Rust Inhibitor Application System

Abstract

A rust inhibition system in which a rust inhibitor compound is applied to a wand, which is then inserted into a cavity. The wand serves as a reservoir to provide the inhibitor compound in areas susceptible to corrosion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to corrosion inhibition and more specifically to a corrosion inhibition system for use in inhibiting corrosion such as rust in vehicle fenders and other vehicle components commonly susceptible to rust.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Corrosion inhibition compounds such as rust inhibitor liquids prevent the formation and spread of corrosion such as rust by coating surfaces such as metals to prevent and remove moisture and other contaminants from contacting the coated surfaces. Such corrosion inhibition compounds are typically chemicals that react with a metallic surface, or the environment this surface is exposed to, giving the surface a certain level of protection such as corrosion inhibition or resistance. Inhibitors often work by adsorbing themselves on the metallic surface, protecting the metallic surface by forming a film, Inhibitors are normally distributed from a solution or dispersion, Some are included in a protective coating formulation. Inhibitors slow corrosion processes by either increasing the anodic or cathodic polarization behavior (Tafel slopes), reducing the movement or diffusion of ions to the metallic surface, and/or increasing the electrical resistance of the metallic surface.

Conventional systems to apply corrosion inhibition compounds to vehicles typically involve spray systems in which a spray nozzle is inserted into the cavity to be treated, such as the area between the rear quarter panel near the rear wheel well, and a corrosion inhibitor compound is sprayed into the cavity to coat the area potentially susceptible to rust. In such systems, it is difficult to ensure that all susceptible areas are sufficiently coated, In addition, the rust inhibitor coating can become depleted, leaving areas uncoated and susceptible to rust. There exists a continuing need for a rust inhibition system that better ensures that the rust inhibitor will remain in place for areas susceptible to rust such as inside the rear quarter panel of a vehicle above the wheel well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a wand according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the wand installed into a fender according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the wand installed into a fender according to an aspect of the present invention

FIG. 4 is a side view of the wand inserted into a tube according to an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a wand 10 according to one aspect of the present invention is shown. Wand 10 typically comprises a conduit 110 and an absorbent material 120 that protrudes or otherwise radiates from the conduit, typically radiating in a direction generally outward from the central axis of conduit 110, which is typically the central axis of wand 10. In the embodiment shown, conduit 110 comprises a pair of twisted wires 112 and 114, into which absorbent material 120 is interwoven. Any other structure or material suitable for supporting absorbent material 120 may likewise be used for conduit 110. Examples of such structure include wire, rods, straw, tubing, and other pliable materials and objects.

In another aspect of the invention, absorbent material 120 comprises a material suitable for absorbing and retaining a compound such as a corrosion inhibitor, which can be a rust inhibitor. In one embodiment, the material 120 comprises a porous, fibrous materials such as a microfiber strands similar to those found in a car wash mitt. The absorbent material 120 typically includes properties suitable for absorbing and retaining a compound with the properties of a corrosion inhibitor compound, including liquids. Material 120 also typically includes properties that enable a compound with the properties of a corrosion inhibitor compound, including liquids, to wick from the material onto a surface such as metal surface for which rust inhibition is desired. Felt, cotton, and sponge are examples of other materials suitable for use as the absorbent material 120 according to other aspects of the present invention. When a microfiber fabric or other similar material is used for absorbent material 120, in addition to enabling a rust inhibition compound to wick onto the metallic surface, the material can also wick away corrosion particles from the surface, thereby reducing the advancement of the corrosion on the metallic surface.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a wand 10 installed into a rear truck fender 200 according to one aspect of the invention. Fender 200 typically includes an outer panel 210 and inner panel 220. Panels 210 and 220 are commonly pinch welded together during or prior to installation in the vehicle. Corrosion such as rust is a common occurrence in the rear fender 200 of trucks and other vehicles, as well as other locations throughout a variety of vehicles. Fender 200 and other vehicle components are commonly made from steel or other similar materials. Such components are commonly painted to protect the steel or other underlying material from corrosion. When this protective paint is chipped off or otherwise damaged, the underlying material is exposed to external contaminants such as moisture, salt, and other materials. Contaminants such as moisture and salt will cause corrosion to form on the steel of fender 200 through oxidation and other chemical reactions resulting in iron oxide and other compounds. Gravel commonly becomes trapped between panels 210 and 220 and causes damage to the paint coating on panels 210 and 220. Such gravel damage is one common cause of corrosion to fender 200.

Referring to FIG. 3, wand 10 is typically installed between inner panel 220 and outer panel 210 of rear fender 200. There is commonly an opening in the vehicle wheel well into which wand 10 can be inserted. Wand ends 130 and 140 are typically cut to size and then bent around the edges of fender 200 to hold wand 10 in place. Wand 10 can likewise be installed at any other suitable location on a vehicle where rust inhibition is desired. Examples of such suitable locations include, without limitation, rocker panels, door panels, tailgates, trunk lids, leading edges of hoods, and shock towers.

Before installation, wand 10 is typically saturated with a corrosion inhibitor compound (not shown). The corrosion inhibitor compound according to the present invention includes any compound, including liquids, that can be used to prevent, inhibit, or other impede corrosion such as rust. One example of a corrosion inhibitor compound that can be used in connection with the present invention is Seal Out® Backcoat 834 rust inhibitor, available from WK Products, Inc. Any other corrosion inhibitor compound can likewise be used in connection with the present invention. Once installed between panels 210 and 220, wand 10 enables the constant presence of corrosion inhibitor compound along the surfaces of panels 210 and 220. Wand 10 typically serves a reservoir for corrosion inhibitor compound, ensuring that corrosion inhibitor compound will be present should corrosion start to form on a surface or a surface becomes damaged and susceptible to corrosion. The corrosion inhibitor compound typically will wick from absorbent material 120 onto panels 210 and 220. The wicking is commonly the result of the capillary action of the corrosion inhibitor compound within material 120.

Referring to FIG. 4, a storage tube 300 for wand 10 is shown. According to one aspect of the invention, storage tube 300 can be used to store wand 10 in a cavity 310 after corrosion inhibitor compound has been pre-applied to wand 10 and absorbed by absorbent material 120. Tube 300 typically includes removably attached endcaps 320 and 330. In another aspect of the invention, tube 300 can be constructed from a transparent or semi-transparent material such as a plastic, which will permit observation of wand 10 when it is stored within tube 300.

Following is an illustrative example of the use and installation of the present invention, which is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Wand 10 is immersed in a rust inhibitor compound such as Seal Out® Backcoat 834 rust inhibitor. Following immersion, or any other application of the corrosion inhibitor compound to wand 10, wand 10 is inserted into tube 300, which is sealed shut using end caps 320 and 330. While enclosed within tube 300, wand 10 can be easily transported or shipped without rust inhibitor compound unintentionally coming into contact with other items or surfaces. When desired, wand 10 can be removed from tube 300 by removing one or both of end caps 320 and 330. Referring to FIG. 2, wand 10 can then be sized by bending wand 10 to match the contour of wheel well 215, which is part of fender 200. Approximately two inches of ends 130 and 140 should extend beyond the contour of wheel well 215. Absorbent material 120 can optionally be shaved or otherwise removed from conduit 110 in the event that wand 10 will be shortened such that wires 112 and 114 at ends 130 and 140 would have material 120 interwoven after shortening. A box cutter knife, or any other suitable cutting tool, can be used to shave or otherwise remove material 120 from wires 112 and 114. In one embodiment, approximately two inches of wires 112 and 114 free from material 120 will be left beyond the contour of wheel, with wires 112 and 114 used to secure wand to the fender.

Now bent to approximately match the contour of wheel well 215, a user can insert wand 10 into the cavity created by the inner and outer panels 210 and 220 and then position the wand such that it rests along the contour of wheel 215 between panels 210 and 220 as shown in FIG. 3. Once inserted, wand 10 provides reservoir for a constant source of corrosion inhibitor compound along the inner and outer panels 210 and 220, thereby reducing the likelihood that corrosion such as rust will form in this area. In the event the corrosion has already formed in this area, corrosion inhibiting compound typically will wick from and 10 into the corroded area, impeding the formation of further corrosion.

All patents, patent publications, and peer-reviewed publications (i.e., “references”) cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual reference were specifically and individually indicated as being incorporated by reference. In case of conflict between the present disclosure and the incorporated references, the present disclosure controls.

It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A rust inhibitor system, comprising:

an elongated wand having a central axis and a first end and a second end; and

an absorbent material interconnected with the wand and extending generally radially outward from the central axis of the wand,

wherein the wand is comprised of a pliable material, and

wherein a corrosion inhibitor compound is applied to the absorbent material.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the corrosion inhibitor compound is a rust inhibitor compound.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongated wand is comprised of a pair of twisted wire.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the absorbent material is intertwined with the twisted wire.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an elongated tube of sufficient length to enclose the wand and having removable end caps.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the absorbent material is a porous material.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the absorbent material is a fibrous material.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the absorbent material is a microfiber strand.

9. A method for rust inhibition comprising the steps of:

applying a corrosion inhibitor compound to a wand having an absorbent material interconnected with the wand;

determining the desired length for the wand;

optionally cutting one or both ends of the wand to reduce the length of the wand to the desired length; and

inserting the wand into a cavity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the absorbent material is interconnected with the wand to extend generally radially outward from a central axis of the wand.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of storing the wand in a tube after a corrosion inhibitor compound has been applied to the wand.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of bending the wand to a desired shape.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of securing the wand into the cavity by bending one or both ends of the wand around a structure proximate the cavity.

14. The method claim 9 wherein the corrosion inhibitor compound is a rust inhibitor compound.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the absorbent material is a porous material.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the absorbent material is a fibrous material.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein the absorbent material is a microfiber strand.