Patent ID: 7034553

Claim:
A probe for measuring the electrical resistance of a resistive element, for estimating loss of a metal exposed to an environment, comprising: (a) a sealed hollow body having a first and second end; (b) a resistive element contained at the first end of the body wherein a surface of the resistive element is exposed to the environment and the resistive element has a similar or identical composition to the exposed metal; (c) an internal or external power source electrically connected to the resistive element; (d) a meter for measuring the electrical resistance of the resistive element; (e) a temperature sensing device for measuring the temperature of the resistive element disposed proximally to the resistive element; (f) a memory for storing resistance and temperature data; (g) control means for applying an electric current and potential across the resistive element, receiving the output data of the resistance meter, receiving the output data of the temperature sensing device, and storing said data into the memory wherein the resistance data is associated with the temperature data; (h) an element carrier at its first end for holding the resistive element in the particular environment; (i) a probe body releasably attached to the element carrier; and (j) a carrier plug for insertion into the structure that is being expose to the particular environment at its second end, the carrier plug being fixed to the probe body, wherein said probe does not use a comparative reference element.