The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 14, 1992
Filed:
Dec. 20, 1989
Da Y Wang, Lexington, MA (US);
Daniel T Kennedy, Burlington, MA (US);
Burton W MacAllister, Hudson, NH (US);
GTE Laboratories Incorporated, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and method for determining the identity and concentration of one or more components in a test atmosphere having a known concentration of oxygen. A solid electrolyte oxygen sensor is used, having a first solid electrolyte wall in contact with, and interposed between, a first electrode and a second electrode and a second solid electrolyte wall in contact with, and interposed between a third electrode and a fourth electrode. The second and fourth electrodes are in communication with the test atmosphere. A partition wall separates the first and third electrodes forming a first chamber bounded by the first wall and the partition wall and a second chamber bounded by the partition wall and the second wall. Diffusion limiting means inhibit gas-flow of the gas from the test atmosphere to the first chamber and from the first chamber to the second chamber. A first negative voltage (or positive voltage when the unknown component has a concentraion larger than that of a stoichiometric gas mixture) is applied to the first and second electrodes generating a first electrical current on a first electric current plateau. Simultaneously the EMF across the third and fourth electrodes is measured. These two numbers are correlated with a table to determine gas component identity and concentration. Alternatively a first negative voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes generating a first electrical current. Simultaneously a second negative voltage is applied to the third and fourth electrodes generating a second electrical current. The magnitudes of said first and second voltages are in contrast to each other (the first voltages is low and the second voltage is high or vise verse, with their difference kept at least 100 mV). The second current is measured and is correlated with a figure to determine gas concentration or hydrogen-equivalent gas concentration.