Corrosion sensor and method of monitoring corrosion

• US 20060125493A1
• Filed: 12/13/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Materials Modification Inc.
• Original Assignee: Materials Modification Inc.
• Inventors: Intrater, James, Hameed, Mohamed Raffi Sahul, Subramanian, Vivek, Sudarshan, Tirumalai S.
• Application Number:
  US11/008,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125493A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/700
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/04 Corrosion probes

Abstract

A method of monitoring corrosion and corrosion sensor includes a first element including a corrodible element to be exposed to a corrosive or corrosion-suspect environment, and a second element including a corrosion sensing circuit coupled with the corrodible element for generating a wireless signal based on the corrosion of the corrodible element.

Claims

1. A corrosion sensor, comprising:

a) a first element including a corrodible element to be exposed to a corrosive or corrosion-suspect environment; and

b) a second element including a corrosion sensing circuit coupled with said corrodible element for generating a wireless signal based on the corrosion of said corrodible element.

2. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

a) a third element for receiving said wireless signal; and

b) said corrosion sensing circuit and said corrodible element are coupled in series.

3. The corrosion sensor of claim 2, wherein:

a) said third element is remote from said corrosion sensing circuit and not directly connected thereto.

4. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein:

a) said wireless signal comprises an electromagnetic signal.

5. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein:

a) said wireless signal comprises a radio signal.

6. A corrosion sensor, comprising:

a) a first circuit for generating a wireless signal based on the extent of corrosion; and

b) a second circuit for receiving said wireless signal.

7. The corrosion sensor of claim 6, wherein:

a) said first circuit includes a first element comprising a corrodible conductor and a second element for generating a wireless signal.

8. The corrosion sensor of claim 7, comprising:

a) a plurality of said first circuits.

9. The corrosion sensor of claim 8, wherein:

a) said corrodible conductors have different thicknesses.

10. The corrosion sensor of claim 8, wherein:

a) said second elements generate signals of different frequencies.

11. The corrosion sensor of claim 6, wherein:

a) said first circuit comprises a resonant circuit.

12. The corrosion sensor of claim 6, wherein:

a) said wireless signal comprises an electromagnetic signal.

13. The corrosion sensor of claim 6, wherein:

a) said wireless signal comprises a radio signal.

14. The corrosion sensor of claim 6, wherein:

a) said second circuit comprises a portable reader.

15. A corrosion sensor, comprising:

a) a first circuit, comprising;

i) a first element comprising a corrodible conductor;

ii) a second element for generating an electromagnetic signal based on the corrosion of said corrodible conductor; and

iii) a third element for storing an electric charge;

b) a second circuit for receiving said electromagnetic signal.

16. The corrosion sensor of claim 15, wherein:

a) said first, second, and third elements are coupled such that when said conductor is corroded, said second and third elements become inactive.

17. The corrosion sensor of claim 15, wherein:

a) said first, second, and third elements are coupled such that when said conductor is corroded, said second and third elements become open-circuited.

18. The corrosion sensor of claim 15, wherein:

a) said first, second, and third elements are coupled in series.

19. The corrosion sensor of claim 15, wherein:

a) said second element comprises an inductor, and said third element comprises a capacitor.

20. The corrosion sensor of claim 15, comprising:

a) a plurality of said first circuits;

b) wherein said corrodible conductors have different thicknesses and said second elements generate signals of different frequencies.

21. A corrosion sensor, comprising:

a) a first circuit, comprising;

i) a first element comprising a corrodible conductor;

i) a second element for generating an electromagnetic signal;

ii) a third element for storing an electric charge; and

iv) a fourth element for changing the frequency of said electromagnetic signal based on the corrosion of said corrodible conductor; and

b) a second circuit for receiving said electromagnetic signal.

22. The corrosion sensor of claim 21, wherein:

a) said first, second, third, and fourth elements are coupled such that when said conductor is corroded, said fourth element becomes open-circuited.

23. The corrosion sensor of claim 22, wherein:

a) said first and fourth elements are coupled in series with each other and in parallel with said second and third elements.

24. The corrosion sensor of claim 21, wherein:

a) said first, second, third, and fourth elements are coupled such that when said first element is corroded, said fourth element becomes short-circuited.

25. The corrosion sensor of claim 24, wherein:

a) said first and fourth elements are coupled in parallel with each other and in series with said second and third elements.

26. The corrosion sensor of claim 21, wherein:

a) said second element comprises an inductor, and said third and fourth elements each comprises a capacitor.

27. The corrosion sensor of claim 21, wherein:

a) said second and fourth elements each comprise an inductor, and said third element comprises a capacitor.

28. The corrosion sensor of claim 21, comprising:

a) a plurality of said corrodible conductors of different thicknesses; and

b) a plurality of said fourth elements each coupled to a corresponding one of said corrodible conductors.

29. The corrosion sensor of claim 28, wherein:

a) said second and third elements are coupled in parallel with each of said fourth elements; and

b) each of said fourth elements is coupled in series with the corrodible conductor.

30. A corrosion sensor, comprising:

a) a first circuit, comprising;

i) a first element comprising a corrodible conductor;

ii) a second element for generating an electromagnetic signal having a first frequency;

iii) a third element for storing an electric charge; and

iv) a fourth element for creating a second frequency within said electromagnetic signal based on the corrosion of said corrodible conductor; and

b) a second circuit for receiving said electromagnetic signal.

31. The corrosion sensor of claim 30, wherein:

a) said first, second, third, and fourth elements are coupled such that when said conductor is corroded, said fourth element becomes open-circuited.

32. The corrosion sensor of claim 31, wherein:

a) said first and fourth elements are coupled in series with each other and in parallel with said second and third elements.

33. The corrosion sensor of claim 30, wherein:

a) said first, second, third, and fourth elements are coupled such that when said conductor is corroded, said fourth element becomes short-circuited.

34. The corrosion sensor of claim 33, wherein:

a) said first and fourth elements are coupled in parallel with each other and in series with said second and third elements.

35. The corrosion sensor of claim 30, wherein:

a) said second element comprises an inductor, said third element comprises a capacitor, and said fourth element comprises a non-linear element.

36. The corrosion sensor of claim 30, wherein:

a) said second element comprises an inductor, said third element comprises a capacitor, and said fourth element comprises a diode.

37. The corrosion sensor of claim 30, comprising:

a) a plurality of said first circuits;

b) wherein said corrodible conductors have different thicknesses and said second elements generate signals of different frequencies.

38. A corrosion sensor, comprising:

a) a first circuit, comprising;

i) a first element comprising a corrodible conductor;

ii) a second element for supplying power to said first circuit;

iii) a radio-frequency identification member for generating a wireless signal; and

b) a second circuit for receiving said signal.

39. The corrosion sensor of claim 38, wherein:

a) said first element, said second element, and said radio-frequency identification member are coupled such that when said conductor is corroded, said radio-frequency identification member becomes open-circuited.

40. The corrosion sensor of claim 39, wherein:

a) said first element and said radio-frequency identification member are coupled in series with each other and in parallel with said second element.

41. The corrosion sensor of claim 38, wherein:

a) said first and second elements, and said radio-frequency identification member are coupled such that when said conductor is corroded, said radio-frequency identification member becomes short-circuited.

42. The corrosion sensor of claim 41, wherein:

a) said first element and said radio-frequency identification member are coupled in parallel with each other and in series with said second element.

43. The corrosion sensor of claim 38, wherein:

a) said second element comprises an inductor.

44. The corrosion sensor of claim 38, comprising:

a) a plurality of said corrodible conductors of different thicknesses;

b) a plurality of said radio-frequency identification members coupled to a corresponding one of said conductors; and

c) wherein said radio-frequency identification members generate signals of different frequencies.

45. The corrosion sensor of claim 38, comprising:

a) a plurality of said corrodible conductors coupled to said radio-frequency identification member.

46. A corrosion sensor circuit, comprising:

a) a conductor to be exposed to a corrosive or corrosion-suspect environment;

b) said conductor having a resistance valve that varies as said conductor is corroded;

c) a wireless signal generator coupled to said conductor for generating a signal based on the resistance value of said conductor.

47. The corrosion sensor of claim 46, wherein:

a) said conductor and said wireless signal generator are coupled in series.

48. A method of monitoring corrosion, comprising:

a) providing a corrodible conductor having a resistance value that varies as the conductor is corroded;

b) coupling a wireless signal generator to the conductor;

c) exposing the conductor to a corrosive or corrosion-suspect environment; and

d) generating a signal based on the resistance value of the conductor to determine corrosion.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein:

the step a) comprises providing a plurality of corrodible conductors of different resistance values.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein:

the step a) comprises providing a plurality of corrodible conductors of different thicknesses.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein:

the step b) comprises coupling the wireless signal generator in series with the conductor.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein:

the step d) comprises sending a radio-frequency signal to the wireless signal generator for generating a response signal.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein:

the strength of the response signal indicates the level of corrosion.

54. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

placing the conductor in or about a structure for monitoring the corrosion thereof.

55. A method of monitoring corrosion, comprising:

a) providing a corrodible conductor having a resistance value that varies as the conductor is corroded;

b) coupling a wireless signal absorber to the conductor;

c) coupling a power storing member to the absorber;

d) sending a radio-frequency signal to the absorber; and

e) measuring the amount of absorption to determine corrosion.

56. A method of monitoring corrosion, comprising:

a) providing a corrodible conductor having a resistance value that varies as the conductor is corroded;

b) coupling a wireless signal generator to the conductor;

c) coupling a power storing member to the generator;

d) sending a radio-frequency signal to the generator; and

e) generating a signal based on the resistance value of the conductor to determine corrosion.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein:

the step a) comprises providing a plurality of corrodible conductors of different resistance values;

the step b) comprises coupling a plurality of wireless signal generators of different resonant frequencies each to a corresponding one of the conductors; and

the step c) comprises coupling a plurality of power storing members each to a corresponding one of the generators.

58. A method of monitoring corrosion, comprising:

a) providing a corrodible conductor having a resistance value that varies as the conductor is corroded;

b) coupling a wireless signal generator to the conductor;

c) coupling a power storing member to the generator;

d) coupling a frequency altering member to the conductor and the generator;

e) sending a radio-frequency signal to the generator; and

f) generating a signal of altered frequency based on the resistance value of the conductor to determine corrosion.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein:

the step a) comprises providing a plurality of corrodible conductors of different resistance values coupled to the generator; and

the step d) comprises coupling a plurality of frequency altering members each to a corresponding one of the conductors and to the generator;

60. A method of monitoring corrosion, comprising:

a) providing a corrodible conductor having a resistance value that varies as the conductor is corroded;

b) coupling a wireless signal generator to the conductor;

c) coupling a power storing member to the generator;

d) coupling a harmonic frequency member to the conductor and the generator;

e) sending a radio-frequency signal to the generator; and

f) generating a harmonic frequency based on the resistance value of the conductor to determine corrosion.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein:

the step a) comprises providing a plurality of corrodible conductors of different resistance values;

the step b) comprises coupling a plurality of wireless signal generators of different resonant frequencies each to a corresponding one of the conductors;

the step c) comprises coupling a plurality of power storing members each to a corresponding one of the generators; and

the step d) comprises coupling a plurality of harmonic frequency members each to a corresponding one of the conductors and a corresponding one of the generators.

62. A method of monitoring corrosion, comprising:

a) providing a corrodible conductor having a resistance value that varies as the conductor is corroded;

b) coupling a power supply to the conductor;

c) coupling a radio-frequency identification member for generating a wireless signal to the conductor and the power supply;

d) disconnecting the radio-frequency identification member based on the resistance value of the conductor; and

e) generating a wireless signal to determine corrosion.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein:

the step a) comprises providing a plurality of corrodible conductors of different resistance values; and

the step c) comprises coupling a plurality of radio-frequency identification members each to a corresponding one of the conductors and to the power supply.

64. A method of monitoring corrosion, comprising:

a) providing a plurality of corrodible conductors each having a resistance value that varies as the conductor is corroded;

b) coupling a power supply to the conductors;

c) coupling a radio-frequency identification member to the power supply;

d) connecting the conductors between pairs of inputs on the radio-frequency identification member; and

e) generating a wireless signal having a frequency based on the resistance value of one of the conductors.

65. A method of monitoring corrosion, comprising:

a) providing a plurality of corrodible conductors each having a resistance value that varies as the conductor is corroded;

b) coupling a power supply to the conductor;

c) coupling a radio-frequency identification member to the power supply;

d) connecting the conductors between a single input on the radio-frequency identification member and a common terminal; and

e) generating a wireless signal having a frequency based on the resistance value of one of the conductors.