Galvanic isolation device
AssigneeNewport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
InventorClinton W. Stallard, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Galvanic isolation between two fluid-conducting members made of dissimilar materials is provided by a coupling pipe that separates the two members (e.g. a pipe and a valve). The coupling pipe includes a tubular section and two flange sections, which mate with the two fluid-conducting members. An insulating liner on the inside diameter of the tubular and flange sections of the coupling device extends the entire length of coupling pipe and is coextensive with flange insulators that separate the coupling pipe from the two fluid-conducting members. The substantial separation distance provided by the coupling pipe with continuous insulation prevents or significantly reduces electrochemical corrosion.
Claims20
A device for galvanically isolating two fluid-conducting members made of dissimilar materials comprising:
- a coupling pipe connected on a first end to a first fluid-conducting member and connected on a second end to a second fluid-conducting member;
- said pipe having an inner diameter defining a fluid passageway between said first and second fluid-conducting members and an insulating liner attached to said pipe inner diameter along the entire length of said pipe;
- a first dielectric insulator positioned on one end of said pipe between said pipe and said first fluid-conducting member and a second dielectric insulator positioned on a second end of said pipe between said pipe and said second fluid-conducting member;
- and
- wherein said coupling pipe has a length L and wherein said length L is determined by the equation:
- L=D[E.sub.C -E.sub.A ] K,
- where
- D=said inner diameter of said pipe
- E.sub.C =corrosion potential of said first fluid-conducting member
- E.sub.A =corrosion potential of said second fluid-conducting member, and
- K=constant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.