Spray formed galvanic anode panel
View Patent ↗An electrolytic mortar for fabricating galvanic anode panels is strengthened with fibers to improve green strength and resistance to cracking. Elongated reinforcing fibers are introduced into a flowing stream of mortar and deposited in multiple layers upon a platen or mold. A sacrificial zinc anode of open construction is embedded between the multiple layers to allow for electrolytic conduction between the layers and over all surfaces of the zinc anode.
1. A galvanic anode panel, comprising:
an electrolytically conductive mortar material comprising tecto-alumino silicate;
elongated fibers coated by said electrolytically conductive mortar material; and
a sacrificial anode covered by said electrolytically conductive mortar material and by said elongated fibers.
2. The panel of claim 1 , wherein said sacrificial anode comprises zinc.
3. The panel of claim 1 , wherein said elongated fibers comprise glass fibers.
4. The panel of claim 1 , wherein said elongated fibers comprise Wollastonite.
5. The panel of claim 1 , wherein said elongated fibers have a length in the range of 1 to 2 inches.
6. The panel of claim 1 , further comprising a filler material dispersed throughout said electrolytically conductive mortar.
7. The panel of claim 6 , wherein said filler material comprises an expanded material.
8. The panel of claim 1 , further comprising a resilient seal applied around said anode panel.
9. A galvanic anode panel, comprising:
a first layer of elongated glass fibers embedded in a first layer of electrolytically conductive mortar material comprising tecto-alumino silicate;
a second layer of elongated glass fibers embedded in a second layer of electrolytically conductive mortar material comprising tecto-alumino silicate; and
a sacrificial zinc anode layered between said first and second layers of elongated glass fibers and electrolytically conductive mortar material.
10. The panel of claim 9 , wherein said sacrificial zinc anode is formed with an open construction allowing contact and electrolytic conduction between said first and second layers of elongated glass fibers and electrolytically conductive mortar.
11. A method of making a galvanic anode panel, comprising:
spraying a mixture of mortar and reinforcing fibers onto a mold to form a base layer;
placing a sacrificial anode on said base layer; and
spraying said mixture over said sacrificial anode so as to form a top layer and to embed said sacrificial anode within said mixture.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising consolidating said base layer and spraying said mixture over said base layer to form an intermediate layer prior to spraying said top layer.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein said sacrificial anode comprises perforations and wherein said top layer is sprayed through said perforations.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein said mortar and said reinforcing fibers are sprayed onto said mold in two spray streams.