Patent ID: 8132444

Claim:
A gas sensor comprising: a gas-sensing element operative to detect a concentration of a specified gas in a gas flow; a heating element operative to heat the gas-sensing element to an operating temperature; a housing supporting the gas-sensing element; a screen with a plurality of ventilation openings, the screen being disposed exterior to the gas-sensing element and surrounding the leading end portion of the gas-sensing element such that the gas flow travels through the ventilation openings prior to reaching the gas-sensing element, a first portion of the screen being in continuous direct heat-transferring contact with the gas-sensing element such that heat generated by the heating element is transferred to the screen through the gas-sensing element, and a second portion of the screen being spaced apart from the gas-sensing element with a first gap therebetween; and a band disposed on the screen and in continuous direct heat-transferring contact with the screen, the band circumscribing the first portion of the screen and being spaced apart from the gas-sensing element.