Microwave corrosion detection systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method for non-destructively characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target, comprising the steps of:
- directing primary microwave energy from a microwave source towards a target;
receiving secondary microwave energy signals returned from said target;
analyzing said secondary microwave energy signals; and
characterizing dielectric properties of materials associated with said target based on said analyzing of said secondary microwave signals;
wherein said steps of analyzing and characterizing are carried out to determine the bonding quality of paint to metallic surfaces associated with said target.
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Abstract
Corrosion, mold and moisture can be detected under outer layer of structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels and/or buildings, using nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target can be executed by directing primary microwave energy from a source towards a target, receiving secondary microwave energy signals returned from the target, analyzing the secondary microwave energy signals, and characterizing dielectric properties of materials associated with the target based on analysis of the secondary signals. A system for non-destructively characterizing a target material'"'"'s dielectric properties can includes a microwave energy source, a waveguide for directing microwave energy towards a target, a receiver for receiving microwave signals reflected off targets, an analyzer for assessing the difference between incident and reflected microwave signals to determine the presence of corrosion within a target or a targeted area, and an indicator for providing results of analysis.
30 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for non-destructively characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target, comprising the steps of:
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directing primary microwave energy from a microwave source towards a target;
receiving secondary microwave energy signals returned from said target;
analyzing said secondary microwave energy signals; and
characterizing dielectric properties of materials associated with said target based on said analyzing of said secondary microwave signals;
wherein said steps of analyzing and characterizing are carried out to determine the bonding quality of paint to metallic surfaces associated with said target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for non-destructively characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target, comprising the steps of:
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directing microwave energy from a microwave source towards a target;
receiving microwave energy signals returned from said target;
analyzing received microwave energy to determine the difference between incident and reflected microwave signals to determine the presence of corrosion within a target or a targeted area associated with a target; and
characterizing dielectric properties of materials associated with said target based on said analyzing of said secondary microwave signals. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for non-destructively characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target, comprising:
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a microwave energy source for producing primary microwave energy at about 24 Gigahertz;
a waveguide for directing said primary microwave energy towards a target;
a receiver for receiving and measuring secondary microwave energy reflected from said target and associated with said primary microwave energy;
a microprocessor programmed for analyzing the secondary microwave energy; and
an indicator for providing results of microprocessor analysis. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
a truck assembly for adjustably maintaining said waveguide over said target.
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29. The system of claim 28, said truck assembly further comprising wheels for enabling said truck assembly to be maneuvered over a surface associated with said target.
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30. The system of claim 26, said indicator further comprising:
at least one light bar indicator for indicating a presence of corrosion and corrosion damage on said target.
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31. The system of claim 26, further comprising a marking device for marking said target where corrosion or corrosion damage is indicated.
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32. A system for non-destructively characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target, comprising:
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a microwave energy source for producing microwave energy;
a waveguide for directing said primary microwave energy towards a target;
a receiver for receiving microwave energy reflected off said target;
an analyzer for assessing the difference between incident and reflected microwave signals received by said receiver to determine the presence of corrosion within a target or a targeted area associated with a target; and
an indicator for providing results of microprocessor analysis. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
a truck assembly for adjustably maintaining said waveguide over said target.
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34. The system of claim 32, said truck assembly further comprising wheels for enabling said truck assembly to maneuvered over a surface associated with said target.
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35. The system of claim 32, said indicator further comprising:
at least one light bar indicator for indicating a presence of corrosion and corrosion damage on said target.
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36. The system of claim 32, further comprising a marking device for marking said target where corrosion in indicated.
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37. The system of claim 32 wherein said analyzer is a microprocessor and said indicator is a display.
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38. The system of claim 37 including memory for storing measurement data.
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39. The system of claim 38, said truck assembly for adjustably supporting the system at uniform distances above said target.
Specification