Materials Protection Company

Corrpro Companies, Inc.

Richard E Say

Mathew A Pfaller

Kenneth N Baker

James B Bushman

William P Carlson

An integrated cell and the test station is disclosed in a unitary package which includes internally encapsulated wiring connections at both the cell and test station. The cell and test station are tethered together by a flexible bungee tube which can be coiled and which can elongate or contract. The flexible tube provides a variable length and wide lateral flexibility. The tube also provides a convenient means to encapsulate the connections at both the cell and test station. The cell has a unique core formed by a double junction ceramic capsule. A pure copper coil element is positioned in the capsule in a super saturated solution of copper sulphate, for example. The capsule is sealed and the coil or element is electrically connected to a lead extending through the tube, and the end of the tube is encapsulated sealing the connection. The capsule is joined to one end of the bungee tube and the entire end is embedded in a stabilized hygroscopic gel which contains additional salt crystals. The entire cell end of the tube is contained in a microporous filter bag, which is in turn secured to the lower end of the tube. The test station comprises a section of rigid plastic tube with a slightly domed cap. Brass rivets are recessed in the top of the dome and connected to appropriate wiring inside the dome. The interior of the test station is then encapsulated fully sealing the wiring connections, and connecting the rigid tube to the bungee tube.

Reference cell

A tubular anode includes an electrical connector formed of a diagonally split two-part generally cylindrical slug. The diagonal slit provides an elliptical wedge interface between the two parts and a jack screw is threaded in one part and extends through an enlarged hole in the other. Tightening the jack screw within the tube causes the two parts to offset and wedge against the inside of the tube. The two parts include an aligned slot which interests the major axis of the elliptical interface and a lead wire or cable is electrically secured to one of the parts within its slot. The slot is configured to press the lead or cable against the interior of the tube. The lead wire for a string anode extends through the slot of the other part. In the formation of an anode string the tubular anodes are threaded onto unspooled insulated wire or cable, a short portion of the insulation is removed at each connector location, and with the tubular anode offset, a connector is secured to the bare wire. The tube is threaded over the connector and the connector locked in place. The connector may be encapsulated by filling the interior with a potting compound or sealant. The connector and process is particularly useful with relatively small diameter titanium, niobium or tantalum tubular anodes.

Method of making a string of cathodic protection anodes

A tubular anode includes an electrical connector formed of a diagonally split two-part generally cylindrical slug. The diagonal slit provides an elliptical wedge interface between the two parts and a jack screw is threaded in one part and extends through an enlarged hole in the other. Tightening the jack screw within the tube causes the two parts to offset and wedge against the inside of the tube. The two parts include an aligned slot which intersects the major axis of the elliptical interface and a lead wire or cable is electrically secured to one of the parts within its slot. The slot is configured to press the lead or cable against the interior of the tube. The lead wire for a string anode extends through the slot of the other part. In the formation of an anode string the tubular anodes are threaded onto unspooled insulated wire or cable, a short portion of the insulation is removed at each connector location, and with the tubular anode offset, a connector is secured to the bare wire. The tube is threaded over the connector and the connector locked in place. The connector may be encapsulated by filling the interior with a potting compound or sealant. The connector and process is particularly useful with relatively small diameter titanium, niobium or tantalum tubular anodes.

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Spencer, OH, United States of America

Richard E Say