US 2021/0292916 A1 · Cathodic Corrosion Protection with Current Limiter

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. A current limiter is provided which prevents excess current draining the supply. This can be a semi-conductive device such as a transistor or diode is connected in the path from the anode to the metal section to limit the cathodic protection current to a value of the order of 1 milliamp. When a diode or similar device is used the current can be limited to the reverse leakage current of the diode.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method for cathodically protecting and/or passivating a steel member in an ionically conductive concrete or mortar material, comprising:

providing an anode construction for communication of an electrical current to the steel member in the ionically conductive concrete or mortar material;
generating a voltage difference between the anode construction and the steel member so as to cause a current to flow through the ionically conductive concrete or mortar material between the anode and the steel member so as to provide cathodic protection of the steel member;
providing at least one electrically conductive circuit between the anode construction and the steel member;
providing a field effect transistor (FET) in the electrically conductive circuit which acts as a current regulating device to limit the current between the steel member and the anode construction to a maximum value.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cathodic Corrosion Protection with Current Limiter

Life of this patent

Cathodic Corrosion Protection with Current Limiter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21