Multi-Inlet Electrochemical Gas Sensor for Humidity Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrochemical gas sensors experience sensitivity fluctuations due to changes in environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, necessitating frequent calibrations, which increase the cost of ownership and reduce accuracy.

Innovation Solution

Designing an electrochemical gas sensor with a plurality of small inlet passages, each with a cross-sectional area of no greater than 11,309 µm², to reduce moisture transpiration and maintain sensitivity while minimizing the effects of humidity changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single large inlet passage is used in conventional electrochemical sensors, then gas flow rate is high, but sensitivity fluctuates with environmental humidity changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas flow rateVSAvoidsensitivity stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single large inlet passage is divided into multiple smaller inlet passages. This segmentation reduces the total cross-sectional area while maintaining gas flow through increased passage数量, thereby reducing moisture transpiration effects and improving sensitivity stability without significantly compromising gas flow rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the inlet passage cross-sectional area is reduced to minimize humidity effects, then sensitivity stability improves, but gas flow rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity stabilityVSAvoidgas flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet structure is segmented into multiple passages with each passage having a cross-sectional area of no greater than 11,309 µm². The collective cross-sectional area of all passages is maintained between 0.25 mm² and 1.0 mm², balancing reduced moisture effects with adequate gas flow capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The parameters of the inlet passages are optimized: each passage has a cross-sectional area ≤11,309 µm², the total area is 0.25-1.0 mm², and the number of passages is selected to achieve the desired balance between gas flow rate and humidity effect reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The sensor maintains high sensitivity and stability to environmental changes, reducing the need for frequent calibrations and extending the time between calibration intervals.

Implementation Method 1

reduce moisture transpiration and maintain sensitivity while minimizing the effects of humidity changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoisture transpiration: Transpiration

Implementation Method 2

The electrochemical gas sensor includes a sensor housing having a plurality of inlet passages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical detection: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3513181B1Electrochemical gas sensor with multiple gas inlets

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 MSA TECHNOLOGY LLC

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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

An electrochemical gas sensor includes a sensor housing having a plurality of inlet passages, wherein each of the plurality of inlet passages has a cross-sectional area of no greater than 11,309 μm2. The electrochemical gas sensor further includes a working electrode within the housing which is responsive to an analyte gas and an electrolyte within the sensor housing in ionic contact with the working electrode.