Method and apparatus for monitoring corrosion
US5208162A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 4, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N17/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for using a coated piezoelectric crystal to monitor and report corrosion in terms recognized as conforming to an industry standard is disclosed. The present invention provides a method of and system for monitoring corrosion in a corrosive atmosphere, comprising and carrying out the steps of exciting in the atmosphere a crystal, coated with a corrodible metallic substance and having a known vibration frequency; measuring the change in the frequency of vibration resulting from corrosion of the corrodible substance during each of a plurality of intervals of time, including a reference interval and at least one subsequent measurement interval; generating a thickness signal representing the thickness of corrosion corresponding to the measured change in frequency during the measurement interval; and converting the corrosion thickness signal for the measurement interval to a reference signal representing the thickness of corrosion accumulated during the reference interval. The invention also preferably includes correcting the measured frequency change during each interval to account for any deviation in the temperature in the atmosphere from a preset standard temper…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.