With Control Means Responsive To Sensed Condition Patents (Class 204/196.02)
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Publication number: 20070251834Abstract: A novel cathodic protection system is provided that automatically controls and adjusts the voltage potential between an anode and a structure to protect the structure from corrosion. The cathodic protection system is self-powered, requiring no external power source or batteries. A cathodic protection circuit is configured to provide a cathodic protection current from the anode to the structure through an electrolyte. A power generation circuit is configured to generate power from a galvanic cell formed from the anode and an isolated electrode when cathodic protection is interrupted. A voltage potential control circuit is powered by the power generation circuit and is configured to (a) determine a structure-to-electrolyte reference voltage for the electrolyte and structure, and (b) adjust the cathodic protection current from the anode to the structure to maintain the reference voltage substantially the same as a set voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: FARWEST CORROSION CONTROL COMPANYInventor: John C. Bollinger
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Patent number: 7198706Abstract: The present invention generally provides a method for prevention of corrosion in a metal object by inducing a surface current over the entire surface of the metal object. The surface current can be induced by direct or indirect application of electrical waveforms having AC components generated from a circuit. The metal body and the negative terminal of a source of DC voltage (battery) are grounded. The positive terminal of the source of DC voltage is connected to the electronic circuit that imparts electrical waveforms of low voltage DC to the conductive terminal connected to the metal body. Alternate methods of inducing surface currents include direct capacitor discharge through the metal body, or movement of an electromagnetic field over the metal body, or by generating an RF signal attached to a transmitting antenna such that the transmitted signal is received by the metal body.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Canadian Auto Preservation Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Lewis
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Patent number: 7169288Abstract: Systems and methods of cathodic protection. The system includes a metallic housing, a backplane situated within the metallic housing, a cathodic protection card coupled to the backplane and a permanent anode, external to the metallic housing, coupled to the cathodic protection card through an isolated port. The cathodic protection system is powered using span power. The permanent anode and metallic housing are adapted to form a closed circuit when both come in contact with an electrolyte. The permanent anode is maintained at a higher potential than the metallic housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: ADC DSL Systems, Inc.Inventor: Richard J. Drapeau
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Patent number: 7029569Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product directed to controlling 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 at least one stored or measured parameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Applied Semiconductor International Ltd.Inventors: David B. Dowling, Farshad Khorrami
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Patent number: 7030770Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen storage system having one or more hydrogen storage containers disposed in a confined area with a vent line extending from the one or more storage containers to a location outside of the confined area. One or more sensors are disposed in the confined area for detecting one or more pre-determined unsafe conditions relating to the storage of hydrogen in the contained area and at least one actuator is provided for actuating an operable valve of the vent line to release the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage container to a location outside the confined area at a pre-determined release rate in response to a signal from the sensor indicating an unsafe condition. A power system incorporating a hydrogen storage system as described above is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems CorporationInventors: Gary Howard, Bill Stewart, Ghassan Sleiman, Gabriel Marin, Ry Smith, Rupert Merer, David McLean, Al Davidson
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Patent number: 6932891Abstract: An apparatus for indicating when a predetermined portion of a sacrificial anode has been corroded comprises a detector embedded within the interior of the sacrificial anode initially at a predetermined distance from an exposed exterior surface of the sacrificial anode. The detector detects the absence of sacrificial anode material when the predetermined portion has corroded and generates a detection signal. A monitoring system communicates with the detector for receiving detection signals and generates an indicator signal when a detection signal is received. An indicator in communication with the monitoring system receives indicator signals and generates an alarm when an indicator signal is received.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Performance Metals, Inc.Inventors: Martin Wigg, Henry Leipert, James Elder, Kelvin P. Dixon
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Patent number: 6902661Abstract: A system using tank corrosion sensors to provide for an overall assessment and monitoring of the electro-chemical corrosion and coatings condition in ships' tanks, and particularly in ships' seawater or compensated fuel tanks. The system includes reference half-cells mounted along a suspended cable and one instrumented sacrificial anode at the end of the cable to provide optimal sensing capability within a tank structure. The reference half-cells and the sacrificial anode measure a potential and current output, respectively. Together the measurements provide objective information that can be used to predict corrosion damage and coating deterioration occurring throughout the structure of the tank. The system may be used for an overall assessment and monitoring of the electrochemical corrosion and coatings condition. In a preferred embodiment, the measurements are stored in a datalogger that is optimally contained within an associated instrument housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Elvin D. Thomas, III, Keith E. Lucas, Paul Slebodnick, Elizabeth A. Hogan
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Patent number: 6896779Abstract: A system using tank corrosion sensors to provide for an overall assessment and monitoring of the electro-chemical corrosion and coatings condition in ships' tanks, and particularly in ships' seawater or compensated fuel tanks. The system includes reference half-cells mounted along a suspended cable and one instrumented sacrificial anode at the end of the cable to provide optimal sensing capability within a tank structure. The reference half-cells and the sacrificial anode measure a potential and current output, respectively. Together the measurements provide objective information that can be used to predict corrosion damage and coating deterioration occurring throughout the structure of the tank. The system may be used for an overall assessment and monitoring of the electro-chemical corrosion and coatings condition. In a preferred embodiment, the measurements are stored in a datalogger that is optimally contained within an associated instrument housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Elvin D. Thomas, III, Keith E. Lucas, Paul Slebodnick, Elizabeth A. Hogan
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Patent number: 6841059Abstract: A monitor for use in conjunction with a galvanic protection system for a marine vessel provides automatic and continuous monitoring of a voltage at a reference electrode of the galvanic protection system and displays the results continuously by energizing one or more of a plurality of annunciators, such as light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes are energized in groups of one or two in order to double the effective resolution of a group of ten annunciators. The selected annunciators are energized intermittently in order to conserve electrical power while continuously and automatically running. The frequency of activation of the selected annunciators is changed whenever the voltage potential being monitored falls within a minimum range or a maximum range in order to alert the operator of a potentially catastrophe result. A lower frequency is used when the monitor voltage is not within these minimum and maximum ranges.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventor: Richard E. Staerzl
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Patent number: 6811681Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product directed to controlling 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 at least one stored or measured parameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Applied Semiconductor International Ltd.Inventors: David B. Dowling, Farshad Khorrami
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Publication number: 20040112762Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting surfaces (S) which are in contact or come into contact with a water-containing medium (M) against biological macro-fouling, wherein 1) S is electrically conducting and 2) such a potential (P) fluctuating over time is applied to S that it inhibits the growth of organisms that live in M and/or propagate therein and which have the tendency to form deposits on S, characterised in that P does not assume values that are higher than the corrosion potential of S in M and the average value of P is lower than the said corrosion potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Marc Erwin Wilms, Hendrik Jacobus Arie Breur
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Publication number: 20040089559Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product directed to controlling 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 at least one stored or measured parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: APPLIED SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL LTD.Inventors: David B. Dowling, Farshad Khorrami
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Patent number: 6678921Abstract: A tie component comprising first and second pre-crimped portions. Each pre-crimped portion has a plurality of alternating indentations and projections. The pre-crimped portions are joined by alignment and relative movement with respect to one another such that at least one of the first portion projections engages at least one of the second portion indentations and at least one of the second portion projections engages at least one of the first portion indentations.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.Inventors: Marc P. Despault, James Harrison
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Patent number: 6579429Abstract: A titanium sheet (4) serving as an anode-forming member is fixed on a tube plate (1a) of a heat exchanger (1) via a insulting sheet (5) and an insulating adhesive (6). The sheet (4) is coated with a film (3) of an electrochemically active, stable electrical catalyst. A dc power unit (7) has a positive electrode (7a) electrically connected to the sheet (4), and a negative electrode (7b) electrically connected to the tubes (1b). The inner surfaces of the tubes (1b) are used as a cathode for electrolysis for oxygen generation. An automatic potential controller (7c) adjusts potential difference between the electrodes (7a, 7b) such that oxygen is generated in seawater while generation of chlorine in seawater is suppressed. An external dc power unit (40) and a cathodic protection electrode (41) supply a cathodic protection current to the tubes (1b).Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Nakabohtec Corrosion Protecting Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuichi Inagaki, Shigeru Sakurada, Shoji Nakashima, Tadahiko Ooba
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Patent number: 6511586Abstract: An antifouling system (20) for a structure exposed to seawater has an anode forming member (4) bonded to the seawater-exposed surface to be wetted with seawater (15) of the structure via an insulating adhesive (6). The anode forming member 4 is coated with an electrical catalyst film 3 of an electrochemically active and stable electrical catalyst. A conductive member (8) is disposed so as to be wetted with seawater (15). An external dc power supply (7) has a positive terminal (7a) connected to the anode forming member (4) and a negative terminal (7b) connected to the conductive member (8). The external DC power supply (7) is provided with a built-in automatic potential controller (7c) that controls the potential difference between the positive terminal (7a) and the negative terminal (7b) such that oxygen can be generated in seawater suppressing the generation of chlorine in seawater.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Nakabohtec Corrosion Protecting Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Nakashima, Shigeru Sakurada, Shuichi Inagaki, Tadahiko Oba, Hidetoshi Usui, Takahiro Kajiyama
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Patent number: 6506295Abstract: A main anode and a pilot anode are mounted on a coating film of a metal structure, a cathode is mounted on a metal based material of the metal structure, a predetermined voltage is applied from the pilot anode to the metal structure, a magnitude of corrosion protection current of the metal structure is read from a current value of the pilot anode varying with variation of corrosion environment of the metal structure, the application voltage of the main anode is increased or decreased in accordance with the current value, whereby providing a cathodic protection method and apparatus for a metal structure capable of expanding protectable area by a single anode to a maximum without causing over-corrosion protection.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Jonan Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Takahashi, Eisuke Wada, Yasuhiko Takahashi
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Publication number: 20020195353Abstract: A semiconductor system is provided that uses semiconductive organic polymers, electronics and semiconductor technology to provide a wide array of semiconductor components and a system of preventing corrosion of a surface of a metal structure in contact with a corrosive environment involving:Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: APPLIED SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.Inventor: David B. Dowling
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Patent number: 6478948Abstract: A method for monitoring and reducing corrosion in furnace boiler tubes measures electrochemical noise associated with corrosion mechanisms while corrosion is occurring at the surface of the tubes as they are exposed to combustion products. This noise is detected using a probe at the boiler waterwall surface that is connected to a corrosion monitor. The monitor contains a computer and software which determines a corrosion rate from the measured electrochemical noise. That rate is compared to a standard to determine if the rate is within acceptable limits. If not, the operator of the furnace or an Adaptive Process Controller (APC) is notified and adjusts one or more burners to change the combustion products that are responsible for the corrosion. Such an adjustment could be made by changing the amount of air or fuel being provided to the burner or other air slots or air ports.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: ESA Corrosion Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, Dennis Tobias, David Eden, James E. Gabrielson, Ralph W. McConnell
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Patent number: 6419816Abstract: Combining an electroosmosis direct current (EP) applied at less than 1 mA/Mcm3 (milliamp per 1000 cm3 of concrete) with an anode placed adjacent an outer surface of reinforced concrete soaked with a substantially neutral saline solution, effectively depletes corrosive anions in the concrete even when the direct current is in the range from 0.01 mA to less than 1 mA and at a voltage less than 100 V. Further, using such electroosmotic treatment as a first treatment, and promptly following it with cathodic protection, preferably by an impressed cathodic current (CP) at a comparably low voltage, the current density of CP required for cathodic protection is unexpectedly reduced. This decrease in the required current density of impressed current CP, coupled with low installation and operational costs of the novel system, improves the efficiency of a conventional cathodic protection system, whether by impressed current or with sacrificial anodes, several fold, as high as by a factor of 3 to 30 times.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Cor/Sci, LLC.Inventor: Efim Ya. Lyublinski
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Publication number: 20020088720Abstract: An apparatus for prevention of corrosion in metal objects uses a capacitively coupled fastener or pad attached to a metal body being protected from corrosion. The metal body and the negative terminal of a source of DC voltage (battery) are grounded. The positive terminal of the source of DC voltage is connected to electronic circuitry that imparts pulses of low voltage DC through the capacitor to the fastener. These pulses of electrical current inhibit the oxidation of the metal object by providing a source of electrons to the oxidizing chemicals in contact with the metal. The electronic circuitry includes a reverse voltage protector to prevent the application of reverse source voltage. The circuitry also includes a power conditioner to supply a constant DC voltage to a microprocessor. The microprocessor generates pulses of DC signals that are amplified by a pulse amplifier and imparted to the conductive facing of the pad. For larger objects, a first and second cable are attached to a metal object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: Red Swan, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Lewis, Mark Swannie
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Publication number: 20020046956Abstract: A system for preventing corrosion of a surface of a metal structure in contact with a corrosive environment comprising:Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Applicant: APPLIED SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.Inventors: David Dowling, Art Spivack
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Patent number: 6331243Abstract: An apparatus for prevention of corrosion in metal objects uses a capacitively coupled fastener or pad attached to a metal body being protected from corrosion. The metal body and the negative terminal of a source of DC voltage (battery) are grounded. The positive terminal of the source of DC voltage is connected to electronic circuitry that imparts pulses of low voltage DC through the capacitor to the fastener. These pulses of electrical current inhibit the oxidation of the metal object by providing a source of electrons to the oxidizing chemicals in contact with the metal. The electronic circuitry includes a reverse voltage protector to prevent the application of reverse source voltage. The circuitry also includes a power conditioner to supply a constant DC voltage to a microprocessor. The microprocessor generates pulses of DC signals that are amplified by a pulse amplifier and imparted to the conductive facing of the pad. The invention also includes a battery voltage monitor and a power indicator.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Red Swan, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Lewis
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Patent number: 6322691Abstract: An electro-chemical process for rehabilitating steel reinforced concrete, wherein a distributed flow of electrical current is established between internally embedded reinforcing steel, connected as a cathode, and an external, distributed electrode, connected as an anode. Current flow at a rate of at least 0.1 ampere per square meter of surface area of the embedded reinforcement is continued for a time sufficient to provide a total charge of at least about 100, but not substantially more than 2000, ampere-hours per square meter of surface area of the embedded reinforcement. This results in steel with a clean surface, surrounded by concrete which is chloride free and highly alkaline. After discontinuance of the electrochemical treatment, the embedded steel slowly passivates by forming a protective surface oxide. The process is significantly more economical than known procedures, yet is reliably effective.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1994Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Norwegian Concrete TechnologiesInventor: John B. Miller
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Patent number: 6228238Abstract: Several embodiments of reference electrode constructions for use in electrically anti-corrosion protection systems for marine outboard drives. In each embodiment the reference electrode is contained within a protective covering with a restricted small volume area surrounding the reference electrode. As a result, when the reference electrode dissolves in the body of water in which it is operating it will form a saturated solution in this small volume area to preclude further dissolution.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1994Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Naoyoshi Kuragaki
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Patent number: 6197168Abstract: An electrochemical stain prevention apparatus of a submerged structure comprising a submerged structure of which at least the stain prevention surface is formed of a conductive film that does not generate chlorine even by applying a potential of 5 V vs. SCE or less, a counter electrode located so as not to contact with the submerged structure, and a power supply unit for passing a direct current through the submerged structure having the conductive film formed thereon and the counter electrode. Aquatic organisms adhered to the surface of the conductive film can effectively be controlled by applying a potential of from 0.1 to 5 V vs. SCE to the submerged structure of such a stain prevention apparatus without generating chlorine. A potential applied to the conductive film of the submerged structure can be controlled with good accuracy by disposing a reference electrode between the submerged structure and the counter electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignees: Pentel Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tadashi Matsunaga, Tsuruo Nakayama, Hitoshi Wake, Kin-ichi Ozawa, Noriyuki Nakamura, Nobuyuki Murakami, Hiromichi Takahashi, Toshihiro Takimoto, Hideo Kadoi