Multilayer ceramic NOx gas sensor device
First Claim
1. A gas sensor element for detecting the concentration of a gas constituent in an exhaust gas, the sensor element comprising:
- a sensor body including a first sensing electrode that generates a voltage signal that is a function of the concentration of a first gas constituent being measured;
a second sensing electrode that generates a voltage signal that is a function of the concentration of a second gas constituent being measured, wherein the first and second sensing electrodes are configured to interact with said first and second gas constituents independently of each other;
a first heater element integrated into the ceramic body; and
a second heater element longitudinally displaced from the first heater element and integrated into the ceramic body, the first and second heater elements being placed and adapted to create first and second temperature zones.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mixed potential NOx sensor apparatus for measuring the total NOx concentration in a gas stream is disclosed. The NOx sensing apparatus comprises a multilayer ceramic structure with electrodes for sensing both oxygen and NOx gas concentrations and includes screen-printed metalized patterns that function to heat the ceramic sensing element to the proper temperature for optimum performance. This design may provide advantages over the existing technology by miniaturizing the sensing element to provide potentially faster sensor light off times and thereby reduce undesired exhaust gas emissions. By incorporating the heating source within the ceramic sensing structure, the time to reach the temperature of operation is shortened, and thermal gradients and stresses are minimized. These improvements may provide increased sensor performance, reliability, and lifetime.
198 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A gas sensor element for detecting the concentration of a gas constituent in an exhaust gas, the sensor element comprising:
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a sensor body including a first sensing electrode that generates a voltage signal that is a function of the concentration of a first gas constituent being measured; a second sensing electrode that generates a voltage signal that is a function of the concentration of a second gas constituent being measured, wherein the first and second sensing electrodes are configured to interact with said first and second gas constituents independently of each other; a first heater element integrated into the ceramic body; and a second heater element longitudinally displaced from the first heater element and integrated into the ceramic body, the first and second heater elements being placed and adapted to create first and second temperature zones. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A gas sensor element for detecting the concentration of two or more gas constituents in an exhaust gas, the sensor element comprising:
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a multilayer ceramic sensor body including a first sensing electrode placed on an outside surface of the body, and a second sensing electrode placed on an outside surface of the body, wherein at least one of the first and second sensing electrodes is a potentiometric sensing electrode for sensing a gas other than oxygen, and wherein the first and second sensing electrodes are configured to interact with an exhaust gas independently of each other; a metallic shared air reference electrode; a first heater element integrated into the ceramic body; a second heater element integrated into the ceramic body, the first and second heater elements being placed and adapted to create first and second temperature zones associated with the first and second sensing electrodes, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A gas sensor element for detecting the concentration of a gas constituent in an exhaust gas, the sensor element comprising:
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a sensor body including a first sensing electrode that generates a voltage signal measured potentiometrically, that is a function of the concentration of a first gas constituent being measured, said first gas constituent comprising NO or NO2; a second sensing electrode that generates a voltage signal that is a function of the concentration of a second gas constituent being measured, wherein the first and second sensing electrodes are configured to interact with said first and second gas constituents independently of each other; a first heater element integrated into the ceramic body; and a second heater element integrated into the ceramic body, the first and second heater elements being placed and adapted to create first and second temperature zones.
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Specification