Helix Electrode For Impressed Current Cathodic Protection

Abstract

Fluid-containing structures such as water storage tanks often utilize impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) which generally utilizes custom-cut high-cost oxide-coated titanium electrodes, of which increased surface area typically gives increased protection to the structure. These electrodes must not short-circuit against the structure. This present invention allows the use of a lower-cost commonly-manufactured shape of oxide-coated titanium ribbon stock to fashion a helix-shaped electrode that has increased surface area per linear length unit of electrode when compared to prior art. This present invention can also be embodied such that it is operative with interior-facing electrically conductive surfaces while simultaneously protected on dielectric exterior surfaces from electrical short circuit contact to the electrically conductive surfaces inside the tank, thereby allowing contact or close proximity with said tank-structure electrically conductive surfaces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.