Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A device for sensing the oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas, comprising: a cup-like oxygen-ion permeable cylindrical member made of solid electrolyte consisting of oxygen-ion conducting metal oxide, said cylindrical member having an inner circumferential surface communicating with the atmosphere and an outer circumferential surface communicating with the exhaust gas for producing an electromotive force corresponding to a difference between the oxygen concentrations on said inner circumferential surface and on said outer circumferential surface and having negative-resistance temperature characteristic; a pair of first electrodes serving as a lean sensor and each comprising a thin film made of porous metal material, said first electrodes being provided on said inner circumferential surface and outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical member, respectively, in opposed relationship to each other; an oxygen-gas diffusion limiting layer covering said lean sensing electrode on said outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical member; a pair of second electrodes for sensing the oxygen concentration under high load drive mode and the temperature of said cylindrical member and each comprising a thin film made of porous metal material, said second electrodes being provided, respectively, on those portions of said inner and outer circumferential surfaces of said cylindrical member which are different from the portions where said first electrodes are provided in opposed relationship to each other; and a heater disposed in said cylindrical member for heating said cylindrical member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
228 words
A device for sensing the oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas, comprising: a cup-like oxygen-ion permeable cylindrical member made of solid electrolyte consisting of oxygen-ion conducting metal oxide, said cylindrical member having an inner circumferential surface communicating with the atmosphere and an outer circumferential surface communicating with the exhaust gas for producing an electromotive force corresponding to a difference between the oxygen concentrations on said inner circumferential surface and on said outer circumferential surface and having negative-resistance temperature characteristic; a pair of first electrodes serving as a lean sensor and each comprising a thin film made of porous metal material, said first electrodes being provided on said inner circumferential surface and outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical member, respectively, in opposed relationship to each other; an oxygen-gas diffusion limiting layer covering said lean sensing electrode on said outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical member; a pair of second electrodes for sensing the oxygen concentration under high load drive mode and the temperature of said cylindrical member and each comprising a thin film made of porous metal material, said second electrodes being provided, respectively, on those portions of said inner and outer circumferential surfaces of said cylindrical member which are different from the portions where said first electrodes are provided in opposed relationship to each other; and a heater disposed in said cylindrical member for heating said cylindrical member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising a porous electrode protecting layer covering said second electrode provided on said outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein said porous electrode protecting layer is made of one compound selected from the group consisting of Al 2 O 3 , Al 2 O 3 .MgO and ZrO 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein said heater comprises a ceramic cylindrical main body having a bore formed coaxially therein, and a heating wire disposed in said main body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device according to claim 3, further comprising a housing holding said cylindrical member and having exhaust-gas introducing openings communicating with said first electrode and said second electrode which are provided on said outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said cylindrical member has an annular enlarged portion at a position different from that at which said electrodes are provided, and said housing has therein an annular seat portion receiving said annular enlarged portion of said cylindrical member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device according to claim 6, further comprising talc filled in a space defined between said cylindrical member and said housing and an asbestos ring covering said talc in said space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are made of platinum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device according to claim 8, wherein said cylindrical member is made of one compound selected from the group consisting of ZrO 2 -Y 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 -Yb 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 -Sc 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 -CaO, ZrO 2 -Th 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 -MgO, ThO 2 -CaO and CeO 2 -MgO.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 9, wherein said oxygen gas diffusion limiting layer is made of one compound selected from the group consisting of Al 2 O 3 , Al 2 O 3 .MgO and ZrO 2 .