Method and apparatus for strip anode wrapping for cathodic protection of tubular members
US6200397A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1741
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A novel method and apparatus to apply a corrosion protection in the form of a zinc (or other sacrificial anodic material) tape to a tubular member such as pipe or coiled tubing to used as an underground or underwater pipeline or flow line is disclosed. The zinc tape is applied with sufficient heat and pressure to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and underlying metal pipe. This allows the zinc tape to act simultaneously as a continuous protective metal barrier to the normal scrapes and nicks the pipe experiences during installation and as a sacrificial anode. The novel apparatus preheats the zinc tape with a nozzle containing heated gas such as nitrogen as it approaches the pipe surface. At the point of contact with the pipe surface, the nozzle continues heating the tape and pipe surface while a plurality of pressure rollers exert sufficient force on the zinc tape to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and the pipe surface. Thus, the zinc tape becomes bonded to the outer surface of the pipe and acts as both a protective barrier and sacrificial anode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.