Electrochemical fatigue sensor systems and methods
First Claim
1. A sensor assembly for an electrochemical fatigue sensor system for determining the fatigue status of a crack in an electroconductive substrate, comprising:
- a body with interior and exterior faces;
a cavity within the body confining an electrolytic fluid;
an electrode positioned within the cavity, configured so that the electrolyte is on both sides of the electrode;
an adhesive that affixes the interior face of the body to the substrate and a second adhesive that affixes a cover plate to the exterior face of the body; and
a means for adding the electrolyte to the cavity after the sensor assembly is affixed to a substrate.
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Abstract
A method for determining a fatigue status of a growing crack in a substrate. An electrochemical sensor device is provided and includes an electrode formed from a stainless steel mesh. The electrochemical device has a bottom surface that contacts the substrate. The bottom surface is coated with an adhesive layer, and a release paper is attached to the adhesive layer. The release paper is separated from the adhesive layer, thereby exposing the adhesive layer. The electrochemical sensor device is secured to the substrate by bringing the adhesive layer in contact with the substrate and thereby forming an electrolyte cavity bounded in part by the substrate. The adhesive seals the bottom surface of the device to the substrate in order to prevent leakage of electrolyte from the cavity. The cavity is filled with the electrolyte. When the substrate is subjected to cyclic loading, the fatigue status of the growing crack in the substrate is determined in accordance with a measured current between the reference electrode and the substrate.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A sensor assembly for an electrochemical fatigue sensor system for determining the fatigue status of a crack in an electroconductive substrate, comprising:
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a body with interior and exterior faces; a cavity within the body confining an electrolytic fluid; an electrode positioned within the cavity, configured so that the electrolyte is on both sides of the electrode; an adhesive that affixes the interior face of the body to the substrate and a second adhesive that affixes a cover plate to the exterior face of the body; and a means for adding the electrolyte to the cavity after the sensor assembly is affixed to a substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification