Device for operating a gas sensor

摘要

A device for operating a gas sensor having both at least one pump cell and a measuring cell is provided. A constant current source is provided that makes available a pump current which acts upon an outer electrode of the pump cell. The constant current source provides at least two different amounts of the pump current and/or allows for an alternating operation having ON phases and OFF phases, the duration of the ON phases/OFF phases being specifiable. The device may be largely implemented in digital circuitry and adapted to different requirements.

主权项

1. A gas sensor device, comprising:
a sensor chamber that receives via a diffusion barrier a gas to be analyzed; at least one pump cell situated between the sensor chamber and the gas to be analyzed, wherein the at least one pump cell is exposed to the gas to be analyzed and includes an outer pump electrode; a measuring electrode situated in a reference-gas space; a measuring cell situated between the sensor chamber and the reference-gas space, wherein the outer pump electrode of the pump cell exposed to the gas to be analyzed receives a pump current which depends on a measuring voltage that is applied to the measuring electrode situated in the reference-gas space; and a constant current source for supplying the pump current, wherein the constant current source is configured to be set to at least two values of the pump current, and wherein for alternating operation, including ON phases and OFF phases, the duration of the ON phases and OFF phases is a specified constant.