Apparatus for use with metallic structures

• US 8,298,382 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abriox Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Abriox Ltd.
• Inventors: Hanlon, Jason, McGee, Thomas Josef
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, Bruce
• Application Number:
  US12/969,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 204/196.01, 204/196.02, 204/196.04, 204/196.1, 204/196.26, 204/196.37, 205/724, 205/725, 205/726, 205/730, 205/734, 205/740
• US Class Current: 204/196.37
• CPC Class Codes: C23F 13/04 Controlling or regulating desired parameters
• CPC Class Codes: C23F 13/22 Monitoring arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C23F 2213/32 Pipes

Abstract

Apparatus for connection to a metallic structure, the apparatus comprises a transformer rectifier unit operable to output a DC current for cathodic protection of a metallic structure, and a modulator unit connected to receive a DC output from the transformer rectifier unit. The modulator unit is arranged for connection to a metallic structure, and is operable to produce a modulated current which is applied to such a metallic structure when the apparatus is in use, such that the metallic structure is detectable by a wireless locating device. The modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely.

Claims

1. Apparatus for connection to a transformer rectifier unit which is operable to output a DC current for cathodic protection of a metallic structure, the apparatus comprising:

a modulator unit connected to receive a DC output from a transformer rectifier unit, and arranged for connection to a metallic structure, wherein the modulator unit is operable to produce a modulated current which is applied to such a metallic structure when the apparatus is in use, such that the metallic structure is detectable by a wireless locating device, and wherein the modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulated current has a modulation frequency of less than 1 Hz.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely using a wide area network, local area network or internet connection.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely using a wireless controller.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely using a mobile telephone.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulator unit is operable to generate an interruption pattern to the DC output from the transformer rectifier unit.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a remote monitor unit operable to monitor operation of the transformer rectifier unit and such cathodic protection.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the remote monitor unit is operable to generate alarms and status reports relating to the transformer rectifier unit and such cathodic protection.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the remote monitor unit is operable to send such alarms and status reports wirelessly or via wired means to a control centre or monitoring station.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the remote monitor unit is integral with the modulator.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulated current has a modulation frequency of at least 1 Hz.

12. A method of detecting a buried metallic structure, the method comprising connecting a transformer rectifier unit to a buried metallic structure, supplying a DC current to the metallic structure to provide cathodic protection for the structure, modulating the DC current to provide a modulated current, and detecting the modulated DC current using a wireless locating device.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the modulated DC current has a modulation frequency of less than 1 Hz.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12, being controlled remotely using a wide area network, local area network or internet connection.

15. A method as claimed in claim 12, being controlled remotely using a wireless controller.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein wireless controller is a mobile telephone.

17. A method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising remotely monitoring operation of the transformer rectifier unit.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising generating alarms and status reports relating to the transformer rectifier unit and such cathodic protection.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising sending such alarms and status reports wirelessly or via wired means to a control centre or monitoring station.

20. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the modulated current has a modulation frequency of at least 1 Hz.

21. Apparatus for connection to a metallic structure, the apparatus comprising:

a transformer rectifier unit operable to output a DC current for cathodic protection of a metallic structure;

a modulator unit connected to receive a DC output from the transformer rectifier unit, and arranged for connection to a metallic structure, wherein the modulator unit is operable to produce a modulated current which is applied to such a metallic structure when the apparatus is in use, such that the metallic structure is detectable by a wireless locating device, and wherein the modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the modulated current has a modulation frequency of less than 1 Hz.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely using a wide area network, local area network or internet connection.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely using a wireless controller.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely using a mobile telephone.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the modulator unit is operable to generate an interruption pattern to the DC output from the transformer rectifier unit.

27. Apparatus as claimed claim 21, further comprising a remote monitor unit operable to monitor operation of the transformer rectifier unit and such cathodic protection.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the remote monitor unit is operable to generate alarms and status reports relating to the transformer rectifier unit and such cathodic protection.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the remote monitor unit is operable to send such alarms and status reports wirelessly or via wired means to a control centre or monitoring station.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the remote monitor unit is integral with the modulator.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the modulated current has a modulation frequency of at least 1 Hz.