Sacrificial anode for cathodic corrosion protection

Abstract

The invention pertains to a sacrificial anode for cathodic corrosion protection that comprises an anode body (1), a mounting component (8) for mounting the sacrificial anode on the device to be protected, an insulating component (4) that in certain areas surrounds the anode body (1) and electrically insulates the anode body (1) from the mounting component (8), and a resistive element (9) that is inserted between the anode body (1) and the mounting component (8), where the insulating component (4) is fixed on the mounting component (8). According to the disclosure, a securing component (6) is fixed on the anode body (1) and prevents the anode body (1) from moving out of the insulating component (4). This results in a sacrificial anode of this type that can be reliably operated over its entire service life.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned sacrificial anode according to a preferred embodiment of the invention before assembly.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned sacrificial anode according to the preferred embodiment of the invention in the assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and its use, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a sacrificial anode according to the invention before assembly. The anode body 1 is realized in the form of a cast magnesium rod anode. A core 2 extending through the anode body 1 is exposed on the upper end of the anode body 1 by removing the anode material over a region of approximately 10 mm. In the region below, the anode body 1 has a smaller diameter than in its remaining regions, wherein external threads 3 are also provided in this region. An insulating component 4 in the form of a sleeve of a synthetic material, such as nylon, can be screwed onto these external threads 3, namely by means of internal threads 5 provided therein.

Before the assembly of the sacrificial anode according to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, a metallic securing component 6 is fixed on the core 2 of the anode body 1 after the insulating component 4 is screwed onto the external threads 3 of the anode body 1 and this threaded connection is additionally secured with a food-compatible adhesive. This can be realized, e.g., by means of a welding spot, a solder spot and/or pressing.

It is important that the outside diameter of the securing component 6 be larger than the inside diameter of the insulating component 4. This ensures that the anode body 1 can no longer separate from the insulating component 4. Since the insulating component 4 features not only internal threads 5, but also external threads 7 for being screwed into the mounting component 8 that is realized in the form of a screw plug and makes it possible to install the entire sacrificial anode according to the described preferred embodiment of the invention in the device to be protected, e.g., a water heater, the anode body 1 is secured from separating from the remaining components so that the anode body 1 is also prevented from falling into the water heater.

An ohmic resistance between the device to be protected and the anode body 1 is realized in this case by providing a resistive element 9 in the form of a miniaturized circuit board of SMD design that has an ohmic resistance of 62Ω, wherein said resistive element is elastically supported within the mounting component 8 by means of two surrounding flat springs 10 and in electrical contact with the securing component 6 and therefore also the anode body 1 via the core 2, as specifically illustrated in FIG. 2. Since the external threads 11 of the mounting component 9 are screwed into the (not-shown) device to be protected, a defined resistance between the anode body 1 and the device to be protected is realized by means of the resistive element 9 so as to extend the service life of the sacrificial anode. During the installation of the described sacrificial anode according to the preferred embodiment of the invention into the device to be protected, an annular seal 12 is also provided in the region of the external threads 10 of the mounting component 8 for sealing purposes.

This results in a sacrificial anode suitable for cathodic corrosion protection which has an extended service life and cannot separate from its mounted state on the device to be protected during its entire time of operation.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A sacrificial anode for cathodic corrosion protection, comprising an anode body (1), a mounting component (8) for mounting the sacrificial anode on the device to be protected, an insulating component (4) that in certain areas surrounds the anode body (1) and electrically insulates the anode body (1) from the mounting component (8), and a resistive element (9) that is inserted between the anode body (1) and the mounting component (8), wherein the insulating component (4) is fixed on the mounting component (8), characterized by the fact that a securing component (6) is fixed on the anode body (1) and prevents the anode body (1) from moving out of the insulating component (4).

2. The sacrificial anode according to claim 1 wherein the insulating component (4) is realized in the form of a sleeve that is made of an insulating material, such as a synthetic material, preferably nylon, and surrounds the anode body (1) on one end.

3. The sacrificial anode according to claim 2 wherein the securing component (6) is arranged and realized in such a way that it cannot be moved through the insulating component (4) in the form of a sleeve in the state in which it is fixed on the anode body (1).

4. The sacrificial anode according to claim 3 wherein the outside diameter of the securing component (6) is larger than the inside diameter of the insulating component (4) in the form of a sleeve.

5. The sacrificial anode according to claim 1 wherein the securing component (6) is fixed on the anode body (1) on an end on which the insulating component (4) in the form of a sleeve surrounds the anode body (1).

6. The sacrificial anode according to claim 5 wherein the securing component (6) is fixed on a core (2) that extends through the anode body (1), preferably by means of welding, soldering and/or pressing.

7. The sacrificial anode according to claim 1 wherein the insulating component (4) features external threads (7) for being screwed into internal threads provided in the mounting component (8).

8. The sacrificial anode according to claim 1 wherein a positive connection, preferably in the form of a threaded connection, is produced between the anode body (1) and the insulating component (4).

9. The sacrificial anode according to claim 1 wherein the resistive element (9) is constructed and arranged as a miniaturized circuit board with ohmic resistance.

10. The sacrificial anode according to claim 1 wherein the mounting component (8) features external threads (10) for being screwed into the device to be protected.

11. The sacrificial anode according to claim 1 wherein the anode body (1) consists of a magnesium anode, preferably a pressed rod anode or a cast rod anode.