With Protective Element Patents (Class 204/428)
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Patent number: 8398837Abstract: A sensor (1) including a plate-shaped sensor element (21) extending in a front-rear direction and having at least 3 electrode terminals (25) provided on at least one side surface (24) of the sensor element at intervals in a lateral direction; a plurality of metallic terminal members (51a, 51b) connected to the electrode terminals (25) of the sensor element (21); and a separator (71) surrounding and insulating the plurality of metallic terminal members (51a, 51b). The metallic terminal members (51a, 51b) each has a crimp portion (57a, 57b) formed at a rear end thereof and a lead wire (61) is crimp-connected to the crimp portion (57a, 57b). The crimp portions (57a) located at opposite sides with respect to the lateral direction face the side surface (24) of the sensor element (21), whereas the crimp portion (57b) faces away from the side surface (24) of the sensor element (21).Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Matsui, Tomohiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 8366893Abstract: A gas sensor including a pump electrode and a method for manufacturing a conductive paste for forming the pump electrode. When the pump electrode constituting an electrochemical pump cell for adjusting an oxygen partial pressure inside a gas sensor to measure a concentration of a gas component in a measurement gas by a current-limiting method is formed of a cermet of a noble metal and an oxide having oxygen ion conductivity, the noble metal contains a first noble metal having a catalytic activity, and a second noble metal having a catalytic activity suppressing ability to suppress the catalytic activity of the first noble metal with respect to an oxide gas except for oxygen, and an abundance ratio of the second noble metal with respect to the first noble metal in a particle surface of the first noble metal existing in the pump electrode is to be 0.01 to 0.3.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Fujisaki, Aya Sato, Yukimasa Mori, Sumiko Horisaka
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Patent number: 8282798Abstract: A gas probe, in particular a lambda probe for the analysis of exhaust gases from a mobile internal combustion engine, includes at least one protective device, at least partly surrounding a sensitive sensor element of the gas probe, which comes into contact with a gas. The at least one protective device includes a gas contact face which at least partly has a hygroscopic surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignees: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH, Audi AGInventors: Rolf Brück, Bernhard Pfalzgraf, Bodo Odendall
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Patent number: 8257564Abstract: A gas sensor comprising: a gas detecting element extending in an axial direction and including a detecting electrode provided on an outer surface of a leading end side of the gas detecting element, and a lead portion connecting to the detecting electrode and extending toward a rear end side of the gas detecting element; a cylindrical metal shell housing the gas detecting element such that the gas detecting element protrudes from a leading end side of the metal shell; a powder layer filling a gap between the gas detecting element and the metal shell and covering at least a portion of the lead portion; and an insulating layer provided between the powder layer and the lead portion. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the gas sensor which includes forming the insulating layer by at least: applying a glass paste; drying the glass paste; and heat-treating the glass paste.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kentaro Mori, Koji Shiono
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Patent number: 8257577Abstract: There is provided a gas sensor, which includes a sensor element extending axially of the gas sensor and having a gas sensing portion at a front end thereof and an electrode portion at a rear end thereof, a cylindrical metal shell retaining therein the sensor element with the gas sensing portion and the electrode portion protruding from front and rear ends of the metal shell, respectively, and having a flange portion and a rear end portion located on a rear side of the flange portion, a cylindrical protection cover having a front end fitted onto the rear end portion of the metal shell so as to cover the electrode portion and a weld joint through which the entire circumference of the front end of the protection cover is joined through the metal shell. The weld joint extends from an end face of the protection cover to the metal shell.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Kume, Yuichi Yamada
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Patent number: 8246800Abstract: A gas sensor for detecting a predetermined gas component in a measurement gas includes a sensor element in which an opening of a first gas inlet and an opening of a second gas inlet for introducing the measurement gas from an outside are provided at one end. The openings are elongated and substantially rectangular. A sum of sizes in a lateral direction of the openings is greater than or equal to 8 ?m and less than or equal to 60 ?m, and a sum of areas of the openings is greater than or equal to 0.02 mm2 and less than or equal to 0.1 mm2. The sizes in the lateral direction and the areas of the openings are set to be within a preferable range so that the water droplets attached on the forward end surface can be prevented from entering into the sensor element through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Takeya Miyashita, Takashi Ito
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Patent number: 8197652Abstract: A sensor for specifying a concentration of a predetermined gas component in a measurement gas on the basis of a current flowing in an electrolyte by decomposition of the predetermined gas component, includes an internal space; a reference gas space; a pumping cell capable of pumping out oxygen in the internal space by applying a predetermined voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode; and a measuring cell including third and fourth electrodes and measuring a current flowing when a voltage is applied between the third electrode and the fourth electrode; wherein the first electrode is formed of porous cermet consisted of a noble metal and an oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte, and the porosity of the first electrode is greater than or equal to 10% and less than or equal to 50%.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Sumiko Horisaka, San Jae Lee
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Patent number: 8182664Abstract: A sensor control device for controlling a current application state of a gas sensor element when measuring a specific gas component concentration in a gas to be measured using the gas sensor element, which sensor control device includes: at least one cell having a solid electrolyte body and a pair of electrodes; a sensor heating unit as defined herein; an oxygen reference pole generating unit as defined herein; a damage avoidance time elapse determining unit as defined herein; and a reference generation current application permitting unit as defined herein.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masamichi Hiraiwa, Nobuhiro Inoue, Satoshi Teramoto, Yukinobu Nagao
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Patent number: 8168053Abstract: A gas sensing member has a unit structure and a porous protective layer disposed on the unit structure. The unit structure has a solid electrolyte body, a gas measurement electrode disposed on a surface of the body and exposed to a measured gas entering at a gas inlet, a reference gas electrode disposed on another surface of the body and exposed to a reference gas, and a heater disposed close to the body. The heater has a heater substrate and heating elements disposed in the heater substrate. The heating elements heat the body. The heater substrate has side corner areas placed on side corners of the unit structure and being adjacent to the heating elements. The protective layer is disposed on the gas inlet such that the side corner areas are not covered with the protective layer and are directly exposed to the measured gas.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kiyomi Kobayashi, Makoto Nakae, Toshikazu Hirose
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Patent number: 8168054Abstract: A gas sensing element is disclosed as having a measuring gas chamber to which measuring gases are admitted, a diffusion resistance portion for introducing measuring gases to the measuring gas chamber under diffusion resistance, a sensor cell for detecting a specified gas concentration of measuring gases, and an oxygen pump cell for adjusting an oxygen concentration in the measuring gases. The sensor cell includes a measuring electrode, placed facing the measuring gas chamber, and a reference electrode formed in pair with the measuring electrode. The oxygen pump cell includes an inner pump electrode placed facing the measuring gas chamber, and an outer pump electrode formed in pair with the inner pump electrode. The diffusion resistance portion is placed in an area inside of external end walls of the inner pump electrode to be exposed to the measuring gas chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso CorporationInventors: Keigo Mizutani, Shinya Teranishi, Katsuhide Akimoto, Shoichiro Emmei
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Patent number: 8157977Abstract: A protective cover of a gas sensor includes an inner protective cover which covers at least an end portion of a sensor element, an outer protective cover which covers the inner protective cover, and an intermediate protective cover which is installed between the inner protective cover and the outer protective cover. A1/A2?1 provided that A1 represents a total opening area of the inner gas inlet holes provided for the inner protective cover, and A2 represents a total opening area of the outer gas inlet holes provided for the outer protective cover.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Nobukazu Ikoma, Takeya Miyashita, Akihiro Muroguchi
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Patent number: 8152979Abstract: An ammonia gas sensor including a reference electrode (320) is formed on the back surface of a solid electrolyte member (310), and a detection electrode (335) is formed on the front surface of the solid electrolyte member (310). A detection lead (350) is provided on the front surface of the solid electrolyte member (310) such that the detection lead (350) is connected to the detection electrode (335). An insulating layer (340), (380) is provided between the detection lead (350) and the solid electrolyte member (310), or on the detection lead (350).Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Sugaya, Hiroyuki Nishiyama, Wataru Matsutani, Shiro Kakimoto
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Patent number: 8147667Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: John Robison
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Patent number: 8131495Abstract: A system includes a filter, a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The filter can be coupled to an engine exhaust and can operate in an accumulating mode during which particulate matter (PM) from the engine is trapped and also operate in a regenerating mode during which PM in the filter is emitted. The sensor is coupled to a discharge port of the filter and has an output to provide a sensor signal based on a concentration of PM in the filtered exhaust. The processor is coupled to receive the sensor signal and operable to determine at least one of a base level for the sensor signal during the accumulating mode and a regenerate level for the sensor signal during the regenerating mode, and operable to determine a calibration value for the sensor using at least one of the base level and the regenerate level. The memory stores the calibration value.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Krafthefer, Gregory J. Hampson
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Patent number: 8118985Abstract: A gas sensor (200) has a gas sensor element (10) including a first measurement chamber (16); a first pumping cell (11) having a first interior pump electrode (11c) and its counterpart electrode (11b); a second measurement chamber (18); a second pumping cell (13) that has a second interior pump electrode (13b); and a beater (50). The heater (50) has a lead section (50a); a first resistance portion (50bx) having a higher resistance than the lead portion (50a); and a main heating portion (50k) having a second resistance portion (50by) having a higher resistance than the first resistance portion (50bx) disposed at a leading end side in a longitudinal direction relative to a leading end of the first resistance portion (50bx). The second interior pump electrode (13b) is located within the first resistance portion (50bx) in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Ohya, Tomohiro Wakazono, Takashi Nakao, Hisashi Sasaki, Koji Shiotani
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Patent number: 8110080Abstract: A method is provided for activating a zirconia oxygen sensor which detects the oxygen concentration of an ambient atmosphere by means of a zirconia element that has a porous electrode formed on both sides of an impervious oxygen ion conductor. An electrical current is applied as a pulsed, square wave, direct current during heat up, heat soak, and cool down of the ionic conductor that is applied to ceramic substrate, thereby causing oxygen ions to flowing through the sensor body and pumping oxygen gas through the sensor electrodes, thus improving electrode porosity distribution.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: BJR Sensors, LLCInventor: Boris Farber
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Patent number: 8105470Abstract: A sensor (1) including a plate-shaped sensor element (21) extending in a front-rear direction and having at least 3 electrode terminals (25) provided on at least one side surface (24) of the sensor element at intervals in a lateral direction; a plurality of metallic terminal members (51a, 51b) connected to the electrode terminals (25) of the sensor element (21); and a separator (71) surrounding and insulating the plurality of metallic terminal members (51a, 51b). The metallic terminal members (51a, 51b) each has a crimp portion (57a, 57b) formed at a rear end thereof and a lead wire (61) is crimp-connected to the crimp portion (57a, 57b). The crimp portions (57a) located at opposite sides with respect to the lateral direction face the side surface (24) of the sensor element (21), whereas the crimp portion (57b) faces away from the side surface (24) of the sensor element (21).Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Matsui, Tomohiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 8097137Abstract: To provide a gas sensor element having a base body whose durability is unlikely to deteriorate during the use and exhibiting excellent endurance and responsiveness. [Means for Solution] A gas sensor element 2 comprising: a closed-bottomed cylindrical base body 28 made of solid electrolyte which contains zirconia as a principal component; an outer electrode 26 formed on an outer surface of the base body 28; an inner electrode 27 formed on an inner surface of the base body 28; and an adhesive layer 29 formed between the base body 28 and the outer electrode 26 and containing zirconia as a principal component, wherein a proportion of tetragonal in zirconia particles of the base body 28 falls within the range from 45% or more to 60% or less and, wherein a proportion of tetragonal in zirconia particles of the adhesive layer 29 is greater than that of tetragonal in zirconia particles of the base body 28.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Shiono, Kunio Imai
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Patent number: 8084259Abstract: The present invention describes a system for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system allows the operator to certify the integrity of the filters within the filter housing at the customer site without additional equipment. In one embodiment, a tracer gas, such as helium or hydrogen, is added to a carrier and injected into the system. The concentration of tracer gas at a specific operating transmembrane pressure is indicative of bubble pointing specific pores in the filter. This test will give a more sensitive indication of the bubble point and the presence of defects than a standard diffusion test. In a second embodiment, two gasses, in a known ratio, are introduced into the filter housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Millipore CorporationInventor: Anthony DiLeo
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Patent number: 8075753Abstract: The gas sensor includes a sensor element, a heater for heating the sensor element, the heater having a roughly cylindrical shape, a housing into which the sensor element is inserted to be held therein, and a terminal unit disposed so as to cover a rear end portion of the heater on a rear end side of the housing. The terminal unit includes a pair of insulators, a pair of metal terminals each of which is located inside a corresponding one of the pair of the insulators and in contact with a corresponding one of a pair of electrode pads provided on a surface of the rear end portion of the heater, and a pressing member pressing the pair of the insulators in a direction that the pair of the insulators approach each other. The pair of the insulators are located out of contact with each other. The rear end portion of the heater is contact-supported at at least three contact points by the terminal unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Masanobu Yamauchi
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Patent number: 8052862Abstract: A limiting current type oxygen sensor having a gas diffusion mechanism comprising a gas diffusion bore and an internal space communicating with the gas diffusion bore for supplying a diffusion-rate-determined gas. The gas diffusion mechanism may be configured such that an oxygen concentration gradient within the internal space satisfies the expression: 1/Ilim=(1/4 FDCo2){(l/S)+(lin/Sin)} based on the Faraday constant (F); a diffusion coefficient (D); an oxygen concentration (Co2); a bore area (S) of the gas diffusion bore; a bore length (l) in the axial direction of the gas diffusion bore; a distance (lin) in the internal space between the first electrode and the inner surface opposed thereto; an effective cross section (Sin) of the internal space; and an output current value (Ilim). This makes it possible to accurately sense and measure the oxygen concentration, even at low oxygen concentrations, and achieve easy producibility and cost reducibility.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.Inventors: Ryouji Nagano, Yukio Matsuki, Seiki Kato, Hitoshi Taimatsu
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Patent number: 8038861Abstract: A laminated gas sensor element extending in a longitudinal direction and having a detection part including a plate-shaped element body which has a heater layer having an embedded resistance heating body and a detection layer laminated to the heater layer and having a vertical surface along a lamination direction and a horizontal surface perpendicular to the lamination direction; and a porous protective layer coating the vertical surface and the horizontal surface of the element body constituting the detection part, wherein a thickness of the protective layer formed on the vertical surface is thicker than a thickness of the protective layer formed on the horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shin Yoshida, Nobuo Furuta, Yuya Nakayama
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Patent number: 8016989Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor inhibits a detecting part of an exhaust gas sensor from being exposed to water and has high detection accuracy and high durability. The exhaust gas sensor has a sensor body and a protective cover. The sensor body has an outer housing. The outer housing has a plurality of gas inlets. A gas detection element for detecting a component of the exhaust gas (e.g., oxygen) disposed within the outer housing. The protective cover has a cylindrical shape and has a plurality of protrusions at its opposing ends. The protrusions provide a tight fit with the outer housing. The protective cover is attached to the outer periphery of the outer housing without closing gas inlets formed through the outer cylinder by press-fitting the outer cylinder into the protective cover.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koju Tsukahara, Shigeyuki Ozawa, Isao Nonaka
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Patent number: 8016990Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a cylindrical metallic housing, a sensor element having at a front end thereof a sensing portion and disposed axially in the housing with the sensing portion protruded from a front end of the housing, a sensor terminal fitted to a rear end of the sensor element to produce a signal output from the sensing portion, a first protective cover attached to a front end portion of the housing to cover the sensing portion and a second protective cover attached to a rear end portion of the housing to cover the sensor terminal. The first and second protective covers includes attachment portions attached around the front and rear end portions of the housing, respectively. At least one of the attachment portions of the first and second protective covers has a lower hardness than a remaining portion of the protective cover.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masataka Taguchi, Takahiro Hayashi, Yasuhiro Fujita, Yoshiaki Matsubara, Hitoshi Iimi
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Patent number: 8012325Abstract: A plural-cell gas sensor including at least an oxygen pump cell (40) comprising a solid electrolyte ceramic layer; an internal space (210) formed between the cells; and a heater substrate (190) arranged on the side of the oxygen pump cell; the heater substrate heating the oxygen pump cell that pumps oxygen out of the internal space.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Oya, Mineji Nasu
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Patent number: 7998327Abstract: A measuring sensor is described for determining a physical property of a measured gas, especially for determining the oxygen concentration or the pollutant concentration in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines, which has a sensor element that is exposable to the measured gas which is at least partially coated with a protective layer that protects against harmful components in the measured gas. In order to achieve producing a “contamination protection”, that is cost-effective from a manufacturing technology point of view, particularly against silicon compounds and phosphorus compounds, the protective layer (26) is made of highly active ?- or ?-aluminum oxide (Al2O3) having additives of compounds of the alkaline metals group, the alkaline earths group, the IV B subgroup or the lanthanides group.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Jens Schneider, Detlef Heimann, Thomas Wahl, James-Richard Waldrop, II
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Patent number: 7972489Abstract: A sensor element is used to detect a physical property of a measuring gas, preferably to determine the oxygen content or the temperature of an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The sensor element contains a first solid electrolyte layer and a second solid electrolyte layer. A first printed conductor and a second printed conductor are provided on opposite sides of the first solid electrolyte layer, the first printed conductor including a first electrode and a feed line to the first electrode, and the second printed conductor including a second electrode and a feed line to the second electrode. A third printed conductor, which includes a third electrode and a feed line to the third electrode, is provided on the second solid electrolyte layer. The second printed conductor is positioned between the third electrode and the first printed conductor.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Roland Stahl, Hans-Martin Wiedenmann, Berndt Cramer, Detlef Heimann, Thomas Wahl, Lothar Diehl, Thomas Moser, Bjoern Janetzky, Jan Bahlo
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Patent number: 7943025Abstract: A sensor element is provided for determining a physical property of a measuring gas, especially of the concentration of at least one gas component in the measuring gas, which has at least one ceramic layer, a diffusion barrier adjoining the at least one ceramic layer and at least one electrode that is exposed to the measuring gas diffusing through the diffusion barrier. In order to reduce the production variations with respect to the static pressure dependence and the limiting current of the diffusion barrier), the proportions of silicon in the diffusion barrier and in the at least one ceramic layer are approximately equal and differ by not more than 1 wt. %.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Christian Ohly, Walter Strassner, Joachim Graeber, Ulrich Eisele, Lothar Diehl, Thomas Seiler
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Publication number: 20110108419Abstract: A sensor element for determining a physical property of a gas in a measuring gas chamber includes at least two electrodes, at least one solid-state electrolyte connecting the electrodes, and at least one heating element having at least two heating contacts. A first heating contact and a first electrode are contacted via a common connecting line, and a second heating contact and a second electrode are connected to a common ground line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Lothar Diehl, Thomas Seiler
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Patent number: 7935235Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a sensor, firstly, a plate-type detection element is inserted through an element-insertion through-hole of a first powder-compacted ring. Secondly, a flange section including at least the first powder-compacted ring is integrally assembled to the plate-type detection element, applying axially compressive pressure to the first powder-compacted ring so as to compressively deform the first powder-compacted ring such that the cross-sectional area of the element-insertion through-hole is reduced. Thirdly, the flange section is engaged, directly or via an intermediate member, with the stepped portion of the metallic shell at the time of disposing of the plate-type detection element in the through-hole of the metallic shell. A sensor prepared by the method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouji Matsuo, Satoshi Ishikawa
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Patent number: 7927475Abstract: A gas sensor comprising: the gas sensor element defined; the cylindrical metal shell defined herein; and the protector defined herein, wherein the protector defined herein has a double structure including the cylindrical inner cover portion and the outer cover portion both defined herein, and a leading end portion positioned on a leading end side of the support face of the metal shell, the outer cylindrical portion and the inner cylindrical portion are arranged to construct an inner gas introducing passage for guiding the object gas introduced from the outer gas introducing apertures, between the outer cylindrical portion and the inner cylindrical portion, across a trailing end of the inner cylindrical portion closer to a leading end side, as viewed in an axial direction, than an inner circumferential side end edge of a joining face joining an inner circumference and an outer circumference of a leading end portion of said metal shell, into a clearance between the inner cover portion and the leading end portioType: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Isomura, Shoji Akatsuka, Osamu Shinkai
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Patent number: 7901556Abstract: A gas sensor is equipped with a cover assembly made up of an outer cover and an inner cover in which a gas sensor element is disposed. The outer cover has an outer gas inlet and an outer gas outlet formed closer to a top end of the cover assembly than the outer gas inlet. The inner cover has an inner gas inlet formed closer to the top end of the cover assembly than the outer gas inlet. The inner gas inlet is oriented to minimize the entry of drops of water having entered along with a gas to be measured into the inner cover to avoid splashing of the gas sensor element with the water.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Kouhei Yamada
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Patent number: 7887684Abstract: A gas sensor element having an element body, the element body including: a ceramic heater having ceramic layers and a heater element embedded in the ceramic layers; and a solid electrolyte layer including a detection section covered by a pair of electrodes, the solid electrolyte layer being laminated together with the ceramic heater. Furthermore, the element body has a width at a front portion including the detection section smaller than at a rear portion, and at least both side edge faces of the front portion of the element body are covered with a porous layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2005Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Awano, Keisuke Makino, Yoshiaki Kuroki, Takao Kojima, Masashi Ando
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Patent number: 7867370Abstract: A gas sensor element has a solid electrolyte body of oxygen ionic conductivity, a target gas electrode and a reference gas electrode formed on both surfaces of the solid electrolyte body, respectively, a porous diffusion resistance layer, and a catalyst support trap layer. The porous diffusion resistance layer covers the target gas electrode and through which target gases to be measured are passing. The catalyst support trap layer is formed on the outer surface of the porous diffusion resistance layer and supports noble metal catalyst. In the gas sensor element, the noble metal catalyst is made of platinum, rhodium, palladium supported in the catalyst support trap layer. In particular, an addition amount of palladium in the total amount of the noble metal catalyst is within a range of 2 to 65 wt %.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Nobuyuki Tsuji, Akio Tanaka, Keigo Mizutani
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Patent number: 7850833Abstract: An oxygen sensor generating an accurate output concerning low-concentration exhaust gas positioned downstream of a three-way catalyst. The oxygen sensor includes an exhaust gas side electrode exposed to an exhaust gas; a reference gas side electrode exposed to a reference gas serving as a reference for oxygen concentration; and an electrolyte positioned between the exhaust gas side electrode and the reference gas side electrode. Further, a reduction mechanism positioned toward a front surface of the exhaust gas side electrode ensures the ratio of the amount of exhaust gas introduced to the exhaust gas side electrode to the amount of an exhaust gas flow to the outside of the oxygen sensor is smaller than the ratio of the amount of exhaust gas introduced to an electrode for the air-fuel ratio sensor to the amount of an exhaust gas flow to the outside of the air-fuel ratio sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keiichiro Aoki
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Patent number: 7811434Abstract: A gas sensor including a gas detecting element extending in a longitudinal direction and in which a plurality of ceramic layers are stacked, and wherein a detecting portion is provided at a leading end side of the gas detecting element, the gas detecting element including: a first ceramic layer; a second ceramic layer; a first through-hole conductor; a first peripheral portion; a second through-hole conductor; a second peripheral portion; and an opening all as defined herein, wherein the first peripheral portion and the second peripheral portion respectively have mutually overlapping adhered portions and separated portions opposing one another through a gap continuing to the opening, and a relationship L1>S1 is satisfied, where L1 represents a maximum length of the adhered portion, and S1 represents a maximum length of the separated portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Mizutani, Shigeki Mori, Shigeo Kondo, Nobuo Furuta
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Patent number: 7758736Abstract: A detecting element (10) of a gas sensor (1) is held with a detecting portion (11) projecting from a front-end engaging-portion (56) of a metallic shell (50) and is accommodated for protection in an inner protector (120) in a gas detection chamber (129). Exhaust gas introduced into the gas detection chamber (129) is exhausted through an exhaust hole (160). The exhaust hole is formed by cutting off a portion of a side wall (127) of a recess portion (125), which is formed by pressing inward a portion between two slits formed in a front end wall (124). A bottom wall (126) of the recess portion (125) is located frontward of the detecting element (10) with respect to the direction of an axis O, thereby preventing a water droplet which comes flying from the outside from directly contacting the detecting element (10).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Okumura, Satoshi Ishikawa, Takehiro Oba, Tomohiko Funahashi
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Patent number: 7748216Abstract: A turbine of a turbocharger is disposed on an exhaust passage. An air-fuel ratio sensor is disposed downstream of and in proximity to the turbine. An element of the air-fuel ratio sensor is positioned on or near the axis of an exhaust port of the turbine. A whirling flow of an exhaust gas in the same direction as a turbine wheel rotates is produced immediately after the exhaust port of the turbine, so that the whirling flow of the exhaust gas can centrifuge condensed water in the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas contacts the element near the axis of the exhaust port where there is substantially no condensed water, thus preventing the element from being wetted with water or cracked.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso CorporationInventors: Akira Eiraku, Naoki Kokubo
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Publication number: 20100126883Abstract: A sensor element for determining at least one physical property of a gas mixture is provided. The sensor element has at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode, and at least one solid electrolyte that connects the at least two electrodes. The at least one first electrode is connected via at least one diffusion-resistance element to the at least one gas chamber and/or to at least one reference chamber. The at least one second electrode is connected via at least one flow-resistance element to the at least one gas chamber. The at least one flow-resistance element and the at least one diffusion-resistance element are designed in such a way that the limit current of the at least one first electrode is smaller than the limit current of the at least one second electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2007Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Henrico Runge, Holger Reinshagen, Lothar Diehl, Thomas Seiler
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Patent number: 7722750Abstract: A gas sensor comprises an atmosphere-side cover, ventilation filter, and filter cover as well as a sensing element and housing. The atmosphere-side cover has i) a first section of a first diameter located on a tip-end side in a axial direction of the housing and fixed on an axially base end of the housing, ii) a second section of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the second section being located on an axially base-end side, iii) a stepped section formed between the first and second sections, and iv) a rib protruding outward from the second section and being formed between the stepped section and the second section. The ventilation filter is mounted on the second section and has an axially tip-end section being in contact with an axially base-end section of the rib. The filter cover fixes the ventilation filter between the second section and the filter cover.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kengo Toguchi, Kazuya Nakagawa
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Patent number: 7713393Abstract: A gas sensor having a gas sensor element which includes: a reference electrode; a solid electrolyte layer having oxygen ion conductivity; a detection electrode; and an electrode-protecting layer covering the detection electrode. The electrode-protecting layer is a porous body carrying catalytic metal, and includes: a detection electrode side portion having a catalytic metal loading ratio of more than 0% by weight and not more than 0.005% by weight; and a surface side portion provided closer to the outer surface of the electrode-protecting layer than the detection electrode side portion, the surface side portion having a catalytic metal loading ratio of 0.01% by weight or more.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayoshi Atsumi, Hiroshi Isomura, Keita Nakagawa, Toru Furuichi, Takao Kojima
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Patent number: 7708869Abstract: A gas sensor has a sensor element detecting a concentration of a specified gas, a housing fixing this element to a gas pipe to expose it to measuring-gas flow, and cylindrical inner and outer covers of a different radius, configured in concentric configuration, having a base part. Side surface openings are formed in the inner cover so that each opening turns upward from the outside to the inside of the inner cover. Openings are formed in the bottom surface of the inner cover around a circle in concentric with the inner cover. Openings are formed in the side surface of the outer cover through which the measuring gases are introduced into a gap between the inner and outer covers. A gap is formed between bottom surfaces of both the covers. An opening is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the outer cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Kouhei Yamada
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Patent number: 7686932Abstract: A gas sensor including: a cylindrical metal shell; a detection element having a detection portion provided on a front end side thereof, the detection element being fixed inside the metal shell while the detection portion of the detection element protrudes from a front end side of the metal shell; and an element protection cap having ventholes, the element protection cap being fixed to the metal shell so that the detection portion of the detection element is covered with the element protection cap. A crimping cylindrical portion is provided which extends to a front end side of the metal shell. A protrusion portion of the element protection cap which abuts a metal ring packing is provided with concave and convex portions outward along an outer circumferential direction. As such, the metal ring packing is deformed so as to be interlocked with the concave and convex portions when the crimping cylindrical portion is compressively deformed.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisaharu Nishio, Takashi Nakao, Kazuhiro Kohzaki, Keiichi Adachi
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Patent number: 7655123Abstract: A gas sensor comprising a first measuring chamber for introducing a gas to be measured, a second measuring chamber for detection of the gas to be measured, and as pump cells a first pump cell having a pair of pump electrodes, and a second pump cell having a measuring electrode and an auxiliary pump electrode, wherein a porous alumina sintered body having communicating pores of 500-1100 ? in average pore diameter and 6-16% in porosity is formed as an electrode protective layer on the surface of at least the measuring electrode of the second pump cell in such a manner that the alumina sintered body covers the measuring electrode. The gas sensor can be use for long period of time because of the protective layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Sakon, Osamu Nakasone, Kaori Takahashi, Toshihiko Suzuki
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Patent number: 7607340Abstract: In a protector (100) for protecting a detecting portion (11) of a sensor element (10) of a gas sensor (1), the opening area of individual inner introduction holes (130) and (140) formed in an inner protector (120) is 3.5 mm2 or less. In this manner, the amount and size of water droplets able to pass through the inner introduction holes (130) and (140) and to adhere to the sensor element (10) is restricted. In order to ensure good gas replaceability between the interior and the exterior of the inner protector (120) so as to attain quick gas response, the total opening area of the inner introduction holes (130) and (140) is 10 mm2 or more.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Nakashima, Yuichi Yamada
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Patent number: 7575663Abstract: A gas sensor is disclosed which attains high response speed, low power consumption, superior water splash resistance and a little setting direction dependency and setting angle dependency. In this gas sensor, a measured gas room is provided inside an inner cover, and gas passage holes for leading a measured gas in are provided on side surfaces of the inner cover and an outer cover. The gas passage holes provided on the outer cover are positioned much closer to a top end side than the gas passage hole provided closest to the top end side in the inner cover. Partitions disposed extendedly in an axial direction of the gas sensor are provided between the outer cover and the inner cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Nakamura, Takashi Kojima, Daisuke Makino
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Patent number: 7560012Abstract: A gas sensor is constructed as follows. A protector (4) covering around a gas sensing element (2) has an inner hollow-cylindrical portion (6) and an outer hollow-cylindrical portion (7) that is provided coaxially with the inner hollow-cylindrical portion (6) with an air space (8) in between. Outer-wall gas inlet openings (13) are formed in the outer hollow-cylindrical portion (7), and guiding bodies (10) extending inward are attached to the outer-wall gas inlet openings (13). Inner-wall gas inlet openings (11) are formed in the inner hollow-cylindrical portion (6) at positions nearer to the gas sensing element (2) than the outer-wall gas inlet openings (13). A side wall (9) face of the inner hollow-cylindrical portion (6) opposite the outer-wall gas inlet openings (13) is formed so as to be parallel to a side wall (12) of the outer-hollow cylindrical portion (7) or so as to have a slop-like shape with a diameter enlarging in the axial direction toward a bottom wall (17) of the protector (4).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takafumi Shichida, Takaya Yoshikawa, Takashi Nakashima, Satoshi Ishikawa
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Patent number: 7534332Abstract: A process for manufacturing a gas sensor, the gas sensor including a gas detecting element, cylindrical metal shell, and cylindrical protector as defined herein, the process comprising: applying a lubricant to an outer circumference of a leading end portion of the metal shell; assembling the metal shell having the lubricant applied thereto and the protector, so that a fitting portion, in which the leading end portion of the metal shell and the protector fit on each other, and a space-forming portion, in which the leading end portion of the metal shell and the protector overlap each other through an annular space, are formed along an axial direction; and welding the metal shell and the protector by forming a welded portion extending from an outer circumference of the protector through the annular space.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masataka Taguchi, Yasuhiro Fujita, Hiromichi Hayashi
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Patent number: 7501604Abstract: A sensor element for determining the concentration of gas components in gas mixtures, e.g., for determining the oxygen concentration in exhaust gases of combustion engines, includes: at least one electrochemical measurement cell that encompasses a first and a second electrode in contact with a solid electrolyte material; a heating element for heating the sensor element to operating temperature; and a cavity integrated into the sensor element. The cavity exhibits, in at least one region close to the lateral delimiting surfaces of the cavity, a diameter that is greater than zero and smaller than the diameter in its central region.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Lothar Diehl
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Patent number: 7493796Abstract: A sensor is described for determining a physical property of a gas that is to be measured, especially the pressure, the temperature or the concentration of a gas component in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines, which has a sensor element supported in a sensor housing whose gas-sensitive sensor section protrudes from the sensor housing, and has a protective tube that surrounds the sensor section. In order to achieve an effective protection of the gas-sensitive sensor section from water drops and solid substances included in the exhaust gas, in conjunction with cost-effective production of the protective tube, protective tube is developed spiral-shaped, yielding a tube wall that is spiral-shaped in cross section.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Juergen Wilde