US4584867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for selectively determining the components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor
Assignee: Cerberus AG
•
Filing: 1984-08-03
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Granted: 1986-04-29
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Expires: 2004-08-03
Abstract
Abstract The device comprises a gas sensor containing a predetermined number of sensor elements which change their electric conductivity under the action of gases. Such a gas sensor is used for selectively determining the components of gas mixtures. For this purpose the individual sensor elements are arranged on a heat-resistant, thermally insulating substrate and the individual sensor elements are sensitized for the determination of different components of the gas mixture by selecting different materials and/or operating temperatures for the individual sensor elements. The sensor elements and its components are arranged such that the gas mixture to be investigated is guided past the sensor elments in a directed flow. The temperatures of the sensor elements increase in a stepwise manner in the direction of the gas flow and thereby a further increase in the selectivity of the gas sensor is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Forster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/12; G01N33/00; G01N33/0004; G01N33/0009; G01N33/0027; G01N33/0031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of sensor elements which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate; said predetermined number of sensor elements being mounted at said heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate and thereby are thermally insulated from each other and can be heated to related operating temperatures independent of each other; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixture; and an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of sensor elements which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate; said predetermined number of sensor elements being mounted at said heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate and thereby are thermally insulated from each other and can be heated to related operating temperatures independent of each other; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixture; and an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said property of said sensor elements which changes under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture and the change of which are detected by said evaluation circuit arrangement is the electric conductivity of the sensor elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein: each one of said predetermined number of sensor elements is selected on the basis of its constituent material in order to respond to a different one of the gaseous components present in the gas mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein: each one of said predetermined number of sensor elements is selected on the basis of its operating temperature in order to respond to a different one of the gaseous components present in the gas mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein: each one of said predetermined number of sensor elements is selected on the basis of its constituent material and its operating temperature in order to respond to a different one of the gaseous components present in the gas mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein: each said sensor element of said predetermined number of sensor elements is provided with: an electric heating device; a first electrically insulating layer; a second electrically insulating layer; and said electric heating device being disposed between said first and second electrically insulating layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as defined in claim 6, wherein: said electric heating device comprises a platinum layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said sensor element and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as defined in claim 6, wherein: said electric heating device comprises an iridium layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said sensor element and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device as defined in claim 6, wherein: said electric heating device comprises a layer constituted by a platinum-iridium alloy; and said platinum-iridium alloy layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said sensor element and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein: a preselected number of said predetermined number of sensor elements is provided with: an electric heating device; a first electrically insulating layer; a second electrically insulating layer; and said electric heating device being disposed between said first and second electrically insulating layers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as defined in claim 10, wherein: said electric heating device comprises a platinum layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said preselected number of sensor elements and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as defined in claim 10, wherein: said electric heating device comprises an iridium layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said preselected number of sensor elements and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device as defined in claim 10, wherein: said electric heating device comprises a layer constituted by a platinum-iridium alloy; and said platinum-iridium alloy layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said preselected number of sensor elements and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said predetermined number of sensor elements is provided with: a common electric heating device; a first electrically insulating layer and a second electrically insulating layer; and said common electric heating device being disposed between said first and said second electrically insulating layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as defined in claim 14, wherein: said electric heating device comprises a platinum layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said predetermined number of sensor elements and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device as defined in claim 14, wherein: said electric heating device comprises an iridium layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said predetermined number of sensor elements and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device as defined in claim 14, wherein: said electric heating device comprises a layer constituted by a platinum-iridium alloy; and said platinum-iridium alloy layer having a large temperature coefficient of electric conductivity and serving to heat said predetermined number of sensor elements and to determine the heating temperature thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as defined in claim 1, further including: means for conducting a directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated along said predetermined number of sensor elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as defined in claim 18, wherein: said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements are series-arranged with respect to the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as defined in claim 19, wherein: said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements form a coherent block of sensor elements.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as defined in claim 20, further including: a predetermined number of electrodes provided for said coherent block of sensor elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as defined in claim 19, further including: means for heating each one of said series-arranged sensor elements to a selected operating temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as defined in claim 1, further including: a gas-impervious layer; and said gas-impervious layer being arranged such that said gas mixture to be investigated is guided in a directed flow past said predetermined number of sensor elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as defined in claim 23, wherein: said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements are series-arranged with respect to the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as defined in claim 24, wherein: said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements form a coherent block of sensor elements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as defined in claim 25, further including: a predetermined number of electrodes provided for said coherent block of sensor elements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as defined in claim 24, further including: means for heating each one of said series-arranged sensor elements to a selected operating temperature.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
208 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of sensor elements which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate on which said predetermined number of sensor elements is arranged; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixture; an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture; means for conducting a directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated along said predetermined number of sensor elements; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements being series-arranged with respect to the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements forming a coherent block of sensor elements; and means for operating said sensor elements at a temperature gradient in the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
208 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of sensor elements which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate on which said predetermined number of sensor elements is arranged; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixture; an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture; means for conducting a directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated along said predetermined number of sensor elements; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements being series-arranged with respect to the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements forming a coherent block of sensor elements; and means for operating said sensor elements at a temperature gradient in the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
232 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of gas sensor elements which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate on which said predetermined number of sensor elements is arranged; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixture; an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture; means for conducting a directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated along said predetermined number of sensor elements; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements being series-arranged with respect to the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; means for heating each one of said series-arranged sensor elements to a selected operating temperature; said series-arranged sensor elements containing a forwardly positioned sensor element and a sensor element positioned rearwardly thereof relative to said direction of the directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; and said forwardly positioned sensor element having a lower operating temperature than said sensor element positioned rearwardly thereof.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
232 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of gas sensor elements which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate on which said predetermined number of sensor elements is arranged; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixture; an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture; means for conducting a directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated along said predetermined number of sensor elements; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements being series-arranged with respect to the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; means for heating each one of said series-arranged sensor elements to a selected operating temperature; said series-arranged sensor elements containing a forwardly positioned sensor element and a sensor element positioned rearwardly thereof relative to said direction of the directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; and said forwardly positioned sensor element having a lower operating temperature than said sensor element positioned rearwardly thereof.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of sensor element which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate on which said predetermined number of sensor elements is arranged; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixtures; an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture; a gas-impervious layer; said gas-impervious layer being arranged such that said gas mixture to be investigated is guided in a directed flow past said predetermined number of sensor elements; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements being series-arranged with respect to the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements forming a coherent block of sensor elements; and means for operating said sensor element at a temperature gradient in the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of sensor element which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate on which said predetermined number of sensor elements is arranged; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixtures; an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture; a gas-impervious layer; said gas-impervious layer being arranged such that said gas mixture to be investigated is guided in a directed flow past said predetermined number of sensor elements; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements being series-arranged with respect to the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements forming a coherent block of sensor elements; and means for operating said sensor element at a temperature gradient in the direction of said directed flow of said gas mixture to be investigated.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
240 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of sensor elements which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate on which said predetermined number of sensor elements is arranged; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixture; an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture; a gas-impervious layer; said gas-imprevious layer being arranged such that said gas mixture to be investigated is guided in a directed flow past said predetermined number of sensor elements; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements being series-arranged with respect to the direction of said direction flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; means for heating each one of said series-arranged sensor elements to a selected operating temperature; said series-arranged sensor elements containing a forwardly positioned sensor element and a sensor element positioned rearwardly thereof relative to said direction of the directed flow of the gas mixture to be investigated; and said forwardly positioned sensor element having a lower operating temperature than said sensor element positioned rearwardly thereof.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
240 words
A device for selectively determining components of gas mixtures by means of a gas sensor, said device comprising: a predetermined number of sensor elements which change their properties under the action of the to-be-determined components of a gas mixture to be investigated; a heat resistant and thermally insulating substrate on which said predetermined number of sensor elements is arranged; said sensor elements being selected and operated such as to permit the determination of different ones of the components of said gas mixture; an evaluation circuit arrangement operatively connected to said sensor elements in order to detect and evaluate the changes in the properties of said sensor elements under the action of the to-be-determined components of the gas mixture; a gas-impervious layer; said gas-imprevious layer being arranged such that said gas mixture to be investigated is guided in a directed flow past said predetermined number of sensor elements; said sensor elements constituting said predetermined number of sensor elements being series-arranged with respect to the direction of said direction flow of said gas mixture to be investigated; means for heating each one of said series-arranged sensor elements to a selected operating temperature; said series-arranged sensor elements containing a forwardly positioned sensor element and a sensor element positioned rearwardly thereof relative to said direction of the directed flow of the gas mixture to be investigated; and said forwardly positioned sensor element having a lower operating temperature than said sensor element positioned rearwardly thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |