Cathodic protection of metal substrates

Abstract

A metallic object to be protected from corrosion, such as a steel automobile body panel, is connected to an electron source as a cathode. An electrically isolating coating is disposed on the metallic object. A covering anode is applied onto the electrically isolating coating. The covering anode is electrically conductive. An electrode is connected to the covering anode and to the electron source. Damage to the covering anode and the electrically isolating coating creates a location for electrolyte to collect to create an electrochemical cell and activate cathodic protection to prevent corrosion of the metallic object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for corrosion protection, the system comprising:
 a metallic object to be protected from corrosion, the metallic object connectable to an electron source as a cathode;   an electrically isolating coating disposed on at least a portion of the metallic object;   a covering anode applied on at least a portion of the electrically isolating coating, the covering anode being electrically conductive; and   an electrode electrically connected to the covering anode and connectable to the electron source.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the covering anode comprises at least one layer of coating material containing an electrically conductive filler. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a topcoat disposed over at least a portion of the covering anode. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically isolating coating and the covering anode are disposed on opposite sides of the metallic object. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the electron source, wherein the electron source comprises a microcontroller and a power supply, the microcontroller configured to provide and monitor electron flow between the metallic object and the covering anode. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the electron source further comprises an indicator and the microcontroller is configured to output status information via the indicator based on the electron flow. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the microcontroller is programmable for different electron flows and status information. 
     
     
         8 . A kit for providing corrosion protection to a metallic object, the kit comprising:
 a covering anode configured to be applied onto at least a portion of an electrically isolating coating disposed on the metallic object to be protected from corrosion, the metallic object connectable to an electron source as a cathode, the covering anode being electrically conductive; and   an electrode configured to be electrically connected to the covering anode and to the electron source to which the metallic object is connected.   
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the covering anode comprises coating material containing one or more electrically conductive fillers. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising a microcontroller configured to provide and monitor electron flow between the metallic object and the covering anode. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the electron source further comprises an indicator and the microcontroller is configured to output status information via the indicator based on the electron flow. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the microcontroller is programmable for different electron flows and status information. 
     
     
         13 . A method for protecting a metallic object against corrosion, the method comprising:
 applying a covering anode onto at least a portion of an electrically isolating coating disposed on at least a portion of the metallic object to be protected from corrosion, the metallic object connectable to an electron source as a cathode, the covering anode being electrically conductive; and   electrically connecting an electrode to the covering anode, the electrode being connectable to the electron source.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising applying a topcoat over at least a portion of the covering anode. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , applying the covering anode on opposite sides of the metallic object. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a microcontroller monitoring electron flow between the metallic object and the covering anode. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the microcontroller outputting status information via an indicator based on the electron flow. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising applying a first coat of covering anode, bringing the electrode into contact with the first coat of covering anode, and applying a second coat of covering anode over the first coat to embed the electrode in the covering anode.