Potentiostat data link
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A potentiostat data link, comprising:
- an enclosure;
at least one pair of microprocessor controlled potentiostats, wherein each potentiostat;
(a) has a sensor lead to a sensor affixed to a structure to be analyzed for the presence of growing cracks due to metal fatigue in a metal structure, (b) comprises a programmable voltage setting and an analog-to-digital converter and (c) is electrically isolated from the rest of an electronic circuit board of the device;
a power supply; and
a ground connection,wherein the potentiostat is used to monitor the fatigue status of the metal structure.
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Abstract
A potentiostat data link (PDL) unit is provided which can remotely monitor the formation and growth of cracks in metal structures. A PDL includes a sealed box containing two or more modified potentiostats, a power supply, a CPU, a memory device, and computer networking capability. The PDL can be mounted in a remote, difficult-to-access location. Each potentiostat has a lead to a sensor affixed to a structure to be analyzed for the presence of growing cracks due to metal fatigue in a metal structure.
15 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A potentiostat data link, comprising:
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an enclosure; at least one pair of microprocessor controlled potentiostats, wherein each potentiostat;
(a) has a sensor lead to a sensor affixed to a structure to be analyzed for the presence of growing cracks due to metal fatigue in a metal structure, (b) comprises a programmable voltage setting and an analog-to-digital converter and (c) is electrically isolated from the rest of an electronic circuit board of the device;a power supply; and a ground connection, wherein the potentiostat is used to monitor the fatigue status of the metal structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A potentiostat data link, comprising:
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a weatherproof enclosure; at least one pair of microprocessor controlled potentiostats, where each potentiostat has a sensor lead to a sensor affixed to a structure to be analyzed for the presence of growing cracks due to metal fatigue in a metal structure, and each potentiostat has an analog-to-digital converter comprises a programmable voltage setting and is electrically isolated from the rest of an electronic circuit board of the device; a microprocessor; a memory storage device; at least one data communications port; a power supply; and a ground connection, wherein the potentiostat is used to monitor the fatigue status of the metal structure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for measuring the fatigue status of a metal structure using a potentiostat data link comprising:
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a potentiostat data link comprising at least one pair of microprocessor controlled potentiostats wherein each potentiostat (a) has a sensor lead to a sensor affixed to a structure to be analyzed for the presence of growing cracks due to metal fatigue in a metal structure, (b) comprises a programmable voltage setting and an analog-to-digital converter and (c) is electrically isolated from the rest of an electronic circuit board of the device, a power supply, at least two sensor leads, and at least one ground connection, where an EFS sensor is stationed at the end of each lead, and each sensor is affixed to and in electrical contact with a metal structure to be analyzed for fatigue status; wherein the potentiostat applies a voltage through the sensors during cyclic loading, and measures the current passing through the sensors, and digitizes the measurement for analysis of the fatigue status of the metal structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification