Methane sensor and method for operating a sensor

US5767388A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Maximilian Fleischer · Ehrenkirchen, DE
• Hans Meixner · Haar, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 16, 1998
• Expiry date: Oct 21, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N27/12
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A sensor has a temperature in a range from 700.degree. to 850.degree. C. for detecting methane, and an oxygen-sensitive semiconducting metal oxide. A method for operating a gas sensor having two electrodes, an oxygen-sensitive semiconducting metal oxide conductively connecting the electrodes to one another, and a heating element, includes heating the metal oxide to a constant temperature in a range from 700.degree. to 850.degree. C., and measuring the resistance, conductivity or relative permeability of the metal oxide.