Electrolytic sensor providing controlled burn-off of deposits on the electrodes
US5851369A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N27/407
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor having a working electrode, a solid electrolyte and a counter electrode forming an electrolytic cell within a protective casing is provided. The sensor is utilized for monitoring the concentration of a specific constituent within a sample fluid by measuring the electrical potential difference between the electrode exposed to the sample fluid, which is the working electrode, and the counter electrode, which is exposed to a reference fluid. A protective casing shields the electrolytic cell from the sample fluid and access to the working electrode is provided by sample fluid ports provided in the protective casing. To minimize the surface area of the working electrode exposed to the sample fluid, a restricter is placed in the channel defined by the protective casing and the working electrode. Additionally, a burn-off gas inlet port is provided to controllably supply burn-off gas to the working electrode surface to burn-off any residual film formed on the working electrode surface exposed to the sample fluid. Additionally, a control system is provided which can use the output from a potential measuring device to control the supply of burn-off gas to the working electrode surfa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.