Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An oxygen concentration sensor comprising: a solid electrolyte member including two portions, one portion being exposed to a gas of interest and the other portion being exposed to the atmosphere; an inner cover member formed with a first space communicating portion arranged to communicate with said other portion of said solid electrolyte member; a water-proof cover member enclosing said inner cover member and defining with said inner cover member a ventilating passage, said water-proof cover member being formed with a second space communicating portion for maintaining the first space communicating portion of said inner cover member in communication with the atmosphere through said ventilating passage, said second space communicating portion of said water-proof cover member being axially spaced apart from said first space communicating portion of said inner cover member; and means, disposed in said ventilating passage between said first and second space communicating portions and spaced axially from said first space communicating portion, for impeding the flow of water through said ventilating passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An oxygen concentration sensor comprising: a solid electrolyte member including two portions, one portion being exposed to a gas of interest and the other portion being exposed to the atmosphere; an inner cover member formed with a first space communicating portion arranged to communicate with said other portion of said solid electrolyte member; a water-proof cover member enclosing said inner cover member and defining with said inner cover member a ventilating passage, said water-proof cover member being formed with a second space communicating portion for maintaining the first space communicating portion of said inner cover member in communication with the atmosphere through said ventilating passage, said second space communicating portion of said water-proof cover member being axially spaced apart from said first space communicating portion of said inner cover member; and means, disposed in said ventilating passage between said first and second space communicating portions and spaced axially from said first space communicating portion, for impeding the flow of water through said ventilating passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An oxygen concentration sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said impeding means includes a metal wire wound about the outer periphery of said inner cover member and positioned in said ventilating passage, so that the atmosphere can be maintained in communication with said other portion of said solid electrolyte member through a small clearance defined between turns of said metal wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
221 words
An oxygen concentration sensor comprising: a solid electrolyte member including two portions, one portion being exposed to a gas of interest and the other portion being exposed to the atmosphere; an inner cover member formed with a first space communicating portion arranged to communicate with said other portion of said solid electrolyte member; a water-proof cover member enclosing said inner cover member and defining with said inner cover member a ventilating passage, said water-proof cover member being formed with a second space communicating portion maintaining said first space communicating portion of said inner cover member in communication with the atmosphere through said ventilating passage, said second space communicating portion of said water-proof cover member being axially spaced apart from said first space communicating portion of said inner cover member; a housing formed of metal caulked at one end portion for securing said inner cover member thereto and supporting said solid electrolyte member, said second space communicating portion of said water-proof cover member being defined by a clearance partially defined between said caulked one end portion of said housing and an end portion of said water-proof cover member; and means, disposed in said ventilating passage between said first and second space communicating portions and spaced axially from said first space communicating portion, for impeding the flow of water through said ventilating passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
221 words
An oxygen concentration sensor comprising: a solid electrolyte member including two portions, one portion being exposed to a gas of interest and the other portion being exposed to the atmosphere; an inner cover member formed with a first space communicating portion arranged to communicate with said other portion of said solid electrolyte member; a water-proof cover member enclosing said inner cover member and defining with said inner cover member a ventilating passage, said water-proof cover member being formed with a second space communicating portion maintaining said first space communicating portion of said inner cover member in communication with the atmosphere through said ventilating passage, said second space communicating portion of said water-proof cover member being axially spaced apart from said first space communicating portion of said inner cover member; a housing formed of metal caulked at one end portion for securing said inner cover member thereto and supporting said solid electrolyte member, said second space communicating portion of said water-proof cover member being defined by a clearance partially defined between said caulked one end portion of said housing and an end portion of said water-proof cover member; and means, disposed in said ventilating passage between said first and second space communicating portions and spaced axially from said first space communicating portion, for impeding the flow of water through said ventilating passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An oxygen concentration sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said impeding means includes a plurality of dents on a surface of said water-proof cover member for positioning said water-proof cover member in a spaced relationship from said inner cover member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
An oxygen concentration sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said second space communicating portion of said water-proof cover member comprises a clearance partially defined between one end of said water-proof cover member and a portion of the outer surface of said inner cover member close to said one end of said water-proof cover member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
An oxygen concentration sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said impeding means includes a ring of metal secured to the outer periphery of said inner cover member so that a clearance is defined between said ring and said water-proof cover member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An oxygen concentration sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said impeding means includes a ring enclosed by one end portion of said water-proof cover member, said cover member being bent in a manner to define a clearance between said one end portion and said ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An oxygen concentration sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said impeding means includes a cylindrical member fitted over the outer periphery of said inner cover member, said cylindrical member having a corrugated outer periphery, to define a clearance between said corrugated outer periphery and said water-proof cover member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An oxygen concentration sensor as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cylindrical member is formed of silicone rubber.