Electrolyte Sheet Corrosion Mapping for Concrete Repair Boundaries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining corrosion in reinforced concrete structures are inadequate, often leading to overlooked corrosion regions and accelerated macrocell corrosion at repaired-unrepaired boundaries, necessitating inefficient and incomplete repairs.

Innovation Solution

A peeling device and method using an electrolyte sheet, electrodes, and potential control to accelerate corrosion in specific regions, allowing precise identification of repair areas by monitoring current and strain values within controlled potential ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If visual inspection is used to determine corrosion regions, then the inspection method is simple, but corrosion regions without clear rust are overlooked and macrocell corrosion progresses at repaired-unrepaired boundaries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection simplicityVSAvoidcorrosion detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual inspection (mechanical/optical system) with electrochemical measurement systems including reference electrodes, voltmeters, and potential measurement devices to detect corrosion regions, thereby improving detection accuracy while maintaining operational feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces reference electrodes and electrolyte solutions as intermediaries to enable indirect detection of corrosion through electrochemical potential measurements, allowing accurate identification of corrosion regions without direct visual contact with the reinforcing bars

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If concrete is peeled to visually check reinforcing bar corrosion, then the corrosion region can be identified, but the work amount increases and repair efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion region identification accuracyVSAvoidrepair work efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical concrete peeling with electrochemical potential measurement to identify corrosion regions, eliminating the need for destructive testing while maintaining accurate corrosion detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary electrochemical assessment to identify corrosion regions before any concrete removal, allowing targeted repairs only where needed and avoiding unnecessary peeling work

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If repair regions are determined by visual checking during concrete chipping, then the repair process can proceed, but the chipping process itself causes additional damage and time loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair process continuityVSAvoidchipping time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary electrochemical potential measurements to identify corrosion regions before concrete chipping begins, allowing the chipping process to proceed efficiently with pre-determined repair boundaries and eliminating time spent on continuous visual assessment during chipping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Precisely exposes repair areas by accelerating corrosion under concrete, reducing the need for re-repair and suppressing corrosion progression in embedded reinforcing bars.

Implementation Method 1

a peeling device that assists with repair of a concrete structure in which a reinforcing bar is embedded. The peeling device includes an electrolyte sheet stuck to a concrete surface, a first electrode connected to the electrolyte sheet, a second electrode connected to the exposed reinforcing bar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical corrosion: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a potential control unit that applies a voltage to the second electrode by using the first electrode as a reference electrode and performs potential control such that a potential generated in the second electrode falls within a predetermined range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPotential control: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

a current measurement unit that continuously measures a current value of a current flowing from the second electrode to the first electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260009246A1Stripping device, stripping method, and program

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 NT T INC

AI summary

A peeling device (1) includes an electrolyte sheet (11) stuck to a concrete surface, a first electrode (12) connected to the electrolyte sheet (11), a second electrode (13) connected to an exposed reinforcing bar, a potential control unit (14) that applies a voltage to the second electrode (13) by using the first electrode (12) as a reference electrode and performs potential control such that a potential generated in the second electrode (13) falls within a predetermined range, and a current measurement unit (15) that continuously measures a current value of a current flowing from the second electrode (13) to the first electrode (12).