Electrolysis prevention device and method of use

Abstract

An electrolysis prevention device, for preventing corrosion caused by electrolysis, includes a sacrificial anode made of an active metal and an anode holder supporting the sacrificial anode. The holder is adapted to fit around the inlet connection of an engine heat exchange component, such as a radiator or heater core, in such a way as to allow for a hose to be attached overtop the device. The device may be included in an originally-manufactured engine heat exchange component or may be installed later.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrolysis prevention device, for preventing corrosion caused by electrolysis, comprising:
 a sacrificial anode made of an active metal; and 
 an anode holder supporting the sacrificial anode; 
 wherein the holder is adapted to fit around the inlet connection of an engine heat exchange component in such a way as to allow for a hose to be attached overtop the device. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  wherein the sacrificial anode is made of aluminum. 
     
     
       3. The electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  wherein the sacrificial anode is made of magnesium. 
     
     
       4. The electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  wherein the sacrificial anode is made of zinc. 
     
     
       5. The electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  wherein the anode holder is grounded to a vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  wherein an end of the anode holder is attached to an additional wire positioning the sacrificial anode further down into the flow of liquid coolant within the engine heat exchange component. 
     
     
       7. The electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  wherein the anode holder is connected to the engine heat exchange component by a clamp. 
     
     
       8. The electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  wherein the engine heat exchange component is a radiator. 
     
     
       9. The electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  wherein the engine heat exchange component is a heater core. 
     
     
       10. A radiator with the electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  in proximity to an inlet connection thereof. 
     
     
       11. A heater core with the electrolysis prevention device of  claim 1  in proximity to an inlet connection thereof. 
     
     
       12. A method of preventing corrosion of an engine heat exchange component a radiator, the method comprising adding or: installing a sacrificial anode assembly including a sacrificial anode within the heat exchange component adjacent an inlet thereof radiator, wherein the sacrificial anode is placed within 10 inches of a hot liquid inlet to the radiator. 
     
     
       13. An electrolysis prevention device, for preventing corrosion caused by electrolysis, comprising:
 a sacrificial anode made of an active metal; and 
 an anode holder supporting the sacrificial anode; 
 wherein the holder is adapted to fit through and around the inlet connection of an engine heat exchange component in such a way as to allow for a hose to be attached to and around the inlet connection without dislodging the holder. 
 
     
     
       14. A engine heat exchange component with the electrolysis prevention device of  claim 13  installed such that the holder of the device extends through, and is doubled back around, the inlet connection and the sacrificial anode is disposed in proximity to the inlet connection. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 12, wherein the sacrificial anode consists essentially of an active metal. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sacrificial anode consists essentially of aluminum, magnesium, or zinc. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 12, wherein installing the sacrificial anode assembly further comprises: installing the sacrificial anode assembly in a fitting hole in the radiator. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim 12, wherein the sacrificial anode is grounded. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 12, wherein installing the sacrificial anode assembly further comprises: installing the sacrificial anode assembly within the fluid flow of the radiator. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 12, wherein the radiator comprises aluminum. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim 12, wherein the hot liquid is coolant. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 12, wherein the hot liquid is water. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 12, wherein the hot liquid is antifreeze. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 12, further comprising installing a second sacrificial anode assembly within the radiator. 
     
     
       25. A radiator for use in a motor vehicle, the radiator further comprising:
 a hot liquid inlet to the radiator from an engine of the motor vehicle, the hot liquid inlet providing fluid communication for fluid flow of hot liquid from the engine; and   a sacrificial anode installed within 10 inches of the hot liquid inlet of the radiator.   
     
     
       26. The radiator of claim 25, wherein the sacrificial anode consists essentially of an active metal. 
     
     
       27. The radiator of claim 26, wherein the active metal is at least one of aluminum, magnesium, and zinc. 
     
     
       28. The radiator of claim 25 wherein the sacrificial anode is installed in a fitting hole penetrating the radiator. 
     
     
       29. The radiator of claim 25 wherein the sacrificial anode is installed onto a surface of the radiator. 
     
     
       30. The radiator of claim 25 wherein the sacrificial anode is grounded to the motor vehicle. 
     
     
       31. The radiator of claim 25 wherein the radiator comprises aluminum. 
     
     
       32. The radiator of claim 25 wherein the radiator enables air-cooling of the hot liquid. 
     
     
       33. The radiator of claim 25, further comprising a second sacrificial anode. 
     
     
       34. The radiator of claim 25, wherein the hot liquid is coolant. 
     
     
       35. The radiator of claim 25, wherein the hot liquid is water. 
     
     
       36. The radiator of claim 25, wherein the hot liquid is antifreeze. 
     
     
       37. An electrolysis prevention device for preventing corrosion, the electrolysis prevention device comprising:
 a sacrificial anode made of an active metal; and   an anode holder supporting the sacrificial anode, the anode holder adapted for installation in an engine radiator within 10 inches of a hot liquid inlet to the engine radiator.   
     
     
       38. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the sacrificial anode comprises aluminum. 
     
     
       39. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the sacrificial anode comprises magnesium. 
     
     
       40. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the sacrificial anode comprises zinc. 
     
     
       41. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the engine radiator is used in a motor vehicle, and wherein the sacrificial anode is grounded to the motor vehicle. 
     
     
       42. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the engine radiator comprises aluminum. 
     
     
       43. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the anode holder enables the sacrificial anode to be located within fluid flow of the hot coolant inlet. 
     
     
       44. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the anode holder is installed in a fitting hole penetrating the engine radiator. 
     
     
       45. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the hot liquid is coolant. 
     
     
       46. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the hot liquid is water. 
     
     
       47. The electrolysis prevention device of claim 37, wherein the hot liquid is antifreeze.