Sensor that detects the deterioration of sacrificial Anodes used for protection against erosion.

Abstract

 A sensor that detects the deterioration of sacrificial anodes -used for protection against erosion- is used for a timely warning against the interruption of the protective action of the anode and the need for an immediate replacement so as to avoid the depletion caused by the interruption of protective action.
The sensor that indicates the deterioration of the anode is of a very small size and consists of the part that is connected to the source of electric energy, the part of import signal from the sacrificial anode, the part of the treatment of the import signal and the outlet part which signals the timely replacement of a worn out anode.
Due to the sensor that detects the deterioration of sacrificial anodes the duration of the operation of the heaters, the solar systems, the heat alternators, the water tanks, the heating systems and other appliances can be easily and economically doubled.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the field of protection against erosion of installations and appliances like heaters, heat alternators, solar heaters, heating systems and other systems, where sacrificial anodes, which in time are worn out, are used to protect against erosion.
When the sacrificial anodes are worn out and their protective action stops, the sensor beams an optical signal to inform that the anodes have been worn out and that their protective action has stopped.
The sacrificial anodes could be either mikroalloys of aluminium, magnesium ,zinc or other suitable metals or metal alloys.

[0002] The present invention solves the problem of a timely replacement of a worn out anode by signaling the deterioration of the anode and the end of its protective action. Consequently, any further damage is being avoided.

[0003] The sensor allows for the continuous monitoring of the protection -against erosion-level and the deterioration level of the sacrificial anode.
The absence of the protective action of a worn-out anode and the need for its replacement is indicated with a red light that flashes continuously.

[0004] Similar solutions for sacrificial anodes of a spontaneous operation are not known. Checking the status of a sacrificial anode through natural observation is considered to be a good method to ensure its efficient operation, though it's complicated. It requires the opening of the appliance to reach the anode, additional expenses for the replacement of the flanges, working hours and specialisation to estimate the protection level of the anode.

[0005] With the deterioration sensor the above problem does not exist.
The protective sacrificial anode is usually short circuited by the object which it protects, but, in this particular case, the anode is electrically insulated against the object and it is connected to the object, through an exterior conductor, and the sensor that signals the deterioration of the anode.
Thus the non-stop protection from erosion is ensured by closely watching the protection potential and the protection current.

[0006] The device that indicates the deterioration of a sacrificial anode monitors the condition of the anode via the potential that is created with the object that it protects, and it also monitors continuously the current of protection.
When the protective action of an anode stops either due to deterioration or another reason(disconnection, bad contact), the red warning light of the electronic diode of liquid crystals flashes.

[0007] The sensor is of a very small size and it can be easily placed, for example, in the electric resistance area of a domestic electrical heater; the red warning light can be placed next to the lamp which indicates that the heater is on and thus being visible.

[0008] When the sacrificial anode which protects from erosion operates satisfactorily, the heater or any other installation is protected.
But in time the sacrificial anode is worn out and when this happens, the red light flashes and warns us that the sacrificial anode should be replaced with a new one.

[0009] If the heater or any other appliance or installation that is protected by sacrificial anodes remains unprotected, the erosion minimizes their life-span and the money required for their replacement are more compared to the money needed to buy the sensor.

[0010] The advantage of this invention lies with the fact that it is not necessary to open the appliance in order to check on the condition of the anode, due to its continuous monitoring by the sensor and because of the in time indication of the interruption of its protective action with continuous flashing of the light.
The protective action exists regardless of the connection of the sensor to its source of energy.

[0011] The sensor that detects the deterioration of a sacrificial anode which protects against erosion fig 2 consists of the part that is connected to the source of electric energy (4), the part of import signal from the sacrificial anode, the part of the treatment of the import signal(2) and the outlet part which signals the timely replacement of a worn out anode through the flashing red light(3).
The activation of the sensor takes place with alternating current of 220 V, 50 Hz and with direct current of 9V,12 V, 24 V voltage coming from batteries, accumulators and photovoltaic systems.
The sensor ensures a physiological and undisturbed passage of the protection current regardless its activation from its electric source.
The electric connection of the anode is realised via suitable resistance which is found in the sensor.
The sensor watches the data of potential protection in the resistance as well as the current of protection and when the indication is smaller than 50 mV, the sensor gives out a luminous signal that warns against the deterioration of the anode and the interruption of its protective action.
The sensor also warns against the interruption of the electric connections between the sensor and the object which the anode protects because when this happens its protective action is lost.
The placement of a protective anode in the object that needs protection (4), is shown in fig 1,the protective sacrificial anode(1), via the bolt(2), the insulated flange (3)and(5), and the metal grommet (6)is connected through a cable to the switch of the sensor that detects the worn out anode.

[0012] That way the protective anode (1) is electrically insulated against the object that it protects (4); the protection is created through the cable (6), the sensor for the detection against a worn out anode, and the outlet of the sensor is connected to the object under protection(4), through an electric cable. Thus, the continuous monitoring and condition of the anode and its protective action are ensured.

Claims

1. Sensor that detects the deterioration of sacrificial anodes used for protection against the erosion of heaters, heat alternators, solar heaters, heating systems and other installations and appliances where anodes which are worn out, are used for protection against erosion, is characterized by the constant and continuous monitoring of the operation of the anode and the protection that it offers against the deterioration that the erosion causes due to late replacement or bad operation of the protective anode.

2. Anode for the protection against the erosion of heaters, heat alternators, solar heaters, heating systems and other installations where it is used and it's worn out durating its protective action, is connected to the appliance or the installation (4) that it protects, with an electrically insulated connection fig.1, with insulated flanges 3 and 5 and the connection cable 6 is connected to the switch of the sensor that indicates the deterioration of the anode and her protective action. The outlet, following the treatment of the signal that is connected to the object that protects, is the action and the condition of the protection of the anode that is placed under continuous monitoring and constant protection of object current regardless its connection to an electric source.

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