Patent ID: 7452126

Claim:
A micromechanical thermal-conductivity sensor, comprising: a thermally insulated diaphragm formed by a recess in a base plate exhibiting poor thermal conductivity; at least one heating element applied on the diaphragm; at least one temperature-dependent electrical resistor applied on the diaphragm for measuring a temperature of the diaphragm; and at least one further temperature-dependent electrical resistor applied outside the diaphragm on the base plate for measuring an ambient temperature; wherein the diaphragm is covered on at least one of its sides by a porous cover plate with a plurality of pores which permits gas exchange through diffusion, a cavity being left open between the diaphragm and the porous cover plate, the porous cover plate being secured on the base plate, and being made of at least one of a porous ceramic material or at least partially of porous silicon.