GB2118974A

GB2118974A - Module for an electrode

Info

Publication number: GB2118974A
Application number: GB08212095A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Subramaniam Pathmanaban
Original assignee: CORRINTEC UK Ltd
Current assignee: CORRINTEC UK Ltd
Priority date: 1982-04-27
Filing date: 1982-04-27
Publication date: 1983-11-09

Abstract

An electrode assembly for use in underwater corrosion protection systems comprises a housing member 2 composed of a flexible shock- absorbent material, the housing member having a cavity in which the electrode 1 is retained in a relaxation fit such that one face 3 of the electrode is exposed, and means arranged in the housing member for connecting an unexposed face of the electrode to a source of external voltage. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Module for an electrode This invention relates to a module for an electrode and in particular to a module in which a fragile electrode may be retained in order to substantially protect the electrode from physical damage. The electrode is primarily intended for use in underwater corrosion protection systems.

Ceramic electrodes such as, for example, ferrite electrodes, which are fabricatad by a sintering process or by casting the electrode from the melt, are found to be relatively fragile due to the brittle nature of the ceramic material.

Particularly during transporation, a substantial number of ceramic electrodes may be damaged due to impact of the electrodes, thereby causing brittle fracture. Typically, the percentage of electrodes which may be damaged in transit is around 2030%.

In addition, when these electrodes are mounted for connection to electrical connectors, the electrical connectors can suffer electrochemical degradation, resulting in deteriorated operating characteristics of the electrode arrangement.

The present invention provides an electrode assembly comprising a housing member composed of a flexible shock-absorbent material, the housing member having a cavity, in which cavity the electrode is retained in a relaxation fit such that one face of the electrode is exposed, and means arranged in the housing member for connecting an unexposed face of the electrode to a source of external voltage.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a section of an electrode/module arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a section of the electrode/module arrangement of Figure 1, which section is orthogonal to that shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, ceramic electrode 1 is mounted into a housing constituted by modular moulding 2, such that a surface of electrode 1 is exposed. Preferably, electrode 1 is in the form of a rectangular plate, and a face 3 of the plate is exposed. Preferably, the rectangular plate has a length which is between two and five times greater than the width of the plate. For example, the length and width can be 250 mm and 66 mm respectively.

The modular moulding 2 is preferably closely disposed against the surfaces of the electrode 1, other than the majority of the area of the exposed face 3. The edges of the exposed face 3 have the modular moulding 2 closely disposed against them such that the electrode 1 is retained in the modular moulding 2.

Electrode 1 is inserted into the modular moulding 2 such that it is retained in a relaxation fit in the cavity 4 in the modular moulding 2, which cavity 4 is substantially the shape of the electrode 1. Most of one face 3 of the plate electrode is exposed, the lip 12 of the moulding overlapping the edges of the electrode to hold it securely.

Modular moulding 2 is composed of, preferably, neoprene EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer) or ethylene-propylene terpolymer. The material used for the modular moulding 2 is such that it is shock absorbing and is flexible, but may not be easily deformed inelastically. The material is also resistant to chemical attack. The modular moulding 2 is preferably formed by injection moulding in order to achieve good dimensional tolerance.

Arranged in modular moulding 2 is a connector 5 which is arranged to be connected to that face of electrode 1 which is opposite the exposed face of electrode 1, as shown, when electrode 1 is disposed in modular moulding 2.

As shown in Figure 2, connector 5 is connected by means of electrical cables, (not shown), which are arranged to run in a guide 9 in the moulding 2, via a cable housing 6 to an external source of voltage. The arrangement may be such that adjacent electrodes 1 arranged in adjacent modular moulding 2 may be connected by electrical cables.

Cable housing 6 preferably consists of a housing having cylindrical cavities 7 longitudinal to its length, in which cavities 7 electrical cables (not shown) may be disposed for connection of connector 5 to an external source of voltage. The cable housing 6 is closely disposed against a surface of modular moulding 2, as shown, with the cable housing 6 arranged in a channel 8 which has substantially the same dimensions as the cable housing.

Also disposed in the modular moulding 2 is a spine 10 of a material having a high elastic modules. The spine 10 preferably is arranged to have a shape corresponding substantially to a portion of the exterior surface of modular moulding 2 as shown in order that the electrode 1 does not easily fall out of modular moulding 2 when modular moulding 2 is deformed. Preferably the spine 10 is composed of a metal.

The modular moulding 2 may be disposed in a frame 11. Frame 11 has, as shown, an internal shape corresponding substantially to a portion of the external shape of modular moulding 2 in order than the modular moulding 2 is retained securely in a frame 11. Frame 11 is preferably composed of a material which is resistant to corrosion, such as, for example, a high strength polymer. The arrangement may be such that adjacent frame 11 may be connected together to connect adjacent electrode arrangements.

1. An electrode assembly comprising a housing member composed of a flexible shock-absorbent material, the housing member having a cavity, in which cavity the electrode is retained in a relaxation fit such that one face of the electrode is exposed, and means arranged in the housing member for connecting an unexposed face of the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Module for an electrode This invention relates to a module for an electrode and in particular to a module in which a fragile electrode may be retained in order to substantially protect the electrode from physical damage. The electrode is primarily intended for use in underwater corrosion protection systems. Ceramic electrodes such as, for example, ferrite electrodes, which are fabricatad by a sintering process or by casting the electrode from the melt, are found to be relatively fragile due to the brittle nature of the ceramic material. Particularly during transporation, a substantial number of ceramic electrodes may be damaged due to impact of the electrodes, thereby causing brittle fracture. Typically, the percentage of electrodes which may be damaged in transit is around 2030%. In addition, when these electrodes are mounted for connection to electrical connectors, the electrical connectors can suffer electrochemical degradation, resulting in deteriorated operating characteristics of the electrode arrangement. The present invention provides an electrode assembly comprising a housing member composed of a flexible shock-absorbent material, the housing member having a cavity, in which cavity the electrode is retained in a relaxation fit such that one face of the electrode is exposed, and means arranged in the housing member for connecting an unexposed face of the electrode to a source of external voltage. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a section of an electrode/module arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a section of the electrode/module arrangement of Figure 1, which section is orthogonal to that shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, ceramic electrode 1 is mounted into a housing constituted by modular moulding 2, such that a surface of electrode 1 is exposed. Preferably, electrode 1 is in the form of a rectangular plate, and a face 3 of the plate is exposed. Preferably, the rectangular plate has a length which is between two and five times greater than the width of the plate. For example, the length and width can be 250 mm and 66 mm respectively. The modular moulding 2 is preferably closely disposed against the surfaces of the electrode 1, other than the majority of the area of the exposed face 3. The edges of the exposed face 3 have the modular moulding 2 closely disposed against them such that the electrode 1 is retained in the modular moulding 2. Electrode 1 is inserted into the modular moulding 2 such that it is retained in a relaxation fit in the cavity 4 in the modular moulding 2, which cavity 4 is substantially the shape of the electrode 1. Most of one face 3 of the plate electrode is exposed, the lip 12 of the moulding overlapping the edges of the electrode to hold it securely. Modular moulding 2 is composed of, preferably, neoprene EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer) or ethylene-propylene terpolymer. The material used for the modular moulding 2 is such that it is shock absorbing and is flexible, but may not be easily deformed inelastically. The material is also resistant to chemical attack. The modular moulding 2 is preferably formed by injection moulding in order to achieve good dimensional tolerance. Arranged in modular moulding 2 is a connector 5 which is arranged to be connected to that face of electrode 1 which is opposite the exposed face of electrode 1, as shown, when electrode 1 is disposed in modular moulding 2. As shown in Figure 2, connector 5 is connected by means of electrical cables, (not shown), which are arranged to run in a guide 9 in the moulding 2, via a cable housing 6 to an external source of voltage. The arrangement may be such that adjacent electrodes 1 arranged in adjacent modular moulding 2 may be connected by electrical cables. Cable housing 6 preferably consists of a housing having cylindrical cavities 7 longitudinal to its length, in which cavities 7 electrical cables (not shown) may be disposed for connection of connector 5 to an external source of voltage. The cable housing 6 is closely disposed against a surface of modular moulding 2, as shown, with the cable housing 6 arranged in a channel 8 which has substantially the same dimensions as the cable housing. Also disposed in the modular moulding 2 is a spine 10 of a material having a high elastic modules. The spine 10 preferably is arranged to have a shape corresponding substantially to a portion of the exterior surface of modular moulding 2 as shown in order that the electrode 1 does not easily fall out of modular moulding 2 when modular moulding 2 is deformed. Preferably the spine 10 is composed of a metal. The modular moulding 2 may be disposed in a frame 11. Frame 11 has, as shown, an internal shape corresponding substantially to a portion of the external shape of modular moulding 2 in order than the modular moulding 2 is retained securely in a frame 11. Frame 11 is preferably composed of a material which is resistant to corrosion, such as, for example, a high strength polymer. The arrangement may be such that adjacent frame 11 may be connected together to connect adjacent electrode arrangements. CLAIMS

1. An electrode assembly comprising a housing member composed of a flexible shock-absorbent material, the housing member having a cavity, in which cavity the electrode is retained in a relaxation fit such that one face of the electrode is exposed, and means arranged in the housing member for connecting an unexposed face of the electrode to a source of external voltage.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for connecting comprises a channel extending from the unexposed face of the electrode to an exterior of the housing member, in which channel an electrical cable may be disposed.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for connecting further comprises an electrical connector, which electrical connector is arranged in the channel, to contact the unexposed face of the electrode, and an electrical cable arranged in the channel for connection of the electrical connector to the source of external voltage.

4. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a cable housing in which cable housing electrical cables are arranged for connection of adjacent electrodes to respective sources of external voltage.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing member is composed of neoprene.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 4 wherein the housing member is composed of ethylene-propylene terpolymer.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the housing member is composed of EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer).

8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a spine disposed in the housing member so as to restrict elastic deformation of the housing member.

9. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the electrode is a rectangular plate having a length which is between two and five times greater than the width of the plate.

10. An electrode assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.