Patent ID: 6506296
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: G01N,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A micro-fuel cell sensor for measuring partial hydrogen pressure in a gas stream, comprising:a housing; a sensing element comprising first and second gas diffusing electrodes spaced from one another, said sensing element disposed in said housing; a fuel-cell spacer having an acidic electrolyte disposed between said first and second electrodes; a first gas permeable membrane, of thickness (L) and an active surface area (A), separating said first electrode from the gas stream and enabling hydrogen diffusion therethrough, said first membrane being spaced from said first electrode by a first cavity of volume (V) enabling hydrogen diffused through said first membrane to contact said first electrode; a second gas permeable membrane separating said second electrode from atmospheric air and defining a second cavity therewith isolated from said first cavity; means for substantially precluding contact of hydrogen in said first cavity with said second electrode; and a load resistance (R) connecting said first and second electrodes, wherein a response time (T) of said sensor is determined by T=aR+b(VL)/A; where â€œaâ€  and â€œbâ€  are constants.