A sacrificial anode device can be monitored

Abstract

This utility model discloses a sacrificial anode monitoring device, including a sacrificial anode and its iron core. One end of the iron core is connected to an electrical connecting rod. It also includes a monitoring sensor communicatively connected to a monitoring device. The monitoring sensor is connected to a reference electrode and an electrical connector. The electrical connector is electrically connected to the electrical connecting rod. The monitoring sensor monitors the potential of the reference electrode and feeds it back to the monitoring device. The device has the following advantages: It has a simple structure. An electrical connecting rod is added to one end of the iron core of the existing sacrificial anode. This connecting rod is electrically connected to the monitoring sensor connected to the reference electrode, forming a battery structure with the sacrificial anode and reference electrode. The monitoring device obtains the negative potential of the sacrificial anode based on the potential of the reference electrode fed back by the monitoring sensor. By comparing this negative potential with the set potential for the sacrificial anode to protect the metal structure, it can determine whether the sacrificial anode can still provide cathodic protection to the protected metal structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of metal structure cathodic protection devices, specifically a sacrificial anode device for monitoring. Background Technology

[0002] Sacrificial anodes are widely used as an effective corrosion protection measure for metal structures in aquatic environments, such as steel pipe piles for docks, monopile foundations for offshore wind power, and bridge pile foundations. However, when sacrificial anodes are used in aquatic environments, they are affected by environmental factors such as siltation, marine organism coverage, water quality changes, and water erosion. These factors can cause abnormal consumption, uneven dissolution, or passivation reversal of the sacrificial anodes, leading to a decline in their performance. In other words, the negative potential of the sacrificial anode is insufficient to provide adequate protection for the metal structure, resulting in inadequate protection of the steel structure.

[0003] Therefore, to ensure the normal operation of the cathodic protection system, regular maintenance and inspection are usually performed on the sacrificial anode during its service life. Traditional methods typically involve manual periodic inspections, which are difficult to monitor the operating status of the sacrificial anode in real time, potentially leading to untimely early warnings and fault handling. Consequently, researchers have improved upon this by monitoring the current generated by the sacrificial anode, as illustrated in Chinese invention application CN115371532A, "A Sacrificial Anode Size Monitoring Device and a Method for Evaluating the Protection Life of a Sacrificial Anode." This method obtains the wear and tear of the sacrificial anode by monitoring its current generation. However, this design requires structural modifications to the sacrificial anode, necessitating changes to the production line, resulting in higher costs and requiring further improvement. Utility Model Content

[0004] One technical problem this application aims to solve is to overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned related technologies and provide a sacrificial anode monitoring device that can obtain the usage status of the sacrificial anode by detecting the potential, without requiring any modification to the structure of the sacrificial anode, and with a simple overall structure and low cost.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve the technical problem is as follows: a sacrificial anode device for monitoring, including a sacrificial anode and its iron core, one end of the iron core being connected to an electrical connecting rod; it also includes a monitoring sensor that is communicatively connected to a monitoring device, the monitoring sensor being connected to a reference electrode, the monitoring sensor being connected to an electrical connector, the electrical connector being electrically connected to the electrical connecting rod, and the monitoring sensor being used to monitor the potential of the reference electrode and feed it back to the monitoring device.

[0006] Compared with related technologies, this utility model has the following advantages: The device has a simple structure. It only requires welding an electrical connecting rod to one end of the iron core of the existing sacrificial anode. The electrical connecting rod is electrically connected to a monitoring sensor connected to a reference electrode, so that the sacrificial anode and the reference electrode are electrically connected to form a battery structure. The monitoring sensor feeds back the potential of the reference electrode to the monitoring device. The monitoring device obtains the negative potential of the sacrificial anode through the potential of the reference electrode. By comparing the negative potential with the set potential of the metal structure protected by the sacrificial anode, it can be determined whether the wear of the sacrificial anode can still provide cathodic protection to the protected metal structure. There is no need to process or modify the structure of the existing sacrificial anode. Moreover, the overall structure is simple. Compared with the cost required to process and modify the structure of the sacrificial anode, the cost of adding the electrical connecting rod, electrical connector, monitoring sensor and reference electrode is lower.

[0007] As an improvement, the electrical connector and the electrical connecting rod are detachably connected. The electrical connector and the electrical connecting rod can be separated and reconnected, allowing for individual replacement when the sacrificial anode is severely worn or when the monitoring sensor and reference electrode are damaged and require repair, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

[0008] Preferably, the end of the electrical connector is provided with a sleeve, which is inserted into the electrical connector rod.

[0009] Preferably, the end of the electrical connector is provided with a threaded sleeve, which is threadedly connected to the electrical connector rod.

[0010] As an improvement, the monitoring sensor is fixed to the protected metal structure via a base, which is mounted on the protected metal structure, and the monitoring sensor is detachably connected to the base. This simple fixation of the monitoring sensor to the protected metal structure facilitates installation and maintenance.

[0011] As an improvement, a wiring compartment and conduit fixed to the protected metal structure are also included, in which the wires of the monitoring sensors for communication with the monitoring device are laid out. This serves for the arrangement and protection of the wires. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a front view of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a top view of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the monitoring sensor, reference electrode, electrical connector, and wires of this utility model.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0016] 1. Reference electrode, 2. Monitoring sensor, 3. Base, 4. Electrical connector, 5. Sacrificial anode, 2. Fixture body, 6. Iron core, 7. Wiring compartment, 8. Conduit, 9. Wire, 10. Metal structure. Detailed Implementation

[0017] First, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely used to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0018] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] This preferred embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 and 2 The illustrated sacrificial anode device includes a conventional sacrificial anode 5 and its core 6. Both ends of the core 6 are fixedly connected to the protected metal structure 10, providing cathodic protection. An electrical connecting rod is welded to one end of the core 6. The device also includes a monitoring sensor 2, which is a potential sensor, connected to a reference electrode 1 exposed to the environment of the protected metal structure 10. The monitoring sensor 2 is also connected to an electrical connector 4, which is electrically connected to the connecting rod, enabling the sacrificial anode to... The sacrificial anode 5 and the reference electrode 1 form a battery structure. By monitoring the potential of the reference electrode 1, the negative potential of the sacrificial anode 5 can be measured. In other words, the monitoring device can obtain the negative potential of the sacrificial anode 5 in real time by monitoring the potential of the reference electrode 1 fed back by the sensor 2. By comparing the negative potential obtained by the potential of the reference electrode 1 with the negative potential range that the sacrificial anode 5 can form protection for the protected metal structure 10 under normal conditions, it can be determined whether the sacrificial anode 5 needs to be replaced, so as to avoid the cathodic protection failure of the protected metal structure 10 due to the reversal of the passivation of the sacrificial anode 5.

[0020] In this embodiment, the electrical connector 4 is detachably connected to the electrical connecting rod. The electrical connector 4 includes a bendable conductive rod for electrical connection and a sleeve at its end. The electrical connecting rod and the sleeve are inserted and fixed to form an electrical connection between the electrical connecting rod and the electrical connector 4; or the end of the electrical connector 4 is equipped with a threaded sleeve, and the end of the electrical connecting rod is threaded. The threaded sleeve is screwed and fixed to the electrical connecting rod to form an electrical connection between the electrical connector 4 and the electrical connecting rod; of course, other quick connection methods such as crimping can also be used.

[0021] The monitoring sensor 2 is fixed to the protected metal structure 10 via the base 3, and the monitoring sensor 2 and the base 3 are detachably connected. Specifically, the base 3 is welded to the protected metal structure 10, and the monitoring sensor 2 has a connecting flange at its bottom, which is fixed to the base 3 by bolts. Of course, the monitoring sensor 2 can also be fixed to the base 3 by a plug-in method.

[0022] In this embodiment, a wiring compartment 7 and a conduit 8 fixed to the protected metal structure 10 are also included. A wire 9, which is led out from the monitoring sensor 2 and is used to communicate with the monitoring device or data acquisition device, is laid in the wiring compartment 7 and the conduit 8.

[0023] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can occur depending on design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A sacrificial anode device for monitoring, comprising a sacrificial anode and its core, characterized in that, One end of the iron core is connected to an electrical connecting rod; it also includes a monitoring sensor that is communicatively connected to the monitoring device. The monitoring sensor is connected to a reference electrode and an electrical connector. The electrical connector is electrically connected to the electrical connecting rod. The monitoring sensor is used to monitor the potential of the reference electrode and feed it back to the monitoring device.

2. The sacrificial anode device for monitoring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical connector is detachably connected to the electrical connecting rod.

3. The sacrificial anode device for monitoring according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end of the electrical connector is provided with a sleeve, which is inserted into the electrical connector rod.

4. The sacrificial anode device for monitoring according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end of the electrical connector is provided with a threaded sleeve, which is threadedly connected to the electrical connector rod.

5. The sacrificial anode device for monitoring according to claim 2, characterized in that, The monitoring sensor is fixed to the protected metal structure via a base, which is mounted on the protected metal structure, and the monitoring sensor is detachably connected to the base.

6. The sacrificial anode device for monitoring according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a wiring compartment and conduit fixed to the protected metal structure, in which the wires of the monitoring sensor for communicating with the monitoring device are laid.

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