Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TEST STATION ASSEMBLIES FOR MONITORING CATHODIC PROTECTION OF
STRUCTURES AND RELATED METHODS
BACKGROUND
[0001]This disclosure relates to assemblies and methods for monitoring
cathodic
protection of buried or submerged structures. More particularly, this
disclosure relates to
assemblies and methods including a cathodic protection coupon monitoring
assembly for
monitoring the cathodic protection of buried or submerged structures and test
station
assemblies for monitoring conditions detected using the cathodic protection
coupon.
[0002]Cathodic protection of metallic structures covered in an electrolyte
associated with
soil or a fluid is an established technique for reducing the rate of corrosion
of the structure.
Such cathodic protection may be facilitated by a cathodic protection system,
which may
use an electrical energy source to provide a cathodic current distributed over
the surface
of the structure and may take the form of sacrificial anodes, AC-to-DC
rectifiers, and/or
direct DC sources (such as batteries, solar panels, among others). Once the
cathodic
protection system has been implemented, the effectiveness of the protection
resulting
from operation of the cathodic protection system may be assessed by measuring
the
electrical potential difference between the structure and a reference
electrode.
[0003]A cathodic protection monitoring assembly used to assess the
effectiveness of the
cathodic protection system may simulate the conditions of uncoated bare metal
of a
known surface area on a structure that might normally result from a coating
defect. In
such a simulation, an electrical potential difference may be measured between
a metallic
coupon and the surrounding soil or fluid, and this measured electrical
potential difference
may be compared to cathodic protection criteria for the structure's material
to determine
whether an active corrosion process is occurring. Accurately measuring the
true electric
potential difference of the structure, however, has often been difficult, for
example, due
to errors or offsets resulting from nearby current sources, which may include
otherwise
uninterruptible sources such as sacrificial anodes directly bonded to the
protected
structure, foreign rectifiers, stray currents, etc. For example, for
situations in which
several rectifiers protect the structure, it may be necessary for all the
rectifiers to be
interrupted simultaneously in order to obtain meaningful measurements that are
not
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-08-11
affected by electrical current associated with the rectifiers. In addition,
the time window
with which to measure the potential difference may be relatively brief
because, for
example, the amount of time between current interruption and depolarization
(which
refers to the effects of the electrical current as the structure de-energizes
and discharges
its electric charge) may vary from several seconds to just a fraction of a
second,
depending on the characteristics of the structure protected by the cathodic
protection
system and/or the surrounding environment. Furthermore, capacitive spikes that
may
occur shortly after current is interrupted may also mask the true potential
difference
intended to be measured.
[0004]In an effort to address these challenges, a reference electrode may be
incorporated adjacent the metallic coupon in the cathodic protection
monitoring system.
The reference electrode may allow a technician to obtain error-free structure-
to-
electrolyte (or electrical potential difference) measurements without a need
to interrupt or
disrupt nearby current sources. The electrical potential difference may thus
be measured
reliably without needing to disrupt the current associated with operation of
the cathodic
protection system to facilitate measurement of the electrical potential
difference and/or
without knowing the exact soil or fluid conditions and resistance in the
vicinity of the
measurements.
[0005] In addition, a cathodic protection monitoring assembly may include a
test station
placed at an accessible location to provide a terminal location whereby
personnel may
measure the electrical potential that is detected by the cathodic protection
monitoring
assembly. For example, when the cathodic protection monitoring assembly is
utilized to
monitor the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for a structure
buried under the
ground, the test station may be placed above the ground to allow for ease of
access to
personnel during operations.
[0006]Accordingly, Applicant has recognized that there may be a desire to
provide
improved test stations for cathodic protection monitoring assemblies to
improve the
functionality of the test stations for obtaining electrical potential
measurements during
operations. This disclosure may address one or more of the above-referenced
considerations, as well as possibly others.
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Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007]Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to test station
assemblies for a
cathodic protection monitoring assembly that include test posts having one or
more
identification indicators connected thereto that allow efficient and accurate
identification
of which voltage sources (such as components of a buried/submerged structure,
a
cathodic protection system, or the cathodic protection monitoring assembly)
are
electrically connected thereto. In some embodiments, the identification
indicators may
include one or more identifying characteristics (such as a color and/or a
label) so that a
technician may quickly identify which test posts on the test station assembly
are
electrically connected to particular portions of the buried/submerged
structure, the
cathodic protection system, or the cathodic protection monitoring assembly
(each of these
particular portions being generally referred to herein as a "voltage source").
Thus,
through use of the embodiments disclosed herein, a technician may monitor a
cathodic
protection system in a more efficient manner and with fewer errors.
[0008]Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a test station
assembly of a
cathodic protection monitoring assembly. In an embodiment, the test station
assembly
includes a face plate including a plurality of openings. In addition, the test
station
assembly includes a plurality of test posts configured to pass through the
plurality of
openings. Further, the test station assembly includes a plurality of
electrically non-
conductive identification indicators configured to connect to the plurality of
test posts on
the face plate. Each of the plurality of identification indicators including
one or more
identifying characteristics to identify a corresponding voltage source of a
plurality of
underground voltage sources associated with an at least partially buried
structure, a
cathodic protection system for the at least partially buried structure, or the
cathodic
protection monitoring assembly. Still further, the test station assembly
includes a plurality
of electrical conductors configured to electrically connect the plurality of
test posts to the
plurality of underground voltage sources.
[0009] In some embodiments, the test station assembly includes a face plate
connected
to a pole, the pole configured to support the face plate above a ground
surface. In
addition, the test station assembly includes a test post extended through an
opening in
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Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
the face plate such that the test post includes a first portion on a first
side of the face plate
and a second portion on a second side of the face plate, the second side being
opposite
the first side. Further, the test station assembly includes an electrically
non-conductive,
ring-shaped identification indicator having a bore, the identification
indicator connected to
the test post such that the second portion of the test post is inserted
through the bore.
The identification indicator includes one or more identifying characteristics
to identify a
corresponding voltage source of a plurality of underground voltage sources.
The plurality
of underground voltage sources are associated with an at least partially
buried structure,
a cathodic protection system for the at least partially buried structure, or
the cathodic
protection monitoring assembly, and the corresponding voltage source being
electrically
connected to the test post.
[0010]Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method. In some
embodiments, the method includes determining a voltage source electrically
connected
to an electrical conductor. The voltage source being one of a plurality of
underground
voltage sources associated with an at least partially buried structure, a
cathodic protection
system for the at least partially buried structure, or a cathodic protection
monitoring
assembly. In addition, the method includes selecting a corresponding
identification
indicator for the electrical conductor based on the voltage source, the
identification
indicator including at least one identifying characteristic to identify the
voltage source.
Further, the method includes connecting the electrical conductor and the
identification
indicator to a test post of a test station assembly of the cathodic protection
monitoring
assembly, thereby to identify the voltage source electrically connected to the
test post on
the test station assembly.
[0011]Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a kit including a
container. In
addition, the kit includes a plurality of identification indicators positioned
in the container,
each of the plurality of indicators comprising: (a) at least one identifying
characteristic to
identify a corresponding voltage source, and (b) an electrically non-
conductive material.
The plurality of identification indicators comprising annular members that are
each
configured to at least partially surround a portion of a corresponding test
post of a test
station assembly of a cathodic protection monitoring assembly. The
corresponding
voltage source includes one or more of: an at least partially buried
structure, an anode
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Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
of a cathodic protection system for the at least partially buried structure,
an electrically
conductive coupon of the cathodic protection monitoring assembly, the
electrically
conductive coupon buried proximate the at least partially buried structure, a
reference
electrode of the cathodic protection monitoring assembly, the reference
electrode buried
proximate the at least partially buried structure, another structure that is
at least partially
buried proximate the at least partially buried structure, piping for an
infrastructure station,
the piping buried proximate the at least partially buried structure, or a
casing pipe
surrounding at least a portion of the at least partially buried structure.
[0012]Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and
characteristics intended to address various shortcomings associated with
certain prior
devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the
features
and technical characteristics of some of the disclosed embodiments in order
that the
detailed description that follows may be better understood. The various
characteristics
and features described above, as well as others, will be readily apparent to
those having
ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and
by referring to
the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that this disclosure may
be readily
utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying
out the same
purposes as the disclosed embodiments. It should also be realized that such
equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the principles
disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]For a detailed description of various embodiments, reference will now be
made to
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014]FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are a schematic diagrams illustrating cathodic
protection
monitoring assemblies including a test station assemblies according to some
embodiments of this disclosure;
[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the test station assembly of the
cathodic protection
monitoring assembly illustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B including identification
indicators
connected to each of the test posts of the test station assembly according to
some
embodiments of this disclosure;
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of the test station assembly of FIG. 2 according
to some
embodiments of this disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of the test station assembly of FIG. 2 according
to some
embodiments of this disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the identification indicators
for use with the
test station assembly of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of this
disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the identification indicator of
FIG. 5, taken along
section A-A in FIG. 5 according to some embodiments of this disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 7 is An enlarged and partially exploded perspective view of the
test station
assembly of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of this disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of one of the test posts installed on
the test station
assembly of FIG. 2, taken along section B-B in FIG. 3 according to some
embodiments
of this disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side view of a plurality of example identification
indicators for use with
the test station assembly of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of this
disclosure;
[0023] FIGS. 10-13 are schematic diagrams of a kit to provide identification
indicators for
test posts of a test station assembly of a cathodic protection system of a
buried or
submerged structure according to some embodiments of this disclosure; and
[0024] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a method of installing identification
indicators to
enhance monitoring at a test station assembly of a cathodic protection
monitoring system
of an at least partially buried or submerged structure according to some
embodiments of
this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] As previously described, a test station may be included in a cathodic
protection
monitoring assembly for assessing the effectiveness of a cathodic protection
system for
a buried or submerged structure (such as a buried pipeline). The test station
may include
one or more test posts that are electrically connected to electrically
conductive
components of the cathodic protection monitoring assembly (such as the
metallic coupon
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Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
and/or reference electrode, among other components) as well as to the buried
or
submerged structure itself and/or other components of the cathodic protection
system
(each of these components generally being referred to herein as "voltage
sources" and
collectively as "a plurality of voltage source"). Because the test post(s) may
be electrically
connected to a plurality of buried (and thus underground) or submerged voltage
sources,
it can be difficult to ascertain which test post is electrically connected to
a particular
voltage source. As a result, a technician may struggle (or even fail) to
locate the particular
test post corresponding to the voltage source that is to be measured during
operations.
[0026]Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein are directed to test station
assemblies
that include or incorporate one or more identification indicators that are
connected to the
test post(s) so as to identify which voltage source associated with a
buried/submerged
structure, a cathodic protection system for the buried/submerged structure, or
a cathodic
protection monitoring assembly is electrically connected thereto. In some
embodiments,
the identification indicators may include one or more identifying
characteristics (such a
color and/or a label) to identify the corresponding component. Thus, through
use of the
embodiments disclosed herein, a technician may more efficiently and accurately
monitor
a cathodic protection system.
[0027] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of example components of a cathodic
protection
monitoring assembly 3 for monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic
protection system
13 for a buried or submerged structure 2, according to embodiments of the
disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the cathodic protection monitoring assembly 3 may include
a
coupon assembly 100 buried or submerged proximate the structure 2 and a test
station
assembly 150 electrically connected to the coupon assembly 100. In some
embodiments,
the coupon assembly 100 may be a voltage drop, error-free coupon assembly. The
example coupon assembly 100 may be configured to facilitate potential
difference
measurements for a structure 2 that is subject to cathodic protection by the
cathodic
protection system 13 and is at least partially buried in the ground 1 or
submerged in a
fluid. In the example of FIG. 1A, the structure 2 includes a buried pipeline
for transporting
hydrocarbons (such as oil, natural gas, renewable hydrocarbons, or other
hydrocarbon-
based fluids). The cathodic protection system 13 may provide cathodic
protection, for
example, using a sacrificial anode 4 electrically connected to the structure 2
by a
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Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
conductor 6, such as a cable. In some embodiments, the cathodic protection
monitoring
assembly 3 may be configured to provide electrical potential difference
measurements
that are "instant off" in nature and/or substantially free of voltage drop
error.
[0028] In some embodiments, a probe rod 20 may be used to insert the coupon
assembly
100 into the ground 1, proximate the structure 2. The probe rod 20 may include
an
elongate rod member 22 extending between a proximal or first rod end 26 and a
distal or
second rod end 27. A transverse handle or grasping portion 24 may be located
at or near
the first rod end 26 to provide a technician using the probe rod 20 with
enhanced leverage
and/or torque for driving the probe rod 20 into the ground 1. In some
embodiments, the
grasping portion 24 may include a T-handle, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A.
In some
embodiments, the coupon assembly 100 and probe rod 20 may be the same or
similar to
the coupon assembly 100 and probe rod described in U.S. Patent No. 11,447,877,
the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0029]The coupon assembly 100 may include a test coupon 120 and a reference
electrode (not shown) that are electrically connected to the test station
assembly 150 via
electrical conductors 8, 9 that are contained within a wire bundle 140.
Another electrical
conductor 7 connected to the structure 2 may also be connected to the test
station
assembly 150 (either together with electrical conductor 8 or independently).
[0030]In some embodiments, the cathodic protection system 3 and/or the
cathodic
protection monitoring assembly 13 may include other electrical connectors
(either
additional to or alternative to the electrical conductors 7, 8, 9) that may be
connected to
other buried/submerged voltage sources. For instance, FIG. 1B illustrates an
electrical
conductor 10 connected to another section or portion of the structure 2 (that
is, a different
section or portion than that connected to cable 7 as previously described).
The another
section or portion of the structure 2 may be shifted along a longitudinal axis
of the
structure 2 relative to the section or portion of the structure 2 that is
connected to the
electrical conductor 7 shown in FIG. 1A. In addition, FIG. 1B also illustrates
an electrical
conductor that 11 that is connected to another buried or submerged structure
12 that is
separate from and buried proximate to the structure 2. For instance, the other
buried or
submerged structure 12 may be another independent pipeline and/or piping (or
other
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-08-11
structures) associated with an infrastructure station (such as a compressor or
pump
station) for the structure 2 (such as when the structure 2 is a buried
hydrocarbon pipeline).
The electrical conductors 10, 11 may be connected to the test station assembly
150 either
in addition to or in alternative to the electrical conductors 7, 8, 9.
[0031] FIG. 1C illustrates one or more electrical conductors 18 that are
connected to a
casing pipe 16 that is positioned about at least a portion of the structure 2
(such as when
the structure is a buried pipeline). Also, FIG. 1C illustrates one or more
electrical
conductors 17 that are connected to additional anodes 19 that are buried or
submerged
adjacent the structures 2, 12. Without being limited to this or any other
theory, the
additional anode(s) 19 may provide direct current (DC) interference mitigation
for the
structure 2 that may be caused or induced by the additional buried or
submerged structure
12. The additional electrical conductors 17, 18 may be connected to the test
station
assembly 150 either in addition to or in alternative to the electrical
conductors 7, 8, 9, 10,
11.
[0032]As used herein, the terms "electrical conductor" or "conductor" (such as
the
conductors 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18 described herein), and the like, is
meant to broadly
include any suitable electrically conductive wave guide that may route or
channel
electrical current therethrough. Thus, the terms "electrical conductor,"
"conductor," and
the like, specifically include metallic wire(s), and/or cables, and may also
include other
electrically conductive features, such as connectors, conductive traces,
and/or plugs.
[0033]The probe rod 20 may be used to stabilize and insert the coupon assembly
100
into a pilot hole 5 formed (such as probed) in the ground 1 adjacent to the
structure 2.
The coupon assembly 100 may be configured to engage the second rod end 27 of
the
elongate rod member 22 during assembly of the coupon assembly 100 with the
probe rod
20 for installation of the coupon assembly 100 in the ground 1. The wire
bundle 140
extends from the coupon assembly 100 and through an internal cavity in the
probe rod
20 so that the electrical conductors 8, 9 may be maintained for connection to
the test
station assembly 150 after the coupon assembly 100 has been installed in the
ground 1.
Once the coupon assembly 100 is inserted into the ground 1, the probe rod 20
may be
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-08-11
disconnected from the coupon assembly 100 and the conductors 8, 9 may be
connected
to test station assembly 150.
[0034]As will be described in more detail below, the test station assembly 150
may
include one or more test posts 170 that are electrically connected to one or
more (such
as one or a plurality of) voltage sources associated with the buried structure
2, the
cathodic protection system 13, and/or the cathodic protection monitoring
assembly 3
(such as via electrical conductors 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). Specifically, the test
post(s) 170 of
the test station assembly 150 may be electrically connected to voltage sources
including
(without limitation) one or more of the coupon assembly 100 (including the
test coupon
120 and/or the reference electrode (not shown)), the structure 2 (including
multiple
sections or portions of the structure 2 as previously described), the anode 4,
and the other
structure 12 (FIG. 1B). A technician may connect a probe 14 of a voltmeter 15
(or other
suitable measurement device such as a potentiometer) to one or more of the
test post(s)
170 on the test station assembly 150 to assess the effectiveness of cathodic
protection
for the structure 2 based on an electrical potential of one or more of the
voltage sources.
[0035] In addition, in some embodiments, the test station 150 may include one
or more
electrical switches 130 that may each allow personnel to electrically
disconnect a test
post 170 from the corresponding component of the cathodic protection system.
For
instance, in some embodiments, the electrical switch 130 may allow personnel
to
electrically disconnect the coupon assembly 100 from a test post 170 so as to
electrically
disconnect the coupon assembly 100 from the cathodic protection system 13.
[0036] Further details of embodiments of the test station assembly 150 are
described
below; however, it should be appreciated that each of the test post(s) 170
includes an
identification indicator 200 (or "identification member") that identifies
which voltage source
is electrically connected to the corresponding test post(s) 170. Thus,
utilizing the
identification indicator(s) 200, a technician may quickly and accurately
measure the
electrical potential of the various buried/submerged voltage sources via the
test station
150.
[0037] FIGS. 2-4 show the test station assembly 150 of the cathodic protection
monitoring
assembly 3 (FIG. 1) according to some embodiments. The test station assembly
150
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
includes a face plate 152 that is supported by and extended upward and away
from a
connector 154. The connector 154, in turn, may be connected to a pole or shaft
158 (FIG.
1A and 1B).
[0038] In some embodiments, the connector 154 may include a female pipe
fitting that
receives (such as slidingly engages or threadably engages) a corresponding
male fitting
or end on a pipe (such as the pole 158 as shown in FIG. 2).
[0039] The pole 158 may comprise an elongate conduit or pipe (such as
galvanized pipe,
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, or other pipe) that is secured to the ground
(such as the
ground 1 shown in FIG. 1). In addition, the pole 158 may be inserted within or
otherwise
connected to the connector 154 so as to support and elevate the test station
assembly
150 above a surface of the ground 1 (or a "ground surface") to facilitate ease
of access
to the test station assembly 150 for a technician. In addition, the pole 158
may also
function as a conduit for one or more electrical conductors (not shown in
FIGS. 2-4), which
may correspond to one or more of the conductors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 shown in FIGS.
1A and
1B, that are connected to the test posts 170 of the station 150.
[0040] The face plate 152 supports one or more (six in the illustrated
embodiment) test
posts 170 that extend or project through apertures (or holes or openings) (see
holes or
openings 153 in FIGS 5, 7, and 8) in the face plate 152. The test posts 170
comprise a
conductive material, such as, for instance a metallic material (for example,
copper,
stainless steel, aluminum, or other metallic materials as will be understood
by one skilled
in the art). As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the test posts 170 each
comprise
a threaded bolt having a first end portion (or proximal end portion) 170a and
a second
end portion (or distal end portion) 170b. An enlarged head 172 may be formed
on or at
the first end portion 170a, and an elongate threaded member 174 (or "threaded
portion")
may extend from the head 172 to the second end portion 170b. Each test post
170 may
be passed through the corresponding hole 153 in the face plate 152 so that the
head 172
is abutted against a first side 152a of the face plate 152, and the threaded
member 174
is passed through the hole 153 so that the second end portion 170b is
projected or
extended away from the face plate 152 on a second side 152b (the second side
152b
being opposite the first side 152a).
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-08-11
[0041] Each test post 170 may be connected to a suitable cable connector 160
that may,
in turn, be connected to one of the electrical conductors extending through
the pole 158.
Specifically, each cable connector 160 may include an eye 162 and a collar
164. For
each test post 170, the threaded member 174 may be passed through the eye 162
and
the collar 164 may be engaged with an electrical conductor (such as one of the
electrical
conductors 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B). Thus, during
operations,
electricity may be conducted between each test post 170 and a corresponding
electrical
conductor via the corresponding cable connector 160 (particularly via the eye
162 and
collar 164).
[0042]As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and previously described, the test posts 170
of test
station 150 may be electrically connected to a plurality of different voltage
sources, such
as, for instance, the buried or submerged structure 2 (or multiple portions
thereof), one
or more components of the cathodic protection system 13, and one or more
components
of the cathodic protection monitoring assembly 3. Thus, each test post 170 is
connected
to a corresponding identification indicator 200 that identifies the voltage
source
(component) that is electrically connected to the corresponding test post 170.
For
instance, as will be described in more detail below, each identification
indicator may have
one or more an identifying characteristics, such as a characteristic color
and/or a label
that visually indicates to a technician which voltage source (or component) is
electrically
connected to the corresponding test post 170.
[0043]As shown in FIGS. 2-4, each test post 170 includes a threaded nut 180 is
threadably engaged with the threaded member 174 to secure the test post 170 to
the face
plate 152. As a result, for each test post 170, the threaded nut 180 may
capture and
compress the eye 162 of cable connector 160 and identification indicator 200
against the
second side 152b of face plate 152.
[0044] FIGS. 5 and 6 show one of the identification indicators 200 of the test
station 150
illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments,
the
identification indicators 200 may comprise annular members that are configured
to at
least partially surround (such as circumferentially) the threaded member 174
of a
corresponding test post 170. For instance, the identification indicators 200
may include
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-08-11
ring-shaped members such as cylindrical washers, spacers, or grommets that
receive the
threaded member 174 (or "threaded portion") of test posts 170 (FIGS. 2-4)
therethrough.
However, in some embodiments, the identification indicators 200 may not form a
complete ring and may extend less than a full circumference (such as less than
a full
3600) about the threaded member 174. Thus, in some embodiments, the
identification
indicators 200 may be substantially C-shaped. However, other shapes are also
contemplated for the identification indicators 200 in other embodiments. For
instance, in
some embodiments, the identification indicators 200 may include a rectangular,
square,
or polygonal outer cross-section.
[0045] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each identification indicator
200
includes a central axis 205, a first side 200a, a second side 200b opposite
and spaced
from the first side 200a along the central axis 205. In addition, a radially
outer surface
200c extends axially between the sides 200a, 200b. In the embodiment
illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the radially outer surface 200c is a cylindrical surface;
however, other
shapes or cross-sections are contemplated (such as square, triangular,
rectangular,
polygonal, torus, among others) in other embodiments. Without being limited to
this or
any other theory, an outer cross-section of the outer surface 200c that
square, triangular,
rectangular, polygonal, or the like may define or include one or more facets
or flats along
the outer surface 200c that may facilitate the placement or formation of a
suitable label
thereon (such as labels 210i, 210ii, 210iii, 210iv, 210v, 210vi described
herein).
[0046] Each of the sides 200a, 200b may include planar surfaces that extend
radially
relative to the central axis 205. Also, a first chamfer or frustoconical
surface 204 extends
between the first side 200a and the radially outer surface 200c, and a second
chamfer or
frustoconical surface 206 extends between the second side 200b and the
radially outer
surface 200c.
[0047] Further, the indicator 200 includes a throughbore 202 that extends
axially along
central axis 205 from the first side 200a to the second side 200b. In some
embodiments,
the throughbore 202 includes internal threads, such that the throughbore 202
may be
referred to as a threaded bore in some embodiments. However, it should be
appreciated
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-08-11
that in some embodiments, the throughbore 202 may not include an internal
threads and
may therefore be a smooth bore.
[0048] In some embodiments, each of the identification indicators 200 may
comprise an
electrically non-conductive material.
For instance, in some embodiments, the
identification indicators 200 may comprise a polymeric or elastomeric
material. In some
embodiments, the identification indicators 200 may comprise an epoxy resin.
Any
suitable manufacturing process may be utilized for the identification
indicators 200. For
instance, in some embodiments, the identification indicators 200 may be formed
via
additive manufacturing (such as three-dimensional (3D) printing), a molding
process, a
machining process (such as cutting, punching, laser cutting, among others), to
name a
few examples.
[0049]As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each test post 170 is secured to the face
plate 152 by
inserting the threaded member 174 through the corresponding hole 153 in the
face plate
152 so that the head 172 is engaged with the first side 152a of face plate 152
and the
threaded member 174 extends through the hole 153 to project (or extend) the
second
end 170b away from the face plate 152 along the second side 152b. The
identification
indicator 200 may be connected to the threaded member 174 by inserting the
threaded
member 174 through the throughbore 202 along the second side 152b of face
plate 152
(such that the threaded member 174 is received through the throughbore 202).
As
previously described, in some embodiments, the throughbore 202 may comprise a
threaded bore such that the threaded member 174 is threadably engaged with the
throughbore 202 of identification indicator 200. In some embodiments,
insertion of the
threaded member 174 through the throughbore 202 of identification indicator
200 may
coaxially align the central axis 205 of the indicator 200 to a central axis
175 of test post
170.
[0050] After identification indicator 200 is connected to threaded member 174
of test post
170, the threaded member 174 is passed through the eye 162 of the cable
connector 160,
and the threaded nut 180 is threadably engaged with the threaded member 174.
Thus,
the threaded nut 180 may be threadably engaged with the threaded member 174
until the
eye 162 is compressed between the threaded nut 180 and the identification
indicator 200
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-08-11
and the identification indicator 200 and eye 162 are both compressed against
the second
side 1542b of face plate 152 along the axes 205, 175. In the embodiment
illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 8, the identification indicator 200 is connected to the test post
170 so that
the first side 200a is engaged with the second side 152b of face plate 152 and
the second
side 200b is engaged with the eye 162 of the cable connector 160. However, it
should
be appreciated that the identification indicator 200 may be flipped such that
the second
side 200b engages with the second side 152b of face plate 152 and the first
side 200a is
engaged with the eye 162 of cable connector 160.
[0051]As shown in FIG. 9, the identification indicators 200 may each include
one or more
unique identifying characteristics that may be used to identify a particular
voltage source
(or component) associated with a buried or submerged structure (such as
structure 2
shown in FIG. 1), a cathodic protection system for the structure (such as
cathodic
protection system 13 shown in FIG. 1), and a cathodic protection monitoring
assembly
(such as cathodic protection monitoring assembly 3 shown in FIG. 1). For
instance, FIG.
9 shows a set (or plurality of) identification indicators 200 that may be
connected to the
test station 150 shown in FIGS. 2-4 according to some embodiments. The
identification
indicators 200 shown in FIG. 9 are identified separately with reference
numerals 200i ¨
200vi.
[0052] Each of the identification indicators 200i ¨ 200vi includes unique
identifying
characteristics, such as both a unique color and label, relative to the other
identification
indicators 200i ¨ 200vi. For example, the identification indicator 200i may
have a first
color and a first label 210i of "pipeline," the identification indicator 200ii
may have a
second color and a second label 210ii of "station," the identification
indicator 200iii may
have a third color and a third label 210iii of "foreign," the identification
indicator 200iv may
have a fourth color and a fourth label 210iv of "casing," the identification
indicator 200v
may have a fifth color and a fifth label 210v of "coupon," and the
identification indicator
200vi may have a sixth color and a sixth label 210vi of "anode."
[0053]With respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the first label 210i ("pipeline")
of the
identification indicator 200i may indicate that the corresponding test post
170 is
electrically connected to the structure 2, the second label 210ii ("station")
of the
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
identification indicator 200ii may indicate that the corresponding test post
170 is
electrically connected to piping (or other structures) that are associated
with an
infrastructure station (such as a compressor or pump station) that may be
associated with
the structure 2 (such as the structure 12 shown in FIGS. 1B ad 1C), the third
label 210iii
("foreign") of the identification indicator 200iii may indicate that the
corresponding test
post 170 is electrically connected to another, separate buried or submerged
structure
(such as the structure 12 shown in FIG. 1B) that is buried or submerged
proximate the
structure 2, the cathodic protection system 13, and/or the cathodic protection
monitoring
assembly 3, the fourth label 210iv ("casing") of the identification indicator
200iv may
indicate that the corresponding test post 170 is electrically connected to a
casing (such
as a casing pipe) surrounding the structure 2, the fifth label 210v ("coupon")
of the
identification indicator 200v may indicate that the corresponding test post
170 is
electrically connected to the test coupon 120 of the coupon assembly 100, the
sixth label
210vi ("anode") of the identification indicator 200vi may indicate that the
corresponding
test post 170 is electrically connected to an (such as the anode 4 shown in
FIG. 1A or the
additional anode 19 shown in FIG. 1C) of the cathodic protection system 13.
Still other,
different labels are contemplated for use on the identification indicators 200
in other
embodiments.
[0054]The labels 210i, 210ii, 210iii, 210iv, 210v, 210vi may be integrally
formed (including
molded or printed, etc.) on the identification indicators 200i, 200ii, 200iii,
200iv, 200v,
200vi, respectively. Thus, the labels 210i, 210ii, 210iii, 210iv, 210v, 210vi
may be raised
outward from or recessed into the radially outer surfaces 200c of the
corresponding
identification indicators 200i, 200ii, 200iii, 200iv, 200v, 200vi (FIGS. 5 and
6). In some
embodiments, the labels 210i, 210ii, 210iii, 210iv, 210v, 210vi may be
attached to the
radially outer surfaces 200c of the identification indicators 200i, 200ii,
200iii, 200iv, 200v,
200vi. The labels 210i, 210ii, 210iii, 210iv, 210v, 210vi may include words
(such as in the
examples of the labels 210i, 210ii, 210iii, 210iv, 210v, 210vi shown in FIG.
9) and/or may
include symbols, or any other identifying shapes, symbols, letters, numbers,
etc.
[0055]As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in some embodiments, one or more components
of
the test station assembly 150 may be transported to and about a worksite (such
as the
site associated with the buried or submerged structure 2 illustrated in FIGS.
1A and 1B)
16
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
in a container 302 as a single kit 300 or assembly. In some embodiments, the
kit 300
may facilitate the assessment or monitoring of a cathodic protection system
for a buried
or submerged structure (such as structure 2 previously described).
[0056]As shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the kit 300 may include one or
more
components of a test station assembly (for example, the test station assembly
150
described herein) such that the kit 300 may be used for the installation (or
partial or entire
replacement) of a test station assembly for a cathodic protection monitoring
assembly
(such as assembly 3 described herein). In some embodiments, the kit 300 may be
used
to install one or more test posts having identification indicators (such as
identification
indicators 200 described herein) thereon to allow a technician to accurately
and quickly
identify the appropriate test posts for measuring electrical potential during
operations as
described herein. Thus, in some embodiments, the kit 300 may include test
posts 306,
threaded nuts 308, cable connectors 310, and the identification indicators
200i-200vi
(previously described). The test posts 306, threaded nuts 308, and cable
connectors 310
may be the same or similar to the test posts 170, threaded nuts 180, and cable
connectors
160, respectively, described herein. In some embodiments, the kit 300 may
include one
of the identification indicators 200i-200vi, and corresponding ones of the
test posts 306,
threaded nuts 308, and cable connectors 310 (such as in the situation where
kit 300 is
utilized to install, replace, or repair a single test post on a testing
station assembly (such
as testing station assembly 150).
[0057]As is also shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the kit 300 may also
include
additional components to facilitate installation and/or use of the test
station assembly.
For instance, in some embodiments, the container 302 of the kit 300 may
include a
schematic or diagram 304 for installing or assembling the test station
assembly (or a
component or subassembly thereof).
[0058]As shown in FIG. 11, in some embodiments, different combinations or
selections
of components may be included within the kit 300 (and container 302) than
those shown
in FIG. 10. For instance, in some embodiments, the kit 300 may include fewer
components (or additional components) to those shown in FIG. 10. In one
particular
example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 illustrates the kit 300 including the
17
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
identification indicators 200i-200vi so that kit 300 may be used to retrofit
an existing test
station assembly to include the identification indicators on the test post(s)
thereof.
[0059]As shown in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the container 302 may comprise
a
bag or pouch (such as a plastic bag) that includes or contains the
identification indicators
200i-200vi shown in FIG. 9 and described herein. Thus, in the embodiment
illustrated in
FIG. 12, the container 302 may include one of each of the unique
identification indicators
200i-200vi for installing on a test station assembly (such as test station
assembly 150).
As shown in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, the container 302 may comprise a box
or
crate that includes a plurality of sub-containers 303 therein. Each sub-
container 303 may
comprise a bag or pouch (such as a plastic bag) that includes or contains one
or more
(such as one or a plurality of) identification indicators 200. In some
embodiments, each
sub-container 303 may include one or more of a single type of identification
indicators
(such as one of the identification indicators 200i-200vi). Thus, a technician
may utilize
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 to install identification indicators as
described herein
on multiple test station assemblies and may select the appropriate one or
combination of
identification indicators 200i-200vi from the sub-containers 303 during
operations. It
should be appreciated that still other combinations and selections of
components are
contemplated for the kit 300 in other embodiments.
[0060] FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram of a method 400 of installing
identification indicators
to enhance monitoring, at a test station assembly, of a cathodic protection
monitoring
system of an at least partially buried or submerged structure according to
some
embodiments. In describing the features of method 400, reference will be made
to the
cathodic protection monitoring assembly 3, including the test station assembly
150 and
identification indicators 200 shown in FIGS. 1A-13 and described herein.
However, it
should be appreciated that method 400 may be practiced with systems and
assemblies
that are different from the cathodic protection monitoring assembly 3, test
station
assembly 150, and identification indicators 200 previously described herein.
[0061] Initially, method 400 may include determining a voltage source that is
electrically
connected to an electrical conductor at block 402. The voltage source may be a
buried
or submerged structure (such as a buried pipeline as previously described
herein), one
18
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
or more components of a cathodic protection system for the buried or submerged
structure, or one or more components of a cathodic protection monitoring
assembly to
assess the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system.
[0062] In addition, the electrical conductor may be a wire (or cable) that is
connected to
the voltage source and routed to a test station assembly (such as the test
station
assembly 150 described herein). For instance, as previously described for the
cathodic
protection monitoring assembly 3 and illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the
electrical
conductors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 may be connected to the structure 2, and one or
more
components of the coupon assembly 100 (including test coupon 120 and reference
electrode ¨ not shown) in some embodiments. In addition, one or more of the
electrical
conductors 7 ,8, 9, 10, 11 may be routed to the test station assembly 150 via
the pole
158.
[0063] Determining the voltage source (or component) that is electrically
connected to an
electrical conductor may include using one or more suitable instruments or
devices (such
as a voltmeter or potentiometer) and/or may include physically tracking the
electrical
conductor to (or partially to) the voltage source (or component). Still other
methods of
determining a voltage source that is electrically connected to an electrical
conductor at
block 402 are contemplated herein.
[0064] In addition, method 400 may include disconnecting a test post from a
test station
assembly at block 404, selecting a corresponding identification indicator for
the test post
at block 406, connecting the test post and the identification indicator to the
test station
assembly at block 408, and connecting the electrical conductor to the test
post at block
410. In some embodiments, method 400 may be used to update or retrofit an
existing
test station assembly (such as test station assembly 150 described herein) to
include,
update, or replace one or more identification indicators (such as the
identification
indicators 200 described herein) thereon. Thus, block 404 may include
disconnecting a
test post that either does not include an identification indicator or includes
an unsuitable
identification indicator (such as because the existing identification
indicator incorrectly
identifies the corresponding component and/or is damaged). In some
embodiments,
block 404 may include a partial disconnection of the test post from the test
station
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Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
assembly which may include loosening the test post (or a component thereof)
from the
test station assembly.
[0065] Block 406 may include selecting a suitable identification indicator to
connect to the
test post on the test station assembly so as to identify the voltage source
identified or
determined in block 402. More specifically, block 406 may include selecting an
identification indicator that includes a color and/or label (such as labels
210i-210vi shown
in FIG. 10) corresponding to the voltage source that is determined to be
electrically
connected to the electrical conductor in block 402.
[0066] Once the identification indicator is selected at block 406, block 408
may include
connecting the test post and the selected identification indicator to the test
station
assembly so that the identification indicator is secured to the test post. As
a result, the
identification indicator may indicate to a technician which voltage source (or
portion of a
particular voltage source) is electrically connected to the test post and may
prevent a
technician from having to re-determine which voltage source is electrically
connected to
the test post (such as via the method(s) described above for block 402). As
previously
described for the cathodic protection monitoring assembly 3 and test station
assembly
150 shown in FIGS. 1-8, the test post 170 and identification indicator 200 may
be
connected to the test station assembly 150 (particularly to face plate 152)
via a threaded
nut 180. In addition, as previously described, the threaded nut 180 may also
be used to
secure the cable connector 160 to the test post 170 so that the test post 170
is electrically
connected to the corresponding electrical conductor via the cable connector
160. As a
result, in some embodiments, blocks 408, 410 may be performed together or in
concert
with one another.
[0067] In some embodiments, a test station assembly may include a plurality of
test posts
that are connected to different voltage sources associated with the buried or
submerged
structure, the cathodic protection system (system 13 illustrated in FIGS. 1A
and 1B),
and/or the cathodic protection monitoring assembly (assembly 3 illustrated in
FIGS. 1A
and 1B). Thus, method 400 (including blocks 402, 404, 406, 408, 410) may be
repeated
an appropriate number of times so as to install a suitable identification
indicator on each
(or at least some) of the test posts of the test station assembly.
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
[0068] In some embodiments, an embodiment of method 400 may be used to
initially
install a test post and identification indicator (or a plurality of test posts
and corresponding
identification indicators) on a test station assembly. Thus, in such
embodiments, the test
post may not be pre-installed on the test station assembly, and block 404
(disconnecting
the test post from the test station assembly) may be omitted.
[0069]The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to test station assemblies
that
include or incorporate one or more identification indicators that are
connected to the test
post(s) so as to identify a voltage source electrically connected thereto that
is associated
with a buried or submerged structure, a cathodic protection system for the
buried or
submerged structure, and/or a cathodic protection monitoring assembly to
assess the
effectiveness of the cathodic protection system. In some embodiments, the
identification
indicators may include a color and/or label to identify the corresponding
voltage source.
Thus, through use of the embodiments disclosed herein, a technician may
monitor a
cathodic protection system in a more efficient manner and with fewer errors.
[0070]The preceding discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples
disclosed herein
have broad application, and that the discussion of any embodiment is meant
only to be
exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of
the
disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
[0071]The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and
components
herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and
some
details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and
conciseness.
[0072] In the discussion herein and in the claims, the terms "including" and
"comprising"
are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean
"including,
but not limited to ...." Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to
mean either an
indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second
device, that
connection may be through a direct connection of the two devices, or through
an indirect
connection that is established via other devices, components, nodes, and
connections.
In addition, as used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" generally mean
along or parallel
to a given axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms
"radial" and "radially"
21
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
generally mean perpendicular to the given axis. For instance, an axial
distance refers to
a distance measured along or parallel to the axis, and a radial distance means
a distance
measured perpendicular to the axis. Further, when used herein (including in
the claims),
the words "about," "generally," "substantially," "approximately," and the
like, when used in
reference to a stated value mean within a range of plus or minus 10% of the
stated value.
[0073] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described,
modifications
thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope
or
teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are
not
limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and
processes
described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure.
Accordingly, the
scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is
only limited
by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of
the subject
matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method
claim may
be performed in any order. The recitation of identifiers such as (a), (b), (c)
or (1), (2), (3)
before steps in a method claim are not intended to and do not specify a
particular order
to the steps, but rather are used to simplify subsequent reference to such
steps.
22
Date Regue/Date Received 2023-08-11
