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US 5,330,719 AGranted
Automotive oxygen sensor for use in an industrial process analyzer
AssigneeElsag International N.V.
InventorsDaniel C. Barnett, John J. Fry, George R. Hall, II, David F. Ross, Robert A. Smith, Gordon D. Woolbert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An industrial process oxygen analyzer, and method of using same, incorporates an automotive oxygen sensor to minimize the criticalness of controlling heater temperature during operation. Higher sensor heater temperature, required to accommodate the automotive oxygen sensor, is achieved by application of higher supply voltage to the sensor heater. Current limiting of the heater supply circuit reduces stress on the sensor heater, even at the higher operating temperature.
Claims5
An apparatus for analyzing the oxygen content of a gas, comprising:
- an analyzer manifold having an automotive oxygen sensor connected therewith, said oxygen sensor having at least one sensor element;
- means for directing a gas sample to said analyzer manifold and across said at least one sensor element of said oxygen sensor;
- integral electric heating means contained within the oxygen sensor for maintaining the sensor element at a predetermined operating temperature range;
- and
- power supply means connected to said integral electric heating means for applying a voltage thereto with said voltage being greater than a nominal 12 volts to 14 volts and for limiting a current applied to the integral electric heating means to reduce stress on the integral electric heating means.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.