Electrawatch, Inc.

Eas Ip, LLC

Ryan C Dunn

Robert A Ross

Guy D Davis

Paul A Bell

Donald A Tubbs

Joshua M Parman

Nathaniel M Brakeley

Emily A Schechter

Amber M Bryant

Bryan D Wright

Applicants have discovered that an inexpensive marker tape can be made from some of the components used in applicants Signal Tape disclosed in PCT/US2017/050405. This marker tape, called Spartan Marker Tape, has elongated upper and lower protective layers made from a thermoplastic material which are laminated together with a locating device inside the laminated layers. Various locating devices may be used in the Spartan Marker Tape, such as conventional RF or RFID tags. In addition, magnetic tags, or radioactive tags may be used. Of course, classis marker wire may also be used as a locating device.

Spartan marker tape

The invention apparatus for and a method of creating a localized warning to prevent damage to buried pipeline and other buried infrastructure using a new type of marker tape with the trade name signal tape® [hereinafter referred to as 'Signal Tape']. The disclosed Signal Tape may incorporate tracer wire and RFID technology to aid in the remote location of the Signal Tape and, thus, the buried infrastructure. Signal Tape may also incorporate Litz wire for use as tracer wire within the Signal Tape. The Signal Tape is designed to be buried just below the surface of the ground and directly over a buried infrastructure such as a pipeline. The Signal Tape incorporates a strong core material which permits the Signal Tape to be bodily removed from the soil when it is struck by excavation equipment.

Signal tape

An apparatus comprising a heating unit and a support device is disclosed which apparatus is designed to place a controlled amount of heat into a very localized area of a substrate of interest. The substrate of interest here is intended to be a portion of a large structure [such as the portion of a ship]. The heating unit comprises a heat source and the necessary structure to closely control the heat applied to the substrate of interest. The support device supports the heating unit directly over the substrate of interest and permits the system to be secured to one surface of the substrate of interest in a removable and non-destructive manner. The support device has legs which have securing means on the bottom thereof to secure the system to one surface of the substrate of interest in a releasable and non-destructible way.

Non-destructive, localized heat treatment device capable of attachment to non-planar surfaces

A quick, non-destructive and inexpensive test is disclosed to determine whether a portion of a structure made of 5XXX Aluminum alloy is sensitized. Unlike the current sensitization tests, this test can be performed by non-skilled personnel without complicated procedures and equipment. Since the test is non-destructive, it does not require the removal material from the structure. This feature makes the test particularly attractive for in situ applications such as for use on existing structures like ships. The test requires the application of an indicating chemical to the surface of the material being tested. The indicating chemical has a pre-determined pH which may be either acidic or alkaline. The indicating chemical also contains an pH indicator of pre-determined value. After a short period of time has elapsed, the percentage of pH color change observed from the indicating chemical can be used to determine whether the sample is sensitized or not. It is also possible to obtain at least an approximation of the Degree of Sensitization of the structure using the test.

Beta-phase indicator

The invention comprises portable, rugged and relatively compact electrochemical cells. Each may be removably and nondestructively secured to one surface of a substrate of indefinite size. In-situ electrochemical measurements may be made on portions of existing structures such as ships, bridges, or buildings. An electrochemical cell is disclosed which comprises an analytical chamber which can be utilized with either on-board or external potentiostats. The electrochemical cell has a mounting means which permits the cell to be secured to substrates with irregular surface morphology and to horizontal, vertical or intermediately oriented surfaces. The electrochemical cell provides a means to control the temperature of the electrolyte and the substrate area of interest to permit more accuract and consistent elecrochemical measurements. Said probe is capable of performing electrochemical measurements such as a monitoring corrosion, effectiveness, or integrity of conductive and nonconductive coatings on bare and coated metallic or conductive substrates.

Portable electrochemical cell with temperature control and surface morphology independence

The coating monitoring system is based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The system consists of one or more compact and rugged mini-potentiostat modules coupled to one or more electrodes mounted on top of the paint coating of the structure being monitored. The electrodes and modules can be coated with a topcoat if desired. Alternatively, they may be mounted only temporarily to the structure for spot inspection. They periodically report to a laptop. Communications may be implemented using a wireless protocol. The units may be battery powered with an estimated battery lifetime of up to ten years, depending on the frequency of measurement and interrogation Alternative power supplies may be used to replace or supplement the battery to allow extended battery lifetime. Moisture, humidity, or other sensors may be incorporated into the coating monitor.

Coating monitor for evaluating the effectiveness of protective coatings

A method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing excavation damage to buried infrastructure. A plurality of excavation-sensing modules is buried near the buried infrastructure. The modules protect buried infrastructure by emitting dense clouds of highly visible gas when the modules are activated by impact with excavation equipment. In most cases the visible gas will be brightly colored and it may also have a strong odor and may produce a loud sound when the module is activated. The dense clouds of highly visible gas, the optional odor and loud sound alert construction crews or other workers that their excavation is nearing a protected underground structure. Once installed, no maintenance or active monitoring is required. In a preferred embodiment of the excavation-sensing module, the dense cloud of highly visible gas is produced by ignition of a smoke grenade within the module. In the preferred embodiment, the smoke grenade is ignited by the interaction of the excavator striking and breaking the buried module. Also in the preferred embodiment, the excavator will normally pull the ignited smoke grenade out of the buried module and to the surface increasing the visibility of the gas. Also in the preferred embodiment, a more reliable design for ignition of the smoke grenade is disclosed.

Passive alarm to prevent buried infrastructure damage

The invention comprises portable, rugged and relatively compact electrochemical cells. Each cell has the ability to be removably and nondestructive secured to one surface of a substrate of indefinite size. In-situ electrochemical measurements may be made on portions of existing structures such as ships, bridges, or buildings. An electrochemical cell comprises an analytical chamber which can be utilized with potentiostats. An electrochemical cell is a self-contained portable probe comprising an electrochemical cell, an electronics component and a fluid handling component. Said probe is capable of performing electrochemical measurements by itself without the use of an external potentiostat, such as monitoring corrosion, effectiveness, or integrity of conductive and nonconductive coatings on bare and coated metallic or conductive substrates.

Portable electrochemical cells

A method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing excavation damage to buried infrastructure. A plurality of excavation-sensing modules is buried near the buried infrastructure. The buried infrastructure excavation-sensing modules protect and detect buried infrastructure by emitting dense clouds of visible gas when the excavation-sensing modules are activated by impact with excavation equipment. In most instances, the visible gas will be brightly colored and it may also have a strong odor. In addition to the gas released by the modules, a loud sound may also be produced by the activated excavation-sensing module. This alerts construction crews or other workers that their excavation is nearing a protected underground structure. Once installed, no maintenance or active monitoring is required.

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Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

Ryan C Dunn