초록 ▼

A corrosion protection device (“CPD”) for inhibiting corrosion of an air compressor collection tank, and relieving the pressure in the tank when excessive condensate accumulates within the tank. A relief passage extends through the plug, and an anode seals the relief passage near the i

A corrosion protection device (“CPD”) for inhibiting corrosion of an air compressor collection tank, and relieving the pressure in the tank when excessive condensate accumulates within the tank. A relief passage extends through the plug, and an anode seals the relief passage near the interior volume of the tank. The tank, plug and anode are all coupled in an electrically conductive relationship, and a galvanic circuit is formed when condensate collects near the bottom of the tank. The anode has a lower redox potential than steel, and is preferably made from magnesium. The anode loses electrons with less resistance than the steel tank, so the anode will be consumed through the oxidation process before the steel tank corrodes. Once the anode is consumed so that it no longer seals the relief passage, the condensate and air are discharged from the tank through the relief passage.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pressure vessel comprising:a tank having a tank wall and including a tank opening in the tank wall, the tank wall defining an enclosed interior volume;a corrosion protection device removably positionable in the tank opening to seal the tank, the corrosion protection device including a plug and

1. A pressure vessel comprising:a tank having a tank wall and including a tank opening in the tank wall, the tank wall defining an enclosed interior volume;a corrosion protection device removably positionable in the tank opening to seal the tank, the corrosion protection device including a plug and an anode, the plug coupled to the tank in an electrically conductive relationship, the anode coupled to the plug in an electrically conductive relationship, such that when the plug is positioned in the tank opening the anode is exposed to the interior volume of the tank; anda passage extending at least partially through the corrosion protection device, the passage in fluid flow communication with the outside atmosphere, the anode disposed between the passage and the interior volume to seal the passage from the interior volumewherein the plug has a let down valve movable between an open position and closed position, and the let down valve may release moisture and pressure from within the tank when the let down valve is in the open position. 2. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the plug is disposed near the bottom of the tank. 3. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the anode corrodes at a faster rate than the tank corrodes. 4. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the anode has a lower redox potential than the tank. 5. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the tank is made of steel. 6. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the anode is made of magnesium. 7. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the anode is made of aluminum. 8. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the plug is screwed into the tank opening with a threaded connection. 9. The pressure vessel of claim 8, wherein the plug is screwed into the tank with a left-hand thread. 10. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the interior volume is in fluid flow communication with the passage after corrosion has consumed a sufficient portion of the anode to expose the passage to the interior volume of the tank. 11. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the passage extends into the anode. 12. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein the anode is threadedly engaged with the plug. 13. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein a galvanic circuit is formed between the anode, the plug, the tank, and moisture within the tank. 14. A pressure vessel comprising:a tank having a tank wall and including a tank opening in the tank wall, the tank wall defining an enclosed interior volume;a corrosion protection device removably positionable in the tank opening to seal the tank, the corrosion protection device including a plug and an anode, the plug coupled to the tank in an electrically conductive relationship, the anode coupled to the plug in an electrically conductive relationship, such that when the plug is positioned in the tank opening the anode is exposed to the interior volume of the tank;a passage extending at least partially through the corrosion protection device, the passage in fluid flow communication with the outside atmosphere, the anode disposed between the passage and the interior volume to seal the passage from the interior volume;a port in the tank;a second plug removably positionable in the port to seal the tank, the second plug made from an electrically conductive material; anda second anode disposed within the tank, wherein the second anode is interconnected to the second plug in an electrically conductive relationship. 15. The pressure vessel of claim 14, further comprising a wire interconnected to the second anode and the second plug, wherein the second anode and second plug are interconnected in an electrically conductive relationship. 16. The pressure vessel of claim 15, wherein the wire is a stainless steel spring. 17. The pressure vessel of claim 15, wherein a mesh at least partially surrounds the second anode, and separates the second anode from direct contact with the tank, the mesh being made from an electrically insulative material. 18. The pressure vessel of claim 14, wherein a galvanic circuit is formed between the second anode, the second plug, the tank, and condensate within the tank. 19. The pressure vessel of claim 14, wherein the second anode corrodes faster than the tank corrodes. 20. The pressure vessel of claim 14, wherein the second anode has a lower redox potential than the tank. 21. The pressure vessel of claim 14, wherein the tank is made of steel. 22. The pressure vessel of claim 14, wherein the anode is made of magnesium. 23. The pressure vessel of claim 14, further comprising a third anode disposed within the tank, wherein the third anode is interconnected, to the second plug in an electrically conductive relationship. 24. A pressure vessel comprising:a tank defining an enclosed interior volume, the tank haying a main port and a tell-tale port;a main plug removably positionable in the main port to seal the tank, the main plug coupled to the tank in an electrically conductive relationship;a primary anode disposed within the tank, and interconnected in an electrically conductive relationship to the main plug; anda tell-tale plug removably positionable in the tell-tale port to seal the tank, the tell-tale plug coupled to the tank in an electrically conductive relationship, the tell-tale plug comprising:a passage extending at least partially trough the tell-tale plug; anda tell-tale anode coupled to the tell-tale plug in an electrically conductive relationship, the tell-tale anode disposed between the interior volume and the passage, wherein the tell-tale anode is exposed to the interior volume and seals the passage from the interior volume. 25. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the interior volume is in fluid flow communication with to passage after corrosion has consumed a sufficient portion of the tell-tale anode to expose to passage to the interior volume of the tank. 26. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode is interconnected to the main plug in an electrically conductive relationship through a wire. 27. The pressure vessel of claim 26, wherein the wire is a stainless steel spring. 28. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein a mesh at least partially surrounds the primary anode, and separates the primary anode from direct contact with the tank, the mesh being made from an electrically insulative material. 29. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein a first galvanic circuit is formed between the primary anode, the main plug, the tank, and condensate within the tank; anda second galvanic circuit is formed between the tell-tale anode, the tell-tale plug, the tank, and condensate within the tank. 30. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode and the tell-tale anode corrode at a faster rate than the tank corrodes. 31. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode and the tell-tale anode have a lower redox potential than the tank. 32. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode corrodes at a faster rate than the tell-tale anode. 33. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode has a lower redox potential than the tell-tale anode. 34. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the tank is made of steel. 35. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode is made of magnesium. 36. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the tell-tale anode is made of magnesium. 37. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein a compound is disposed between the tell-tale anode and the tell-tale plug to retard the transfer of electrons between the tell-tale anode and the tell-tale plug. 38. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the tell-tale anode is made of aluminum. 39. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode is an elongated rod extending along the length of the tank. 40. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary cylindrical anode is disposed near the bottom of the tank. 41. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode is an elongated sem i-circular shaped member. 42. The pressure vessel of claim 24, wherein the primary anode is an elongated spiral-shaped member. 43. The pressure vessel of claim 24, further comprising a secondary anode disposed within the tank, wherein the secondary anode is interconnected in an electrically conductive relationship to the main plug through a wire. 44. A corrosion protection device for a pressurized steel tank having a port, the corrosion protection device comprising:a plug removably positionable in the port to seal the tank, the plug coupled to the tank in an electrically conductive relationship;an anode coupled to the plug in an electrically conductive relationship, wherein the anode is exposed to the interior volume of the tank when the plug is positioned in the port;a passage extending through the plug, the passage in fluid flow communication with the outside atmosphere, wherein the anode is disposed between the passage and the interior volume and seals the passage from the interior volume; anda second anode disposed within the tank, wherein the second anode does not directly contact the tank, and the second anode is interconnected in an electrically conductive relationship to the tank andwherein the anode is made from a material that corrodes at a faster rate than the tank corrodes. 45. The corrosion protection device of claim 44, wherein the passage is in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the tank after corrosion has consumed a sufficient portion of the anode to expose the passage to the interior volume of the tank. 46. The corrosion protection device of claim 44, wherein the anode has a lower redox potential than the tank. 47. The corrosion protection device of claim 44, wherein the anode is made from magnesium. 48. The pressure vessel of claim 44, wherein a mesh at least partially surrounds the second anode, and separates the second anode from direct contact with the tank, the mesh being made from an electrically insulative material.