Method of manufacturing corrosion-resistant measuring probes

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a self-supporting measuring probe suitable for application in a highly corrosive environment such as for example in a muffler or suction channel of a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The probe is provided with a protective foil which is applicable on a rigid substrate carrying the measuring layers, by means of a heat sealing process in which heat and pressure are simultaneously applied on the foil. In a preferred embodiment, the edges of the foil are fused to the substrate by a laser beam.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a measuring probe of the type having a rigid support, a system of measuring layers arranged on the support, and a protective foil sealingly covering the measuring layers to protect the same against aggressive environment, comprising the steps of arranging a plurality of measuring layer systems on a large-area support; providing a large-area protective foil with a lower layer of thermoplastic material; then coating the layer systems, with the protective foil; then .Iadd.attaching the foil to the support by a heat-sealing process during which the foil is subject simultaneously both to heat and pressure; and subsequently .Iaddend.cutting with a laser beam a thus-formed multi-layer structure including the support, the measuring layer systems arranged on the support, and the protective foil, so that the laser beam simultaneously separates the individual measuring probes from one another and hermetically seals the edges of the separated protective foil portions to the upper surface of the support .[.; and subsequently attaching the foil portions to the support by a heat-sealing process during which the foil portions are subject simultaneously both to heat and pressure.].. 
     
     
       2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the support is made of a glass or ceramic or rigid plastic material. 
     
     
       3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the support is made of a metal substrate coated with an insulating layer.