DEVICE FOR THE CATHODIC PROTECTION OF METAL COMPONENTS OF BOATS

Abstract

A device for cathodic protection (100) arranged to provide an impressed current cathodic protection of a metal element (10) configured to be immersed in an electrolytic environment. The device for cathodic protection (100) comprises a container body (110) comprising an inner chamber (111) and at least one conductive interface (115) arranged to be electrically connected to the metal element (10), an anode (120) integral to the container body (110) and having a portion which faces externally with respect to the container body (110), a reference electrode (130) integral to the container body (110) and having a portion which faces externally with respect to the container body (110), a direct current source (140) disposed in the container body (110) and comprising a negative pole, electrically connected to the conductive interface (115), and a positive pole, electrically connected to the anode (120), a control unit (150) disposed in the container body (110) and configured to measure an electric voltage ?V between the conductive interface (115) and the reference electrode (130) when the device for cathodic protection (100) is immersed in an electrolytic environment. In particular, the device for cathodic protection (100) is configured in such a way that, when the control unit (150) detects an electric voltage ?V>?V*, where ?V* is a predetermined threshold value, the direct current source (140) supplies an electric current I between the conductive interface (115) and the anode (120) such as to restore a condition ?V<?V*.

Claims

1. A device for cathodic protection (100) arranged to provide an impressed current cathodic protection of a metal element (10) configured to be immersed in an electrolytic environment, said device for cathodic protection (100) comprising: a container body (110) comprising an inner chamber (111) and at least one conductive interface (115) arranged to be electrically connected to said metal element (10); an anode (120) integral to said container body (110) and having a portion which faces externally with respect to said container body (110); a direct current source (140) disposed in said container body (110) and comprising a negative pole, electrically connected to said conductive interface (115), and a positive pole, electrically connected to said anode (120); said device for cathodic protection (100) characterized in that it comprises furthermore: a reference electrode (130) integral to said container body (110) and having a portion which faces externally with respect to said container body (110); a control unit (150) disposed in said container body (110) and configured to measure an electric voltage ?V between said conductive interface (115) and said reference electrode (130) when said device for cathodic protection (100) is immersed in an electrolytic environment; and in that it is configured in such a way that, when said control unit (150) detects an electric voltage ?V>?V*, where ?V* is a predetermined threshold value, said direct current source (140) supplies an electric current I between said conductive interface (115) and said anode (120) such as to restore a condition ?V??V*.

2. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said conductive interface (115) is configured for mechanically fastening said container body (110) to said metal element (10).

3. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said conductive interface (115) comprises at least one flange configured for fastening said container body (110) to said metal element (10) both mechanically that electrically.

4. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said container body (110) comprises hermetic sealing elements configured to insulate said inner chamber (111) from said electrolytic environment.

5. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said anode (120) comprises at least one among the following elements: titanium; titanium activated with iridium and ruthenium; titanium activated with platinum; niobium activated with platinum; a combining the previous.

6. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (150) is also arranged to generate a register in which is reported the trend over time of electrical parameters selected from the group consisting of: said electric voltage ?V between said conductive interface (115) and said reference electrode (130); said electric current I supplied by said direct current source (140); an electric voltage ?V.sub.G between said positive pole and said negative pole of said direct current source (140); status data of said direct current source (140); a combining the previous.

7. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein in said inner chamber (111) an antenna is also disposed arranged to connect wireless said control unit (150) to a remote device.

8. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claims 6 and 7, wherein said control unit (150) is adapted to transmit data present on said register by means of said antenna.

9. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein a recharging device (154) is also provided arranged to recharge said direct current source (140).

10. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said direct current source (140) is adapted to accumulate energy by wireless charging.

11. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 9, wherein said recharging device (154) is selected from the group consisting of: a solar panel arranged on a portion of said container body (110); a direct current generator connected to said container body (110) and having a rotor configured to be propelled by a relative movement between said device for cathodic protection (100) and said electrolytic environment; an inertial generator arranged in said container body (110) and configured for exploit oscillations of said metal element (10).

12. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 7, wherein said control unit is configured for adjusting said predetermined threshold value ?V* by means of said remote device.

13. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is configured for automatically adjusting said predetermined threshold value ?V* on the basis of determined environmental parameters.

14. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 13, wherein said metal element (10) is configured to be immersed in an electrolytic fluid and wherein said determined environmental parameters are selected from the group consisting of: level of oxygen of said electrolytic fluid; level of salinity of said electrolytic fluid; speed of movement of said metal element (10) in said electrolytic fluid; a combining the previous.

15. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said device for cathodic protection (100) has a maximum length comprised between 3 cm and 30 cm.

16. The device for cathodic protection (100), according to claim 1, wherein said container body (110) has a hydrodynamic shape, in particular a rounded shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] The invention will be now shown with the following description of some exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a possible exemplary embodiment of the device for cathodic protection according to the present invention;

[0062] FIG. 1A shows a logic diagram of the operation of the device for cathodic protection;

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a possible exemplary embodiment of the device for cathodic protection according to the present invention, comprising a recharging device, an antenna for wireless connection with a remote device and a visual signalling device;

[0064] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the device for cathodic protection in which an external turbine is present as a recharging device;

[0065] FIG. 4 schematically shows a possible application of some cathodic protection devices, according to the present invention, arranged on the hull of a boat.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0066] In FIG. 1 a preferred exemplary embodiment of the device for cathodic protection 100 is shown, according to the present invention, arranged to provide an impressed current cathodic protection of a metal element 10 of a boat or of other structure when this element 10 is immersed in an electrolytic environment, such as sea water or fresh water.

[0067] In particular, the device for cathodic protection 100 comprises a container body 110 comprising an inner chamber 111, insulated by the outside, and two conductive interface 115, which allow the mechanical and electrical connection between the container body 110 and the metal element 10 to be to protect.

[0068] The device for cathodic protection 100 also comprises an anode 120 and a reference electrode 130, both arranged externally to the container body 110 in contact with the electrolytic liquid.

[0069] Furthermore, a direct current source 140, in particular a rechargeable battery, and a control unit 150 are placed in the internal chamber.

[0070] In particular, the battery 140 is connected by the negative pole to a conductive interface 115 and with the positive pole to the anode 120, creating a circuit by means of the electrolytic liquid.

[0071] The control unit 150 is instead configured to measure the electric voltage ?V between the conductive interface 115 and the reference electrode 130.

[0072] With reference even at FIG. 1A, the device 100 is configured in such a way that, when the control unit 150 detects an electric voltage ?V>?V*, where ?V* is a predetermined value, the battery 140 supplies an electric current I between the conductive interface 115 and the anode 120 such that the conductive interface 115, and therefore the metal element 10 connected to it, acts as a cathode, allowing to restore a condition ?V??V*.

[0073] In this way, the present invention allows to obtain cathodic protection with impressed currents of the metal element 10, avoiding the use of sacrificial anodes, but at the same time having energy autonomy of the device or devices placed on the metal elements. This makes it possible to do without a central generator, which the prior art cathodic protection systems with impressed currents need instead.

[0074] In particular, the control unit can comprise an electronic board 151 adapted to generate a register in which is reported the trend over time of electrical parameters such as, for example, the electric voltage ?V between the conductive interface 115 and the reference electrode 130, the electric current I supplied by the battery 140 and the electric voltage ?V.sub.G of the battery 140. Furthermore, the control unit can record any corrosion peaks and over protection phenomena.

[0075] In this way, it is possible to monitor the trend of the parameters over time and create statistics and/or forecasts that can be used to change the protection currents.

[0076] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the control unit may also comprise an electronic board 152 and an antenna arranged to connect wireless the control unit 150 to a remote device 200, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a computer or a server that collects data, for transmitting data present in the register of the monitored electrical parameters.

[0077] This way, by the remote device it is possible to monitor in real time the recorded parameters, the corrosion/protection status of the metal element 10 and the battery status, allowing to intervene in the event of a breakdown, or need for maintenance of the device, or even if you want to adjust the threshold value ?V* of the electric voltage beyond which the protection current is activated.

[0078] Advantageously, a recharging device 154 is also provided arranged to recharge the battery 140, for example by means of motive energy or solar energy.

[0079] In particular, this recharging device 154 can be, for example, a hydroelectric turbine arranged outside the internal chamber 111 (FIG. 3). Alternatively, the recharging device can be a gyroscopic generator actuated by the wave motion and placed inside the internal chamber 111. This second solution allows to avoid wear of the recharging device that can derive from immersion in a marine environment or, in general, in an electrolytic environment.

[0080] In this way, the direct current source can be recharged by energy derived from the movement of the boat or from the wave motion in the event of a long stop.

[0081] Alternatively, the charging device 154 can be a solar panel placed remotely with respect to the cathodic protection device 100, for example on the hull or above deck of the boat.

[0082] Furthermore, the battery 140 can be rechargeable by wireless charging. In this way, it is possible to recharge the battery without having to remove the device 100 from the hull. For example, the battery can be recharged using magnetic induction or resonance devices.

[0083] Furthermore, the device 100 can comprise a visual signalling device 153 of the battery status and/or the operating status of the device, such as in particular an LED.

[0084] In this way, it is possible to make a quick visual inspection of the device 100 and verify its correct functioning (for example, green light or intermittent green light), the failure or imminent depletion of the battery (for example, red light or flashing red light) or total breakdown of the device or battery (no light).

[0085] The foregoing description exemplary embodiments of the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.