Anode monitoring
AssigneeFlight Refuelling Limited
InventorSteven Martin Hudson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An anode monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of anodes 2 provided on a metallic structure such as a pipeline system 1. A signal circuit Sn including the pipeline 1 and one of the anodes 2 is set up and appropriate signals are looked for at a central station 4. Reception of the signal at the central station 4 is dependent on the integrity of the anode 2 under inspection at that time. If the anode 2 is missing or defective the expected signal is not received and thus the fault in the anode 2 can be detected. A notch filter 5 is inserted in series between each anode 2 and the pipeline 1. The filter 5 provides a high impedance which can be signalled across but does not interfere with the cathodic protection system.
Claims25
An anode monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of anodes provided on a metallic structure for cathodic protection purposes, the system comprising a signal circuit having at least one signal path comprising the metallic structure and a selected anode whereby the characteristics of the signal circuit depend on the effectiveness of the selected anode, a signal generator for generating and applying a signal to the signal circuit, and a central station for monitoring signals on the signal circuit to thereby determine whether the selected anode is effective, the arrangement being such that at least one of absence and defectiveness of the selected anode is detectable due to the absence of an expected signal.
An anode monitoring method for monitoring the integrity of anodes provided on a metallic structure for cathodic protection purposes comprising the steps of:
- generating a signal and applying said signal to a signal circuit, the signal circuit comprising at least one signal path comprising the metallic structure and a selected anode whereby the characteristics of the signal circuit depend on the effectiveness of the selected anode;
- and
- monitoring signals on the signal circuit at a central station to thereby determine whether the selected anode is effective, the arrangement being such that at least one of absence and defectiveness of the selected anode is detectable due to the absence of an expected signal.
An anode arrangement for use in an anode monitoring system, the arrangement comprising a cathodic protection anode arranged for mounting on a metallic structure, an impedance element having one terminal connected to the anode and another terminal arranged for connection to said metallic structure, and an electronics module connected across the impedance element for at least one of transmitting and receiving signals.
An anode monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of anodes provided on a metallic structure for cathodic protection purposes, the system comprising a signal circuit having at least one signal path comprising the metallic structure and a selected anode whereby the characteristics of the signal circuit depend on the effectiveness of the selected anode, signal generation means for generating and applying a signal to the signal circuit, and a central station for monitoring signals on the signal circuit to thereby determine whether the selected anode is effective, the arrangement being such that at least one of absence and defectiveness of the selected anode is detectable due to the absence of an expected signal.
An anode monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of anodes provided on a metallic structure for cathodic protection purposes, the system comprising a signal circuit having at least one signal path comprising the metallic structure and a selected anode whereby the characteristics of the signal circuit depend on the effectiveness of the selected anode, a signal generator for generating and applying a signal to the signal circuit, and a central station for monitoring signals on the signal circuit to thereby determine whether the selected anode is effective, wherein the signal circuit comprises a return path via earth and the selected anode, when effective, provides a conduction path from the metallic structure to earth.
An anode monitoring method for monitoring the integrity of anodes provided on a metallic structure for cathodic protection purposes comprising the steps of:
- generating a signal and applying said signal to a signal circuit, the signal circuit comprising at least one signal path comprising the metallic structure and a selected anode whereby the characteristics of the signal circuit depend on the effectiveness of the selected anode;
- and
- monitoring signals on the signal circuit at a central station to thereby determine whether the selected anode is effective, wherein the signal circuit comprises a return path via earth and the selected anode, when effective, provides a conduction path from the metallic structure to earth.
An anode monitoring system for monitoring the integrity of anodes provided on a metallic structure for cathodic protection purposes, the system comprising a signal circuit having at least one signal path comprising the metallic structure and a selected anode whereby the characteristics of the signal circuit depend on the effectiveness of the selected anode, signal generation means for generating and applying a signal to the signal circuit, and a central station for monitoring signals on the signal circuit to thereby determine whether the selected anode is effective, wherein the signal circuit comprises a return path via earth and the selected anode, when effective, provides a conduction path from the metallic structure to earth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.