Electrochemical method and apparatus

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 wherein the conductive polymer comprises a polymeric component and a conductive filler which is dispersed in the polymeric component and which is composed of at least one of carbon black and graphite.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1 wherein the second elements are in the form of a multifilament yarn.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 1 wherein the second elements project from the exposed surface of the first element by a distance of at least 10 microns.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the second elements comprise first longitudinal sections which are at least partially embedded in the first element and second longitudinal sections which are connected to the first sections and do not contact the first element and which are at least 0.1 inch long.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 5 wherein the second longitudinal sections are at least 0.5 inch long.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 1 wherein the total volume of the portions of the fibers embedded in the first element is 5 to 80% of the total volume of the fibers.

Claim 9

A method according to claim 1 wherein the anode is a flexible elongate electrode and comprises a continuous elongate flexible core which (i) is composed of a material having a resistivity at 23° C. of less than 10 -2 ohm.cm and (ii) has a resistance at 23° C. of less than 0.03 ohm/meter, and wherein the first element (i) has an elongation of at least 10% and a resistivity at 23° C. of 0.1 to 10 3 ohm.cm, and (ii) electrically surrounds the core.

Claim 10

An article which is suitable for use as an anode in methods for protecting electrically conductive substrates from corrosion and which comprises: (a) a core which is composed of a conductive material having a resistivity at 23° C. of less than 10 -2 ohm.cm; (b) means for connecting the core to a power supply; (c) a first element which (i) electrically surrounds the core, (ii) provides part of the electrochemically active outer surface of the article, (iii) is at least 500 microns thick, and (iv) is composed of a conductive polymer, said conductive polymer comprising a polymer component and, dispersed in the polymer component, a particulate conductive filler which has good resistance to corrosion, and (d) a plurality of second elements which (i) provide at least part of the remainder of the electrochemically active outer surface of the article, (ii) are partially embedded in, and project from the exposed surface of, the first element, and (iii) are composed of a material selected from carbon and graphite.

Claim 11

An article which is suitable for use as an anode in methods for protecting electrically conductive substrates from corrosion and which comprises: (a) a core which is composed of a conductive material having a resistivity at 23° C. of less than 10 -2 ohm.cm; (b) means for connecting the core to a power supply; (c) a first element which (i) electrically surrounds the core, (ii) provides part of the electrochemically active outer surface of the article, (iii) is at least 500 microns thick, and (iv) is composed of a conductive polymer, said conductive polymer comprising a polymer component and, dispersed in the polymer component, a particulate conductive filler which has good resistance to corrosion, and (d) a plurality of second elements which (i) provide at least part of the remainder of the electrochemically active outer surface of the article, (ii) are partially embedded in, and project from the exposed surface of, the first element, and (iii) are composed of a material selected from carbon and graphite.

Claim 14

An article according to claim 9 wherein the second elements are in the form of a multifilament yarn.

Claim 15

An article according to claim 9 wherein the second elements project from the exposed surface of the first element by a distance of at least 10 microns.

Claim 16

An article according to claim 9 wherein at least some of the second elements comprise first longitudinal sections which are at least partially embedded in the first element and second longitudinal sections which are connected to the first sections and do not contact the first element and which are at least 0.1 inch long.

Claim 17

An article according to claim 9 wherein the second longitudinal sections are at least 0.5 inches long.

Claim 18

An article according to claim 9 wherein the total volume of the portions of the fibers embedded in the first element is 5 to 80% of the total volume of the fibers.

Claim 19

An article according to claim 9 wherein the second elements are in the form of a multifilament yarn.

Claim 20

An article according to claim 9 wherein the second elements are pressed against the first element so that the second elements project from the exposed surface of the first element by a distance of at least 10 microns.

Claim 21

An article according to claim 9 wherein the conductive polymer comprises a polymeric component and a conductive filler which is dispersed in the polymeric component and which is composed of at least one of carbon black and graphite.

Claim 22

A method according to claim 10 wherein the conductive polymer comprises a polymeric component and a conductive filler which is dispersed in the polymeric component and which is composed of at least one of carbon black and graphite.

Claim 23

A method according to claim 10 wherein the second elements are pressed against the first element so that at least some of the second elements comprise first longitudinal sections which are at least partially embedded in the first element and second longitudinal sections which are connected to the first sections and do not contact the first element and which are at least 0.1 inch long.

Claim 24

A method according to claim 10 wherein the second longitudinal sections are at least 0.5 inch long.

Claim 25

A method according to claim 10 wherein the total volume of the portions of the fibers embedded in the first element is 5 to 80% of the total volume of the fibers.