A dual-fiber flexible anode with a modular break detection function
By using a modularly designed dual-fiber flexible anode, the real-time performance and maintenance challenges of flexible anode fracture detection are solved, enabling precise location and rapid maintenance of anode fractures, and improving the system's redundancy and reliability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521451336.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-07-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing flexible anodes are prone to breakage during installation and operation. Traditional detection methods suffer from detection delays, inaccurate positioning, significant electromagnetic interference, and high maintenance costs. Furthermore, the single-optical-path structure lacks redundancy, making it impossible to achieve real-time, accurate breakage monitoring and rapid maintenance.
The modularly designed dual-fiber flexible anode includes an outer sheath, a main optical fiber and a backup optical fiber, an optical fiber insulation reinforcement layer, a limiting ring, and a quick-connect interface. It enables stable transmission of optical signals and rapid maintenance. The OTDR analysis circuit enables precise location of the break point and automatically switches to the backup optical fiber for continued monitoring when the main optical fiber fails.
It enables real-time early warning of anode fracture, meter-level accuracy positioning, and rapid maintenance, reducing maintenance costs and improving the system's continuous monitoring capabilities and reliability. It is suitable for buried and humid high-stress environments.
Smart Images
Figure CN224678155U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the fields of cathodic protection and fiber optic sensing applications, and in particular to an improvement of a dual-fiber flexible anode with modular fracture detection function. Background Technology
[0002] In cathodic protection systems, flexible anodes are widely used for corrosion control in underground pipelines and storage tanks. They suppress metal oxidation by providing a stable current output. However, during actual installation and operation, flexible anodes are susceptible to breakage due to soil subsidence, mechanical impact, or temperature changes. Once broken, cathodic protection failure will lead to significant equipment corrosion risks.
[0003] Traditional fracture detection methods include manual inspection, electrical signal detection, and remote current monitoring, which have problems such as detection delay, inaccurate fault location, and large electromagnetic interference, making it difficult to meet the detection requirements of "real-time, high precision, and easy maintenance" for flexible anodes.
[0004] Currently, there are also methods for detecting fiber optic fractures by embedding optical fibers in the anode. However, the optical fiber is bonded and fixed to the anode, the structure is not removable, the maintenance cost is high, and a single optical path structure is generally used, which lacks redundancy. Once the main optical fiber fails, monitoring can no longer continue. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings and deficiencies of existing technologies by providing a dual-fiber flexible anode with modular fracture detection capabilities. This solves the problems of non-replaceable monitoring modules and the inability to redundantly identify fractures in existing structures, enabling precise location, real-time early warning, and rapid maintenance of anode fractures.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: it includes an anode body 1 and a modular monitoring core 2; the modular monitoring core 2 is inserted into and tightly installed in the channel of the anode body 1.
[0007] The modular monitoring core 2 includes an outer sheath 21, a main optical fiber and a spare optical fiber 22, an optical fiber insulation reinforcement layer 23, a limiting ring 24, and an optical fiber quick-connect interface 25. The outer sheath 21 is inserted into the anode body 1. The main optical fiber and the spare optical fiber 22 are respectively disposed in the upper and lower limiting grooves inside the outer sheath 21. The optical fiber insulation reinforcement layer 23 is disposed on the inner wall of the outer sheath 21 and is bonded by hot pressing. The limiting ring 24 is disposed on the outer side of the end outer shell of the modular monitoring core 2. The limiting ring 24 is embedded in the limiting groove at the anode end through an annular protrusion to achieve axial fixation. The optical fiber quick-connect interface 25 is embedded into the anode body 1 by a snap-fit method and connects with the main optical fiber and the spare optical fiber 22 to achieve optical signal interface.
[0008] The outer casing 21 is an integrally formed flexible tubular structure that is inserted into the channel of the anode body 1 along the length direction of the anode body 1. The outer diameter of the outer casing 21 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the channel.
[0009] The modular monitoring core 2 is provided with optical signal transmitting and receiving modules 26 at both ends. The optical signal transmitting and receiving modules 26 at both ends are used to emit stable optical signals and receive reflected signals, respectively.
[0010] One end of the modular monitoring core 2 is provided with a data analysis module 27. The data analysis module 27 is electrically connected to the modular monitoring core 2 and is configured with an OTDR analysis circuit to determine the optical signal interruption point and locate the anode breakage position.
[0011] The anode body 1 is provided with universal connection interface modules 28 at both ends, and the universal connection interface modules 28 connect the optical signal module and the core optical fiber.
[0012] The working principle of this invention is as follows: During anode operation, if the anode body breaks, the modular monitoring core 2 breaks simultaneously, causing optical signal interruption or strong VF reflection. The data analysis module calculates the distance to the break point based on the time difference and can trigger an alarm or upload data to a remote platform via the communication module. The modular monitoring core 2 is a detachable structure. When a fiber optic fault or overall damage occurs, maintenance personnel can remove the original core and replace it with a new one without disassembling the anode body, thus improving maintenance efficiency and cost control.
[0013] The advantages of this utility model after adopting the above technical solution are as follows: it adopts a modular design and the monitoring core is detachable and replaceable, which facilitates maintenance and reduces the cost of use; it adopts a dual-channel optical fiber structure with redundancy design of main / backup optical paths, which improves the continuous monitoring capability and reliability of the system; it achieves meter-level accuracy ranging at break points through optical time domain reflectometry; it uses flexible optical fiber and sheath material, which is suitable for buried, humid, and high-stress environments; the quick-connect connector in this utility model is compatible with mainstream monitoring equipment, which is conducive to large-scale promotion. Attached Figure Description
[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;
[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1Enlarged view of part A.
[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Anode body; 2. Modular monitoring core; 21. Outer shell; 22. Main optical fiber and spare optical fiber; 23. Fiber insulation reinforcement layer; 24. Limiting ring; 25. Fiber quick-connect interface; 26. Receiving module; 27. Data analysis module; 28. Universal connection interface module. Detailed Implementation
[0018] See Figure 1-2 As shown, the technical solution adopted in this specific embodiment is as follows: It includes an anode body 1, made of conductive composite material, used for outputting protective current, and has an axial channel inside; a modular monitoring core 2 is inserted into and tightly installed in the channel of the anode body 1. The modular monitoring core 2 includes: an outer shell 21, which is an integrally formed flexible tubular structure inserted along the length of the anode body, with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the channel; a main optical fiber and a spare optical fiber 22, respectively arranged in the upper and lower limiting grooves inside the outer shell, arranged in parallel to avoid crossing; an optical fiber insulation reinforcement layer 23, located on the outside of the optical fiber and hot-pressed to the inner wall of the outer shell; limiting rings 24, located on the outside of the outer shell at both ends of the core, which are embedded in the limiting groove at the anode end through annular protrusions to achieve axial fixation; and an optical fiber quick-connect interface 26, located inside the end faces of both ends of the core, which is embedded into the anode body connection module through a snap-fit method to achieve optical signal docking. The optical signal transmitting and receiving module 27 is connected to the optical fibers at both ends of the monitoring core, and is used to emit stable optical signals and receive reflected signals, respectively. The data analysis module 28 is electrically connected to the receiving module and is configured with an OTDR analysis circuit to determine the optical signal interruption point and locate the anode breakage position. The universal connection interface module 29 is located at both ends of the anode body and connects the optical signal module to the core optical fiber. The working principle of this invention is as follows: During anode operation, if the anode body breaks, the modular monitoring core 2 breaks synchronously, causing optical signal interruption or strong VF reflection. The data analysis module calculates the breakage distance based on the time difference and can trigger an alarm or upload data to a remote platform via the communication module. The modular monitoring core 2 has a detachable structure. When an optical fiber fault or overall damage occurs, maintenance personnel can remove the original core and replace it with a new one without disassembling the anode body, improving maintenance efficiency and cost control.
[0019] The optical fibers at both ends are connected to the optical transmitting and receiving modules respectively through standard FC / APC interfaces. The microprocessor at the back end is equipped with an OTDR chip, which can identify the location of optical signal breakpoints and upload the abnormal location to the back-end system through the communication module.
[0020] During anode operation, the optical signal travels stably back and forth on the main optical fiber path. Once the anode body breaks due to external force, the embedded monitoring core will simultaneously break, causing abnormal or complete interruption of optical signal reflection. The analysis system can calculate the distance to the breakpoint through Δt and trigger an alarm.
[0021] If the main optical fiber is detected as abnormal, the system will automatically switch to the backup optical fiber path to continue monitoring, effectively avoiding the problem of "paralysis due to single optical path failure".
[0022] When the core assembly is damaged, maintenance personnel can unlock the quick-connect structure, pull out the core from both ends of the anode, and replace it with a new assembly without disassembling or damaging the anode body.
[0023] The above description is only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and is not intended to limit it. Any other modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of this utility model, as long as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model, should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A dual-fiber flexible anode with modular fracture detection function, characterized in that: It includes an anode body (1) and a modular monitoring core (2); the modular monitoring core (2) is inserted into and closely fitted into the channel of the anode body (1).
2. The dual-fiber flexible anode with modular fracture detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The modular monitoring core (2) includes an outer shell (21), a main optical fiber and a spare optical fiber (22), an optical fiber insulation reinforcement layer (23), a limiting ring (24), and an optical fiber quick-connect interface (25). The outer shell (21) is inserted into the anode body (1). The main optical fiber and the spare optical fiber (22) are respectively set in the upper and lower limiting grooves inside the outer shell (21). The optical fiber insulation reinforcement layer (23) is set on the inner wall of the outer shell (21) and bonded by hot pressing. The limiting ring (24) is set on the outer side of the end shell of the modular monitoring core (2). The limiting ring (24) is embedded in the limiting groove at the end of the anode through an annular protrusion to achieve axial fixation. The optical fiber quick-connect interface (25) is embedded in the anode body (1) by a snap-fit method and achieves optical signal docking with the main optical fiber and the spare optical fiber (22).
3. The dual-fiber flexible anode with modular fracture detection function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer casing (21) is an integrally formed flexible tubular structure that is inserted into the channel of the anode body (1) along the length direction of the anode body (1). The outer diameter of the outer casing (21) is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the channel.
4. The dual-fiber flexible anode with modular fracture detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The modular monitoring core (2) is provided with optical signal transmitting and receiving modules (26) at both ends. The optical signal transmitting and receiving modules (26) at both ends are used to emit stable optical signals and receive reflected signals, respectively.
5. A dual-fiber flexible anode with modular fracture detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the modular monitoring core (2) is provided with a data analysis module (27). The data analysis module (27) is electrically connected to the modular monitoring core (2) and is equipped with an OTDR analysis circuit to determine the optical signal interruption point and locate the anode breakage position.
6. The dual-fiber flexible anode with modular fracture detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anode body (1) is provided with universal connection interface modules (28) at both ends, and the universal connection interface modules (28) connect the optical signal module and the core optical fiber.