Abstract: A system and method is provided to detect surface anomalies. The detection system and method provides the ability to automatically detect and characterize anomalies on a surface, such as detecting and characterizing pitting corrosion on metal surfaces. The surface anomaly detection system and method uses an image of the surface under evaluation. The image data is passed to a noise filter. The noise filter uses an estimated characterization of the background noise to remove the background noise from the image data. The smoothed pixel intensity is then compared to a threshold to identify significant departures. The detected anomalies are then passed to a contour detector, which determines the contours of anomalies in the surface to provide more precise characterization of the detected anomalies. The detected closed contours of anomalies may then be passed to a defect severity estimator that provides an anomaly factor metric.

Abstract: A system for monitoring corrosion in metal by comparing a test sample exposed to a corrosion causing environment and a reference sample exposed to a protected environment. An AC voltage source generates a square wave signal oscillating between ground and voltage Vcc and a filter is positioned to filter the signal to produce a sine wave with no second harmonic component. A voltage-driven current source and inverting amplifier produce a current referenced to 0.5 Vcc to provide an AC current from the drive voltage driven sinusoidally and symmetrically above and below 0.5 Vcc. A transformer steps up the AC current and thereafter transmits the current through the samples to an amplifier for amplifying the current to provide outputs in a ratio representing the degree of corrosion of the reference sample. The system can operate in situ for on site measurement and uses relatively low current to permit long operation.

Abstract: A system for scheduling maintenance on equipment includes a metallic element placed on or near a piece of equipment in an environment, a measuring and data storing device configured to measure the resistance of the metallic element, and a computer configured to determine the amount of corrosion experienced by the metallic element based on the resistance measured by the measuring and data storing device and to correlate the amount of corrosion with a maintenance schedule for the piece of equipment. A method for scheduling maintenance on a piece of equipment is also described. The method includes placing a metallic element on or near the piece of equipment, determining the amount of corrosion experienced by the metallic element, and correlating the amount of corrosion with a maintenance schedule for the piece of equipment.

Abstract: A system for measuring pitting corrosion in metal using a digital camera having a lens and an output unit for identifying the color of a metal coupon on a gray scale and providing an output in the midrange of the scale when non corroded and different output after exposure to a corrosive environment. A computer is connected to the output of the camera to display the photographs to permit observation of the gray scale output based upon a minimum and maximum threshold inputs which are adjustable based on an observation of pitting. The points of interest on the coupon representing observed pitting are recorded and summed to calculate an estimated corrosion area corresponding to pitting the said coupon as a percentage of the total coupon area.

Abstract: A system for measuring pitting corrosion in metal using a digital camera having a lens and an output unit for identifying said color of a metal coupon on a gray scale and providing an output in said midrange of said scale when non corroded and different output after exposure to a corrosive environment. A computer is connected to said output of said camera to display said photographs to permit observation of said gray scale output based upon a minimum and maximum threshold inputs which are adjustable based on an observation of pitting. The points of interest on said coupon representing observed pitting are recorded and summed to calculate an estimated corrosion area corresponding to pitting on said coupon as a percentage of said total coupon area.