# US 7,406,874 B2 · Corrosion fuse > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,406,874 B2 - Document ID: US7406874B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/914,509 - Filed: 2004-08-09 - Published: 2006-05-18 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2004-04-28 - Assignees: Black & Decker Inc. - Inventors: Steven E. Carnal; Lew Tobias - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7406874B2 ## CPC - G01N 17/04: Corrosion probes - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A corrosion fuse is a device connected with a compressed air tank in order to provide a predictive indication of corrosive activity occurring within the compressed air tank. The corrosion fuse includes a corrosion detector established as a thin-walled metal tube closed on one end and open to an environment outside the compressed air tank on the other end. The joining of the corrosion fuse with the compressed air tank is enabled by the connection of a plug with a fitting (i.e., flange). The plug connects to the open end of the corrosion detector and with the flange. The flange is connected to the compressed air tank about a tank receiver disposed on the compressed air tank. The tank receiver allows the corrosion detector, connected with the plug, to at least partially extend inside the compressed air tank, when the plug is connected with the flange. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A corrosion fuse for use in a compressed air tank formed of a corrodible material, the corrosion fuse comprising: a corrosion detector formed of substantially the same corrodible material as that of the compressed air tank, the corrosion detector mounted through a wall of the compressed air tank for storing air at an elevated pressure and extending substantially into an interior of the compressed air tank, wherein the corrosion detector provides a predictive indication of a pre-determined amount of corrosion occurring generally at a waterline. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The corrosion fuse of claim 1, wherein the predictive indication is correlated to a pre-determined amount of corrosion having occurred to the compressed air tank. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The corrosion fuse of claim 1, wherein the corrosion detector defines a recess which is configured to be exposed to an environment outside the compressed air tank. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The corrosion fuse of claim 1, further comprising a plug which connects with the corrosion detector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The corrosion fuse of claim 4, further comprising a flange which connects with the compressed air tank and the plug. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The corrosion fuse of claim 1, further comprising an indication system which is at least one of a visual indication system and an audible indication system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The corrosion fuse of claim 1, further comprising at least one tamper resistant feature. ### Claim 8 A corrosion fuse for use in a compressed air tank formed of a corrodible material, the corrosion fuse comprising: a plug; a corrosion detector formed of substantially the same corrodible material as that of the compressed air tank, and connected to the plug, the corrosion detector extending substantially into an interior of the compressed air tank for storing air at an elevated pressure; wherein the corrosion detector provides a predictive indication of a pre-determined amount of corrosion occurring generally at a waterline. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The corrosion fuse of claim 8, wherein the predictive indication is correlated to a pre-determined amount of corrosion having occurred to the compressed air tank. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The corrosion fuse of claim 8, wherein the corrosion detector defines a recess which is configured to be exposed to an environment outside the compressed air tank. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The corrosion fuse of claim 8, further comprising a flange which connects with the compressed air tank and the plug. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The corrosion fuse of claim 8, further comprising an indication system which is at least one of a visual indication system and an audible indication system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The corrosion fuse of claim 8, further comprising at least one tamper resistant feature. ### Claim 14 A corrosion fuse for use in a compressed air tank, comprising: a compressed air tank formed of a corrodible material, the compressed air tank for storing air at an elevated pressure; and a corrosion detector formed of substantially the same corrodible material as that of the compressed air tank, the corrosion detector mounted through a wall of the compressed air tank and extending substantially into an interior of the compressed air tank; wherein the corrosion detector provides a predictive indication of a pre-determined amount of corrosion having occurred generally at a waterline inside the compressed air tank. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The corrosion fuse of claim 14, wherein the position of the corrosion detector in the compressed air tank corresponds to a lowest gravitational point in the compressed air tank. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The corrosion fuse of claim 14, further comprising a plug connected to the corrosion detector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The corrosion fuse of claim 16, further comprising a flange connected to the compressed air tank, the flange being connected with the plug connected to the corrosion detector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The corrosion fuse of claim 14, further comprising an indication system including at least one of a visual indication system and an audible indication system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The corrosion fuse of claim 14, further comprising at least one tamper resistant feature.