Metal Imbedded In Asphalt, Concrete, Stone, Or Masonry, (e.g., Reinforced Concrete, Etc.) Patents (Class 205/734)
  • Patent number: 11193211
    Abstract: A cathodic protection system for use with a wood veneer dryer is provided. The system includes a DC power supply and an anode mounted inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present inside the dryer. The electrolytic medium comprises a high-humidity atmosphere. A method for reducing the corrosion of metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer is further provided. The method comprises mounting an anode inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to the metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present. Wood veneer is conveyed through the dryer and heated to a temperature sufficient to produce a high-humidity atmosphere inside the dryer. A controlled amount of current is supplied by the DC power supply to electrolytically couple the anode to the metallic structures or surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Westmill Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Christian Gollmann
  • Patent number: 10927464
    Abstract: Provided are a carbon fiber textile reinforcing material with an anode metal line which can be repaired and reinforced with a high stiffness and non-corrosive carbon fiber textile by disposing a carbon fiber textile reinforcing material with an anodic metal line functioning as a conductor and a reinforcing material on a deteriorated cross-section of concrete, can maximize repair and reinforcement of a reinforced concrete structure by preventing additional corrosion of a concrete embedded reinforcing bar using a sacrificial anode arranged on the carbon fiber textile, can prevent corrosion of an existing reinforced concrete structure and can be used as a reinforcing material and a corrosion preventing material of a new concrete structure, and a method for repairing and reinforcing a reinforced concrete structure using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyeong Yeol Kim, Gum Sung Ryu, Dong Woo Seo, Young Jun You
  • Patent number: 10378114
    Abstract: A cathode protection method of embedded CFRP anode for reinforced concrete structure includes the following steps. Provide a preformed groove with a predetermined shape and size in a surface of a protection area of a reinforced concrete body, and remove dust in the preformed groove. Provide a CFRP member on the surface of the protection area of the reinforced concrete body. Coat an electrical conductive adhesive material between side surfaces of the reinforcing column of the CFRP member and the preformed groove and between the reinforcing plate and the reinforced concrete body. Connect the CFRP member with a positive electrode of an external DC power supply and the steel reinforcing element with a negative electrode of the external DC power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jihua Zhu, Feng Xing, Ningxu Han, Wei Liu, Weilun Wang, Miaochang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9598778
    Abstract: A single anode system used in multiple electrochemical treatments to control steel corrosion in concrete comprises a sacrificial metal that is capable to supporting high impressed anode current densities with an impressed current anode connection detail and a porous embedding material containing an electrolyte. Initially current is driven from the sacrificial metal [1] to the steel [10] using a power source [5] converting oxygen and water [14] into hydroxyl ions [15] on the steel and drawing chloride ions [16] into the porous material [2] around the anode such that corroding sites are moved from the steel to the anode restoring steel passivity and activating the anode. Cathodic prevention is them applied. This is preferably sacrificial cathodic prevention that is applied by disconnecting the power source and connecting the activated sacrificial node directly to the steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gareth Glass, Adrian Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Patent number: 8999137
    Abstract: A method of protecting a metal section in concrete. The method comprises the steps of providing a sacrificial anode and embedding the sacrificial anode in a porous matrix in the cavity; providing a source of DC power with positive and negative connections and electrically connecting one of the connections of the source of DC power to the metal section to be protected; electrically connecting the a sacrificial anode in series with the other connection of the source of DC power and spacing the source of DC power from the cavity and the connections to the source of DC power which comprise at least one of wires and cables; and driving an anode current density from the sacrificial anode in excess of 500 mA/m2. An apparatus of protecting a metal section in concrete is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Adrian Charles Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Publication number: 20150060298
    Abstract: The invention relates to the galvanic protection of a concrete structure (10) comprising metal reinforcements (12). Holes (15) are previously made in the structure, for receiving sacrificial anodes. Before arranging said sacrificial anodes, decontamination electrodes (16) and an electrolyte are inserted into the holes in order to carry out a decontamination phase wherein the negative terminal of a power supply (18) is electrically connected to the reinforcements of the structure and the positive terminal of the power supply is electrically connected to the decontamination electrodes. Once the power supply has been activated for a certain amount of time in order to attract the chloride ions to the decontamination electrodes and the electrolyte, the electrolyte and the decontamination electrodes are removed from the holes (15) and the sacrificial anodes are sealed therein and then electrically connected to the reinforcements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET
    Inventor: Christian Tourneur
  • Patent number: 8968549
    Abstract: Cathodic protection of steel in concrete is provided by locating an anode assembly including both a sacrificial anode and an impressed current anode in contact with the concrete and providing an impressed current from a power supply to the anode. The impressed current anode forms a perforated sleeve surrounding a rod of the sacrificial anode material with an activated ionically-conductive filler material between. The system can be used without the power supply in sacrificial mode or when the power supply is connected, the impressed current anode can be powered to provide an impressed current system and/or to recharge the sacrificial anode from sacrificial anode corrosion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Vector Corrosion Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: George Sergi, Attanayake Mudiyanselage Gamini Seneviratne, David Whitmore
  • Patent number: 8961746
    Abstract: Cathodic protection of steel in concrete is provided by locating an anode assembly including both a sacrificial anode and an impressed current anode in contact with the concrete and providing an impressed current from a power supply to the anode. The impressed current anode forms a perforated sleeve surrounding a rod of the sacrificial anode material with an activated ionically-conductive filler material between. The system can be used without the power supply in sacrificial mode or when the power supply is connected, the impressed current anode can be powered to provide an impressed current system and/or to recharge the sacrificial anode from sacrificial anode corrosion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Vector Corrosion Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: George Sergi, Attanayake Mudiyanselage Gamini Seneviratne, David Whitmore
  • Patent number: 8926802
    Abstract: A steel reinforced concrete protector in an anode cavity such as a cored hole, drilled hole or cut chase is disclosed. The protector includes a sacrificial anode assembly and a separate backfill. The sacrificial anode assembly includes a sacrificial metal element and an activator to maintain an activity of the sacrificial metal element and at least one spacer. The spacer prevents the sacrificial metal element and the activator from contacting the surface of the anode cavity. The spacer and the sacrificial metal element have a coupling mechanism which facilitates connection of the sacrificial metal element to the spacer. The backfill is a pliable and viscous material which contains an electrolyte and fills the spaces between the sacrificial anode assembly and the anode cavity wall. The invention also relates to a pre-packaged sacrificial anode assembly to increase the shelf life of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Nigel Davison, Adrian Charles Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140305807
    Abstract: A cathode protection method for reinforced concrete structure includes steps of: a. removing loose concrete within a protection area, and filling adhesive materials with conductive ability into cracks of a concrete; b. implanting CFRP member as a impressed current auxiliary anode material into the concrete, and spacedly arranged the CFRP member with steel reinforcing elements within the concrete; c. coating adhesive materials on a side of the CFRP member, and firmly pressing the adhesive materials to bonding the CFRP member and the concrete with each other; and d. electrically connecting the steel reinforcing elements and the CFRP member to a negative electrode and a positive electrode of an external DC power supply respectively, such that the concrete, the steel reinforcing element, the CFRP member, and the external DC power supply generate serially-close conductive circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: SHENZHEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Feng XING, Jihua ZHU, Ningxu HAN, Wei LIU, Weilun WANG, Lili SUI, Miaochang ZHU
  • Publication number: 20140305806
    Abstract: A cathode protection method of embedded CFRP anode for reinforced concrete structure includes the following steps. Provide a preformed groove with a predetermined shape and size in a surface of a protection area of a reinforced concrete body, and remove dust in the preformed groove. Provide a CFRP member on the surface of the protection area of the reinforced concrete body. Coat an electrical conductive adhesive material between side surfaces of the reinforcing column of the CFRP member and the preformed groove and between the reinforcing plate and the reinforced concrete body. Connect the CFRP member with a positive electrode of an external DC power supply and the steel reinforcing element with a negative electrode of the external DC power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: SHENZHEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jihua ZHU, Feng XING, Ningxu HAN, Wei LIU, Weilun WANG, Miaochang ZHU
  • Patent number: 8821698
    Abstract: A multi purpose segmented Titanium Mixed Metal Oxide coated impressed current cathodic protection anode assembly (Ti MMO anode assembly). The Ti MMO anode assembly includes combinations selected from four anode components and four connection components. The various components may be assembled for different applications in liquid or soil environments for the prevention or reduction of corrosion and loss of structural integrity. For example, the Ti MMO anode assembly may be applied to protect pipelines, buried structures, piers and internal surface protection of tanks and vessels in different arrangements such as deep wells, shallow ground beds, or distributed individual anodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Omidreza Moghbeli
  • Publication number: 20140224670
    Abstract: To provide an anode, corrosion-protecting structure of a concrete constructions using this, and a corrosion protection method capable of protecting electrical corrosion, with little generation of gas due to electrolysis of water or chlorine compounds, by decreasing as far as possible the amount of processing performed on the structural body in on-site construction work and suppressing the voltage that is conducted therethrough to a low level. [Solution] A corrosion-protecting structure (1) is constituted by attaching an anode (10) to the surface layer (3) of a corrosion-protecting body (4) through a first electrolyte layer (12) on one face of a conductive layer (11) formed as a sheet. The electrolyte is formed as a sheet. The first electrolyte layer (12) having adhesiveness is attached to the conductive layer (11) and the surface layer (3) of the corrosion-protecting body (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: FUJIMOROI KOGYO CO., LTD., SHO-BOND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuto Ishikawa, Shirou Yamamoto, Hirokazu Iiduka, Jun Suzuki, Tsutomu Nakamura, Norimasa Mimura, Yuichi Futaki
  • Publication number: 20140202879
    Abstract: The cathodic protection of a reinforced concrete structure utilizes sacrificial anodes such as aluminum or zinc as well as alloys thereof. Each anode is embedded or substantially covered in a material consisting of a hydrophilic non-cementious open-cell foam. An activating agent such as one or more lithium salts is contained within the cells of the foam to maintain the anodes in an electrochemically active state. The activating agent may be immobilized in the cells using an aqueous gel such as agar. One or more metallic conductors electrically connect the anodes to the metal reinforcing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: The Euclid Chemical Company
    Inventor: John E. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20140027306
    Abstract: Corrosion of steel in a concrete structure such as a column in sea water occurs primarily above the water line and is inhibited using cathodic protection by attaching to the column an impervious sealed sleeve in which is provided a sacrificial anode in sheet form in contact with a layer of water transport medium so that water from the location of the bottom of the water transport medium within the water is carried into the area of the sacrificial anode to enhance ionic current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: David Whitmore
  • Patent number: 8557102
    Abstract: Electrolytic protection of steel-reinforced concrete bodies such as bridges and building facades is achieved with carbon material inserted into the concrete body. The carbon material is connected to act as a anode with the steel reinforcement as a cathode, so that corrosive chloride ions migrate away from the steel reinforcement. The carbon material is inserted so as also to act as a reinforcement. In one arrangement carbon textile material is provided between inner and outer grout-filled plastics ducts fixed around post-tensioned steel cables. In another arrangement a carbon rod, or pin, is fixed between a concrete body and a steel I-beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventor: Graeme Jones
  • Publication number: 20130233725
    Abstract: A method for protecting a plurality of metal electrical poles and copper grounding from galvanic corrosion in corrosive soils includes electrically interconnecting the poles to a grounding grid and providing an impressed current anode for the cathodic protection of the grounding grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, Geoffrey O. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20130168261
    Abstract: It is described a metal anode for cathodic protection in form of mesh ribbon having meshes whose holes are of rhomboidal shape, characterised by having such holes of rhomboidal shape arranged with the major diagonal oriented along the direction of the ribbon length and by the fact that the side edges along the ribbon length are free from cutting protrusions. It is also described a method for obtaining such anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Corrado Mojana, Simone Tremolada
  • Publication number: 20130118916
    Abstract: A single anode system used in multiple electrochemical treatments to control steel corrosion in concrete comprises a sacrificial metal that is capable fo supporting high impressed anode current densities with an impressed current anode connection detail and a porous embedding material containing an electrolyte. Initially current is driven fromt eh sacrificial metal [1] to the steel [10] using a power source [5] converting oxygen and water [14] into hydroxyl ions [15] on the steel and drawing chloride ions [16] into the porous material [2] around the anode such that corroding sites are moved from the steel to the anode restoring steel passivity and activating the anode. Cathodic prevention is them applied. This is preferably sacrificial cathodic prevention that is applied by disconnecting the power source and connecting the activated sacrificial node directly to the steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Gareth GLASS, Adrian Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Patent number: 8366904
    Abstract: Cathodic protection of a structure including a steel member at least partly buried in a covering layer, such as steel rebar in a concrete structure, is provided by embedding sacrificial anodes into the concrete layer at spaced positions over the layer and connecting the anodes to the rebar. The anode body is formed, by pressing together finely divided powder, flakes or fibers of a sacrificial anode material such as zinc to define a porous body having pores therein. The sacrificial anode material of the anode member is directly in contact with the covering material by being buried or inserted as a tight fit into a drilled hole so that any expansion forces therefrom would be applied to the concrete with the potential of causing cracking. The pores are arranged however such that corrosion products from corrosion of the anode body are received into the pores sufficiently to prevent expansion of the anode body to an extent which would cause cracking of the covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: David Whitmore
  • Patent number: 8361286
    Abstract: An improved sacrificial galvanic anode assembly for cathodic protection of a steel reinforced concrete structure. A galvanic cathodic protection device uses an embedded sacrificial anode of metallic foam for increased reactive surface area covered with a flexible penetrating coating to provide a continuous electrolyte to keep it active. The formulated coating paste is inert to cement embedment material and is pre-applied on the anode body prior to encapsulation. An integrated conductive contact band extends from the coated anode to attachment to a reinforcement bar for establishing electrical conductively therewith within the concrete structure transferring galvanic corrosion to the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Roberto Giorgini
  • Patent number: 8349148
    Abstract: An electrolytic mortar for fabricating galvanic anode panels is strengthened with fibers to improve green strength and resistance to cracking. Elongated reinforcing fibers are introduced into a flowing stream of mortar and deposited in multiple layers upon a platen or mold. A sacrificial zinc anode of open construction is embedded between the multiple layers to allow for electrolytic conduction between the layers and over all surfaces of the zinc anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Jarden Zinc Products, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Tarrant, Michael T. Mather
  • Patent number: 8349166
    Abstract: A single anode system used in multiple electrochemical treatments to control steel corrosion in concrete. The anode system comprises a sacrificial metal that is capable of supporting high impressed anode current densities with an impressed current anode connection detail and a porous embedding material containing an electrolyte. Initially current is driven from the sacrificial metal (1) to the steel (10) using a power source (5) for converting oxygen and water (14) into hydroxyl ions (15) on the steel and drawing chloride ions (16) into the porous material (2) around the anode such that corroding sites are moved from the steel to the anode restoring steel passivity and activating the anode. Cathodic prevention is then applied. This is preferably a sacrificial cathodic prevention which is applied by disconnecting the power source and connecting the activated sacrificial node directly to the steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Gareth Glass, Adrian Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Patent number: 8298382
    Abstract: Apparatus for connection to a metallic structure, the apparatus comprises a transformer rectifier unit operable to output a DC current for cathodic protection of a metallic structure, and a modulator unit connected to receive a DC output from the transformer rectifier unit. The modulator unit is arranged for connection to a metallic structure, and is operable to produce a modulated current which is applied to such a metallic structure when the apparatus is in use, such that the metallic structure is detectable by a wireless locating device. The modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Abriox Limited
    Inventors: Jason Hanlon, Thomas Josef McGee
  • Publication number: 20120261270
    Abstract: A method of protecting a metal section in concrete. The method comprises the steps of providing a sacrificial anode and embedding the sacrificial anode in a porous matrix in the cavity; providing a source of DC power with positive and negative connections and electrically connecting one of the connections of the source of DC power to the metal section to be protected; electrically connecting the a sacrificial anode in series with the other connection of the source of DC power and spacing the source of DC power from the cavity and the connections to the source of DC power which comprise at least one of wires and cables; and driving an anode current density from the sacrificial anode in excess of 500 mA/m2. An apparatus of protecting a metal section in concrete is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin GLASS, Adrian Charles ROBERTS, Nigel DAVISON
  • Patent number: 8273239
    Abstract: An electric field modifier for boosting a current output of a sacrificial anode to enhance its protective effect and direct the current output to improve current distribution in galvanic protection of steel in a concrete element exposed to air is disclosed. A cavity is formed in a concrete element and a combination comprising a sacrificial anode, an electric field modifier and an ionically conductive filler are embedded therein. The sacrificial anode is connected to the steel. The modifier comprises an element with an anode side, supporting an oxidation reaction, in electrical contact with a cathode side, supporting a reduction reaction. The cathode of the modifier faces the sacrificial anode and is separated therefrom by a filler which contains an electrolyte that connects the sacrificial anode to the cathode of the modifier. The anode of the modifier faces away from the sacrificial anode. Preferably, the reduction reaction, on the cathode of the modifier, comprises reduction of oxygen from the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Adrian Charles Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Patent number: 8211289
    Abstract: A method of protecting steel in concrete is disclosed. A voltage between two connections of a power supply is generated such that current can flow between a negative connection and a positive connection. In a first protection step, one of the connections of the power supply is electrically connected to the steel to be cathodically protected and a sacrificial anode is electrically connected in series with the other connection of the power supply such that the voltage generated by the power supply is added to the voltage generated between the sacrificial anode and the steel to produce a voltage greater than the voltage generated between the sacrificial anode and the steel alone. The power supply may be a cell or battery and may be combined with the sacrificial anode to form a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Adrian Charles Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Publication number: 20120111736
    Abstract: A method and a steel reinforced concrete protector in an anode cavity which comprises a cored or drilled hole or a cut chase formed in concrete. The protector comprises a sacrificial anode assembly and a separate backfill. The sacrificial anode assembly comprises a sacrificial metal element less noble than steel and an activator to maintain an activity of the sacrificial metal element. The at least one spacer prevents the sacrificial metal element and the activator from contacting the anode cavity. The spacer and the sacrificial metal element have a coupling mechanism which facilitates connection of the sacrificial metal element to the spacer. The backfill is a pliable and viscous material which contains an electrolyte, and the backfill facilitates embedding the anode assembly in the anode cavity. A prepackaged sacrificial anode assembly and a method of increasing a shelf life of the sacrificial anode is also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: E-CHEM TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin GLASS, Nigel DAVISON, Adrian Charles ROBERTS
  • Patent number: 8157983
    Abstract: The galvanic cathodic protection of steel embedded in concrete structures is enhanced by the utilization of a flexible composite anode assembly containing a sacrificial anode member. The anode member is at least partially covered by a matrix comprising an ionically-conductive material. The conductive material includes at least one electrochemical activating agent such as a mixture of lithium bromide and lithium nitrate and a compressible water-retaining mineral such as a phyllosilicate mineral. The presence of this mineral in the matrix increases the current delivered by the anode, thereby resulting in a greater level of cathodic protection, and a longer effective service life of the anode. Exfoliated vermiculite is a preferred phyllosilicate mineral and is present in an amount of between about 2% and about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: John E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8083923
    Abstract: Electrolytic protection of steel-reinforced concrete bodies such as bridges and building facades is achieved with carbon material (3, 12, 23) inserted into the concrete body (6, 10, 21). The carbon material is connected to act as a anode with the steel reinforcement (1, 11, 22) as a cathode, so that corrosive chloride ions migrate away from the steel reinforcement. The carbon material is inserted so as also to act as a reinforcement. In one arrangement carbon textile material is provided between inner and outer grout-filled plastics ducts (2, 4, 5) fixed around post-tensioned steel cables (1). In another arrangement a carbon rod (12), or pin (23), is fixed between a concrete body (23) and a steel I-beam (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventor: Graeme Jones
  • Patent number: 8080151
    Abstract: Process for the electrochemical treatment of a construction comprising a porous medium, a corrodible substance disposed in the porous medium, the construction having electrically conductive properties, comprising the application of an external electrode (3) to a surface (2) of the construction, the external electrode (3) being connected to a terminal of a generator (6), the porous medium being connected to another terminal of the generator (6), and the application of the following four phases at least once: during a first phase lasting between 12 and 360 hours, passing a negative electric current which causes anions to migrate from the porous medium to the external electrode (3) and cations to migrate from the external electrode (3) towards the porous medium, then during a second phase lasting between 2 minutes and 100 hours, interrupting the circulation of the electric current, then during a third phase lasting between 2 minutes and 24 hours, passing a positive electric current, then during a fourth phase la
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Soletanche Freyssinet
    Inventors: Christian Tourneur, Didier Keisser
  • Patent number: 8002964
    Abstract: The installation and use of embedded sacrificial anodes to protect reinforced concrete may be improved. In one example a cavity [2] is formed in the concrete [3] and a puttylike backfill [4] is placed in the cavity and a compact discrete anode comprising a sacrificial metal element [1] is inserted into the backfill and a space is provided into which the backfill may move when subjected to a pressure arising from the formation of voluminous sacrificial metal corrosion products and a high current is passed from the anode to the steel in the concrete to arrest steel corrosion and activate the anode in the backfill. The space may be provided by venting the backfill to space outside the cavity through an opening [5] or by including a void space within the backfill [6] or a void space within the cavity [7].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Adrian Charles Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Publication number: 20110168571
    Abstract: A single anode system used in multiple electrochemical treatments to control steel corrosion in concrete. The anode system comprises a sacrificial metal that is capable of supporting high impressed anode current densities with an impressed current anode connection detail and a porous embedding material containing an electrolyte. Initially current is driven from the sacrificial metal (1) to the steel (10) using a power source (5) for converting oxygen and water (14) into hydroxyl ions (15) on the steel and drawing chloride ions (16) into the porous material (2) around the anode such that corroding sites are moved from the steel to the anode restoring steel passivity and activating the anode. Cathodic prevention is then applied. This is preferably a sacrificial cathodic prevention which is applied by disconnecting the power source and connecting the activated sacrificial node directly to the steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Gareth GLASS, Adrian ROBERTS, Nigel DAVISON
  • Patent number: 7967970
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the cathodic protection (KKS) of the reinforcements of ferroconcrete edifices against corrosion. According to said method, a) one side of the structural joints of the concrete supporting elements is sealed, b) the KKS anodes are introduced into the structural joints, c) an ionically conductive gel is introduced into the joints that are closed on one side, and d) the structural joints are optionally sealed as a whole. Surprisingly, the required electrical conductivity can be reliably ensured during the entire application period with the aid of the ionically conductive gel, which is a prerequisite for effectively and reliably protecting the steel reinforcements of concrete structures against corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: PCI Augsburg GmbH
    Inventor: Frits O. Gronvold
  • Patent number: 7967972
    Abstract: The connections to anodes used in impressed current electrochemical treatments of steel in concrete construction are at risk from rapid corrosion arising from induced anodic dissolution when these connections are embedded in reinforced concrete. A corrosion resistant connection that does not require any further protective insulation can be formed using titanium conductors [2,6] and connecting the conductors together at a conductor-conductor connection [5] using a clamping device comprising a non-metallic material wherein the clamping device only brings corrosion resistant material into contact with the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Nigel Davison, Adrian Charles Roberts
  • Patent number: 7967971
    Abstract: Sacrificial anode assemblies have the advantage that they can provide galvanic protection to steel in concrete and do not require long term maintenance of a DC power supply. However sacrificial anode assemblies often loose adhesion to the concrete surface. This invention discloses the use of a sacrificial anode (4) and a backfill (3) and a tape (5) and an adhesive to protect steel (8) in concrete. The backfill is preferably placed in a shallow cavity (1) in the concrete surface (2) and the sacrificial anode is inserted into the backfill. The cavity is covered with a tape that extends over the adjacent concrete surfaces on opposite sides of the sacrificial anode and backfill and the tape is attached to the concrete surface with the adhesive. The tape and the adhesive holds the anode in place and prevents a weathering environment from damaging the backfill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Nigel Davison, Adrian Charles Roberts, Gareth Kevin Glass
  • Patent number: 7959786
    Abstract: Cathodic protection of a structure including a steel member at least partly buried in a covering layer, such as steel rebar in a concrete structure, is provided by embedding sacrificial anodes into the concrete layer at spaced positions over the layer and connecting the anodes to the rebar. The anode body is formed, by pressing together finely divided powder, flakes or fibers of a sacrificial anode material such as zinc to define a porous body having pores therein. The sacrificial anode material of the anode member is directly in contact with the covering material by being buried or inserted as a tight fit into a drilled hole so that any expansion forces therefrom would be applied to the concrete with the potential of causing cracking. The pores are arranged however such that corrosion products from corrosion of the anode body are received into the pores sufficiently to prevent expansion of the anode body to an extent which would cause cracking of the covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: David Whitmore
  • Patent number: 7951286
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system that supplies an electrical current such that a metallic structure (10) has a negative voltage of between 0.5 and 1.5 Volt relative to earth to power one or more electrical appliances (5), the method comprising: —providing one or more electrical appliances (5) which each have a pair of electrical contacts (1,2); —connecting one electrical contact (1) of each electrical appliance to the structure; and —connecting the other electrical contact (2) of each electrical appliance to earth, thereby providing electrical power to each of the electrical appliances. It is preferred that the electrical appliances (5) are equipped with one or more DC-DC power converters (6) which are configured to enhance an electrical input voltage of between 0.5 and 1.5 Volt to an electrical output voltage of between 3 and 5 Volt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Sicco Dwars, Christopher Ozemoya Ubuane
  • Patent number: 7914661
    Abstract: Cathodic protection of a structure including a steel member at least partly buried in a covering layer, such as steel rebar in a concrete structure, is provided by embedding sacrificial anodes into the concrete layer at spaced positions over the layer and connecting the anodes to the rebar. The anode body is formed, by pressing together finely divided powder, flakes or fibers of a sacrificial anode material such as zinc to define a porous body having pores therein. The sacrificial anode material of the anode member is directly in contact with the covering material by being buried or inserted as a tight fit into a drilled hole so that any expansion forces therefrom would be applied to the concrete with the potential of causing cracking. The pores are arranged however such that corrosion products from corrosion of the anode body are received into the pores sufficiently to prevent expansion of the anode body to an extent which would cause cracking of the covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: David Whitmore
  • Patent number: 7909982
    Abstract: A single anode system used in multiple electrochemical treatments to control steel corrosion in concrete comprises a sacrificial metal that is capable of supporting high impressed anode current densities with an impressed current anode connection detail and a porous embedding material containing an electrolyte. Initially current is driven from the sacrificial metal [1] to the steel [10] using a power source [5] converting oxygen and water [14] into hydroxyl ions [15] on the steel and drawing chloride ions [16] into the porous material [2] around the anode such that corroding sites are moved from the steel to the anode restoring steel passivity and activating the anode. Cathodic prevention is then applied. This is preferably sacrificial cathodic prevention that is applied by disconnecting the power source and connecting the activated sacrificial anode directly to the steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Gareth Glass, Adrian Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Patent number: 7897031
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product directed to controlling corrosion, particularly space weather induced corrosion, of a conductive structure in contact with a corrosive environment and coated with a semiconductive coating, where the corrosion is controlled by a controllable filter and a corresponding electronic control unit configured to process and adjust the controllable filter in response to at least one measured parameter associated with space weather effects on the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Semiconductor International Ltd.
    Inventors: David B. Dowling, Farshad Khorrami, Joseph G. Michels, Mikhail Panasyuk
  • Patent number: 7883608
    Abstract: A cathodic protection system wherein a metal structure is electrically connected to a sacrificial anode through a self encapsulating wire connector that can be assembled by unskilled persons and can be maintained in a protective condition around an electrical junction to enable the electrical junction to protected from an underground environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Patent Store LLC
    Inventors: William Hiner, Lloyd Herbert King, Jr., James C. Keeven
  • Publication number: 20100314262
    Abstract: An electric field modifier for boosting a current output of a sacrificial anode to enhance its protective effect and direct the current output to improve current distribution in galvanic protection of steel in a concrete element exposed to air is disclosed. A cavity is formed in a concrete element and a combination comprising a sacrificial anode, an electric field modifier and an ionically conductive filler are embedded therein. The sacrificial anode is connected to the steel. The modifier comprises an element with an anode side, supporting an oxidation reaction, in electrical contact with a cathode side, supporting a reduction reaction. The cathode of the modifier faces the sacrificial anode and is separated therefrom by a filler which contains an electrolyte that connects the sacrificial anode to the cathode of the modifier. The anode of the modifier faces away from the sacrificial anode. Preferably, the reduction reaction, on the cathode of the modifier, comprises reduction of oxygen from the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin GLASS, Adrian Charles ROBERTS, Nigel DAVISON
  • Patent number: 7851022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a galvanic anode system for the corrosion protection of steel, comprised of a solid electrolyte and a galvanic anode material, preferably zinc and its alloys, glued to the solid electrolyte or embedded in the solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is characterised by a high ion conductivity and comprises at least one anionic and/or cationic polyelectrolyte and/or preferably at least one compound that forms complex compounds with the anode material, preferably with zinc. The solid electrolyte is produced by applying a coating agent, preferably as an aqueous dispersion or suspension, to the steel and/or to the mineral substructure, preferably to concrete. The anode material is characterised in that it forms a galvanic element in combination with the solid electrolyte and the steel to be protected, in which the steel forms the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schwarz
  • Patent number: 7807026
    Abstract: There is disclosed a cathodic protection system of reinforced concrete structures with discrete anodes obtained starting from a corrugated planar substrate welded to a longitudinal current collector. The anodes of the invention are particularly suitable for being installed rolled in cylinders, with their axis parallel to the current collectors, positioned inside holes made in the concrete of the structure to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Industrie De Nora SpA
    Inventors: Michele Tettamanti, Corrado Mojana, Giorgio Pedrinelli
  • Patent number: 7731875
    Abstract: High performance proprietary cementitious concretes or mortars developed for use as patch repair materials for corrosion damaged concrete often have high resistivities that inhibit the performance of sacrificial anodes located within the patch repair areas. A method of repair is disclosed which comprises removing the corrosion damaged concrete to form a cavity to receive a concrete repair material and forming within this cavity a smaller distinct cavity for assembling a sacrificial anode assembly and placing within this second cavity a pliable viscous ionically conductive backfill and a sacrificial anode and an activating agent to form a sacrificial anode assembly and connecting the anode to the steel and covering the anode and the backfill in the second cavity with a repair material to restore the profile of the concrete structure. In this arrangement a high resistivity repair material promotes the flow of protection current to steel in adjacent contaminated concrete that is at risk of corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Nigel Davison, Adrian Charles Roberts
  • Patent number: 7704372
    Abstract: A sacrificial anode assembly for cathodically protecting and/or passivating a metal section, comprising: (a) a cell, which has an anode and a cathode arranged so as to not be in electronic contact with each other but so as to be in ionic contact with each other such that current can flow between the anode and the cathode; (b) a connector attached to the anode of the cell for electrically connecting the anode to the metal section to be cathodically protected; and (c) a sacrificial anode electrically connected in series with the cathode of the cell; wherein the cell is otherwise isolated from the environment such that current can only flow into and out of the cell via the sacrificial anode and the connector. The invention also provides a method of cathodically protecting metal in which such a sacrificial anode assembly is cathodically attached to the metal via the connector of the assembly, and a reinforced concrete structure wherein some or all of the reinforcement is cathodically protected by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Vector Corrosion Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Gareth K. Glass, Adrian C. Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Patent number: 7648623
    Abstract: This assembly provides a flexible method of attaching discrete sacrificial anodes to exposed steel in concrete construction to achieve an advantageous distribution of protection current. It comprises a base metal [1] that is less noble than steel, a conductor [6] connected to the base metal, a tying point [2] formed at least in part by the conductor, and a tie [4] that passes through the tying point [2] and around the steel [5]. The tie is used to physically tie the anode between steel bars prior to placing the concrete and in the process to electrically connect the anode to the steel. The tying point is open to facilitate adjusting the tie. The separation of the tie from an anode assembly with a tying point allows the tie to be selected during installation when the properties required by the application are known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Gareth Glass
  • Patent number: RE45234
    Abstract: Cathodic protection of steel in a building or other concrete or similar structure is provided by locating an anode in a suitable location adjacent to the steel and providing an impressed current from a power supply to the anode. The anode is formed from a material which is more electro-negative than the steel so that in the event that the power supply falls below the galvanic potential therebetween, current flows under galvanic action to replace the impressed current. A diode in the circuit prevents flow of current across the power supply but allows the galvanic current when the power supply fails open circuit. An additional diode can be provided in the event the power supply fails closed circuit to prevent reverse current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Vector Corrosion Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: David Whitmore, John Christopher Ball
  • Patent number: RE46862
    Abstract: A sacrificial anode assembly for cathodically protecting and/or passivating a metal section, comprising: (a) a cell, which has an anode and a cathode arranged so as to not be in electronic contact with each other but so as to be in ionic contact with each other such that current can flow between the anode and the cathode; (b) a connector attached to the anode of the cell for electrically connecting the anode to the metal section to be cathodically protected; and (c) a sacrificial anode electrically connected in series with the cathode of the cell; wherein the cell is otherwise isolated from the environment such that current can only flow into and out of the cell via the sacrificial anode and the connector. The invention also provides a method of cathodically protecting metal in which such a sacrificial anode assembly is cathodically attached to the metal via the connector of the assembly, and a reinforced concrete structure wherein some or all of the reinforcement is cathodically protected by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Vector Corrosion Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Gareth K. Glass, Adrian C. Roberts, Nigel Davidson