Electrochemical crack detector
AssigneeMatergenics, Inc.
InventorsMehrooz Zamanzadeh, Carolyn Tome, Aaron Ulmer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for detecting the formation of a crack in a metal joint includes an electrochemical electrical current detection device. Carrier material surrounds the metal joint, at least partially, with conductive media having electrolyte therein. An auxiliary electrode is in electrical contact with the carrier material. The placement of the auxiliary electrode in electrical contact with carrier material forms a passive layer on the metal joint. The formation of a crack in the metal joint ruptures the passive layer to generate a current for detection by the electrochemical electrical current detection device.
Claims20
A crack detection sensor in electrical contact with an electrochemical electrical current detection device within a metal pole assembly having a metal joint therein, the crack detection sensor comprising:
- carrier material for surrounding the metal joint, at least partially, with conductive media having electrolyte therein, and
- an auxiliary electrode in electrical contact with the carrier material,
- wherein the carrier material is selected from the group consisting of paste and concrete, the metal joint includes an iron alloy, and the auxiliary electrode includes a predetermined metal that creates a passive layer on a galvanized coating,
- wherein the placement of the auxiliary electrode in electrical contact with carrier material causes the formation of an electrochemical cell on the metal joint, and
- wherein the formation of a crack in the metal joint causes the passive layer to rupture, thereby generating a current for detection by the electrochemical electrical current detection device.
A crack detection sensor in electrical contact with an electrochemical electrical current detection device, within a metal pole assembly having a pole, a base plate, and a connection between the pole and the base plate, the crack detection sensor comprising:
- a metal ribbon surrounding the connection, at least partially,
- carrier material between the metal ribbon and the connection, the carrier material having conductive media with electrolyte therein, and
- an auxiliary electrode in electrical contact with the carrier material,
- wherein the carrier material is selected from the group consisting of paste and concrete, the connection includes an iron alloy, and the auxiliary electrode includes a predetermined metal that creates a passive layer on a galvanized coating,
- wherein the carrier material is in electrical contact with the connection and the metal ribbon with the metal ribbon forming an electrochemical cell on a portion of the metal pole assembly, and
- wherein the formation of a crack in portion of the metal pole ruptures the passive layer to generate a current for detection by the electrochemical electrical current detection device.
A system for detecting the formation of a crack in a metal joint comprising:
- surrounding means for surrounding the metal joint, at least partially, with carrier material selected from the group consisting of paste and concrete with the carrier material having electrolyte therein;
- passive layer forming means for forming a passive layer on the metal joint;
- electrochemical cell forming means for forming an electrochemical cell on the metal joint;
- and
- detecting means for detecting an electric current when the passive layer ruptures due to the formation of a crack within the metal joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.