US4136000A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for producing improved solid electrolyte oxygen gas sensors
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1978-03-13
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Granted: 1979-01-23
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Expires: 1998-03-13
Abstract
Abstract An oxygen gas sensor having a solid electrolyte oxygen gas sensor element, with an inner conductive catalyst electrode on the interior surface and an outer conductive catalyst electrode on the exterior surface thereof, which has a high voltage output and lower internal resistance is produced by chemically activating said inner conductive catalyst electrode with an inorganic acid or an acid salt. By also subjecting said outer conductive catalyst electrode to a direct current activation under a reducing atmosphere, even more improved properties, such as fast switching response, are achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald C. Davis
- 👤 Donald J. Romine
- 👤 Phillip R. Woodruff
- 👤 James D. Bode
- 👤 Tseng Y. Tien
- 👤 Ching T. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/403; G01N27/406; G01N27/407; G01N27/4075; H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/90; H01M4/92; H01M2004/8678; H01M2004/8689; H01M8/00; H01M8/10; H01M8/12; H01M2008/1293; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0068; H01M2300/0071; H01M2300/0074; H01M2300/0082; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element wherein the sensor element comprises a solid electrolyte body having an inner electrode of conductive catalyst material on the interior surface thereof, the exposed surface of said inner electrode being for exposure to a reference gas, and an outer electrode of conductive catalyst material on the exterior surface thereof for exposure to a gaseous mixture, the oxygen content of which is to be measured, comprising: contacting said inner conductive catalyst with an acidic reactant selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids and acid salts to chemically activate said electrode, whereby the voltage output of the sensor element is increased and the internal resistance decreased.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element wherein the sensor element comprises a solid electrolyte body having an inner electrode of conductive catalyst material on the interior surface thereof, the exposed surface of said inner electrode being for exposure to a reference gas, and an outer electrode of conductive catalyst material on the exterior surface thereof for exposure to a gaseous mixture, the oxygen content of which is to be measured, comprising: contacting said inner conductive catalyst with an acidic reactant selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids and acid salts to chemically activate said electrode, whereby the voltage output of the sensor element is increased and the internal resistance decreased.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 1 wherein said acidic reactant is an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of chloroplatinic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 1 wherein said acidic reactant is an acid salt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 3 wherein said acid salt is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride and ammonium chloroplatinate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner electrode comprises a platinum family metal catalyst.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 5 wherein said platinum family metal catalyst is bonded to said solid electrolyte body with a glass frit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensor element is heated while said inner conductive catalyst electrode is in contact with the inorganic acidic reactant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The oxygen gas sensor element produced according to the process of claim 1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
A process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element wherein the sensor element comprises a solid electrolyte body having an inner electrode of conductive catalyst material on the interior surface thereof, the exposed surface of said inner electrode being for exposure to a reference gas, and an outer electrode of conductive catalyst material on the exterior surface thereof for exposure to a gaseous mixture, the oxygen content of which is to be measured, comprising: (a) contacting said inner conductive catalyst electrode with an acidic reactant selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids and acid salts; (b) applying a direct current to said sensor element, with the outer electrode as a cathode, while subjecting the outer catalyst electrode to a reducing atmosphere at an elevated temperature; and (c) maintaining said outer electrode, after cessation of said current, at the elevated temperature for a period of time for recovery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
A process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element wherein the sensor element comprises a solid electrolyte body having an inner electrode of conductive catalyst material on the interior surface thereof, the exposed surface of said inner electrode being for exposure to a reference gas, and an outer electrode of conductive catalyst material on the exterior surface thereof for exposure to a gaseous mixture, the oxygen content of which is to be measured, comprising: (a) contacting said inner conductive catalyst electrode with an acidic reactant selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids and acid salts; (b) applying a direct current to said sensor element, with the outer electrode as a cathode, while subjecting the outer catalyst electrode to a reducing atmosphere at an elevated temperature; and (c) maintaining said outer electrode, after cessation of said current, at the elevated temperature for a period of time for recovery.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said contacting of the inner electrode with said acidic reactant is effected and thereafter the application of said direct current to the outer electrode is effected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said application of the direct current to the outer electrode is effected and thereafter said contacting of the inner electrode with said acidic reactant is effected.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein the conductive catalyst material of said electrodes comprises a platinum family metal catalyst.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said inner electrode comprises a layer of platinum bonded to said solid electrolyte body with a glass frit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said acidic reactant is an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of chloroplatinic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said acidic reactant is an acid salt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 15 wherein said acid salt is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride and ammonium chloroplatinate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said direct current is applied while the sensor element is at an elevated temperature of between 500°-1200° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said direct current is applied at a current density of between 5-1000 milliamperes per square centimeter of the planar surface of said outer electrode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said direct current is applied for a period of time of between 2-30 minutes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process for producing an oxygen gas sensor element as defined in claim 9 wherein said period of time for recovery is in excess of 3 minutes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The oxygen gas sensor element produced according to the process of claim 9.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-22 | 1982-07-24 | 1983-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-22 | 1986-07-24 | 1987-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-22 | 1990-07-24 | 1991-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |