Device and method for monitoring an electrochemical gas sensor
First Claim
1. A method of testing an electrochemical gas sensor, said method comprising:
- simultaneously applyingan alternating current (AC) test signal having a frequency and amplitude anda direct current (DC) bias voltage to a counter electrode of an electrochemical gas sensor, the electrochemical gas sensor comprisinga sensing electrode,an electrolyte, andthe counter electrode;
transmitting an AC test signal from the sensing electrode to a processor;
comparing the AC test signal received by the processor to a stored AC test signal having a frequency and amplitude; and
determining whether or not the electrochemical cell is functioning,the applied AC test signal remaining constant over time and the stored AC test signal remaining constant over time,wherein the electrochemical cell is determined to not be functioning properly when the amplitude or frequency of the AC test signal received by the processor is reduced relative to the stored AC test signal.
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Abstract
An electrochemical gas sensor testing device that includes a test signal generator that generates a multiplexed signal that includes a first test signal that includes alternating current (AC) and is free from a direct current (DC) component and a second signal that includes a DC bias voltage, an electrochemical cell that includes a counter electrode, a sensing electrode, and an electrolyte, the counter electrode and the sensing electrode being in electrical communication with the electrolyte and each other, the counter electrode being in electrical communication with the signal generator to receive the multiplexed signal generated by the signal generator, and a processor that receives an AC signal from the sensing electrode and that analyzes the AC signal.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of testing an electrochemical gas sensor, said method comprising:
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simultaneously applying an alternating current (AC) test signal having a frequency and amplitude and a direct current (DC) bias voltage to a counter electrode of an electrochemical gas sensor, the electrochemical gas sensor comprising a sensing electrode, an electrolyte, and the counter electrode; transmitting an AC test signal from the sensing electrode to a processor; comparing the AC test signal received by the processor to a stored AC test signal having a frequency and amplitude; and determining whether or not the electrochemical cell is functioning, the applied AC test signal remaining constant over time and the stored AC test signal remaining constant over time, wherein the electrochemical cell is determined to not be functioning properly when the amplitude or frequency of the AC test signal received by the processor is reduced relative to the stored AC test signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of testing an electrochemical sensor, said method comprising:
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simultaneously applying an alternating current (AC) test signal and a direct current (DC) bias voltage to a counter electrode of an electrochemical gas sensor, the electrochemical gas sensor comprising a sensing electrode, an electrolyte, and the counter electrode, and a membrane; transmitting an AC test signal from the sensing electrode to a processor; comparing the AC test signal received by the processor with a stored AC test signal; and determining whether or not the electrochemical cell is functioning, wherein the electrochemical cell is determined to not be functioning properly when the amplitude or frequency of the AC test signal received by the processor is reduced relative to the stored AC test signal.
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Specification