The present subject matter described herein, relates to prevention of corrosion in geyser tank. The present subject matter, in particularly, relates to a geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod provided in the geyser to prevent geyser tank from corrosion.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART AND PROBLEM IN PRIOR ART:
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Generally, for manufacturing of geyser tank, mild steel is used. Since mild steel is prone to corrosion when comes in contact with water and air, a glass coating is usually provided on the inner side of the geyser tank. Due to changing curvature of the inner side of the geyser tank, some cracks gets formed on the glass coating. These cracks expose the mild steel tank to water and air in the geyser. Exposure to water and air corrode the geyser tank and leads to leakage.
[004] To stop the corrosion of the geyser tank, a sacrificial anode rod is provided in the geyser tank assembly. This sacrificial anode rod has a stainless steel core with an overlay of electropositive element. The electropositive element more reactive than iron is used on the sacrificial rod. Being more reactive than iron, which is a major component in mild steel and due to presence of which mild steel gets corrode, the sacrificial anode rod sacrifice itself and save the geyser tank from corrosion.
[005] With time and usage of geyser, the overlay of electropositive element on the sacrificial anode rod gets depleted and eventually gets finish. The depletion of electropositive element depends on various factors like hardness of water, quality of water, etc. Upon complete depletion of electropositive element from the

sacrificial anode rod, the geyser tank again gets exposed to water and air. To completely eliminate the threat of exposure of geyser tank to water and air, the sacrificial anode rod is changed from time to time.
[006] Since the depletion of the electropositive element from the sacrificial anode rod depends on quality of water, the rate of depletion varies from place to place. Different rate of depletion results in different replacement time of the sacrificial anode rod.
[007] To find out exact time of replacement of sacrificial anode rod, anode rod depletion measuring sensors are provided in the geysers.
[008] One such anode depletion sensor is discussed in United States Patent application US20140218005A1. It discloses an anode rod depletion sensor circuit for automatic monitoring of anode rod depletion which provides the consumer with notification of rod depletion beyond a predetermined amount by one or more of optical, audible, or electronic devices. The anode rod depletion sensor circuit uses current sensing resistor to sense the current & value of than stored current is then processed through a micro controller to calculate how much of anode rod is depleted.
[009] United States Patent US8890703B2 discloses methodologies and algorithms for providing anode rod depletion detection and warnings thereof to consumers. The present subject matter provides automatic monitoring of anode rod depletion and provides the consumer with notification of rod depletion beyond a predetermined amount by one or more of optical, audible, or electronic devices. Aspects of the algorithm include handling of start-up conditions, service board replacement conditions, and properly defining the anode rod depletion threshold. Additional algorithm aspects include considerations for taking into consideration power outage conditions and accurately estimating galvanic current.
[0010] The prior anode rod depletion detection sensors/system use a microprocessor to process input data and calculate the depletion in the sacrificial anode rod. The use of microprocessor makes the overall arrangement expensive

and increase the overall cost of the geyser. Further, the input provided is in the form of current. It is a well-known fact that current depends on temperature and TDS of the water in the geyser tank. Upon increase in temperature and with certain level of TDS of water, the value of current provided as input in the microprocessor is not accurate. Since the TDS of water varies from location to location, it is strenuous task for manufacturer to feed details of current at different TDS level and temperature level in the memory of the microprocessor. Further, additional components like TDS measuring sensor, etc are required for accurate working of the sensor/system.
[0011] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0012] It is therefore the object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior method/product/apparatus.
[0013] The principal objective of the present subject matter is to develop a geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod.
[0014] Another object of the present subject matter is to develop a geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod without using a microprocessor.
[0015] Another object of the present subject matter is to develop a geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod without using TDS sensor.
[0016] Another object of the present subject matter is to develop a geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod by using voltage rather than current.

[0017] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to develop a geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod which is easy to manufacture.
[0018] Still yet another object of the present subject matter is to develop a geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod which is economical.
[0019] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0020] Solution to one or more drawbacks of existing anode rod depletion sensor/ system, and additional advantages are provided through the present geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod as disclosed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0021] According to the preferred embodiment of the present subject matter, the geyser assembly comprises an anode rod having a stainless steel core with an overlay of an electropositive element, a condition determining sensor circuit connected to the anode rod to determine the condition of the electropositive element from the anode rod and an indicator, electrically connected to the condition determining sensor circuit, to indicate the weakened condition of the electropositive element on the anode rod.
[0022] According to the preferred embodiment the condition determining sensor circuit comprises an Op-Amp configured to receive an anode rod voltage (VA), a preset reference voltage (V Ref) and an Input Voltage (Vi), and a voltage regulator to provide the preset reference voltage (V Ref) to the Op-Amp by adjusting the

input voltage (Vi). The Op-Amp compares the anode rod voltage (VA) with the preset reference voltage (V Ref).
[0023] In an aspect, the voltage regulator includes a voltage divider, Linear series, Zener, potentiometer switching, Semiconductor Controlled Rectifier (SCR), combination or hybrid regulators to provide the preset reference voltage (V Ref) to the Op-Amp by adjusting the input voltage (Vi).
[0024] In an aspect, the voltage divider comprises two resistors (Ri and R2) connected in series, with the input voltage applied across the resistors (Ri and R2) and the preset reference voltage (V Ref) emerging from the connection between them.
[0025] In an aspect, the value of resistor (Ri and R2) depends on the predetermined reference voltage (V Ref).
[0026] In an aspect, the Op-Amp generates an output voltage (V out) when the anode rod voltage (VA) is smaller than the preset reference voltage (V Ref).
[0027] In an aspect, the output voltage (V out) generated by the Op-Amp activate the indicator representing weakened condition in the anode rod.
[0028] In an aspect, the Op-Amp generates no output voltage (V out) when the anode rod voltage (VA) is greater than the preset reference voltage (V Ref).
[0029] In an aspect, the preset reference voltage (V Ref) is set based on the electropositive element used at the anode rod.
[0030] In an aspect, the weakened condition at which indicator activates is preferably when the electropositive element is completely depleted from the anode rod.
[0031] In an aspect, the input voltage (Vi) ranges from 3 V to 36 V.
[0032] In an aspect, the electropositive element more reactive than Iron (Fe) is used in the anode rod.
[0033] In an aspect, the electropositive element used in the anode rod is preferably Magnesium (Mg).

[0034] In an aspect, the indicator includes a visual alarm and/or a sound alarm, IoT based application.
[0035] In an aspect, a safety cut-out arrangement is provided to cut-out the electric supply to the geyser, after a predetermined time, when the indicator gets activated.
[0036] In an aspect, the safety cut-out arrangement comprises a timer to delay the cut-out of electric supply to the geyser.
[0037] In an aspect, a capacitor is provided in the condition determining sensor circuit to filter out the noise induced/inferred by external source.
[0038] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0040] Fig. 1 illustrates a geyser assembly to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter.
[0041] Fig. 2 illustrates a condition determining sensor circuit according to one of the embodiment of present subject matter;

[0042] Fig. 3 illustrates a safety cut-out arrangement to cut-out the electric supply to the geyser according to one of the embodiment of present subject matter.
[0043] Fig. 4 illustrates volume v/s voltage, graph showing characteristics of voltage with respect to volume of electropositive overlay;
[0044] Fig. 5 illustrates voltage v/s magnesium present at the anode rod, graph showing characteristics of voltage with respect to magnesium present at the anode rod; and
[0045] Fig. 6 illustrates change in voltage and current with increase in temperature of water inside the geyser.
[0046] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0047] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0048] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

[0049] The present geyser assembly 100 to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod 101 does not use a microcontroller to trigger the indicator 201. Further, the present geyser assembly 100 uses voltage instead of current to determine the condition of the sacrificial anode rod 101. Potential difference between sacrificial anode rod and storage tank (hereinafter referred as sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) is measured in terms of volts and compared with a preset reference voltage. Based on the value of voltage from the sacrificial anode rod 101 an indicator 201 is actuated when the sacrificial anode rod needs a replacement.
[0050] Figure 1 illustrate a geyser assembly 100 to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial anode rod 101 according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter. The geyser assembly 100 comprises a sacrificial anode rod 101, a condition determining sensor circuit 200 and an indicator 201. The sacrificial anode rod has a stainless steel core with an overlay of electropositive element. The electropositive element chosen as the overlay must be more reactive than iron, preferably Magnesium. The condition determining sensor circuit 200 determines the condition of the electropositive element on the stainless steel core and actuate the indicator 201 when condition of the electropositive element is weakened and the sacrificial anode rod 101 needs to be replaced.
[0051] Figure 2 illustrates a condition determining sensor circuit 200 according to one of the embodiment of present subject matter. The condition determining sensor circuit 200 comprises an op-amp 202 and a voltage regulator. In the present condition determining sensor circuit 200 the op-amp 202 is used as a comparator. The preset reference voltage (VRef) and the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) is given as input to the op-amp 202. An input voltage (Vi) is provided to the op-amp 202 as a driving voltage by a dc source. The input voltage provided to the op-amp 202 is preferably in the range 3V to 36V. The op-amp 202 compares the voltage (VA) coming from the sacrificial anode rod 101 with a preset reference voltage
(VRef).

[0052] The value of the preset reference voltage (VRef) depends on the electropositive element used. The voltage regulator regulates the voltage from the dc voltage source to the preset reference voltage (VRef) before feeding it to the op-amp 202. The function of the voltage regulator can be fulfilled by any one of a voltage divider 203, a linear series, a zener, potentiometer switching, an SCR, combination or hybrid regulators.
[0053] Embodiment of figure 2 uses a voltage divider 203 to regulate the dc voltage source to the preset reference voltage. The voltage divider 203 is a simple circuit which turns a large voltage into a smaller one. Using just two series resistors and an input voltage, an output voltage that is a fraction of the input can be created. The value of the resistors (Ri and R2) can be calculated by the relation:
v ,-v Rl
H] + Hi
[0054] The value of Vout, in the above relation, is put equivalent to the required preset reference voltage (VRef) and value of resistors (Ri, R2) are calculated. The output voltage from the voltage divider 203 is fed to the op-amp 202 as preset reference voltage (VRef). A capacitor (Ci) is provided parallel to the output of the voltage divider 203, to filter out the noise induced/inferred by external source, before feeding the output voltage to the op-amp 202 as preset reference voltage (VRef). Preferably, value of the preset reference voltage (VRef) is set, such that, to actuate the indicator 201 when the sacrificial anode rod is completely depleted.
[0055] The sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) represents the health of the electropositive element on the stainless steel core of the sacrificial anode rod 101. The sacrificial anode voltage (VA) is the measure of the ability of the electropositive element to lose electron. When the electropositive element on the stainless steel core of the sacrificial anode rod 101 is depleted, the sacrificial anode rod 101 loses its ability to lose electron. This changes the voltage in the circuit and the op-amp 202 in the condition determining sensor circuit 200 reflect this change by actuating the indicator 201 indicating that the electropositive element on the sacrificial anode rod 101 is depleted.

[0056] The op-amp 202, which is working as a comparator, compares the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) with the preset reference voltage (VRef). The Op-Amp 202 generates no output voltage (V out) when the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) is greater than the preset reference voltage (V Ref). The Op-Amp 202 generates an output voltage (V out), from the driving input dc voltage (Vi), when the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) is smaller than the preset reference voltage (V Ref). This output voltage (V out) generated by the op-amp 202 activate the indicator representing weakened condition in the sacrificial anode rod 101.
[0057] The indicator 201 may use the output voltage (V out) from the op-amp 202 to actuate a visual alarm or a sound alarm or an internet of things based alarm or a combination of any of these.
[0058] Further, a safety cut-out arrangement 300 is provided to cut-out the electric supply to the geyser, after a predetermined time, when the indicator 201 gets activated.
[0059] Referring to Fig. 3 illustrating a safety cut-out arrangement 300 to cut-out the electric supply to the geyser according to one of the embodiment of present subject matter. The safety cut-out arrangement 300 comprises a timer 301 to delay the cut-out of power supply to the geyser for a predetermined time. To trigger the cut-out process, supply to pin 2 of the timer must be cut-off. The triggering of pin 2 is done when the op-amp 202 generates the output voltage (V'out). The output voltage (V'out) is cut-out using a not-gate 302 to trigger pin 2 of the timer 301. The timer 301 cut-out the electric supply to the geyser after a predetermined time.
[0060] The predetermined time depends on the relation:
Delay time (T) = l.lR2xC2
wherein R2 and C2 are resistance and capacitance value of the resistor R2 and capacitor C2 used in the safety cut-out arrangement 300.
[0061] The safety cut-out arrangement 300 cut-out the power supply to the geyser when the sacrificial anode rod 101 is completely depleted. In order to give the user some time to call the servicemen and change the sacrificial anode rod 101,

the safety cut-out arrangement 300 does not instantly cut-out the power supply to the geyser but is configured to cut-out the power supply after a predetermined time.
[0062] In another embodiment, the working of the condition determining sensor circuit 200 is reversed if the pins of the op-amp 202 to which input voltages are fed i.e. anode rod voltage (VA) and predetermined reference voltage (VRef) are reversed. The op-amp 202 will generate the output voltage when the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) is greater than the preset reference voltage (V Ref). Further, the op-amp will not generate the output voltage when the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) is smaller than the preset reference voltage (V Ref).
[0063] Referring to Figure 4 illustrating volume v/s voltage, graph showing characteristics of voltage with respect to volume of electropositive overlay. The graph is indicative of the fact that samples SI, S2 and S3 have electropositive element depleted and the samples S4, S5 and S6 still have electropositive element present on the stainless steel core. The voltage is positive in case of samples S4, S5 and S6, whereas the voltage is slightly negative in case of samples SI, S2 and S3
[0064] Referring to Figure 5 illustrating voltage v/s magnesium present at the anode rod, graph showing characteristics of voltage with respect to magnesium present at the anode rod. The graph is indicative of the fact that there is no substantial change in sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) with decrease in the electropositive element on the sacrificial anode rod.
[0065] Referring to Figure 6 illustrating change in voltage and current with increase in temperature of water inside the geyser. The value of voltage remains constant with increase in temperature of water inside the geyser, whereas the value of current fluctuates with increase in temperature of water inside the geyser.
[0066] The present geyser assembly 100 uses voltage instead of current to capture depletion of electropositive element from the sacrificial anode rod 101. This eliminate any error due to change in temperature of the water inside the geyser

and made the whole system 100 more reliable. Further, the present geyser assembly uses an op-amp 202 instead of a microprocessor to determine the health of the sacrificial anode rod 101. This makes the system economical and easy to manufacture.
[0067] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B

together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[0068] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of "comprising" or "including" also contemplates embodiments that "consist essentially of or "consist of the recited feature.

We claim:

1.A geyser assembly (100) to indicate weakened condition of a sacrificial
anode rod (101), the geyser assembly (100) comprises:
the sacrificial anode rod (101) having a stainless steel core with an overlay of an electropositive element;
a condition determining sensor circuit (200) connected to the sacrificial anode rod (101) to determine the condition of the electropositive element from the sacrificial anode rod (101); and
an indicator (201), electrically connected to the condition determining sensor circuit (200), to indicate the weakened condition of the electropositive element on the sacrificial anode rod (101).
2. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the condition
determining sensor circuit (200) comprises:
an Op-Amp (202) configured to receive a sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA), a preset reference voltage (V Ref) and an Input Voltage (Vi), wherein the Op-Amp (202) compares the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) with the preset reference voltage (V Ref); and
a voltage regulator to provide the preset reference voltage (V Ref) to the Op-Amp (202) by adjusting the input voltage (Vi).
3. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the voltage regulator includes a voltage divider (203), Linear series, Zener, potentiometer switching, SCR, combination or hybrid regulators to provide the preset reference voltage (V Ref) to the Op-Amp (202) by adjusting the input voltage (Vi).
4. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the voltage divider (203) comprises two resistors (Ri and R2) connected in series, with the input voltage applied across the resistors (Ri and R2) and the preset reference voltage (V Ref) emerging from the connection between them.

5. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the value of
resistor (Ri and R2) depends on the predetermined reference voltage (V
Ref).
6. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim2, wherein the Op-Amp (202) generates an output voltage (V out) when the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) is smaller than the preset reference voltage (V Ref).
7. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the output voltage (V out) generated by the Op-Amp (202) activate the indicator (201) representing weakened condition in the sacrificial anode rod (101).
8. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Op-Amp (202) generates no output voltage (V out) when the sacrificial anode rod voltage (VA) is greater than the preset reference voltage (V Ref).
9. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the preset reference voltage (V Ref) is set based on the electropositive element used at the sacrificial anode rod.
10. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the weakened condition at which indicator (201) activates is preferably when the electropositive element is completely depleted from the sacrificial anode rod (101).
11. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the input voltage (Vi) ranges from 3 V to 36 V.
12. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electropositive element more reactive than Iron (Fe) is used in the sacrificial anode rod (101).
13. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electropositive element used in the sacrificial anode rod (100) is preferably Magnesium (Mg).
14. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator
(201) includes a visual alarm and/or a sound alarm, Internet of things
based application.

15. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a safety cut-out arrangement (300) is provided to cut-out the electric supply to the geyser, after a predetermined time, from the activation of indicator (201).
16. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the safety cut-out arrangement (300) comprises a timer (301) to delay the cut-out of electric supply to the geyser.
17. The geyser assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a capacitor is provided in the condition determining sensor circuit (200) to filter out the noise induced/inferred by external source.