Oxygen sensor and method of producing it

US5308469A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hoechst GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Fritz Aldinger · Rodenbach, DE
• Harro Bestgen · Kelkheim, DE
• Christine Kostler · Hattersheim, DE
• Andreas Roosen · Hofheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 6, 1992
• Grant date: May 3, 1994
• Expiry date: May 6, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N27/4075
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A planar oxygen sensor based on zirconium dioxide is described which is suitable for measuring the oxygen content in combustion furnaces or in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. Disposed on an external surface of the sensor is a noble-metal measuring electrode and located in its interior is a reference electrode which is connected to an external contact and is enclosed by two zirconium dioxide layers. One of these layers has, in its region near the edge, a hole whose outwardly pointing part is sealed by a solder glass. The internal part of the hole is partially filled with sintered platinum which makes a conductive connection between a platinum wire, passing outwards through the hole, as external contact and a platinum conductor track which is disposed on the internal interface of the zirconium dioxide layer and which leads to the reference electrode. A method of producing the oxygen sensor is also described.