Electrochemical crack detector

1 . A crack detection sensor in electrical contact with an electrochemical electrical current detection device within a metal pole assembly having a metal joint therein, the crack detection sensor comprising:

carrier material for surrounding the metal joint, at least partially, with conductive media having electrolyte therein, and

an auxiliary electrode in electrical contact with the carrier material,

wherein the carrier material is selected from the group consisting of paste and concrete, the metal joint includes an iron alloy, and the auxiliary electrode includes a predetermined metal that creates a passive layer on a galvanized coating,

wherein the placement of the auxiliary electrode in electrical contact with carrier material causes the formation of an electrochemical cell on the metal joint, and

wherein the formation of a crack in the metal joint causes the passive layer to rupture, thereby generating a current for detection by the electrochemical electrical current detection device.

2 . The crack detection sensor of claim 1 , wherein the carrier material forms a ribbon around the metal joint.

3 . The crack detection sensor of claim 2 , wherein the crack detector sensor is positioned within a metal pole assembly having a metal joint including a substantially cylindrical region surrounded by the metal joint.

4 . The crack detection sensor of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, and magnesium.

5 . The crack detection sensor of claim 1 , wherein the crack detector sensor communicates with a computing device through the electrochemical electrical current detection device.

6 . The crack detection sensor of claim 1 , wherein the crack detector sensor communicates with a computing device incorporated into a computer system through the electrochemical electrical current detection device.

7 . The crack detection sensor of claim 1 , wherein the crack detection sensor is in electrical contact with an electrochemical electrical current detection device selected from the group consisting of an ammeter, a current detection device, a potentiostat, a potentiometer, and a multimeter.

8 . The crack detection sensor of claim 1 , wherein the crack detector sensor communicates with a mobile device through the electrochemical electrical current detection device.

9 . The crack detection sensor of claim 8 , wherein the crack detector sensor communicates with a mobile device through the electrochemical electrical current detection device with the electrochemical electrical current detection device being an ammeter incorporated into a multimeter.

10 . A crack detection sensor in electrical contact with an electrochemical electrical current detection device, within a metal pole assembly having a pole, a base plate, and a connection between the pole and the base plate, the crack detection sensor comprising:

a metal ribbon surrounding the connection, at least partially,

carrier material between the metal ribbon and the connection, the carrier material having conductive media with electrolyte therein, and

an auxiliary electrode in electrical contact with the carrier material,

wherein the carrier material is selected from the group consisting of paste and concrete, the connection includes an iron alloy, and the auxiliary electrode includes a predetermined metal that creates a passive layer on a galvanized coating,

wherein the carrier material is in electrical contact with the connection and the metal ribbon with the metal ribbon forming an electrochemical cell on a portion of the metal pole assembly, and

wherein the formation of a crack in portion of the metal pole ruptures the passive layer to generate a current for detection by the electrochemical electrical current detection device.

11 . The crack detection sensor of claim 10 , wherein the predetermined metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, and magnesium.

12 . The crack detection sensor of claim 10 , wherein the crack detector sensor communicates with a computing device through the electrochemical electrical current detection device.

13 . The crack detection sensor of claim 10 , wherein the crack detector sensor communicates with a computing device incorporated into a computer system through the electrochemical electrical current detection device.

14 . The crack detection sensor of claim 10 , wherein the crack detection sensor is in electrical contact with an electrochemical electrical current detection device selected from the group consisting of an ammeter, a current detection device, a potentiostat, a potentiometer, and a multimeter.

15 . The crack detection sensor of claim 10 , wherein the crack detector sensor communicates with a mobile device through the electrochemical electrical current detection device.

16 . The crack detection sensor of claim 15 , wherein the crack detector sensor communicates with a mobile device through the electrochemical electrical current detection device with the electrochemical electrical current detection device being an ammeter incorporated into a multimeter.

17 . A system for detecting the formation of a crack in a metal joint comprising:

surrounding means for surrounding the metal joint, at least partially, with carrier material selected from the group consisting of paste and concrete with the carrier material having electrolyte therein;

passive layer forming means for forming a passive layer on the metal joint;

electrochemical cell forming means for forming an electrochemical cell on the metal joint; and

detecting means for detecting an electric current when the passive layer ruptures due to the formation of a crack within the metal joint.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein passive layer forming means includes a predetermined metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, and magnesium.

19 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising:

means for converting the electric current into a digital signal.

20 . The system of claim 19 , further comprising:

means for monitoring the digital signal.