Porous Vent Member for Amperometric Gas Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amperometric electrochemical gas sensors, particularly oxygen sensors, face challenges in maintaining efficient gas venting without electrolyte leakage, as existing membrane-based vent systems are prone to orientation-dependent issues and increased risk of electrolyte leakage due to multiple passages.
Innovation Solution
A vent member with a porous, hydrophobic, and oleophobic polymeric structure extending through the sensor housing, providing a gas diffusion pathway while preventing electrolyte flow, and featuring a second section attached to the exterior surface to cover the passage and minimize leakage, formed from polytetrafluoroethylene particles for robust and efficient gas venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane-based vent systems are used to vent gas from the sensor interior, then gas venting function is provided, but the system becomes prone to orientation-dependent issues and increased risk of electrolyte leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous hydrophobic membrane material that allows gas molecules to pass through via diffusion while preventing electrolyte liquid from penetrating. The porous structure provides multiple gas pathways that are not affected by sensor orientation, eliminating the orientation-dependent problems of conventional membrane vents while maintaining electrolyte containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the venting system by using materials with specific hydrophobic properties and controlled porosity. The membrane's pore size and surface energy are optimized to allow gas permeation while blocking liquid electrolyte, fundamentally altering the venting mechanism from orientation-sensitive to orientation-independent operation.
2Productivity
If multiple passages are created in the housing for gas venting, then gas venting efficiency is improved, but the risk of electrolyte leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple venting functions into a single integrated porous membrane structure. Instead of creating multiple separate passages that each pose leakage risks, the solution combines gas diffusion, electrolyte blocking, and orientation independence into one membrane component, achieving efficient multi-directional gas venting without compromising electrolyte containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting system uses composite material properties combining hydrophobicity and porosity in the membrane. This composite functionality allows the single membrane structure to simultaneously provide efficient gas pathways in multiple directions while maintaining robust electrolyte barrier properties, eliminating the need for multiple passages.
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 solution reduces position- or orientation-dependent effects and minimizes electrolyte leakage, ensuring efficient gas venting and prolonged sensor operation by maintaining a gas diffusion pathway without compromising the integrity of the sensor housing.
Implementation Method 1
providing a gas diffusion pathway
Implementation Method 2
hydrophobic, and oleophobic polymeric structure
Implementation Method 3
hydrophobic, and oleophobic polymeric structure
Implementation Method 4
gas can diffuse from the interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing through the vent member
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~7
Figure 6
AI summary
A sensor (10) includes a housing (20), at least two electrodes (50,60,70) within the housing, an electrolyte providing ionic conductivity between the electrodes and a vent member (80) including a first section (82) including a portion (84) extending through a passage (24) in the housing. The vent member also includes at least one extending member (83) connected to the first section that extends through at least a portion of an interior of the housing. The first section (82) of the vent member is porous so that gas can diffuse from the interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing via the vent member. A corresponding method of venting gas from an interior of a sensor is also disclosed.