Passive Multi-Layered Corrosion Sensor

• US 20140159751A1
• Filed: 08/20/2013
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Hawai'i
• Original Assignee: University of Hawai'i
• Inventors: Hihara, Lloyd, Higa-Brauneck, Alicia, Hawthorn, George
• Application Number:
  US13/970,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20140159751A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/700
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/04 Corrosion probes

Abstract

The invention concerns corrosion sensors comprising a resistor, a voltage meter for determining voltage output across said resistor; and at least three different layers, each layer comprising a different material, said layers comprising: (a) non-corrosive conducting layer; (b) metal layer; and (c) electrically insulating layer deposed between the conducting layer and the metal layer; wherein the resistor connects the conducting layer and the metal layer. The invention further concerns use of such sensors use in monitoring and trouble-shooting corrosion impacts.

Claims

1. A corrosion sensor comprising:

a resistor,

a voltage meter or voltage data logger for determining voltage output across said resistor; and

at least three different layers, each layer comprising a different material, said layers comprising;

(a) corrosion-resistant conducting layer;

(b) metal layer; and

(c) electrically insulating layer deposed between said conducting layer and said metal layer;

wherein said resistor connects said conducting layer and said metal layer.

2. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein said conductive layer comprises at least one of graphite, titanium, gold and platinum.

3. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein said conductive layer comprises carbon/polymer or graphite/polymer fiber composite.

4. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein said insulating layer comprises an insulating polymer or ceramic.

5. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein said insulating layer comprises E-glass/polymer composite.

6. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, wherein said metal layer comprises a passive metal.

7. The corrosion sensor of claim 6, wherein said passive metal comprises aluminum.

8. The corrosion sensor of claim 1, additionally comprising a voltage data logger for recording the voltage or current across said resistor.

9. The corrosion sensor of claim 8, wherein said sensor does not have a power source other than that for said data logger.

10. A method for monitoring corrosivity of an environment in real time comprising:

placing a corrosion sensor of claim 1 into said environment;

monitoring the voltage across said resistor; and

correlating said voltage with corrosivity.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein correlating said voltage with corrosivity is made utilizing a set of calibration data, the set of calibration data relating voltage to corrosivity.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said monitoring is accomplished by monitoring galvanic action between said conducting layer and said metal layer.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said conductive layer comprises at least one of graphite, titanium, gold and platinum.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said conductive layer comprises carbon/epoxy or graphite/epoxy fiber composite.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said insulating layer comprises an insulating polymer or ceramic.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said insulating layer comprises E-glass/epoxy composite.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said metal layer comprises a passive metal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said passive metal comprises aluminum.

19. A method of recording the corrosivity history of an environment, said method comprising:

placing a corrosion sensor of claim 1 into said environment;

monitoring the voltage across said resistor; and

correlating said voltage with corrosivity.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said conductive layer comprises at least one of graphite, titanium, gold and platinum;

said insulating layer comprises an insulating polymer, ceramic or composite; and

said metal layer comprises aluminum.