US 5,344,549 AGranted

Oxygen partial pressure sensor

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy

InventorDennis W. Dees

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Abstract

A method for detecting oxygen partial pressure and an oxygen partial pressure sensor are provided. The method for measuring oxygen partial pressure includes contacting oxygen to a solid oxide electrolyte and measuring the subsequent change in electrical conductivity of the solid oxide electrolyte. A solid oxide electrolyte is utilized that contacts both a porous electrode and a nonporous electrode. The electrical conductivity of the solid oxide electrolyte is affected when oxygen from an exhaust stream permeates through the porous electrode to establish an equilibrium of oxygen anions in the electrolyte, thereby displacing electrons throughout the electrolyte to form an electron gradient. By adapting the two electrodes to sense a voltage potential between them, the change in electrolyte conductivity due to oxygen presence can be measured.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An oxygen partial pressure sensor comprising:

a solid electrolyte having a first surface and a second surface;
an oxygen permeable porous electrode, acting as a cathode, having an exhaust stream side and an electrolyte side, wherein the electrolyte side of said oxygen permeable porous electrode contacts the first surface of said solid electrolyte and entirely covers mid first surface;
an oxygen impermeable nonporous electrode, acting as an anode, contacting the second surface of said solid electrolyte and entirely covering said second surface;
oxygen impermeable insulator means cooperating with said oxygen permeable porous electrode and said oxygen impermeable nonporous electrode and surrounding said solid electrolyte so as to allow essentially only the first surface of said solid electrolyte contacting said oxygen permeable porous electrode to be exposed to an exhaust stream such that a flow of oxygen ions through the solid electrolyte is essentially blocked;
means for applying a voltage across said electrodes;
and
means for sensing a flow of current between said electrodes.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/022,593Filed 17 Feb 1993 · continuation
Priority: 11 Oct 1991
Granted: 6 Sep 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

G01N 27/4075
For investigating or analysing gases: composition or fabrication of the electrodes and coatings thereon, e.g. catalysts
G01N 27/407
Cells and probes with solid electrolytes: for investigating or analysing gases
G01N
Investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties

Family

Serial774,922Parent of this continuation · filed 11 Oct 1991
US 5,344,549 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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