Diverless cathodic protection data acquisition
AssigneeContinental Oil Company
InventorRichard M. Vennett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Diverless monitoring of cathodic protection of offshore platforms wherein a reference electrode is passed along a guideline in proximity to a portion of the platform subject to corrosion is improved by maintaining the electrode at a fixed distance and radial direction from the taut guideline, as by slideably mounting a fixed distance from a second parallel taut guideline.
Claims12
In a process for diverless acquisition of data useful for determining cathodic protection of a portion of a structure immersed in salt-containing water and subject to corrosion wherein the structure extends from contact with the bottom of the body of water to above the surface of the body of water and wherein the process comprises:
- a. passing a reference electrode along a guide line to a definite point along the length of the guideline wherein the guideline is fastened on one end to the structure above the surface and on the other end to an anchoring means near the bottom such that the guideline passes in proximity to the portion of the structure to be sensed for protection, wherein the electrode is slideably mounted on the guideline, and
- b. recovering electrode potential data from the electrode at the definite point on the guideline;
- the improvement comprising:
- c. maintaining the guideline taut and maintaining the electrode at a fixed distance from the guideline and in a fixed radial direction from the guideline.
An apparatus for diverless acquisition of data useful for determining cathodic protection of a portion of a structure immersed in salt-containing water and subject to corrosion wherein the structure extends from contact with the bottom of the body of water to above the surface of the body of water comprising in combination with said partially immersed structure:
- (a). an anchoring means near the bottom,
- (b). a first taut guideline contacting the anchoring means on one end and the other end contacting the member of the structure above a surface of the water,
- (c). a second taut guideline contacting the anchoring means and contacting the member of the structure above the surface such that the second taut guideline is parallel to the first taut guideline and such that both guidelines pass within proximity of the portion of the structure subject to corrosion,
- (d). a saddle slideably attached to the first guideline and the second guideline,
- (e). a reference electrode mounted in association with the saddle such that its radial direction and distance from the first guideline remains constant,
- (f). a readout attached in electrical communication to the electrode,
- (g). a line for raising and lowering the electrode and the saddle assembly on the guidelines attached on one end to the electrode and saddle assembly, and
- (h). means for determining the depth to which the line is played out and consequently the position of the electrode and saddle assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.