PASSIVE WIRELESS CORROSION SENSOR

• US 20090058427A1
• Filed: 09/05/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of Oklahoma State University
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of Oklahoma State University
• Inventors: MATERER, NICHOLAS F., APBLETT, ALLEN W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,675,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/649
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/04 Corrosion probes

Abstract

A passive wireless corrosion sensor is disclosed. A circuit is configured to provide a signal response when energized. An antenna is configured to wirelessly receive energy for energizing the circuit and to receive the signal response from the circuit and transmit the signal response. A corrosion sensitive connector interposes the circuit and the antenna. The corrosion sensitive connector conducts the energy from the antenna to the circuit and conducts the signal response from the circuit to the antenna when in a substantially non-corroded state. The corrosion sensitive connector creates an effectively non conducting link between the antenna and the circuit when in a substantially corroded state.

Claims

1. A passive wireless corrosion sensor comprising:

a circuit configured to provide a signal response when energized; and

an antenna configured to wirelessly receive energy for energizing the circuit and to receive the signal response from the circuit and transmit the signal response; and

a corrosion sensitive connector interposing the circuit and the antenna;

wherein the corrosion sensitive connector conducts the energy from the antenna to the circuit and conducts the signal response from the circuit to the antenna when in a substantially non-corroded state; and

wherein the corrosion sensitive connector creates an effectively non conducting link between the antenna and the circuit when in a substantially corroded state.

2. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein the signal response comprises an identification number.

3. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein the circuit comprises a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit.

4. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein the circuit comprises a programmable memory.

5. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector is conductively linked to a test object.

6. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector comprises a connector made substantially of aluminum.

7. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector comprises a connector made substantially of iron.

8. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector comprises a connector made substantially of zinc.

9. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector comprises a connector made substantially of magnesium.

10. A passive wireless corrosion sensor comprising:

a circuit configured to provide a signal response when energized;

an antenna connected to the circuit and configured to wirelessly receive energy for energizing the circuit and to receive the signal response from the circuit and transmit the signal response; and

a corrosion sensitive connector configured as a short on the antenna;

wherein the corrosion sensitive connector substantially prevents conduction of the energy from the antenna to the circuit and substantially prevents conduction of the signal response from the circuit to the antenna when in a substantially non-corroded state; and

wherein the corrosion sensitive connector does not substantially interfere with the circuit and the antenna when in a substantially corroded state.

11. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 10, wherein the signal response comprises an identification number.

12. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 10, wherein the circuit comprises a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit.

13. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 10, wherein the circuit comprises a programmable memory.

14. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 10, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector is conductively linked to a test object.

15. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 10, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector comprises a connector made substantially of aluminum.

16. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 10, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector comprises a connector made substantially of iron.

17. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 10, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector comprises a connector made substantially of zinc.

18. The passive wireless corrosion sensor of claim 10, wherein the corrosion sensitive connector comprises a connector made substantially of magnesium.

19. A method of modeling corrosion of a test object, the method comprising

providing one or more passive wireless corrosion sensors, the each sensor comprising:

a circuit configured to provide a signal response when energized; and

an antenna configured to wirelessly receive energy for energizing the circuit and to receive the signal response from the circuit and transmit the signal response; and

a corrosion sensitive connector interposing the circuit and the antenna;

wherein the corrosion sensitive connector transmits the energy from the antenna to the circuit and transmits the signal response from the circuit to the antenna when in a substantially non-corroded state; and

wherein the corrosion sensitive connector creates a substantially open circuit between the antenna and the circuit when in a substantially corroded state;

applying the plurality of corrosion sensors to the test object in locations where corrosion is monitored;

wirelessly energizing the plurality of passive wireless corrosion sensors; and

receiving a plurality of signal responses from the plurality of passive wireless corrosion sensors.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising rendering a graphical depiction of a state of corrosion of the test object based upon the plurality of signal responses received from the plurality of passive wireless corrosion sensors.

21. An apparatus for monitoring a degree of corrosion comprising:

an antenna that receives an interrogation signal;

an integrated circuit powered by the interrogation signal from the antenna; and

a plurality of corrosion sensitive connectors connected to the integrated circuit;

wherein the integrated circuit in response to the interrogation signal provides a continuity test of each of the plurality of corrosion sensitive connectors and provides a response back through the antenna indicative of the continuity test results.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the plurality of corrosion sensitive connectors has corrosion sensitive connectors of at least two thicknesses.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a capacitor for storing energy from the interrogation signal for use by the integrated circuit.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of corrosion sensitive connectors are connected to the integrated circuit in parallel.