Electrically biased two electrode, electrochemical gas sensor with a H.sub. 2
US4025412A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1975 |
| Grant date | May 24, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N27/4045
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The instant invention relates to an electrochemical sensor for detecting gases or vapors such as carbon monoxide, alcohol NOX etc. The gas sensor includes either a solid polymer ion-exchange-membrane electrolyte or a liquid electrolyte adsorbed in a suitable matrix, a catalytic sensor electrode and a combination counter/reference electrode. A biasing voltage is applied between the electrodes. The biasing voltage is made equal to or larger than the oxidation/reduction potential of a platinum/air electrode and is also greater than the reversible oxidation/reduction potential of the gas or vapor to be detected. As a result, the gas or vapor to be detected is rapidly oxidized at the sensor electrode to produce a current proportional to the mass of the gas present in the incoming stream, while at the same time, making the device insensitive to air. The counter/reference electrode is of a novel construction to provide optimum reversible hydrogen evolution and a hydrogen buffering or storage arrangement to maintain the reference electrode potential substantially constant at 0.0 volts. The electrode is fabricated of a noble metal alloy. Associated with the electrode is a perforated foil su…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.