Method and apparatus for detection of corrosion
First Claim
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1. A corrosion sensing system for monitoring a structure at least partially constructed with metal, comprising:
- an interrogation unit to transmit interrogation pulses and to receive responses;
a plurality of corrosion sensors disposed in proximity to said metal in said structure to be monitored, each of said sensors powered by said interrogation pulse and generating an output representative of the occurrence of corrosion; and
a plurality of responders powered by said interrogation pulses, one each of said responders associated with one each of said sensors, said responders transmitting responses to said interrogation pulses based on said corrosion sensors'"'"' outputs.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for sensing corrosion are provided in which an interrogation unit (14) transmits interrogation pulses and receives responses. A plurality of corrosion sensors (12) are disposed in the structure to be monitored (10), each of the sensors (12) generating an output. A plurality of responders (16) are powered from the interrogation pulses, one each of the responders (16) associated with one each of the sensors (12). The responders (16) are operable to transmit responses to the interrogation pulses based on the corrosion sensors'"'"' (12) output.
147 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A corrosion sensing system for monitoring a structure at least partially constructed with metal, comprising:
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an interrogation unit to transmit interrogation pulses and to receive responses; a plurality of corrosion sensors disposed in proximity to said metal in said structure to be monitored, each of said sensors powered by said interrogation pulse and generating an output representative of the occurrence of corrosion; and a plurality of responders powered by said interrogation pulses, one each of said responders associated with one each of said sensors, said responders transmitting responses to said interrogation pulses based on said corrosion sensors'"'"' outputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A corrosion sensing system for monitoring a structure constructed from concrete and metal reinforcement members, comprising:
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an interrogation unit to transmit interrogation pulses and to receive responses, at least some of said interrogation pulses including individual addresses; a plurality of corrosion sensors disposed in the concrete structure to be monitored and in proximity with said metal reinforcing members, each of said sensors generating an output representative of corrosion; a plurality of responders each having an address and each powered by said interrogation pulses, one each of said responders associated with one each of said sensors, said responders operable to transmit responses to said interrogation pulses based on said corrosion sensors'"'"' outputs, each of said responders including; a demodulator to demodulate interrogation pulses into addresses; a processor coupled to said demodulator and operable to compare the demodulated addresses with the responder addresses; and a switch to enable responses only when said demodulated addresses match said responder address; and a vehicle, said interrogation unit transported in said vehicle, such that said interrogation pulses and said responses are transmitted and received as said vehicle passes in proximity with the structure to be monitored. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of sensing corrosion on a structure at least partially constructed with metal, comprising the steps of:
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disposing corrosion sensors proximate said metal in said structure to be monitored; transmitting interrogation pulses from an interrogation unit to a plurality of responders, each responder associated with one of said corrosion sensors; receiving the interrogation pulses at the responders; powering the responders from the interrogation pulses; sensing corrosion with the corrosion sensors; and transmitting responses to the interrogation pulses based on information from the corrosion sensors. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification