Patent ID: 6592731
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An amperometric oxygen sensor for determining the oxygen partial pressure of a gas, said sensor comprising:a multilayer sensor body defined by a plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers and at least one oxygen ion conductor layer wherein said plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers define an electrode porosity where about 5 to about 30 percent of said electrode layers, by volume, is occupied by pores; said plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers include at least one cathode layer and at least one anode layer, each of said cathode layers defining first and second unexposed major cathode surfaces and each of said anode layers defining first and second unexposed major anode surfaces, said oxygen ion conductor layer is interposed between said first major cathode surface and said first major anode surface, said cathode layer defines a cathode end portion exposed along a first edge of said sensor body, said anode layer defines an anode end portion exposed along a second edge of said sensor body, and said multilayer sensor body is configured such that both said first and second edges of said sensor body are adapted to be immersed in said gas, a voltage source having a first pole connected to said cathode layer and a second pole connected to said anode layer for generating an oxygen pump potential across said electrode layers, and a current meter connected to measure an amperometric current flowing through said at least one ion conductor layer.