Southwest Research Institute

Christopher Sean Brossia

Darrell S Dunn

Heather Shannon Hanson

Garth William Tormoen

A planarized type of coupled multi-electrode corrosion sensing device. Electrode pads are fabricated on a thin backing, such as a thin film. Each pad has an associated electrical lead for connection to auxiliary electronic circuitry, which may include a resistor associated with each electrical pad. The design permits the device to be easily placed in small crevices or under coatings such as paint.

Planar multi-electrode array sensor for localized electrochemical corrosion detection

A semi-permanent reference electrode for use in monitoring and measuring metals in field applications, such as cathodic protection. This electrode has an outer electrode body with a cap and porous plug. The outer electrode body is filled with a fill solution which is a saturated salt solution formed from a solid salt. The solid salt is hygroscopic with a low deliquescence point. An opening is provided in the cap to allow moisture into the outer electrode body to combine with the fill solution to maintain the saturated salt solution in the field. This saturated salt solution must maintain a constant pH for use in the semi-permanent reference electrode. A wire is used within the outer electrode body which connects to a voltmeter. This voltmeter measures the potential difference between the reference electrode and the field component of interest, which can include pipelines, storage tanks and bridges.

Semi-permanent reference electrode

A sensor for measuring stress corrosion cracking and methods of using the sensor. The sensor is a MEMS device and has a cantilevered beam made from a material of interest. The sensor has on-chip electrical connections for measuring electrical characteristics that indicate cracking of the beam. The sensor may further have on-chip actuators for applying stress to the beam.

MEMS sensor for detecting stress corrosion cracking

A system and method for monitoring the effectiveness of a coating on a substrate surface and indicating the failure of the coating to adequately protect the surface from corrosion, degradation, and the like. The system includes a sensor array positioned in contact with the coating utilizing a number of sensor electrodes connected to a single integrated circuit or a number of separate individual sensor circuits. The electrodes of the sensor array make measurements of the electrochemical impedance characteristics of the coating and provide such data by way of telemetry to a data interrogation device that is periodically be placed in proximity to the sensor array. The interrogation device may serve to both power the sensor array and trigger it to acquire data. A nominal parameter N', which is the product of the impedance magnitude and the phase angle, is utilized as a direct indication of the resistance and capacitance characteristics of the coating and therefore a direct indication of the coatings effectiveness.

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San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Christopher Sean Brossia