Apparatus and method to detect corrosion in metal junctions

Apparatus to detect corrosion in a metal-to-metal junction, which comprises:

• a signal generator effective for generating multiple electrical signals each of which has a different frequency;
• a signal injector for injecting said multiple electrical signals into said metal-to-metal junction;
• a detector effective for detecting the amplitude of said multiple electrical signals, said signals having passed through said metal-to-metal junction, said detector further comprising:
• an ability to detect the amplitude of at least one selected output harmonic of said multiple electrical signals, said selected output harmonic produced by the non-linear property of a corroded said metal-to-metal junction, wherein the presence of a detectable output harmonic indicates the presence of corrosion;
• and
• a signal receiver for receiving said detected output amplitude of said multiple electrical signals upon being passed-through said metal-to-metal junction and
• for receiving said detected amplitude of at least one selected output harmonic of said multiple electrical signals produced by the non-linear property of a corroded said metal-to-metal junction.

A method for detecting corrosion in a metal-to-metal junction, which comprises the steps of:

• generating at least one electrical signal;
• injecting said at least one electrical signal into said metal-to-metal junction;
• detecting the output amplitude of said at least one electrical signal, said step of detecting further comprising:
• detecting the amplitude of at least one electrical output signal produced by the non-linear property of a corroded said metal-to-metal junction, wherein the presence of a detectable output signal amplitude produced by said non-linear property indicates the presence of corrosion;
• a first step of receiving said detected amplitude of said at least one electrical output signal having passed through said metal-to-metal junction;
• and
• a second step of receiving said detected amplitude of said at least one electrical output signal produced by the non-linear property of a corroded said metal-to-metal junction.