US4786374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electro-chemical sensors and methods for their manufacture and use
Assignee: University Patents Inc
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Filing: 1987-09-29
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Granted: 1988-11-22
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Expires: 2007-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Improved electrochemical sensors are provided through isostatic processing techniques. Improved electrochemical sensors, especially those suitable for use in metallurgical melts, having, at once, long-term stability, improved sensitivity, and improved physical properties including thermal shock resistance are provided. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, unitary bodies comprising the sensing electrolyte and a source of reference potential are fabricated through isostatic processing techniques. Methods for the preparation of these improved sensors together with methods for the improvement of sensing, especially of oxygen in metallurgical melts are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne L. Worrell
- 👤 Qing-Guo Liu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/403; G01N27/406; G01N27/407; G01N27/4073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An electrochemical sensor for a species comprising: (a) a shaped body isostatically formed from a blend, said blend comprising a solid solution having a fluorite crystal structure comprising: a metal oxide; and admixed with said metal oxide, an oxide of an element from group IIA or IIIB of the periodic table in an amount sufficient to render said blend ionically conductive; and (b) an electrode in contact with said shaped body, said shaped body having not been subjected to sintering or thermal densification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An electrochemical sensor for a species comprising: (a) a shaped body isostatically formed from a blend, said blend comprising a solid solution having a fluorite crystal structure comprising: a metal oxide; and admixed with said metal oxide, an oxide of an element from group IIA or IIIB of the periodic table in an amount sufficient to render said blend ionically conductive; and (b) an electrode in contact with said shaped body, said shaped body having not been subjected to sintering or thermal densification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the metal oxide comprises zirconia, thoria, hafnia or mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 2 wherein the admixed oxide comprises scandium, yttrium, calcium or magnesium oxide or mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the admixed oxide comprises scandium, yttrium, calcium or magnesium oxide or mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the blend consists of the solid solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sensor of claim 1 further comprising admixing with said blend a carbon sensing amount of a carbide of the element of group IIA, IIIB, or IVB of the periodic table.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sensor of claim 1 further comprising admixing with the blend a sulfur sensing amount of a sulfide of the element of group IIA, IIIB, or IVB of the periodic table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said electrode comprises a reference electrode composition in physical contact with said shaped body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor of claim 8 wherein said reference electrode composition comprises an isostatically compressed form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 8 wherein the reference electrode composition comprises a mixture of a metal and its oxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 10 wherein said metal is either chromium or molybdenum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the blend has been isostatically compressed at a pressure of at least about 30,000 psi and subsequently comminuted prior to the isostatic formation of the shaped body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of claim 12 wherein the isostatic formation of the shaped body is performed at a pressure of at least about 70,000 psi.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the isostatic formation of the shaped body is performed at a pressure of at least about 70,000 psi.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said shaped body comprises at least about 95% of a single solid phase.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the density of the shaped body is less than about 90% of the theoretical density of the blend.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said shaped body comprises at least about 80% of the theoretical density of the blend.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of fabricating an electrochemical sensor for a species comprising: (a) selecting a metal oxide; (b) admixing with said metal oxide, an oxide of an element from groups IIA or IIIB of the periodic table of the elements to form a blend in an amount sufficient to render said blend ionically conducting; (c) isostatically forming said blend into a shaped body without simultaneous or subsequent sintering or thermal densification of said body; and (d) placing said shaped body in contact with an electrode.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of fabricating an electrochemical sensor for a species comprising: (a) selecting a metal oxide; (b) admixing with said metal oxide, an oxide of an element from groups IIA or IIIB of the periodic table of the elements to form a blend in an amount sufficient to render said blend ionically conducting; (c) isostatically forming said blend into a shaped body without simultaneous or subsequent sintering or thermal densification of said body; and (d) placing said shaped body in contact with an electrode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the metal oxide comprises zirconia, thoria, hafnia or mixtures thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the admixed oxide comprises scandium, yttrium, calcium or magnesium oxide or mixtures thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the admixed oxide comprises scandium, yttrium, calcium or magnesium oxide or mixtures thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the blend comprises a solid solution having a fluorite crystal structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising admixture with said blend a carbon sensing amount of a carbide of the element of group IIA, IIIB, or IVB of the periodic table.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising admixing with the blend a sulfur sensing amount of a sulfide of the element of group IIA, IIIB, or IVB of the periodic table.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said electrode comprises a reference electrode composition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising isostatically compressing said reference electrode composition into a form.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the reference electrode composition comprises a mixture of a metal and its oxide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said metal is either chromium or molybdenum.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising isostatically compressing the blend at a pressure of at least about 30,000 psi and subsequently comminuting said blend prior to the isostatic formation of the shaped body.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the isostatic formation of the shaped body is performed at a pressure of at least about 70,000 psi.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the isostatic formation of the shaped body is performed at a pressure of at least about 70,000 psi.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said shaped body comprises at least about 95% of a single solid phase.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the density of the shaped body is less than about 90% of the theoretical density of the blend.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the density of the shaped body is less than about 80% of the theoretical density of the blend.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of monitoring the concentration of a species in a metallurgical melt comprising contacting said melt with an electrochemical sensor prepared in accordance with the method of claim 18.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |