Patent ID: 6911140
Filing Date: 2005-06-28
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A sensor element for determining a concentration of at least one gas component in a gas mixture, comprising: at least one first electrode exposed to the at least one gas component to be analyzed; a second arrangement; at least one reference electrode electrically interconnected by a first solid electrolyte to the at least one first electrode, wherein the second arrangement is configured to measure an electric current at least one of continuously and non-continuously between the at least one first electrode and one of the at least one reference electrode and a counterelectrode, in response to at least one of the applying and the setting an electric voltage between the at least one first electrode and the at least one reference electrode due to a chemical reaction proceeding at the at least one first electrode, the concentration of the at least one gas component in the gas mixture being determinable from the electric current; and a first arrangement configured to at least one of apply and set the electric voltage between the at least one first electrode and the at least one reference electrode only during recurring time intervals; wherein the second arrangement is configured to measure the electric current between the at least one first electrode and one of the at least one reference electrode and the counterelectrode, at least intermittently within the recurring time intervals.