Corrosion Monitor
An apparatus for monitoring corrosion in a pressurized system such as a water-based fire protection system comprising a corrosion monitor mounted within a section of the system containing fluid, wherein the corrosion monitor comprises a surface comprising at least one point of weakness wherein corrosion of a point of weakness causes a change in pressure in an interior chamber of the monitor, which change can be to provide a signal alerting monitoring personnel.
1 . An apparatus for monitoring corrosion in a water-based fire protection system, the apparatus comprising:
a section of pipe containing fluid;
a corrosion monitor mounted within said section of pipe;
wherein the corrosion monitor comprises a surface including a plurality of points of weakness; and
wherein said points of weakness are distributed across a length of the monitor.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said points of weakness comprise grooves within threads.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said points of weakness comprise scorings.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said points of weakness comprise perforations.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said corrosion monitor further comprises a vacant interior chamber,
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the chamber receives gas upon corrosion of a point of weakness.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the chamber receives liquid upon corrosion of a point of weakness.
8 . The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the chamber receives a fluid upon corrosion of a point of weakness.
9 . The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an indicator capable of detecting that a breach has developed in a point of weakness.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said indicator is a pressure indicator capable of recognizing a change in pressure within said chamber.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pressure indicator comprises at least one of a piezoelectric switch, an electromechanical switch, a pressure transducer, or a pressure sensing probe.
12 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pressure indicator issues a notification upon recognizing said change of pressure.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said section of pipe is a component of a corrosion monitoring station, wherein the corrosion monitor can be removed for testing without draining the water-based fire protection system.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said section of pipe is a portion of a main line.
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said section of pipe is a portion of a branch line.
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water-based fire protection system is a dry pipe system.
17 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water-based fire protection system is a wet pipe system.
18 . A corrosion monitor, the monitor comprising:
a distal end;
a proximal end spaced from said top,
an outer wall interconnecting said top and said bottom and enclosing a hollow interior, wherein said outer wall includes at least one point of weakness;
a connector, for allowing said corrosion monitor for being attached to a pipe; and
a pressure detector functionally coupled with said hollow interior such that said pressure detector can detect a change in pressure within said hollow interior when said outer wall is breached.
19 . The monitor of claim 18 wherein said monitor is adapted for use in a water-based fire protection system.
20 . The monitor of claim 18 wherein said monitor is adapted for use in a chemical-based fire protection system.