# US 12,191,618 B2 · Electrically-conductive corrosion-protective covering > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,191,618 B2 - Document ID: US12191618B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/540,985 - Filed: 2023-12-15 - Published: 2024-04-04 - Granted: 2025-01-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-04 - Assignees: Shore Acres Enterprises Inc. - Applicants: Shore Acres Enterprises Inc. (D/B/A Sae Inc.) - Inventors: Brien Todd Sirola; Christopher Paul Berni; Donald Brien Sirola; Caitlin Emma Morrissey Hughes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12191618B2 ## CPC - H01R 4/66: Connections with the terrestrial mass, e.g. earth plate, earth pin - C09D 5/08: Anti-corrosive paints - C09D 5/084: {Inorganic compounds} - C09D 5/24: Electrically-conducting paints {(conductive materials H01B1/00)} - H01B 1/24: the conductive material comprising carbon-silicon compounds, carbon or silicon - H01R 13/03: characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials - H01R 43/00: Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors (of trolley lines B60M1/28) - B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) - B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES ## Abstract An electrical assembly includes a metallic component having a bottom portion that is buried in the earth, a top portion that is above the earth, and an outer surface. A water-impermeable electrically-conductive covering is applied to the outer surface at the bottom portion and is in electrical contact with the earth. The covering includes a water-impermeable polymeric matrix that protects the metallic component from corrosion, and a particulate carbonaceous material that is dispersed in the polymeric matrix and that allows for the metallic component to be electrically grounded. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical assembly, comprising: a metallic component comprising direct buried tower steel, the metallic component having a bottom portion that is buried in the earth, a top portion that is above the earth, and an outer surface; a water-impermeable electrically-conductive covering applied to the outer surface at the bottom portion and in electrical contact with the earth, wherein the covering comprises a water-impermeable polymeric matrix that protects the metallic component from corrosion, and a particulate carbonaceous material that is dispersed in the polymeric matrix and that allows for the metallic component to be electrically grounded, and wherein the outer surface is fully covered by the covering at the bottom portion to prevent contact of the bottom portion with the earth. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable polymeric matrix comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable polymeric matrix comprises a latex. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable polymeric matrix comprises a styrene butadiene latex, an acrylic latex, a styrene acrylic latex, an acrylonitrile-butadiene latex, and/or a vinyl acetate copolymer latex. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable polymeric matrix comprises a fluoropolymer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable polymeric matrix comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable polymeric matrix comprises a heat shrunk polymer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electrical assembly of claim 7, wherein the heat shrunk polymer comprises at least one of a silicone-grafted cross-linked polyethylene, a polychloroprene, a radiation cured cross-linked polymer, and a fluoroelastomer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the particulate carbonaceous material comprises a calcined petroleum coke, and/or one or more conductive carbon blacks, and/or a carbon fibre, and/or calcined fluid coke, and/or single wall carbon nanotubes, and/or graphite and/or metallurgical coke. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable electrically-conductive covering has an electrical resistivity of 0.1 to 50 ohm·cm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable electrically-conductive covering has a water permeability of between 0.01 US Perms and 1.0 US Perms, or between 10-5 cm/s and 10-10 cm/s. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable electrically-conductive covering is score-resistant and scratch-resistant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the particulate carbonaceous material makes up between 0.1 wt % and 70 wt % of the covering. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the particulate carbonaceous material makes up between 0.1 wt % and 50 wt % of the covering. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the water-impermeable polymeric matrix comprises a polyolefin and/or a flexible polyvinyl chloride compound.