Recuperation system for underwater cleaning operations

Abstract

Device for cleaning an underwater lying surface, wherein the device comprises a movable frame with at least one rotating brush which allows the device to pressed against or sucked against said surface during movement of the device, wherein furthermore a drive for the brush or brushes is provided, wherein the device is provided with means which prevent that particles that are released during cleaning of the surface, spread around in the water flowing around the surface and around the device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]A. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a device for cleaning underwater surfaces.[0003]B. Related Art and Summary[0004]More specifically, the invention is made for cleaning the ship hull, the substructure of a platform or the like.[0005]It is known that on these surfaces lying under the waterline growth of algae and mollusks occur.[0006]This biological growth has a detrimental influence on the fuel consumption of ships due to the increase of flow resistance.[0007]Therefore it is already known for a long time to remove this biological growth regularly or to scrape it off.[0008]Such devices for cleaning surfaces already exist, which devices have rotating disc-shaped brushes or scrapers, like described for example in the Belgian patent document BE 1.000.486.[0009]In these devices the brushes do not only have a cleaning function but are also essential for keeping the device close to the surface to be cleaned.[0010]Indeed, due to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a device for cleaning underwater surfaces, such as ship hulls, that helps remove biological growth and prevents water pollution. The device has a movable frame with rotating brushes that are pressed against or sucked against the surface being cleaned. It also includes a drive for the brushes and means to prevent particles released during cleaning from spreading around in the water. The device can be easily maintained and replaced, and it helps to protect the environment from harmful chemicals and pollution."

Problems solved by technology

This biological growth has a detrimental influence on the fuel consumption of ships due to the increase of flow resistance.

Indeed, due to the specific shape of the brushes, the rotation thereof will create an underpressure between the surface to be treated and the device, which underpressure causes the device to be firmly pressed or sucked to the surface, such that the brushes always remain in contact with the surface to be treated.

A disadvantage is that during cleaning particles can be released from the surface and these particles that are scraped off by the brushes or released can spread around in the water.

Without additional measures it is possible that particles from the paint are scraped off and float in the water around the brushes thereby causing water pollution.

Of course, these particles of chemical origin have a negative influence on the environment.

Anyway, the distribution of particles of biological origin in the water has also a serious ecological influence on the fauna and flora living in the water, with all detrimental consequences, such as the disappearance of certain organisms in the long term or the outbreak of epidemics and the like.

It is therefore clear that the cleaning of the surface and the resulting water pollution has a serious ecological impact if no further measures are taken.

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