Cathodic survey apparatus
US4258323A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 1979 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/52
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for locating an electrical leakage fault path relative to a cathodically protected buried pipe utilizes a conductor wire having a first end connected to the pipe and a second end wound on a reel including a level winding and distance measuring mechanism and connected to electrical signal monitoring components. An electrode in an earth cutting blade is also connected to the monitoring components and is mounted to a drafting structure for moving the blade through the earth generally over the buried pipe a sufficient depth to continuously encounter and sense electrical current indicating a flow or break in the cathodic protection of the pipe. The drafting structure includes a hitch for connection to a suitable vehicle and a regulating mechanism for controlling the depth of the blade into the earth. The monitoring components collect, store, process and analyze data derived from the electrode with respect to the conductor wire to continuously determine the extent of cathodic protection of the pipe and location of faults if any.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.