US4515669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anode and connection
Assignee: Corrpro Companies Inc
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Filing: 1983-10-06
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Granted: 1985-05-07
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Expires: 2003-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A tubular anode such as tubular cast iron, magnetite, graphite, carbon or steel may be provided with an easily made internal or center connection having assured uniform resistance characteristics by the employment of at least two diametrically opposed wedge blocks, such blocks having parallel crowned and serrated contact surfaces and a wedge surface interface, such interface including a tongue and slot connection between the blocks, one or both blocks having oppositely extending tubular crimpable lead connections. The blocks may be made of malleable material so that when assembled and placed in the proper location inside the anode, one may be held while the other is driven axially, or both may be driven in axially opposite directions easily to form an electrical connection of assured electrical resistivity.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Dimond
- 👤 James B. Bushman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/28; H01R4/50; H01R4/5083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A tubular cathodic protection anode including a tubular anode member with outside surface means for transmitting a flow of electricity between said anode member and a surrounding medium and an inside surface, an internal electrical connection, said connection comprising at least two opposed wedge blocks, said wedge blocks being adapted relatively to be driven axially to be wedged tightly radially against said inside surface of said tubular anode member, said blocks being of such dimensions that a sealant flow passage open at both axial ends of the wedge blocks to facilitate sealing of the wedge blocks in the anode member is formed interiorly of the anode member along a side of the blocks, and an electrical lead connected to at least one of said blocks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A tubular cathodic protection anode including a tubular anode member with outside surface means for transmitting a flow of electricity between said anode member and a surrounding medium and an inside surface, an internal electrical connection, said connection comprising at least two opposed wedge blocks, said wedge blocks being adapted relatively to be driven axially to be wedged tightly radially against said inside surface of said tubular anode member, said blocks being of such dimensions that a sealant flow passage open at both axial ends of the wedge blocks to facilitate sealing of the wedge blocks in the anode member is formed interiorly of the anode member along a side of the blocks, and an electrical lead connected to at least one of said blocks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A tubular anode as set forth in claim 1 wherein there are only two such blocks diametrically opposed to each other, each of said blocks including an end face for receiving an axial force and a wedge surface for engaging the corresponding wedge surface of the other of said blocks and for moving said blocks radially away from each other upon the application of axial forces to at least one of said end faces pushing said end faces toward each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tubular anode as set forth in claim 2 wherein such diametrically opposed blocks include a wedge surface interface, the opposed blocks at the interface including a tongue in one and a mating slot in the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An anode as set forth in claim 3 wherein such blocks include parallel outer surfaces adapted to be wedge driven against the inside surface of the anode member, said outer surfaces being radially crowned axially of the block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An anode as set forth in claim 4 wherein said outer surfaces are serrated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An anode as set forth in claim 5 wherein said serrations include a sloping leading edge and a sharp trailing edge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An anode as set forth in claim 3 wherein the angle of the wedge surfaces at the interface with respect to the axis of the anode member is greater than the angle of friction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An anode as set forth in claim 7 wherein such wedge angle is about 20°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An anode as set forth in claim 7 wherein such wedge angle at the wedge surface interface is from about 15° to about 40°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An anode as set forth in claim 3 wherein the angle of the wedge surfaces at the interface with respect to the axis of the anode member is from about 10° to about 30°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An anode as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least one of said blocks at the interface includes a yieldable element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An anode as set forth in claim 1 wherein said blocks are formed of malleable metal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An anode as set forth in claim 12 wherein said blocks are die cast zinc alloy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tubular anode as set forth in claim 13 wherein said tubular anode member is centrifugally cast iron.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An anode as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one block includes an axially extending tubular extension adapted to receive and be crimped on an electrical lead.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
An anode as set forth in claim 1 wherein the connection is sealed on opposite axial ends.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of forming an internal electrical connection to a tubular anode comprising the steps of assembling a pair of opposed wedge blocks, having opposite side surfaces defining a width less than the inside diameter of said anode, inside the anode at substantially the desired location of the connection, then driving the blocks in opposite directions to wedge the blocks against the I.D. of the anode, and then sealing the connection at both axial ends thereof by pouring liquid sealant into the anode from one end only with the sealant flowing past the connection through an open space resulting from the lesser width of the wedge blocks.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of forming an internal electrical connection to a tubular anode comprising the steps of assembling a pair of opposed wedge blocks, having opposite side surfaces defining a width less than the inside diameter of said anode, inside the anode at substantially the desired location of the connection, then driving the blocks in opposite directions to wedge the blocks against the I.D. of the anode, and then sealing the connection at both axial ends thereof by pouring liquid sealant into the anode from one end only with the sealant flowing past the connection through an open space resulting from the lesser width of the wedge blocks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein at least one of said blocks has a wire lead connected thereto before being driven.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the wire lead is connected to the block by crimping a tubular extension of the block on such lead.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the surface of the blocks engaging the I.D. of the anode is provided with malleable locking teeth providing assured electrical contact with the I.D. of the anode when one or the other or both of the blocks are driven as aforesaid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the step of driving is by rotation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the step of driving is by tightening a cinch around the blocks.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
96 words
A tubular anode including an internal connector therefor comprising opposed wedges generally symmetrical about their wedge interface, said wedges having a side-to-side width dimension less than the inside diameter of the anode providing interiorly of the anode an open space on at least one side thereof to provide a sealant flow passage open at both axial ends of the wedges, and means to drive one or both of said wedges in respective wedging direction to wedge both against the interior of the anode and each other to form a low resistance electrical connection for the anode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
96 words
A tubular anode including an internal connector therefor comprising opposed wedges generally symmetrical about their wedge interface, said wedges having a side-to-side width dimension less than the inside diameter of the anode providing interiorly of the anode an open space on at least one side thereof to provide a sealant flow passage open at both axial ends of the wedges, and means to drive one or both of said wedges in respective wedging direction to wedge both against the interior of the anode and each other to form a low resistance electrical connection for the anode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means to drive comprises an interconnection between said wedges.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means to drive comprises a cinch adapted to pull said wedges together.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means to drive is driven axially.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means to drive is driven rotationally.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means to drive is driven rotationally to a predetermined torque.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means comprises a cinch wire encircling said wedge blocks.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
An anode as set forth in claim 29 including an adjustable reaction member extending between one of said wedge blocks and said cinch wire.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
An anode as set forth in claim 29 wherein said cinch wire is hinged to one of said blocks.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
An anode as set forth in claim 29 wherein said cinch wire is hinged to one of said blocks and to an adjustable reaction member connected to the other of said blocks.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 wherein the width of the wedges provides substantial open spaces on each side thereof to facilitate sealing the wedges within the anode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 including a tongue and groove interconnection between wedges at the wedge surfaces thereof to maintain said wedges in the proper relation when being engaged with the interior of said anode.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
An anode as set forth in claim 23 including a sealant filling said open space to encapsulate said wedges.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tubular anode as set forth in claim 23 wherein each wedge block includes at least two anode contacting surfaces.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
An anode as set forth in claim 36 wherein the contacting surfaces are approximately 90° apart.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
An anode as set forth in claim 36 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of the opposed wedge blocks is in the form of an X.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-06 | 1988-11-05 | 1989-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-06 | 1992-11-05 | 1993-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-06 | 1996-11-05 | 1997-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |