Texas Instruments Corporation

Robert Baboian

Gardner S Haynes

Raymond A Frechette

Richard G Delagi

Stephen Cassidy

John W Ross

Protection from corrosive effects of water in hot water tanks is provided by an electrochemically active noble metal type anode disposed in the hot water tank and supplied by a selected level of current passing from the anode through the water to the tank. The anode is configured in such manner as to cause the current to be distributed throughout the entire tank according to a selected profile and takes the form of a long thin element. One portion of the anode includes a layer of noble metal clad or plated onto an electrically conductive and, under anodic conditions, chemically inert layer of metal supported on a suitable electrically insulative member.

Corrosion protection system for hot water tanks

Protection from corrosive effects of water in hot water tanks is provided by an electrochemically active noble metal type anode disposed in the hot water tank and supplied by a selected level of current passing from the anode through the water to the tank. The anode is configured in such manner as to cause the current to be distributed throughout the entire tank and thus for a conventional tank takes the form of a long thin anode. The noble metal is shown to be clad or plated onto an electrically conductive and, under anodic conditions, chemically inert strip of metal supported on a suitable electrically insulative member. The power supply provides a minimum protective current for water having low corrosivity characteristics, a maximum protective current for water having high corrosivity characteristics and intermediate these two extremites a level which varies with the degree of corrosivity of the water.

An improved impressed current cathodic corrosion protection system for a motor vehicle having metallic parts to be protected against corrosion in the presence of condensation, road splash and high humidity conditions includes a direct current power source and means electrically connecting the negative pole of the power source to the metallic parts of the vehicle. An electrically insulating, hydrophilic, corrosion barrier coating is formed on the metallic parts of the vehicle to be protected and an electrode of electrochemically inert material is mounted in closely spaced electrically insulated relation to the metallic parts of the vehicle in a location to be electrolytically coupled to any metallic parts of the vehicle exposed through the coating by an electrolyte which forms on the hydrophilic coating as a result of wetting of the coating by any condensation, road splash or high humidity conditions, the electrode being electrically connected to the positive pole of the power source. The electrically insulating, hydrophilic nature of the corrosion barrier coating and the location of the electrode relative to the coating cooperate to permit large metallic areas of the vehicle to be cathodically protected with a single anode even when only limited condensation or road splash or the like occurs and cooperate to reduce power consumption of the system to the level necessary to protect only those metallic parts of the vehicle exposed through the coating, thereby to adapt the system to the power supply capabilities of motor vehicles.

Cathodic protection system for a motor vehicle

An anode connector for use in an impressed current cathodic protection system comprising a cup-shaped housing member made from a material which is permanent under anodic conditions with a plug insert member with a central aperture made from conventional current carrying metals which is press fit into the cup-shaped housing. The cup-shaped housing can then be welded to an anode. A cable conductor for the anode which is well insulated except for the end is positioned with the uninsulated end in the central aperture of the plug insert and soldered thereto to provide excellent electrical conductivity between the cable and the plug. The cup is then filled with suitable insulating potting material which covers the plug and the cable conductor to a height above where the insulation begins. This invention provides a rigid, reliable anode connector which is able to withstand anodic conditions in an impressed current cathodic protection system while still providing the current to the anode.

Method of assembly of an anti-corrosion anode connector system

A sensor is adapted to be mounted so that it comes in contact with coolant fluid of a vehicular cooling system. When the corrosion inhibiting characteristic of the fluid is effective to prevent corrosion a first potential range is produced whereas when the characteristic is ineffective a second range exists. The effectiveness of the inhibiting characteristic can be displayed in the form of a high impedance voltmeter mounted in the dashboard or other convenient location or indicating means such as a light can be actuated when the potential reaches a threshold level indicating that the inhibiting characteristic is not effective to prevent corrosion. The sensor comprises a reference electrode used with a single sensor electrode on one embodiment and with a pair of sensor electrodes in a second embodiment.

Method and apparatus for monitoring the effectiveness of corrosion

Anti-corrosion anode connector system

A process for the surface treatment of beryllium copper prior to electroplating comprising degreasing the material, removing beryllium from the surface thereby leaving a copper-rich surface and activating the copper-rich surface for electroplating. The removal of the beryllium is accomplished by causing the beryllium to form compounds and then dissolving the compounds without dissolving the copper.

Treatment of beryllium copper surface prior to electroplating

A process for plating beryllium copper with an excellent electrically conductive material such as gold for use in high reliability applications wherein a heat treating step is employed after forming to yield a desired hardness spring temper comprising the steps of: providing a copper-rich surface on the beryllium copper; electroplating the copper-rich surface with a diffusion barrier preplate; heat treating the beryllium copper material to a desired temper; and electroplating the material with a high electrically conductive material. This process provides for a void-free, durable gold plate which can be produced by a continuous automated strip plating line before and after heat treating.

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Johnston, RI, United States of America

Robert Baboian