Abstract: A tubular anode such as tubular cast iron, magnetite, graphite, carbon or steel may be provided with an easily made internal or center connection having assured uniform resistance characteristics by the employment of at least two diametrically opposed wedge blocks, such blocks having parallel crowned and serrated contact surfaces and a wedge surface interface, such interface including a tongue and slot connection between the blocks, one or both blocks having oppositely extending tubular crimpable lead connections. The blocks may be made of malleable material so that when assembled and placed in the proper location inside the anode, one may be held while the other is driven axially, or both may be driven in axially opposite directions easily to form an electrical connection of assured electrical resistivity.

Abstract: An electrical survey of buried structures such as underwater or underground pipelines utilizes the steps of connecting one end of an economically disposable wire from a wire supply to the structure, either directly or through a heavier lead, the opposite end being electrically connected to a cell. The cell is moved along the structure together with a wire supply and a meter to obtain periodic measured structure-to-electrolyte potential values. If the wire is accidentally or intentionally disconnected during the survey, a stationary electrode is positioned at the wire break or last valid measured reading, such electrode being reconnected to the free end of the wire from the supply. The survey then continues periodically obtaining electrode-to-cell potential values. A structure-to-electrolyte potential profile is obtained by summing the last valid recorded structure-to-electrolyte potential value with each electrode-to-cell values. The summing may be done after the survey is completed by computer.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention facilitate surveys of buried structures, such as pipelines or the like, in particular by substantially automatically measuring and indicating distance information. Preferably that information is obtained by a transducer that produces serial data representing the length of wire bailed out from a portable reel and a cyclical counter responsive to such data for counting the serial data. A signalling device, such as a horn, strobe light, etc., is activated each time the counter completes a cycle as an indication that a predetermined distance has been covered since the last measurement was made and that the next potential measurement should be made. The number of pulses of such serial data counted in each cycle of the counter can be manually adjusted to obtain small or large distance intervals between test locations at which potential or other measurements are to be made to obtain a substantially continuous survey of the pipeline.

Abstract: A reference cell for conducting closely spaced buried structure-to-soil electrical surveys uses a soil contact cell adapted to be mounted on the lower end of a pole or cane to be held by the surveyor walking over the right-of-way of the buried structure such as an underground pipeline. The cell includes a fluid chamber on the lower end of the pole or cane and includes on the lower end of the chamber a ground contact pad. A spring loaded bottom wall or boot closes the chamber and is operative to reduce the volume of the chamber when the lower end of the chamber is forced by the pole into contact with the ground above the buried structure. The reduction in volume of the chamber forces fluid through the contact pad to the ground to insure good electrical contact. Fluid in the chamber may be continuously replenished by a make-up supply carried by the surveyor which is drawn from the supply by return of the boot to its unstressed state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of conducting continuous or closely spaced buried structure-to-soil electrical surveys uses a soil contact cell adapted to be worn on the bottom of the walking field boots of a surveyor walking over the right-of-way of the buried structure such as an underground pipeline. The cell is in the form of a sandal which may readily be secured to and removed from the bottom of the boot. The cell includes an impervious upper plate and a pervious lower ground contacting flexible sole plate forming with the upper plate a flat chamber which may be filled with a loose silica sand fill or sponge material. A copper rod or strap is imbedded in the material and electrically connected through a meter carried by the surveyor to the structure through a length of economically disposable wire.

Abstract: In the present invention a method and apparatus for electrical surveys of offshore metal structures includes measuring the electrical potential difference between the structure and an electrolyte, such as sea water and/or the sea bottom, in which the structure is contained. Such measurements are made at roughly approximated recorded distance locations along the structure and the approximate distance information is corrected based on periodically taken accurate distance measurements. Provision is also made to correct data for line currents in the structure, and a method is disclosed for examining the effectiveness of an electrically insulating member connected in the structure. Moreover, an improved insulated wire having minimum insulation holidays and a method for making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for making electrical surveys of structures contained in an electrolyte by measuring potential difference therebetween includes an electrode to contact the electrolyte proximate the structure, a wire electrically and mechanically connecting the apparatus with the structure, and an electronic system for automatically electrically sensing and storing the potential difference values taken at a plurality of locations along such structure. In the method for making structure-to-electrolyte potential difference surveys a supply of elongate electrical conductor is electrically and mechanically connected to the structure; the conductor is played out along the structure, and the electrolyte is contacted at plural test locations proximate the structure; and the potential difference at such test location is automatically sensed and stored.

Abstract: An anode having an elongated body which may be extruded contains a bore extending at least partially through the body. The bore has an intermediate portion between the ends of the anode. A lead wire in the bore is fastened to a connector member having a self-tapping thread engageable at predetermined torque with the surface of the bore at the intermediate portion for cutting a thread in the bore upon relative rotation of the connector member and the body of anode material. A sealant is inserted in the bore after a thread is cut in the bore and surrounds the left in place connector member preventing moisture from reaching the connection to the anode at the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting offshore pipeline electrical surveys is characterized by initially locating and marking the pipeline, traversing the length of the pipeline towing a reference electrode in close proximity to the structure, providing a supply of wire having one end electrically and mechanically connected to the pipeline at a reference location, playing out the wire along the length of the pipeline through a distance measuring device while transporting the supply of wire and towing the reference electrode, and measuring and recording the potential difference between the reference electrode and pipe either continuously or at spaced test locations along the length of the structure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the true cathode polarization potential or reference voltage for any corrosion protection system and which determination may be visually indicated, used as a feedback for automatic control of the corrosion protection system or both.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making relatively closely spaced pipe-to-soil potential difference measurements, the method and apparatus being characterized by a dual function economically disposable, relatively lightweight, flexible electrical wire that provides for the necessary electrical connection to a pipeline and also for accurate distance measurement at the test end of the wire along the pipeline. The wire is electrically connected at a test station or lead to the pipeline and is played out from a supply thereof carried by the surveyor along the length of the pipeline through distance measuring means. At each selected test location, the potential between the wire connected to the pipe and a reference electrode contacting the soil proximate the pipe are measured by a high resistance input meter. The wire is economically disposable and may be discarded when no longer used eliminating the need to rewind the wire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the true cathode polarization potential for automatically regulating the impressed current in a cathodic protection system.

Abstract: An electrical connection for all of the exposed concentric neutrals of underground direct burial power cables made from a kit including a soft, completely tin-coated, L-shaped copper sleeve wrapped about the cable, the short leg of the L forming a projecting tab. A ring-tong crimp type connector is bolted to the tab and the entire bolted connection and crimp connector is dip soldered. After the sleeve is wrapped about the cable, it is surrounded by a rubber gasket field cut to fit. A hose clamp having a special metal shim constricts the sleeve causing good electrical contact with all of the exposed concentric neutrals and secures the sleeve in place. A lead wire is then crimped in place in the crimp type connector.