AMPEROMETRIC SENSOR

• US 20090014329A1
• Filed: 07/02/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halogen Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Silveri
• Inventors: Silveri, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,298,391 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/412
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4168 Oxidation-reduction potential, e.g. for chlorination of water water analysis G01N33/18

Abstract

An amperometric sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reference electrode. The sensor further includes a switch to selectably electrically connect the first electrode as a working electrode and to electrically connecting the second electrode as an auxiliary electrode during a first time interval. During a second time interval, the switch electrically connects the first electrode as the auxiliary electrode and electrically connects the second electrode as the working electrode. The switching of the two electrodes is repeated continuously as amperometric measurements are performed. Preferably, the sensor includes an ultrasonic transducer proximate the working electrode and the auxiliary electrode to clean the electrodes.

Claims

1. An amperometric sensor comprising:

a first electrode;

a second electrode;

a reference electrode; and

a switch to selectably electrically connect the first electrode as a working electrode and to electrically connect the second electrode as an auxiliary electrode during a first time interval, and to electrically connect the first electrode as the auxiliary electrode and to electrically connect the second electrode as the working electrode during a second time interval.

2. The amperometric sensor according to claim 1, in which the first electrode has a first surface area and the second electrode has a second surface area, the first surface area and the second surface area being at least approximately equivalent to each other.

3. The amperometric sensor according to claim 1, in which the first electrode and the second electrode comprise substantially the same materials.

4. The amperometric sensor according to claim 1, in which a first signal from the working electrode during the first time interval is compared with a second signal from the working electrode during the second time interval and an error is indicated when a difference between the first signal and the second signal is more than 10%.

5. An amperometric sensor comprising:

a working electrode;

an auxiliary electrode;

a reference electrode; and

a control system which alternates a between an amperometric chlorine or bromine measurement and an oxidation reduction potential measurement in which the potential between a chlorine or bromine electrode and the reference electrode is measured.

6. An amperometric sensor that includes an ultrasonic transducer proximate to a working electrode and an auxiliary electrode to apply ultrasonic energy to the working electrode and the auxiliary electrode continuously or intermittently to remove the buildup of salts or organics on the surfaces of the working electrode and the auxiliary electrode.

7. The amperometric sensor according to claim 6 in which the reference electrode is also subjected to ultrasonic energy.

8. An oxidation reduction potential sensor that includes an ultrasonic transducer proximate to a sensing electrode and a reference electrode to clean the sensing electrode and the reference electrode by applying ultrasonic energy to the sensing electrode and the reference electrode.

9. A sensor comprising no more than three electrodes that performs conductivity measurement, amperometric chlorine or bromine measurement and measurement of oxidation reduction potential.

10. A sensor comprising only two electrodes and a pH sensor having a reference electrode that performs conductivity measurement, amperometric chlorine or bromine measurement, pH measurement and oxidation reduction potential measurement.