Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.