Metal loss rate sensor and measurement using a mechanical oscillator
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsHenry Alan Wolf, Manuel S. Alvarez, James E. Feather, Philip J. Cacciatore, Jason B. English
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Abstract
The present invention is a mechanical oscillator metal loss sensor for use in a corrosive or erosive environment. The elements include a mechanical oscillator that is mechanical excited with two regions that corrode differently, where the regions are determined to affect specific influences on the resonance parameters, wherein said mechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency, f, and a quality factor, Q. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical oscillator has the shape of a tuning fork.
Claims37
A mechanical oscillator metal loss sensor for use in a corrosive or erosive environment that results in metal loss comprising
- a) a means for mechanical excitation
- b) a mechanical oscillator with two regions that corrode differently, wherein said mechanical oscillator has a tip region not affected by the corrosion or erosion environment and a base region that is affected by the environment where the regions determine the resonance parameters, and wherein said mechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency, f, and a quality factor, Q, so that said metal loss results in a resonant frequency decrease of the mechanical oscillator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.