Abstract: Described herein are techniques that increase the charging and/or discharging rate of a rechargeable battery, at least in part, by using frequency modulated (FM) signals having a frequency in the megahertz (MHz) frequency range. In some embodiments, the MHz frequency range may include any frequency between 0.1 MHz and 1 gigahertz (GHz). In some embodiments, a battery charger described herein may be configured to generate and transmit, to a battery, an FM signal modulated over a frequency range during a period of time, the FM signal having a frequency of at least 0.5 MHz during at least a first portion of the period of time. In some embodiments, a method described herein includes transmitting an FM signal modulated over a frequency range during a period of time and having a frequency of at least 0.5 MHz during at least a first portion of the period of time to a battery.

Abstract: In a method for cathodically protecting and/or passivating a metal section in an ionically conductive material such as steel reinforcement in concrete or mortar, an impressed current or sacrificial anode communicates ionic current to the metal section and a storage component of electrical energy which can be a cell, battery or capacitor is provided as a component of the anode. The storage component can have replacement energy introduced by re-charging or replacing the component from an outside supply. Typically the cell or storage capacitor has an outer case which carries an anode material as an integral outer component. A mechanical clamp is provided to attach the assembly to a rebar. A current limiter is provided which prevents excess current draining the supply.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus in which an electrode insulation inactivating layer on the basis of charge and discharge which is a cause for deterioration of storage capacity of a rechargeable battery is regenerated by thermo-mechanical effects caused by dielectric relaxation loss, individual frequencies of dielectric relaxation loss of rechargeable batteries in general are automatically searched by an increase in high-frequency dependent charging current, the insulation layer is selectively decomposed, termination of charge of the storage battery is additionally known by connecting or disconnecting a frequency of dielectric relaxation loss, and electric current conductance at a frequency of dielectric relaxation loss gives a storage quantity which is a state of charge.

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.

Abstract: A heat exchange system including a heat exchanger having a housing and a cooling core disposed within in the housing. The cooling core is adapted to receive a flow of a liquid cooling media. The heat exchanger includes at least one iron anode projecting into a flow path of the liquid cooling media. The heat exchange system also includes an electronic control module operatively connected to the iron anode. The electronic control module is adapted to control the selective delivery of electrical current or grounding to the iron anode in response to predetermined conditions indicating the presence of sulfide constituents in the cooling medium.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a gasifier that includes a shell made of a first material exposed to a gasification region inside the gasifier and a patterned anode layer coupled to the shell inside the gasifier. The patterned anode layer is made of a second material, and the patterned anode layer is configured to protect the shell from corrosion by condensing hot gas in the gasification region.

Abstract: A marine drive cathodic protection control circuit and method controls ohmic current from a power source to an anode according to electrical reference potential sensed by a reference electrode. The ohmic current is interrupted for an interruption interval, and reference potential is sensed during the interruption interval. The ohmic current is controlled according to reference potential sensed during the interruption interval.

Abstract: A method is provided for corrosion protection in a marine construction, such as a marine surface vessel or a marine structure, the marine construction including at least one metal element and a sacrificial anode adapted to be at least partly immerged in an electrolyte in the form of water, in which the marine construction is at least partly immerged, the at least one metal element including a metal part, the sacrificial anode being provided for corrosion protection of the metal part. The method includes connecting at least one of the at least one metal element and the sacrificial anode to a DC electrical power outlet so as to allow an electric de-passivation current through an electrical circuit including the sacrificial anode, the metal element and the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for corrosion protection in a marine construction including a plurality of metal elements and at least one reference electrode at least partly immerged in water, the metal elements including an anode and a metal part, the anode being provided for corrosion protection of the metal part includes measuring an electric potential of the metal part with the reference electrode as a ground reference. At least one of the metal elements and at least one of the at least one reference electrode are connected to a DC electrical power outlet so as to allow an electrical regeneration current through an electrical circuit including the at least one of the metal elements, the at least one of the at least one reference electrode and the electrolyte so that the reference electrode is anodized.

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.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a turbine engine component that includes a first material having a surface exposed to a fluid flow path and a sacrificial anode layer disposed on the surface. The sacrificial anode layer includes a second material that is electrochemically more active than the first material and the second material is configured to preferentially corrode to protect the first material from corrosion.

Abstract: A method in a corrosion protection system for protecting a first and a second metal part of a marine construction is provided. The method includes controlling electrical currents through electrical circuits, including respective anodes, the respective metal parts and an electrolyte, at least partly based on measured electrical potentials of the respective metal parts with an reference electrode as a ground reference. The method further includes repetitively performing the steps of controlling the electrical currents so as to be reduced or eliminated, measuring the electrical potentials while the electrical currents are maintained reduced or eliminated, and, after measuring the first and second electrical potentials, controlling the electrical currents so as to be increased or reestablished.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibiting system is provided with the ability to allow both primary and secondary portions of the circuit to be used in the alternative without having the primary and secondary systems interfere with each other by operating at the same time. By incorporating a continuity controller, such as a switch or a diode to selectively disconnect the sacrificial anode from the circuit, the primary and secondary systems can both be provided on a marine vessel, but used independently from each other. In that way, the primary and secondary corrosion inhibiting systems are prevented from interfering with each other during normal operation.

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.

Abstract: An electrically conductive surface of a submerged object comprises a polymer matrix, such as a resin, with a plurality of electrically conductive nanoparticles suspended within the polymer. The nanoparticles are preferably smaller than 100 nanometers in their minimum dimension. In addition, large electrically conductive particles can be suspended in the polymer. The larger particles are typically greater than 300 nanometers in minimum dimension. The larger particles can comprise carbon powder or fibers. The electrically conductive nanoparticles, which can be nanotubes or ferrules, for example, and the larger particles, which can be carbon powder or fibers, are suspended homogeneously within the polymer matrix for best results and most uniform electrical conduction through the thickness of the composite layer.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for continuously, independently and in some cases remotely monitoring the operation of a current interrupter used to test a cathodic protection system, or the cathodic protection system itself, for verification of proper operation. Embodiments of the invention include electronic devices that may be temporarily attached to a current interrupter that is being used to test a cathodic protection system, or directly to the cathodic protection system itself. Embodiments of the invention monitor the activity of an interrupter by sampling the output (voltage and time) to identify the cycle(s) of the interrupter. The invention provides truly independent verification since it does not need to know in advance the sequence or cycle times of the current interrupter being monitored. The information obtained by the invention is output so that it may be provided to a user, displayed, downloaded or stored for future reference.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for energy management system for a vehicle are provided. The system includes a first power source configured for cranking an engine wherein the first power source includes a switch configured to electrically couple the first power source to a starter for the engine and wherein the first power source is electrically isolated from auxiliary onboard loads. The system further includes a second power source configured for supplying auxiliary on board loads, a charging subsystem electrically coupled to the first and the second power sources. The charging subsystem is configured to supply charging current to the first and the second power sources. The system further includes a controller configured to maintain the first power source in a substantially fully charged condition and supply the auxiliary loads from the second power source.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product directed to controlling corrosion of a conductive structure in contact with a corrosive environment and electrically connected to one or more anodes, wherein the anodes are less noble than the conductive structure, 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, and wherein the apparatus, system and method serve to prolong the lifetime of the one or more anodes by reducing, minimizing or substantially eliminating their sacrificial character.

Abstract: First and second axial current meters (ACM) are mechanically connected to a well casing just above and below a corrosive zone and a master axial current meter (MACM) is connected to the casing at the earth's surface, the MACM periodically obtaining measurements of axial current from the ACMs to determine how much cathodic protection current is to be applied to the casing to avoid corrosion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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:

Abstract: Control of lead contamination in residential water supplies is accomplished by cathodic protection of lead-containing piping and lead-containing fixtures. Specifically, a partially insulated wire is inserted into lead-containing service lateral piping. Application of a DC current to the partially insulated wire causes the wire to act as an anode and transforms the walls of the pipe into the cathode, thereby protecting against corrosion. Alternatively, a sacrificial anode is inserted into a lead-containing fixture. The electrical potential generated by corrosion of this sacrificial anode transforms the walls of the fixture into a cathode thereby preventing corrosion. Carbonate scaling built-up prior to the initiation of cathodic protection may be removed by temporarily blocking the water pipe and introducing cleaning chemicals.

Abstract: 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.