Electrical oxygen probe

• US 4,252,627 A
• Filed: 07/17/1979
• Issued: 02/24/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oriental Yeast Company Limited (Nisshin Seifun Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Oriental Yeast Company Limited (Nisshin Seifun Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Youichi, Ohashi, Minoru, Shouda, Makoto, Watabe, Tamon
• Primary Examiner(s): Tung, T.
• Application Number:
  US06/058,160
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 204/1 P, 204/195 P
• US Class Current: 204/415
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/404 Cells with anode, cathode and cell electrolyte on the same side of a permeable membrane which separates them from the sample fluid , e.g. Clark-type oxygen sensors

Abstract

An electrical membrane probe for the measurement of dissolved oxygen concentration in fluids, particularly designed for monitoring or control of fermentation process and characterized as follows:

1. The anode metal is lined on the internal wall of the electrolytic cell which is made of metal tube.

2. The vent hole for the adjustment of outer and inner pressures and the protection cover to prevent the inflow of medium into the cell are provided.

3. All of parts are connected with each other mechanically then unskilled operators can exchange the especially membrane and cathode, when some of the parts are ruptured or worn out.

4. The probe can maintain its ability even after repeated steam sterilization at high temperatures such as 130° C.

5. The deterioration of insulation is completely prevented by using glass as insulating material.

6. The membrane can be removed and exchanged easily by removing the membrane holding cap.

Claims

1. An electrical oxygen probe in a galvanic membrane probe which comprises a cathode, an anode, an oxygen permeable membrane, an electrolyte and an electrolyte cell wherein:

said electrolytic cell is a metal tube, at the top of which an internal screw thread and an internal flange below the said thread are provided, in the center of which a vent hole for the adjustment of inner and outer pressures are provided, at the bottom of which an external screw thread is provided;

a metal which constitutes the anode metal is lined on the internal wall of the said electrolytic cell from the bottom to a suitable height;

the said cathode is comprised of a metal disposed at one end of a glass tube, a lead-wire connected at one end to the cathode metal and extending through the glass tube at the other end;

the said oxygen permeable membrane is sticked on the bottom of the electrolytic cell by clamping with a O-ring, a washer and a cap having several grooves to eliminate foam, wherein the said membrane contacts with the surface of the said cathode;

the said glass tube is kept in the center of the said electrolytic cell by clamping the upper parts of the said glass tube with O-rings which are compressed between a plug and said internal flange; and

the said electrolytic cell contains an electrolyte.