Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
309 words
Gas sensor construction, particularly to determine the oxygen content of combustion exhaust gases and especially exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine having an essentially tubular housing (11); a plate (17) of oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte material; a first porous sensing electrode (16) applied to the plate at one major surface thereof; a second porous electrode (21) applied to the plate at the other major surface thereof and forming a counter electrode, said plate being positioned in the housing transversely with respect to the axis thereof; and a gas permeable ceramic layer (26) closing the end of the tubular housing and positioned against said sensing electrode (17) comprising, in accordance with the invention an in-turned end portion (12) formed on the tubular housing and forming a bottom, having a central opening (13) therethrough; a gas impervious layer (18) positioned on the edge portion of the oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte plate, the first sensing electrode (16) extending over the gas impervious layer; electrical connections (15) extending longitudinally of the tubular housing and transversely thereof over the sensing electrode in the region where the electrode is located over said gas impervious layer (18); resilient biased spring pressure (P') contact and support means (23,24) in engagement with said second counter electrode (21) on the other side of the plate, supported against said housing and pressing said plate and hence said electrode towards the end of the housing and establishing an electrical contact; a heat storage plate (27) formed with gas passage openings (28) therethrough closing off the in turned end portion (12) of the housing (11); a thin film heating element (29) located between the gas permeable ceramic layer (26) and the heat storage plate (27); and electric connections (31, 31'; 32, 32') in electrical connection with said heating element and extending at least in part longitudinal of the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
309 words
Gas sensor construction, particularly to determine the oxygen content of combustion exhaust gases and especially exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine having an essentially tubular housing (11); a plate (17) of oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte material; a first porous sensing electrode (16) applied to the plate at one major surface thereof; a second porous electrode (21) applied to the plate at the other major surface thereof and forming a counter electrode, said plate being positioned in the housing transversely with respect to the axis thereof; and a gas permeable ceramic layer (26) closing the end of the tubular housing and positioned against said sensing electrode (17) comprising, in accordance with the invention an in-turned end portion (12) formed on the tubular housing and forming a bottom, having a central opening (13) therethrough; a gas impervious layer (18) positioned on the edge portion of the oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte plate, the first sensing electrode (16) extending over the gas impervious layer; electrical connections (15) extending longitudinally of the tubular housing and transversely thereof over the sensing electrode in the region where the electrode is located over said gas impervious layer (18); resilient biased spring pressure (P') contact and support means (23,24) in engagement with said second counter electrode (21) on the other side of the plate, supported against said housing and pressing said plate and hence said electrode towards the end of the housing and establishing an electrical contact; a heat storage plate (27) formed with gas passage openings (28) therethrough closing off the in turned end portion (12) of the housing (11); a thin film heating element (29) located between the gas permeable ceramic layer (26) and the heat storage plate (27); and electric connections (31, 31'; 32, 32') in electrical connection with said heating element and extending at least in part longitudinal of the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Sensor construction according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connections (31, 31'; 32, 32') for the heating element (29) comprises conductive tracks located at the outside of the tubular housing and electrically insulated with respect to each other and with respect to the electrical connection means for said sensing electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Sensor construction according to claim 1, wherein the essentially tubular housing comprises an insulating ceramic; and wherein the electrical connection means to the sensing electrode (16) comprises a conductive track (15) formed on the inside of the ceramic tubular housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Sensor construction according to claim 3, wherein the tubular housing (11) comprises aluminum oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Sensor construction according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the solid electrolyte plate has an outer diameter which is slightly less than the inner diameter of the tubular housing leaving a gap (19') to permit differential expansion of the plate and the tubular housing upon heating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Sensor construction according to claim 1, wherein the solid electrolyte plate has an outer diameter which is slightly less than the inner diameter of the tubular housing leaving a gap (19') to permit differential expansion of the plate and the tubular housing upon heating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
Sensor construction according to claim 1, wherein said resiliently biased spring pressure contact and support means comprises an elongated bolt or pin (24) having a contact head (23) in engagement with said counter electrode (21) and extending essentially centrally of and longitudinally within the tubular housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Sensor construction according to claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 6 or 7 wherein the sensor is a polarographic sensor, and the gas permeable ceramic layer (26) comprises an oxygen migration or diffusion barrier.