A flexible pipe body and a method of providing electrical continuity are disclosed. The flexible pipe body comprises a first armour layer formed from a helical winding of a metal tape element, a further armour layer formed from a helical winding of a further metal tape element, and at least one intermediate layer between the first and further armour layers, said intermediate layer comprising a helically wound electrically insulating tape element (800.sub.0, 800.sub.1, 800.sub.2, 800.sub.3, 800.sub.4) and a helically wound electrically conductive tape element (810.sub.0, 810.sub.1, 810.sub.2, 810.sub.3, 810.sub.4).

Disclosed herein is a reference half-cell including a tube including an electron interface made of polypropylene graphite, an electrolyte solution, a metal electrode, and a seal. Alternatively, the reference half-cell may be employed without an electrolyte solution and a seal. The electron interface along the first end of the tube may be either an integrated part of the tube or a component separate from and affixed at its ends to the tube to maintain the electron interface in a stationary position relative to the tube. The use of electrically conductive polypropylene for the electron interface provides a half-cell that has good electrically conductivity and high moisture inhibitiveness and, as a result, has an improved service life.

Disclosed herein is a reference half-cell including a tube including an electron interface made of polypropylene graphite, an electrolyte solution, a metal electrode, and a seal. Alternatively, the reference half-cell may be employed without an electrolyte solution and a seal. The electron interface along the first end of the tube may be either an integrated part of the tube or a component separate from and affixed at its ends to the tube to maintain the electron interface in a stationary position relative to the tube. The use of electrically conductive polypropylene for the electron interface provides a half-cell that has good electrically conductivity and high moisture inhibitiveness and, as a result, has an improved service life.

An illustrated view of an improved anode rod assembly for removing corrosive elements from the water of the tank. The improved anode rod assembly is useful for providing a longer life span for water heater units. Further, an illustrated view of an exemplary water intake assembly is presented. The water intake assembly is useful, it provides an extra port so that more anodes can be inserted into the tank. Also having the dip tube at the very bottom of the tank provides more hot water and increases the efficiency of the water heater. Having multiple anodes will give an indefinite life span for the water heater.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical mount body comprising a first open mouth at a first end of the cylindrical body and a further open mouth at a remaining end of the cylindrical body, a substantially cylindrical inner surface, and an outer surface that includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel recessed regions that extends circumferentially around the body, wherein the cylindrical body is tapered at each end and at least one securing element is located between the recessed regions.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical mount body comprising a first open mouth at a first end of the cylindrical body and a further open mouth at a remaining end of the cylindrical body, a substantially cylindrical inner surface, and an outer surface that includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel recessed regions that extends circumferentially around the body, wherein the cylindrical body is tapered at each end and at least one securing element is located between the recessed regions.

The present invention is a hydraulic excavation and delivery device capable of hydraulically removing soil overburden from a buried structure, like a pipeline, and delivering an article, such as an electro-mechanical connector for attachment to the buried structure. Hydraulic excavation is achieved by directing a stream of fluid at soil adjacent to and inside an open bottom region of the device to simultaneously dislodge adjacent soil, suspend dislodged soil in the accumulating fluid and form a pit that the device may fit within. Delivery of article is achieved by: (1) loading an article into the tool; (2) advancing the device toward the buried structure by deepening the pit without significant failure (slumping or sagging) of the pit walls until a portion of the buried structure is exposed and within the device; (3) landing the device on the exposed portion of the structure; (4) fixing the article to the exposed portion of the structure; and (5) releasing the article from the device.

The present invention is a hydraulic excavation and delivery device capable of hydraulically removing soil overburden from a buried structure, like a pipeline, and delivering an article, such as an electro-mechanical connector for attachment to the buried structure. Hydraulic excavation is achieved by directing a stream of fluid at soil adjacent to and inside an open bottom region of the device to simultaneously dislodge adjacent soil, suspend dislodged soil in the accumulating fluid and form a pit that the device may fit within. Delivery of article is achieved by: (1) loading an article into the tool; (2) advancing the device toward the buried structure by deepening the pit without significant failure (slumping or sagging) of the pit walls until a portion of the buried structure is exposed and within the device; (3) landing the device on the exposed portion of the structure; (4) fixing the article to the exposed portion of the structure; and (5) releasing the article from the device.

In a method for cathodically protecting and/or passivating a metal section in an ionically conductive material such as steel reinforcement in concrete or mortar, an impressed current or sacrificial anode is mounted on the metal reinforcing bar by attaching a nut member having a female thread to the metal reinforcing bar by elongate flexible wires attached to the nut member so that the nut member and wires encircle the metal reinforcing bar and rotating a threaded rod member carrying the anode body into the female thread so that a forward end of the rod member engages with a front face of the metal reinforcing bar and pulls on the nut member away from the metal reinforcing bar to tension the wrapping wires.

In a method for cathodically protecting and/or passivating a metal section in an ionically conductive material such as steel reinforcement in concrete or mortar, an impressed current or sacrificial anode is mounted on the metal reinforcing bar by attaching a nut member having a female thread to the metal reinforcing bar by elongate flexible wires attached to the nut member so that the nut member and wires encircle the metal reinforcing bar and rotating a threaded rod member carrying the anode body into the female thread so that a forward end of the rod member engages with a front face of the metal reinforcing bar and pulls on the nut member away from the metal reinforcing bar to tension the wrapping wires.