G01N17/04

Reduced footprint SSD with test station for an underground pipeline

A pipeline AC mitigation SSD Marker Station has a shape and land surface area footprint that are similar to conventional pipeline location markers or corrosion test stations. The SSD Marker Station includes an SSD device that connects an underground metallic pipeline to an underground grounding conductor. The SSD Marker Station further includes a disconnect switch configured to disconnect the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding conductor. Also included is a pair of testing ports that are in electrical communication with the SSD device. Testing of the SSD device thereby requires only operating the disconnect switch to isolate the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding connector and performing an electrical measurement across the testing ports. In embodiments, the SSD Marker Station meets all requirements applicable to a pipeline location marker, and can be installed in lieu of a pipeline location marker.

Corrosion detection systems and methods

Corrosion detection systems and methods can include at least one fiber optic cable embedded in a material having at least two layers. Two of the layers can define an interface, and the fiber optic cable can be embedded at the interface. Each fiber optic cable can have a plurality of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG's) formed therein at predetermined intervals. Each FBG can have a preselected geometry that can only allow a predetermined light wavelength to pass therethrough. A light source for inputting light and a photodetector can be connected to opposite exposed ends of the fiber optic cable. As corrosion occurs near an FBG, it experiences mechanical strain, which can further cause a slightly different wavelength to pass through the fiber optic cable. The change in in wavelength can be detected by the photodiode as being indicate of corrosion occurring at the site near the FBG.

ELECTRICAL METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONCRETE TESTING
20230120728 · 2023-04-20 ·

Hundreds of thousands of concrete bridges and hundreds of billions of tons of concrete require characterization with time for corrosion. Accordingly, protocols for rapid testing and improved field characterization systems that automatically triangulate electrical resistivity and half-cell corrosion potential measurements would be beneficial allowing discrete / periodic mapping of a structure to be performed as well as addressing testing for asphalt covered concrete. Further, it is the low frequency impedance of rebar in concrete that correlates to corrosion state but these are normally time consuming vulnerable to noise. Hence, it would be beneficial to provide a means of making low frequency electrical resistivity measurements rapidly. Further, prior art techniques for electrical rebar measurements require electrical connection be made to the rebar which increases measurement complexity/disruption / repair / cost even when no corrosion is identified. Beneficially a method of determining the state of a rebar without electrical contact is taught.

ELECTRICAL METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONCRETE TESTING
20230120728 · 2023-04-20 ·

Hundreds of thousands of concrete bridges and hundreds of billions of tons of concrete require characterization with time for corrosion. Accordingly, protocols for rapid testing and improved field characterization systems that automatically triangulate electrical resistivity and half-cell corrosion potential measurements would be beneficial allowing discrete / periodic mapping of a structure to be performed as well as addressing testing for asphalt covered concrete. Further, it is the low frequency impedance of rebar in concrete that correlates to corrosion state but these are normally time consuming vulnerable to noise. Hence, it would be beneficial to provide a means of making low frequency electrical resistivity measurements rapidly. Further, prior art techniques for electrical rebar measurements require electrical connection be made to the rebar which increases measurement complexity/disruption / repair / cost even when no corrosion is identified. Beneficially a method of determining the state of a rebar without electrical contact is taught.

Alternating current interference corrosion detector

A non-destructive testing apparatus generates an electric current in a test coupon that is adjacent to the metallic structure. The non-destructive testing apparatus measures the electric current to produce at least one electric current measurement. The non-destructive testing apparatus correlates the at least one electric current measurement with the quantity of a predetermined iron oxide in the test coupon to determine a proxy for the degree of alternating current interference corrosion in the metallic structure.

A COATED STRUCTURE WITH A MONITORING SYSTEM, A MONITORING SYSTEM, AND A METHOD FOR MONITORING A CONDITION OF A COATED STRUCTURE

A coated structure with a monitoring system, the structure comprising a base having a base surface, a coating joined to the base surface in a base interface and extending in a thickness direction to an outer coating surface, a sensor comprising at least one electrode embedded in the coating, an I/O device configured to generate an input signal in the sensor and to read an output signal from the sensor, a data logger configured to log the output signal from the I/O device, and a computer unit configured to use the logged signal from the data logger. To provide improved information related to the condition of the structure or coating, the computer unit is configured to determine at least two separate indexes, each index related to a property of the coating or the structure.

A COATED STRUCTURE WITH A MONITORING SYSTEM, A MONITORING SYSTEM, AND A METHOD FOR MONITORING A CONDITION OF A COATED STRUCTURE

A coated structure with a monitoring system, the structure comprising a base having a base surface, a coating joined to the base surface in a base interface and extending in a thickness direction to an outer coating surface, a sensor comprising at least one electrode embedded in the coating, an I/O device configured to generate an input signal in the sensor and to read an output signal from the sensor, a data logger configured to log the output signal from the I/O device, and a computer unit configured to use the logged signal from the data logger. To provide improved information related to the condition of the structure or coating, the computer unit is configured to determine at least two separate indexes, each index related to a property of the coating or the structure.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORROSION AND EROSION MONITORING OF FIXED EQUIPMENT

This disclosure relates to the monitoring and detection of corrosion and/or erosion of pipes, vessels, and other components in an industrial facility. The monitoring system may comprise of an arrangement of guided wave (GW) transducers and a longitudinal wave (LW) transducer affixed to the piping component to collectively measure for localized corrosion of the piping component without necessarily requiring a thickness map. The monitoring system may use an intelligent amplified multiplexer/switch to control the operation of the transducers that may be controlled and operated to generate waves in the kilohertz range and megahertz range with the same hardware.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORROSION AND EROSION MONITORING OF FIXED EQUIPMENT

This disclosure relates to the monitoring and detection of corrosion and/or erosion of pipes, vessels, and other components in an industrial facility. The monitoring system may comprise of an arrangement of guided wave (GW) transducers and a longitudinal wave (LW) transducer affixed to the piping component to collectively measure for localized corrosion of the piping component without necessarily requiring a thickness map. The monitoring system may use an intelligent amplified multiplexer/switch to control the operation of the transducers that may be controlled and operated to generate waves in the kilohertz range and megahertz range with the same hardware.

ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR MONITORING CATHODIC PROTECTION OF STRUCTURES
20230061824 · 2023-03-02 ·

Assemblies and methods for monitoring the cathodic protection of underground or submerged structures may include a coupon assembly including a conductive test coupon and a reference electrode for determining the voltage potential difference of the protected structure without substantially interrupting surrounding current sources. The reference electrode may be at least partially covered with an electrolytic material in electrical contact with the surrounding environment via a plug including a porous material. A method of installation of the assembly may allow a single technician to install the coupon assembly using a probe rod without extensive on-site excavation. The coupon assembly may be configured to seat securely with the probe rod for stability during installation, and release from the probe rob when the probe rod is separated from the coupon assembly and withdrawn from the ground, leaving the coupon assembly at a preselected depth or preselected distance from the protected structure.