electrode being exposed to the measuring gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Liemersdorf, Thomas Classen, Benjamin Sillmann
  • Publication number: 20150001436
    Abstract: An oxide represented by Formula 1: (Sr2-xAx)(M1-yQy)D2O7+d, ??Formula 1 wherein A is barium (Ba), M is at least one selected from magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), Q is a Group 13 element, D is at least one selected from silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge), 0?x?2.0, 0<0?1.0, and d is a value which makes the oxide electrically neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-jung PARK, Chan KWAK, Tae-gon KIM, Sang-mock LEE, Doh-won JUNG
  • Publication number: 20150001077
    Abstract: A heater which realizes both reduction of power consumption and improvement of durability against thermal shock. The heater includes a ceramic substrate formed of a ceramic material containing alumina as a main component; and a heat-generating resistor provided on the ceramic substrate and having a heat-generating portion and a lead portion, the heat-generating resistor containing, as a main component, one or more metals selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh), or an alloy of any of these, and a ceramic material which is the same as the ceramic material of the ceramic substrate. In the heater, the ratio of the resistance of the heat-generating portion to the sum of the resistances of the heat-generating portion and the lead portion is 76 to 95%, and the heat-generating portion has a thickness of 1 to 6 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Oya, Yuta Oishi
  • Patent number: 8920627
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention generally relates to an FET-based detector for carbon monoxide which is based on two sensitive layers. In at least one embodiment, the first of the sensitive layers is catalytically active and therefore reacts equally to alcohols, in particular ethanol, and carbon monoxide. The second of the sensitive layers is not catalytically active and therefore does not react to carbon monoxide, but only to ethanol. The concentration of carbon monoxide can be deduced from the comparison of the signals of the two layers. The two sensitive layers are implemented via similar metal oxide layers, an additional layer having a catalyst such as palladium being provided for the catalytically active layer. Alternatively, two different layers can be used, one of which is already catalytically active without an additional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maximilian Fleischer, Ulrich Hoefer, Roland Pohle, Stefan Stegmeier
  • 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: 20140353174
    Abstract: An SOx gas sensor includes a first solid electrolyte member composing a part of a wall of a gas reduction chamber and provided with a first gas introducing hole for introducing sample gas into the gas reduction chamber, an oxidation part for oxidizing noise gas other than the SOx gas in the sample gas, and a reduction mechanism for reducing the SOx gas in the sample gas, in the gas reduction chamber; a communication unit provided with a second gas introducing hole for introducing the sample gas into a gas measurement chamber from the gas reduction chamber; and a second solid electrolyte member composing a part of a wall of the gas measurement chamber and provided with an oxidation mechanism for oxidizing the SOx gas, and a measurement mechanism for measuring the concentration of the SOx gas, in the gas measurement chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuhei KATAYAMA, Shigeaki Suganuma
  • Publication number: 20140353155
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Oya
  • Publication number: 20140353156
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor having an electrode with a catalyst distributed on a porous surface is described. The porous surface can be a polytetrafluoroethylene tape. Alternate embodiments include layered or stacked electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: LIFE SAFETY DISTRIBUTION AG
    Inventors: Keith Francis Edwin Pratt, John Chapples, Martin Geoffrey Jones
  • Patent number: 8899014
    Abstract: An emission control system for an engine includes a catalyst and an exhaust-gas sensor provided downstream of the catalyst in a flow direction of exhaust gas. The exhaust-gas sensor includes a sensor element that includes a pair of electrodes and a solid electrolyte body located between the electrodes. The emission control system further includes a constant current supply portion that changes an output characteristic of the exhaust-gas sensor by applying a constant current between the electrodes, a rich direction control portion that performs a rich direction control after a fuelling-stop control, and a characteristic control portion that performs a rich responsiveness control during the rich direction control. In the rich direction control, an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is made to be richer. In the rich responsiveness control, the constant current supply portion increases a detection responsiveness of the exhaust-gas sensor with respect to rich gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kosuke Nakano, Shingo Nakata, Mikiyasu Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20140339081
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas sensor including a metal shell, a ceramic holder placed in an axial inner hole of the metal shell and a sensor element inserted through an insertion hole of the ceramic holder. The ceramic holder has a recessed hole recessed toward the rear from a front-facing surface of the ceramic holder. The sensor element has, at a front end part thereof, a detection portion covered with a porous protection layer such that a rear end part of the protection layer is accommodated in the recessed hole with a space left therebetween. Further, the ceramic holder has a front circumferential edge defined between an inner circumferential surface of the recessed hole and the front-facing surface of the ceramic holder such that the whole of the front circumferential edge is located radially inside of a radially innermost position of the axial hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke TAHIRA, Shingo ITO, Keiichi NODA, Yuichi YAMADA, Makoto KUME
  • Patent number: 8888979
    Abstract: A cathodic material for use in an electrochemical sensor comprising: a carbonaceous material and an oxygen reduction catalyst associated with the carbonaceous material; and wherein the cathodic material does not materially exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Associated electrochemical sensors may include an anode and cathode that are disposed upon the same or opposite sides of an ion exchange membrane and/or exposed to the same or different gaseous environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Joel C. Nemes
  • Publication number: 20140326602
    Abstract: An amperometric gas sensor for determining oxygen content in a gas mixture includes a solid-state electrolyte. A first electrode configured as a cathode and a second electrode configured as an anode are disposed on the solid-state electrolyte and exposed to the gas mixture. The cathode is in contact with the gas mixture without any interposed diffusion barrier and has a design such that a flow of oxygen molecules from the gas mixture to a three-phase boundary between the solid-state electrolyte, the cathode and the gas mixture is limited in a defined manner. A voltage source configured to apply a DC voltage between the electrodes. A measuring device is configured to measure a limiting current flowing between the electrodes as a measure of the oxygen content in the gas mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: E+E Elektronik Ges.m.b.H
    Inventors: Dietmar Pachinger, Ernst Zotl, Georg Niessner
  • Publication number: 20140318961
    Abstract: A gas detector gas that fuse both the function of an oxygen sensor and the function of a lean air fuel ratio sensor, includes a cover layer, a gas diffusion resistance layer, a buffer, a partitioning layer, a solid electrolyte layer, an air passage layer, and a heating layer stacked in sequence. First and second electrodes are respectively provided on opposite first and second surfaces of the solid electrolyte layer. The partitioning layer includes a slot facing the gas diffusion resistance layer and the first electrode. The air passage layer includes an air passage accessible to the second electrode. The buffer is received in the slot of the partitioning layer. The gas diffusion resistance layer includes outer edges exposed to exhaust gas to be tested. The exhaust gas to be tested enters the gas detector via the outer edges of the gas diffusion resistance layer and reaches a surface of the first electrode of the solid electrolyte layer via the buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: William Huang, Jung-Shun Fu, Chen-yuan Su
  • Publication number: 20140311906
    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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Seiji Oya, Yuta Oishi
  • Publication number: 20140311905
    Abstract: A printed gas sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a partially porous substrate, an electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and an encapsulation layer. The electrode layer comprises one or more electrodes that are formed on one side of the porous substrate. The electrolyte layer is in electrolytic contact with the one or more electrodes. The encapsulation layer encapsulates the electrode layer and electrolyte layer thereby forming an integrated structure with the partially porous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: KWJ ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Stetter, Vinay Patel, Melvin W. Findlay, Michael T. Carter
  • Publication number: 20140305798
    Abstract: An A/F sensor element includes a substrate made of an insulating ceramic having a bottomed cylindrical shape, an electrolyte part made of a solid electrolyte, and a pair of electrode portions. The electrolyte part is embedded in at least a portion of the side wall of the substrate. The A/F sensor element is used by inserting a rod-like heater in the substrate having the bottomed cylindrical shape. The substrate is formed of the insulating ceramic at a contact position to the heater within the substrate. In a manufacturing of the substrate, a molded body having a space for a forming position of the electrolyte part is formed by using substrate-forming clay, and then the molded body is molded by filling electrolyte-forming clay into the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami SAITOU, Namitsugu FUJII, Norikazu KAJIYAMA
  • Patent number: 8857241
    Abstract: A protector (100) of a gas sensor (1) includes an inner protector (120) and an outer protector (110). The inner protector accommodates a gas sensor element (10) and has a tubular side wall (122) having inner gas introduction holes (130), and a bottom wall (124). The outer protector has a tubular side wall (112) having outer gas introduction holes (115), a frustum-like taper wall (117) tapering frontward and an outer gas discharge hole (170) formed inside a front end edge (117s) of the taper wall. When SL represents an area defined by the front end edge of the taper wall, the area S of the opening of the outer gas discharge hole satisfies the relational expression ½×SL?S?SL. A cover portion (127) and a bottom wall (124) are partially away from each other along the axial direction, thereby forming side openings (162).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8858779
    Abstract: A method for detecting a proportion of at least one gas species in a measurement gas space. A sensor element is used, having an oxygen reduction pumping cell for concentration of the gas species, a pumping cell connected downstream of the oxygen reduction pumping cell having pumping electrodes, and a gas-tight chamber. A pumping electrode may be exposed to gas from the measurement gas space which has been concentrated by the oxygen reduction pumping cell. A further pumping electrode is disposed in the gas-tight chamber. At least one measuring electrode is further disposed in the gas-tight chamber. The oxygen reduction pumping cell and the pumping cell are galvanically isolated. The method includes an initialization phase, and an accumulation phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Liemersdorf, Benjamin Sillmann, Berndt Cramer
  • Patent number: 8852950
    Abstract: A method for determining an NOx concentration in a measurement gas is provided, where a measurement value for the NOx concentration is determined from the sensor signal of a gas sensor and a measurement value for the concentration of a second component in the measurement gas is determined. A corrected value for the NOx in the measurement gas is determined from the measurement values, and the measurement value and the corrected measurement value for the NOx concentration are displayed and/or output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Testo AG
    Inventors: Knut Hoyer, Andreas Kaufmann, Reinhold Munch, Thomas Springmann
  • Patent number: 8852513
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for packaging integrated circuit (IC) gas sensor systems that employ at least one gas sensor that is formed as part of an integrated circuit and configured to sense the presence and/or concentration of a target gas or other gas characteristics that may be present in the ambient gaseous environment surrounding the packaged IC gas sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Speer, Leon Cavanagh, Peter Smith, John Pavelka
  • Patent number: 8852415
    Abstract: A sensor element for determining at least one physical property of a gas in a measuring gas chamber, particularly for determining an oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas. The sensor element includes at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode, and at least one solid electrolyte connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode is situated on the inside of the sensor element and is able to have gas from the measuring gas chamber applied to it via at least one gas access hole and at least one diffusion barrier. At least partially gas-impermeable cover layer is provided on the diffusion barrier, at least from area to area. The gas access hole has at least one chamfer in the vicinity of the cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Henrico Runge
  • Publication number: 20140291150
    Abstract: A gas sensor element (100) including a detection portion (150) including a solid electrolyte body (105) and a pair of electrodes (104) and (106) disposed on the solid electrolyte body; and a porous protection layer (20) covering the detection portion. The porous protection layer includes an inner porous layer (21) and an outer porous layer (23); the inner porous layer is higher in porosity than the outer porous layer; the inner porous layer contains, as main components, ceramic particles (21a), and ceramic fiber filaments (21b) which are mainly formed of a ceramic material and which have a mean fiber length of 70 to 200 ?m; and the amount of the ceramic fiber filaments is 25 to 75 vol % on the basis of the total amount of the ceramic particles and the ceramic fiber filaments, the total amount being taken as 100 vol %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Shigehiro Otsuka, Masaki Onkawa, Toru Iwano, Satoshi Teramoto, Kuniharu Tanaka, Takeshi Mitsuoka
  • Patent number: 8847602
    Abstract: A plug-in module for a liquid- or gas-sensor comprised of a sensor module (SM) and a sensor module head (SMH), which can be releasably connected together, and which, when connected, enable data and energy transfer via a galvanically decoupled transfer section, wherein the sensor module head (SMH) includes an energy supply unit for operating the sensor module head (SMH) and the sensor module (SM), as well as a data memory (MEM), in order to store sensor data received from the sensor module (SM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlev Wittmer, Wolfgang Babel
  • Patent number: 8839746
    Abstract: An oxygen measuring apparatus (500) includes an inlet pipe (506) having a first end and a second end, an oxygen sensor (511) arranged inside the inlet pipe (506) between the first end of the inlet pipe and the second end of the inlet pipe, the oxygen sensor (511) having a communication medium (515) disposed thereon and extending through the second end of the inlet pipe (506), a filtering medium arranged (505) inside the inlet pipe between the oxygen sensor (511) and the first end of the inlet pipe, a housing (501) arranged against the second end of the inlet pipe, and a sensor control interface (512) arranged within the housing (501) and in communication with the communication medium (515) of the oxygen sensor (511).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Corporation
    Inventors: Muhidin A. Lelic, Thomas Corti, Oduwa Osagiede, Kenneth M. Swanson, John R. Devine, Mike McCarron, Bryan Mills
  • Publication number: 20140251834
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a gas sensor is described that includes a membrane disposed between a sensing electrode and a counter electrode. The membrane is a polymer membrane, such as an ionomer, having an ionic liquid retained therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: UTC FIRE & SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lei Chen, Zhiwei Yang, Jean Yamanis, Georgios S. Zafiris, Joseph J. Sangiovanni
  • Patent number: 8828205
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas sensor, particularly a lambda probe, for determining the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine that is operated using a fuel-air mixture. Said gas sensor comprises a pump cell with an outer electrode that is exposed to the exhaust gas, an inner electrode located in a measuring chamber which is separated from the exhaust gas by means of a first diffusion barrier, and an electronic circuit for generating a voltage applied between the outer electrode and the inner electrode as well as for measuring and evaluating a pump current that is generated in said process in order to draw a conclusion therefrom about the composition of the fuel-air mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Diehl, Thomas Seiler
  • Patent number: 8828206
    Abstract: In a gas sensor element, a measurement gas is introduced to a measurement electrode through a porous diffusion-resistant layer. A catalyst layer is formed on an outer surface of the diffusion-resistant layer via which the measurement gas flows into the diffusion-resistant layer. In the catalyst layer, the percentage content of Pt is in the range of 2.5 to 12 mass %, the percentage content of Pd is in the range of 0.4 to 2 mass %, and the percentage content of Rh is in the range of 0.06 to 1.5 mass %. The catalyst layer includes catalytic noble metal particles each of which is made of an alloy that contains at least Pt. For each of the catalytic noble metal particles, the percentage content of Pt at an outer peripheral portion of the catalytic noble metal particle is lower than that at a core portion of the catalytic noble metal particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokatsu Imagawa
  • Patent number: 8826727
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a reduction section (18) for reducing NO2 contained in exhaust gas to NO. The reduction section (18) is provided on the upstream side of a first diffusion resistor section (103) which limits the flow of the exhaust gas into a first measurement chamber (101). When NOX passes through the first diffusion resistor section (103), NO2 which has a greater molecular weight than NO has a lower degree of diffusion. Since NO2 is reduced to NO at the reduction section (18), the exhaust gas passing through the first diffusion resistor section (103) hardly contains NO2. Therefore, the speed of flow of NOX through the first diffusion resistor section (103) is not limited by NO2, whereby sensitivity for detection of NOX can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kato, Kohei Ito
  • Patent number: 8813539
    Abstract: An electrochemistry apparatus comprises a supporting body and a reaction layer for generating electromotive force. The supporting body is made of a first material. The reaction layer covers the surface of the supporting body and comprises an ion conductive layer, a first film electrode and a second film electrode. The first and the second film electrodes are separately formed on two opposite surfaces of the ion conductive layer. The ion conductive layer is made of a second material having a thermal expansion coefficient approximating to the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material. The second material has an ionic conductivity greater than the ionic conductivity of the first material. The first material has a toughness greater than the second material. The electrochemistry apparatus employs the supporting body with improved toughness and the ion conductive layer with improved ion conductivity, so as to increase sensitivity and thermal shock resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chen-Chia Chou, Tsung-Her Yeh
  • Patent number: 8806918
    Abstract: A gas sensor (200) includes a gas sensor element (10) extending in an axial direction (O), having a detection portion (11) provided at a front end thereof, and having electrode pads (12a) provided at a rear end thereof; connection terminals (31, 32) electrically connected to the respective electrode pads; and a cover (60, 61) covering the rear end of the gas sensor element and the connection terminals. The cover integrally has a connector portion (63) having an opening (63b) which allows an external connector to be inserted thereinto and removed therefrom in a predetermined direction, and has a connector terminal member (120) which can be inserted into the opening. The connector terminal member has a plurality of connector terminals (70) to be electrically connected to the respective connection terminals, and an insulator (121) integrally molded with the connector terminals. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Yonezu, Hisaharu Nishio, Takaya Yoshikawa, Tomohiro Tajima, Masao Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 8795492
    Abstract: A gas sensor element includes a solid electrolyte body having oxygen ion conductivity, a pair of measurement and reference electrodes respectively provided on an opposite pair of first and second surfaces of the solid electrolyte body, a porous diffusion-resistant layer through which a measurement gas is introduced to the measurement electrode, and a protective layer. The protective layer is provided to cover, at least, an outer surface of the porous diffusion-resistant layer through which the measurement gas flows into the diffusion-resistant layer. The protective layer is hydrophilic at room temperature and water-repellent at high temperatures at which the solid electrolyte body can be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ito, Fuminori Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8795484
    Abstract: A printed gas sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a porous substrate, an electrode layer, a liquid or gel electrolyte layer, and an encapsulation layer. The electrode layer comprises two or more electrodes that are formed on one side of the porous substrate. The liquid or gel electrolyte layer is in electrolytic contact with the two or more electrodes. The encapsulation layer encapsulates the electrode layer and electrolyte layer thereby forming an integrated structure with the porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: KWJ Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Stetter, Edward F. Stetter, Daniel D. Ebeling, Melvin Findlay, Vinay Patel
  • Patent number: 8795511
    Abstract: A configuration is disclosed. In one aspect, the configuration includes a substantially planar electrode layer, in a first plane. The configuration further includes a substantially planar two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer electrically connected in series with the electrode layer. The 2DEG layer is provided in a second plane substantially parallel with the first plane and located at a predetermined distance, in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, from the first plane. The 2DEG layer and the electrode layer are patterned such that the electrode layer overlays a part of the 2DEG layer, wherein the predetermined distance between the first plane and the second plane is selected to be sufficiently small for allowing electrostatic interaction between the electrode layer and the 2DEG layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Roman Vitushinsky, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Patent number: 8783019
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system is disclosed that can diagnose the performance of an exhaust treatment oxidation catalyst in converting NO to NO2. The exhaust treatment system is fluidly coupled to an internal combustion engine, and includes an oxidation catalyst disposed in an engine exhaust stream; a reductant source for injecting a reductant into the exhaust stream downstream of the oxidation catalyst; an SCR catalyst disposed in the exhaust stream downstream of the reductant source; and a gas sensor, disposed in the exhaust stream downstream of the oxidation catalyst and upstream of the reductant source, comprising a plurality of sensing or pumping cells that measures NO concentration in the exhaust gas and NO2 concentration in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Clifford Bedford, Julian C. Tan, Janean E Kowalkowski
  • Patent number: 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