About O2 Sensors

Identification

• O2 sensors are somewhat easy to identify, though they are usually tucked away among other electronics wherever they are used. They are typically made of the actual sensor itself and a wire that runs into a processor or analyzer. The wire is actually made of multiple wires (the standard is three) encased in a runner coating. The sensor is cylindrical and can have different sensing devices at the end.

Types

• The oldest and most common type of O2 sensor, especially when used with automotives, uses a zirconia-tipped sensing end. A less common sensor that operates the same way is the titania sensor. Other types of O2 sensors include infrared sensors, electrochemical, ultrasonic and laser sensors. Laser sensors are the most recent and are likely to be considered the future of O2 sensors.

Function

• O2 sensors send an electrochemical pulse that corresponds to the oxygen ratio that should be present in the gas around the sensors. This is used for breathing apparatuses and car exhaust or fuel injection systems. By doing this, the ratio of oxygen to other gases can indirectly be gathered. This information can work in conjunction with other electronics to alert whether there is a problem with the amount of oxygen.

Significance

• The most significant use for an O2 system is in the automotive system. Every car or transportation vehicle with an internal combustion engine has an O2 sensor. This is because the oxygen level in a fuel injection system needs to be checked regularly for irregularities. Divers require O2 sensors to make sure there is enough oxygen in the gas they breathe underwater. Scientists regularly use these sensors when testing chemical reactions or various gas levels in different substances that are part of their experiments.

History

• Bert Bosch is responsible for inventing and developing the first O2 sensor in 1960--a common zirconia sensor. It also contained coated platinum areas. These were much bulkier than modern-day sensors, which were overhauled by Bosch in 1998. In recent years, O2 sensors are incorporating lasers for a more lightweight and cheaper alternative to metallic elements.