Electrochemical gas sensor, and method for manufacturing the same

A gas sensor for dealing with a measurement gas in an external space, comprising:

• an electrochemical pumping cell including a first planar solid electrolyte body, and a first electrode and a second electrode which are disposed on opposite surfaces of said first planar solid electrolyte body;
• a gas-tight ceramic body cooperating with said first planar solid electrolyte body, to define therebetween a thin flat space having a thickness of not greater than about 50 microns, such that said first electrode substantially communicates with said thin flat space, said thin flat space extending in a direction parallel to a plane of said first planar solid electrolyte body and having a first predetermined diffusion resistance to said measurement gas;
• and
• a porous structure exposed to said thin flat space in a direction of thickness of said thin flat space, and juxtaposed with respect to said first electrode in said direction parallel to the plane of said first planar solid electrolyte body, said porous structure having a second predetermined diffusion resistance to said measurement gas, and maintaining said thin flat space in communication with said external space under said second predetermined diffusion resistance.

A gas sensor for dealing with a measurement gas in an external space, comprising:

• an electrochemical pumping cell including a first planar solid electrolyte body, and a first electrode and a second electrode which are disposed on opposite surfaces of said first planar solid electrolyte body;
• a gas-tight ceramic body cooperating with said first planar solid electrolyte body, to define therebetween a thin flat space such that said first electrode substantially communicates with said thin flat space, said thin flat space extending in a direction parallel to a plane of said first planar solid electrolyte body and having a first predetermined diffusion resistance to said measurement gas;
• an air inlet aperture formed through said first planar solid electrolyte body in a direction of thickness of said body, said aperture providing communication between said external space and said thin flat space;
• and
• a porous structure disposed within said air inlet aperture and exposed to said thin flat space in a direction of thickness of said thin flat space, and juxtaposed with respect to said first electrode in said direction parallel to the plane of said first planar solid electrolyte body, said porous structure having a second predetermined diffusion resistance to said measurement gas, and maintaining said thin flat space in communication with said external space under said second predetermined diffusion resistance.

A gas sensor for dealing with a measurement gas in an external space, comprising:

• an electrochemical pumping cell including a first planar solid electrolyte body, and a first electrode and a second electrode which are disposed on opposite surfaces of said first planar solid electrolyte body;
• a gas-tight ceramic body cooperating with said first planar solid electrolyte body, to define therebetween a thin flat space such that said first electrode substantially communicates with said thin flat space, said thin flat space extending in a direction parallel to a plane of said first planar solid electrolyte body and having a first predetermined diffusion resistance to said measurement gas;
• an air inlet aperture formed through said gas-tight ceramic body in a direction of thickness of said body, said aperture providing communication between said external space and said thin flat space;
• and
• a porous structure disposed within said air inlet aperture and exposed to said thin flat space in a direction of thickness of said thin flat space, and juxtaposed with respect to said first electrode in said direction parallel to the plane of said first planar solid electrolyte body, said porous structure having a second predetermined diffusion resistance to said measurement gas, and maintaining said thin flat space in communication with said external space under said second predetermined diffusion resistance.

A gas sensor for dealing with a measurement gas in an external space, comprising:

• an electrochemical pumping cell including a first planar solid electrolyte body, and a first electrode and a second electrode which are disposed on opposite surfaces of said first planar solid electrolyte body;
• a gas-tight ceramic body cooperating with said first planar solid electrolyte body, to define therebetween a thin flat space such that said first electrode substantially communicates with said thin flat space, said thin flat space extending in a direction parallel to a plane of said first planar solid electrolyte body and having a first predetermined diffusion resistance to said measurement gas;
• air inlet apertures formed through said first planar solid electrolyte body and said gas-tight ceramic body in a direction of thickness of said bodies, said apertures providing communication between said external space and said thin flat space;
• and
• a porous structure disposed within each air inlet aperture and exposed to said thin flat space in a direction of thickness of said thin flat space, and juxtaposed with respect to said first electrode to said direction parallel to the plane of said first planar solid electrolyte body, said porous structure having a second predetermined diffusion resistance to said measurement gas, and maintaining said thin flat space in communication with said external space under said second predetermined diffusion resistance.