Anode Clamp Assembly and Method of Installation

The present invention concerns an anode clamp assembly which when installed provides cathodic protection to offshore platform support structure, such as braces, used on offshore oil and/or gas well drilling operations. One cathodic protection type clamp currently being used is a two-piece, four-bolt riser type clamp that requires thorough removal of marine growths in the area where the clamp is to be installed. The clamp of the present invention is a one-piece clamp which is simple to fabricate and is designed to be installed without cleaning the area of installation. In addition to saving the time required by divers to remove barnacle and other marine growth only one bolt, instead of four, expedites clamp tightening.

An anode clamp assembly comprising a metallic U-shaped channeled member having straight sides; means connecting the free ends of said channeled member to each other for clamping said channeled member onto structure to be cathodically protected; a metallic anode spaced from said channeled member; and means connecting said anode to said channeled member, said anode being in electrical contact with said channeled member when installed on said structure, said channeled member being in electrical contact with said structure. Divers clamp the channeled member to the structure and then tack weld the channeled member to the structure and/or connect the structure electrically to the channeled member by means of a set screw.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the anode clamp assembly of the invention connected to an offshore platform brace;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating a modification of the anode clamp assembly installation;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the set screw-channel taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the channel of FIG. 4 showing, also, marine growth on the pipe brace member; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical view of a modified anode clamp assembly installed on an offshore platform brace.

There is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 an anode clamp assembly, generally designated 10, secured or clamped to a steel brace or pipe member 11 which is part of the support or sub-structure for an offshore platform used for oil and/or gas well drilling or production operations. The anode clamp assembly provides cathodic protection for the structural members of the submerged platform; that is, an impressed current prevents or reduces the rate of corrosion of such members in water by making them the cathode for the impressed current. Extending longitudinally along and on each side of member 11 are metal anodes 12 as shown in FIG. 2, an angle iron or pipe core 13 may be embedded in each anode 12. The anodes are cast around the angle irons or pipe cores 13 to which metal struts or arms 15a and 15b are either welded or made integral. This provides a rigid core for the soft metal anode, a method of attachment, and electrical contact for all areas even after portions of the anode metal have dissolved or otherwise spent themselves in salt water. A U-shaped member 14, having three straight sides 14a, 14b and 14c welded to each other at their ends, is connected to anodes 12 by welding to arms 15a and 15b with all parts of the assembly properly aligned as shown. The free ends of sides 14a and 14c of U-shaped member 14 are connected to each other by a stud or bolt 20 to which is threaded a nut 21 for use in clamping U-shaped member on member 11. As seen more clearly in FIG. 4 U-shaped member 14 is fabricated from standard structural steel channels, forming channel 22, to provide strength for the U-shaped member and to accommodate marine growth. The channel size is determined by structural strength requirements and depth of the channel is selected to be greater than the thickness of marine growth in each area. When the member 11 is iron or steel the anode is preferably aluminum but may be magnesium or zinc or alloys thereof.

When installing clamp assembly 10 on member 11 divers set the U-shaped members 14 on member 11 and then insert bolt 20 through the ends of sides 14a and 14c and tighten nut 21 to clamp U-shaped member 14 on member 11. At least one contact point of each side 14a, 14b and 14c of U-shaped member 14 is then tack welded to member 11 at the center lines of the pipe member to enhance electrical grounding and clamp stability. Clamp nut 21 is also tack welded to the bolt or stud 20. Lock washers may be used at either or both ends of the bolt.

As shown in FIG. 3 the tack welding labor may be eliminated by installing a set screw 25 through upper side or shelf 14b' to provide electrical contact between U-shaped member 14 and pipe member 11. Welding at the center lines of the pipe member provides a balanced assembly where the anode weight will assist clamp make-up and provide good contact for tack welding when the assembly is installed in the horizontal position.

Set screw 25, shown in more detail in FIG. 4, includes a nut 25a for forcing the screw into contact with member 11. The edges of the U-shaped channels 14 are tapered, as also shown in FIG. 5, to facilitate cutting through and penetrating marine growth, indicated at 30, at the top and side contact points with platform member 11.

The anode clamp assembly can also be installed in the vertical position and may be designed for a single anode connected to one side of the brace pipe as shown in FIG. 6. There an anode 12' is connected to member 11 by U-shaped members 14' connected to anode 12' by struts 15'. The single anode assemblies can also be used in the horizontal position if needed, to obtain proper anode placement and distribution of anodes.

Other than standard size channels 21 may be used. Also, this U-shaped design can be sized to fit any diameter platform member and can be fabricated by any welding shop. Other type cathodic protection designs require special tools for shaping the plate to form each side of the clamp. Such a clamp blocks the cathodic protection current from areas under the clamp. The channel and standoff of this invention will eliminate that shielding problem.

Changes and modifications may be made in the illustrative embodiments of the invention shown and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.