Remote datalogger for thin film sensors
- Systems and Processes Engineering Corp., Austin, TX (United States)
Electrochemical galvanic microsensors have been developed by the US Navy for the detection and monitoring of corrosive environments. These microsensors are ideal for monitoring corrosion in inaccessible or inconvenient locations, such as under coatings, paints, and sealants; within airframes or double hulls; and even in lay-ups of graphite-polymer composite materials. Presently, galvanic microsensors are being used with a companion electronics package, the Current Monitoring Unit (CMU), that provides signal-conditioning, digitization, and data-logging functions. Though the microsensors and CMU have been successfully tested in the field, the CMU must be electrically connected to the sensors, is bulky, and can accommodate only a limited number of sensor channels. A more compact and versatile solution is required before the advantages of the galvanic microsensor technology can be realized for practical corrosion monitoring in naval applications. In this paper, the authors report on the development of a miniature and versatile corrosion measurement system for use with the electrochemical galvanic microsensors. The system is comprised of Intelligent Corrosion Sensors (ICS) and a Data Gathering Unit (DGU). The ICS units combine the sensitivity and small size of existing bi-metallic thin-film galvanic microsensors with advanced micro-electronic and radio-frequency (RF) communications technology. The DGU can be either a fixed-base station or a hand-held portable unit and is used to query the ICS units via low-frequency (approximately 100 KHz) radio waves. The system will enable accurate, portable, cable-free corrosivity determination in virtually any location that has limited access.
- OSTI ID:
- 549455
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970332--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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