Patent ID: 7422665
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: C23F

Abstract:
1. An anode assembly for use in cathodic protection of a cathode in a medium comprising: an anode body; the anode body being shaped and arranged to define at least one exterior surface arranged for contacting medium which is in contact with a cathode to be protected; the anode body comprising an electrically conductive material and an ionically conductive material; and an electrical connecting lead electrically connected to the electrically conductive material of the anode body for connection to the cathode; the electrically conductive material being arranged in the anode body to define a plurality of electrically conductive paths in the anode body and communicating from the connecting lead to the at least one exterior surface; the ionically conductive material being arranged in the anode body to define a plurality of ionically conductive paths extending from the at least one exterior surface of the anode body, where the ionically conductive material is exposed for engaging the medium, into the interior of the anode body; the plurality of ionically conductive paths from at least one exterior surface into the interior of the anode body being separated one from a next by portions of the electrically conductive material and being arranged to contact interior locations on at least one of the plurality of electrically conductive paths within the interior of the anode body so as to define a surface area of contact therebetween within the interior of the anode body.