Anode for high resistivity cathodic protection systems

Claim 1

In an impressed D.C. current cathodic protection system for protecting a metal water tank or the like from rust corrosion effects of an electrolytic material having a resistivity of at least 1000 ohm-centimeters, said system having suspension means suspending an improved anode within said tank, said anode comprising: (a) a cable including (b) an elongated electrical conductor connected to said source of D.C. current, and (c) a jacket of electrical insulation on the outside of said conductor for substantially the length thereof, operative to seal said conductor from the electrolytic material in said tank; (d) a sheet of expanded metal gripping said jacket of generally arcuate cross-section formed about said cable and extending along said cable, said sheet comprising (e) a substrate made of a first metal from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum and titanium, and (f) a coating of platinum clad to the outwardly facing surface of said substrate; and (g) a terminal providing an electrical connection between said electrical conductor and said sheet and including a housing enclosing said electrical connection.