BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a cathodic protection system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the component parts of a cathodic protection system according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 1, has a metallic body system which may take the form of either a unitized body and frame system, or a separate body/frame architecture. Vehicle 10 has a photovoltaic array, 12, which is mounted to top 14 of vehicle 10. Array 12 may comprise either an integrated photovoltaic appliqué, a sunroof or clear roof module with integrated solar collectors, or an additional panel applied over top 14. A first conductor, 18, is connected to top 14, which serves as a convenient central location for the bonding of first conductor 18 to the vehicle. Second conductors 22a and 22b extend from PV sunroof 12 to more remote, or distributed, or separated locations of vehicle 10. Thus, second conductor 22a extends to a forward portion of vehicle body, whereas conductor 22b extends to a rear quarter of vehicle 10. The purpose of the various conductors 18 and 22 is to assure that the desired electric current reaches each required portion within the metallic structure of vehicle 10. A primary system ground is established through tires 16, and a secondary ground is established through the vehicle's chassis or body ground, which is commonly the point at which the vehicle's starting battery is grounded.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of this disclosure that PV sunroof 12, could comprise either a vitreous or non-vitreous sunroof, or other type of fixed or movable panel, or other solar collection materials integrated, dispersed, applied, or film applied to the surface, or an appliqué positioned upon exterior top panel 14 of vehicle 10, so as to present a ready target for the impingement of solar energy upon the PV array.
FIG. 1 further shows controller 20 and electrical storage device 30, which may be mounted within vehicle 10 in any convenient location. The functions of these devices will be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2, below.
As shown in FIG. 2, controller 26, is connected with body conductors 22a and 22b, as well as with a storage device 30, and with PV array 12. Controller 26 is grounded to both the vehicle body and through tires 16. Storage device 30 may be drawn from a plurality of such devices as storage batteries, ultracapacitors, and other devices commonly used for storing electrical energy. Storage device 30 may be operatively connected with a central electrical storage device in vehicle 10. A primary function of controller 26 is to place an electrical potential across a vehicle's body sufficient to produce active cathodic protection, while providing a voltage adjusted according to feedback from at least one corrosion cell sensor, 34. Sensors 34 (FIG. 2) may include several nanosensors located at various locations having a greater likelihood of being affected by electrogalvanic corrosion. Sensors 34 will sense the presence of an active electrogalvanic cell by sensing the microcurrent and/or voltage associated with such a cell. A number of sensors 34 may be employed to provide feedback to controller 20 regarding the corrosion potentials of various portions of the vehicle's body. In this manner, an appropriate anti-corrosion current may be applied to each of the defined portions.
Controller 26 functions to maintain storage device 30 in a suitably charged state to assure that cathodic protection may continue during periods in which current generated by PV array 12 is insufficient to power the cathodic protection system at the desired level, such as at night or during overcast days. When storage device 30 is charged to a level exceeding a predetermined threshold, controller 26 may be programmed to direct the entirety of the current flowing from PV array 12 to conductors 22a and 22b. In this manner, cathodic protection may be provided on a consistent basis, but without adversely impacting the fuel economy of vehicle 10.
As an alternative to the previously described system, storage device 30 may be charged by means of an installed vehicular electrical system. Although such an arrangement would avoid the first cost of PV array 12, increased fuel consumption would be ongoing.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications, alterations, and adaptations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.
Patent Application
20070267290
