Abstract: Described embodiments include a circuit for dampening overshoot in a voltage regulator. The circuit includes a first and second offset voltage circuits, each having an input coupled to an input voltage terminal. A first comparator has a first comparator input coupled to the first offset output, and a second comparator input coupled to a reference voltage terminal. A second comparator has a third comparator input coupled to an output of the second offset circuit, and a fourth comparator input coupled to a voltage regulator output. An OR gate has first and second logic inputs and a logic output. The first and second logic inputs are coupled to the outputs of the first and second comparators, respectively. A turn-off circuit has a turn-off input coupled to the logic output, and is configured to provide a turn-off signal at a turn-off output to stop current flow from the voltage regulator output.

Abstract: An anode assembly is disclosed for use in a cathodic protection system. The anode assembly includes an elongated housing, an electrical cable, an anode, and electrically conductive backfill. The housing has a leading end and a trailing end through which the electrical cable extends. The anode is located within the housing and is in the form of a plurality of electrically conductive segments which are spaced apart from each other and which are electrically connected to the electrical cable at respective electrically conductive joints. The backfill surrounds the anode and cable within the housing.

Abstract: Communications systems are provided for use with an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system having single or multiple ICCP components. A pipeline may be provided by connecting multiple pipeline sections together as an integrated pipeline where each section has an associated ICCP system. A communications signal comprising an AC signal is impressed on the pipeline and received by receivers associated with power supplies associated with each ICCP system. Upon reception of the AC signal, a controllable switch is operated within the power supplies to synchronously disconnect them from their power source and thereby enable accurate testing of the ICCP system.

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.

Abstract: An impressed current cathodic protection system for a target structure susceptible to corrosion (such as of steel or cast iron) which comprises an inert mixed metal oxide anode surrounded by a tightly packed conductive zone connected to a power supply source and having an input/output regulator to control the flow of current to the target structure. The present invention relates to device and method to provide personal and/or medical details of one or more individuals in the event of an emergency.

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 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.

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.

Abstract: A Segmented Sacrificial Anode Assembly (SSAA) includes anode segments made from an anodic material containing an electrically conductive core with electrically conductive threaded female connectors at each end, Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) isolators, and male threaded connectors. A number of the anode segments are connected by short male threaded connectors. A long male connector reaching through the isolator is used when connecting the SSAAs to a standing structure and an electrical cable is used to connect the SSAAs to a buried structure. An electrical lead is attached to a threaded post using pin brazing or Cadweld® and the threaded post is threaded into a recessed end threaded female connector of the SSAA. The recess is filled with two part epoxy. The anode segments may be selected from long, medium, and short anode segments to scale the SSAA for any given application.

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.

Abstract: A liquid heating system may comprise a metallic container and a refillable non-corrosive hollow porous tube, which may be coupled to the metallic container. The refillable non-corrosive hollow porous tube may include at least one open end and anodic material may be filled or refilled into the refillable non-corrosive hollow porous tube through the at least one open end. The anodic material is corroded by the oxidation process at a substantially faster rate compared to the metallic container. The anodic material is refilled into the refillable non-corrosive hollow porous tube through the at least one open end without removing the refillable non-corrosive hollow porous tube from the metallic container or disturbing the position of the refillable non-corrosive hollow porous tube.

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: 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.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system is provided for a subterranean well casing having an enclosed upper section of the well casing being substantially shielded by a cellar from an impressed-current cathodic protection circuit passing through earth media. The impressed-current cathodic protection circuit is provided to protect an unenclosed lower section of the well casing. To protect the enclosed upper section of the well casing, a supplemental cathodic protection circuit is provided. The supplemental cathodic protection circuit is a galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit comprising the enclosed upper section of the well casing and one or more bracelet galvanic anodes being circumferentially mounted to the enclosed upper section. The enclosed upper section of the well casing and the one or more bracelet galvanic anodes are substantially surrounded by a cellar backfill, and the galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit is equally effective throughout a broad range of non-homogeneity within the cellar backfill.

Abstract: The invention consists of a bunker to visually hide and structurally protect a cathodic protection rectifier located in an open field or urban areas where there is high incidence of vandalism. The bunker consists of a mobile element which contains a rectifier and an underground cavity structure. Besides hiding and protecting the rectifier from vandalism, the only part of this apparatus that is normally visible is a circular plaque at ground level, with a waterproof seal. Occasionally the rectifier is removed for maintenance and diagnostic purposes. In order to extract the mobile element it is necessary, but not enough, to have a magnetic or electromagnetic anchor with a great load capacity. The mobile element may only be extracted when the bolt lock located at the base of the cylinder is wirelessly activated. The cavity structure has radial plates calculated to dissipate the heat produced through the operation of the rectifier. All electric connections are hidden and embedded in concrete.

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.

Abstract: An electrochemical antifouling system for preventing fouling organisms from adhering to seawater-wetted structures includes a direct current circuit for creating an electrolytic environment in seawater, the direct current circuit having an adjustable direct current source, a lattice electrode having a single metallic component so as to provide a dimensionally stable lattice structure, the lattice electrode electrically insulated from a surface of a seawater-wetted structure, at least one corrosion-resistant counter electrode having polarity opposite to the lattice electrode and disposed at a distance therefrom, and a switching device configured to alternatively switch the lattice electrode to (a) a continuous operating mode, and (b) a temporary depletion mode, wherein the lattice electrode is disposed in a distance range from the surface of the seawater-wetted structure so that the surface lies within an area of influence of an increase in pH value of the seawater caused by electrolysis.

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.

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 meal 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].

Abstract: A system for detecting and preventing galvanic corrosion of an anodic metal includes a potential detector configured to monitor an electrical potential within the electrolyte solution, a signal amplifier coupled with the potential detector, and a current delivery circuit coupled with the signal amplifier. The signal amplifier is configured to provide an output proportional to the monitored electrical potential, and the current delivery circuit is configured to provide a current to a cathodic metal that is proportional to the output of the signal amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for protection of metallic materials from corrosion comprising an electrical power source (5) and a conductor (7) coupled to the power source. An anode (11) is electrically coupled to the conductor. The anode is configured to be secured proximal to the metallic materials to be protected from corrosion and has an exterior surface (13) formed predominantly of electrically conductive polymer and an interior filled with particulate carbonaceous material. The anode comprises a hollow cylinder (13) formed of electrically conductive polymer, the cylinder having an interior. A metallic tube (15) is secured to and in electrical communication with the interior of the cylinder. An anode conductor (17) is electrically coupled to the metallic tube and extends from the interior of the cylinder to the exterior of the cylinder for connection to the conductor coupled to the power source.

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: An electrolysis prevention device, for preventing corrosion caused by electrolysis, includes a sacrificial anode made of an active metal and an anode holder supporting the sacrificial anode. The holder is adapted to fit around the inlet connection of an engine heat exchange component, such as a radiator or heater core, in such a way as to allow for a hose to be attached overtop the device. The device may be included in an originally-manufactured engine heat exchange component or may be installed later.

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: 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.

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 land electrode for a high voltage direct current transmission system including a converter station with a grounding point. The land electrode is connected to the grounding point and includes a plurality of electrode sections. A line electrode includes a part interconnecting two electrode sections. The part of the line electrode exhibits a line resistance. Each electrode section includes at least one electrode element.

Abstract: In combination, a storage tank having a metal bottom, compacted electrolytic backfill below the tank bottom and a cathodic protection anode within the backfill below the tank bottom. The anode is in the form of a generally continuous ribbon that is shaped to follow a serpentine path corresponding generally in shape to the tank bottom. A feeding cable network is connected directly to the anode.

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].

Abstract: An improved sacrificial galvanic anode assembly for cathodic protection of a steel reinforced concrete structure. A galvanic cathodic protection device uses a multi-layered embedded sacrificial anode such as zinc covered with a flexible layer of paste to provide a continuous electrolyte to keep it active. The formulated paste is inert to cement embedment material and is pre-coated on the anode body prior to encapsulation. An integrated conductive contact band extends from within the coated anode to attachment to a reinforcement bar for establishing electrical conductively therewith in the concrete structure transferring galvanic corrosion to the anode.

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.

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.

Abstract: A corrosion control system for an above-ground storage tank having a steel bottom plate comprises a sacrificial anode disposed under and spaced apart from the steel bottom plate in a backfill material, and wherein the backfill material has a pH high enough to cause a substantial passivation of the surface of the steel plate facing the sacrificial anode while substantially preventing the passivation of the sacrificial anode. In the preferred embodiment the backfill material has a pH of 10 or greater and the sacrificial anode is in the form of a plate or mesh composed of aluminum or an alloy thereof. Alternatively the sacrificial anode may be composed of zinc or an alloy thereof. The backfill material further includes soda ash, trisodium phosphate or other high alkaline chemicals to raise the pH. The backfill material also preferably includes a moisture retention material such as zeolite to maintain a minimum of moisture content of 10 percent or greater.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: An anode configured for the cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures and underground metallic structures against corrosion comprises a hollow, mixed-metal-oxide (MMO) coated form, the form having a wall with intentional gaps therethrough. A humectant is disposed in the hollow form, and a conduit between the hollow form and an ambient environment enables gasses produced by the form to escape to the environment while allowing the humectant to be periodically moistened with water or a high pH buffer solution. The form may be composed of titanium, tantalum, zirconium, niobium or alloys thereof, and the MMO coatings may be composed of titanium, tantalum, iridium, ruthenium, palladium, cobalt or mixtures thereof. The form may be a coiled wire or strip, a perforated tube, or other structure having gaps between the interior of the form and the surrounding concrete or soil.

Abstract: A composite reconstituted anode well. The composite well has a first while section and a second regenerative section. The first well section has a pre-existing anode well earthen wall, pre-existing sacrificed carbon material, pre-existing sacrificed anode materials, and pre-existing sacrificed well casing. The second regenerative section has a regenerative well casing, regenerative anodes, and regenerative carbon material. The regenerative well casing is driven into the first well section which compacts the pre-existing sacrificed carbon material, pre-existing sacrificed anode materials, and pre-existing sacrificed well casing against the pre-existing anode well earthen wall which forms a first outer section of the composite reconstituted anode well. The regenerative anodes are placed inside the regenerative well casing, and regenerative carbon material is filled inside the regenerative well casing which encases the regenerative anodes and forms the inner well section.

Abstract: A sacrificial metal anode device incorporating a resistor assembly into the construction of the sacrificial anode is insertable into a metal water storage tank. The metal water storage tank designed to contain heated water is thereby protected from corrosion by the sacrificial metal anode. The sacrificial metal anode device comprising an elongated metal anode member with a metal wire core, an insulating sleeve secured over the elongated metal anode member wherein said insulating sleeve has an external wall with threads to fixedly secure a metal cap. The metal cap having threads on an internal wall to fixedly secure the insulating sleeve further including a cylindrical receptacle for receipt of an end of the elongated metal anode member and an electrical resistor assembly.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A composite reconstituted anode well. The composite well has a first while section and a second regenerative section. The first well section has a pre-existing anode well earthen wall, pre-existing sacrificed carbon material, pre-existing sacrificed anode materials, and pre-existing sacrificed well casing. The second regenerative section has a regenerative well casing, regenerative anodes, and regenerative carbon material. The regenerative well casing is driven into the first well section which compacts the pre-existing sacrificed carbon material, pre-existing sacrificed anode materials, and pre-existing sacrificed well casing against the pre-existing anode well earthen wall which forms a first outer section of the composite reconstituted anode well. The regenerative anodes are placed inside the regenerative well casing, and regenerative carbon material is filled inside the regenerative well casing which encases the regenerative anodes and forms the inner well section.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An active cathodic protection system, the apparatus comprising a rectifier element with at least one electrical connection to a source of electrical current, the rectifier element associated with a direct current positive (+) output terminal for electrical connection of via an anode connector to a consumable anode, a direct current negative (?) output terminal for electrical connection via a cathode connector to the structure to be protected, grounding means for electrical grounding of the apparatus and anti-cross connection means for preventing the continuing flow of electrical current when the anode connector is associated with the negative output terminal and the cathode connector is associated with the positive output terminal. The cathodic protection system also includes a microprocessor controlled device for shutting the system if an improper current is sensed.

Abstract: Improved deep well grounding systems of the kind used for cathodic protection of ground installations according to the invention employ a combination of materials for the casing of the central metallic anode and the backfill in the well which exhibit a degree of permeability sufficient to allow by-product gases develop in ordinary use of this system to escape, avoiding unwanted cavitation, while minimizing the migration of ground water and the attendant undesirable environmental pollution.