US 4,784,743 A · Oxygen sensor

Abstract

An oxygen sensor element includes at least a standard electrode (i.e., reference electrode) and a measurement electrode and is made of an oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte and is accommodated in a casing. An airtight space formed in the oxygen sensor element or in the casing communicates with the standard electrode and is maintained substantially in an airtight state with respect to the external atmosphere. At least one pair of oxygen pump electrodes for supplying oxygen to the airtight space is arranged in the oxygen sensor element. Therefore, since it is not necessary to arrange a hole for the supply of a reference substance (such as air) in the oxygen sensor, it is possible to completely eliminate the deterioration and the damage of the oxygen sensor element due to the intrusion of water, sea water and the like from the external atmosphere.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An oxygen sensor comprising:

an oxygen sensor element comprising an oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte body having a standard electrode and a measurement electrode, each electrode being in contact with the solid electrolyte body, said solid electrolyte body further including a gap therein such that said standard electrode directly communicates with said gap;
a casing which incorporates said element therein, said casing comprising an airtight space in communication with said gap, whereby said casing isolates at least said element from an external atmosphere;
and
at least one pair of oxygen pump electrodes for supplying oxygen to said airtight space by oxygen ion conduction through said solid electrolyte body.

1 more element

An oxygen sensor comprising:

an oxygen sensor element comprising an oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte body having a standard electrode and a measurement electrode, each electrode being in contact with the solid electrolyte body, said solid electrolyte body further including a gap therein such that said standard electrode directly communicates with said gap;
a casing which incorporates said element therein, said casing comprising an airtight space in communication with said gap, whereby said casing isolates at least said element from an external atmosphere;
at least one pair of oxygen pump electrodes for supplying oxygen to said airtight space by oxygen ion conduction through said solid electrolyte body;
a heater for heating at least one of said standard electrode, measurement electrode and oxygen pump electrodes;
and
a means for dividing a voltage applied to said heater and for applying the divided voltage to said pair of oxygen pump electrodes, said means being integrally formed with the oxygen sensor element.

3 more elements

An oxygen sensor comprising:

an oxygen sensor element comprising an oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte body having a standard electrode and a measurement electrode, each electrode being in contact with the solid electrolyte body, said solid electrolyte body further including a gap therein such that said standard electrode directly communicates with said gap;
a casing which incorporates said element therein, said casing comprising an airtight space in communication with said gap, whereby said casing isolates at least said element from an external atmosphere and said airtight space has a volume which is above 15 .mu.l;
at least one pair of oxygen pump electrodes for supplying oxygen to said airtight space by oxygen ion conduction through said solid electrolyte body;
a heater for heating at least one of said standard electrode, measurement electrode and oxygen pump electrodes;
and
a means for dividing a voltage applied to said heater and for applying the divided voltage to said pair of oxygen pump electrodes, said means being integrally formed with the oxygen sensor element.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Oxygen sensor

Life of this patent

Oxygen sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13