Biofouling prevention device, method for assessing structural characteristics of a biofouling prevention device, and computer program for carrying out said method

Abstract

In the context of biofouling prevention, a biofouling prevention system 20 is provided, configured to emit anti-biofouling light in its activated state and to be applied to the object 10. Furthermore, the biofouling prevention system 20 comprises a sensor system 30 configured to obtain measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1, including both the biofouling prevention system 20 and the object 10, in the actual case when the biofouling prevention system 20 is in place on the object 10. By having the above-mentioned sensor system 30 in the biofouling prevention system 20, it is achieved that one or more structural aspects of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 can be checked / monitored, without the need to provide separate means for fulfilling such a function.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Firstly, the invention relates to an anti-biofouling system configured to emit anti-biofouling light in its activated state and to be applied to an object.

[0002] Secondly, the invention relates to an anti-biofouling arrangement comprising an object and a biofouling prevention system applied to the object, the biofouling prevention system being configured to emit anti-biofouling light in its activated state.

[0003] Thirdly, the present invention relates to a method of applying the biofouling prevention system to an object in the biofouling prevention configuration described above.

[0004] Fourth, the present invention relates to a method of obtaining information relevant to evaluating at least one structural characteristic of a biofouling prevention configuration as described above.

[0005] Fifthly, the invention relates to a computer program comprising code which, when said code is executed on a processor, causes the processor to carry out the method described above.

[0006] Sixthly, the present invention relates to a method for obtaining information relevant to designing the structure of an anti-biofouling arrangement as described above. [Background technology]

[0007] Various structures that are temporarily or permanently exposed to aqueous environments are prone to biofouling. For example, in marine environments (including both saltwater and freshwater), ships, oil rigs, pipelines, support structures for offshore wind turbines, structures for harvesting tidal / wave energy, etc. are exposed to organisms growing on them, especially in areas that are temporarily or permanently exposed to water. As a result, the drag of the vessel increases, parts movement can be impeded, and filters can become clogged. With regard to the impact of biofouling on the drag of a vessel, it is noted that biofouling can cause an increase of up to 40% in fuel consumption.

[0008] In general, biofouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, small animals, etc. on surfaces. By some estimates, over 1,800 species, including over 4,000 organisms, are responsible for biofouling. Thus, biofouling is caused by a wide variety of organisms, including much more than the attachment of barnacles and seaweed to surfaces. Biofouling is divided into microfouling, which includes biofilm formation and bacterial attachment, and macrofouling, which includes the attachment of larger organisms. Organisms are also classified as hard or soft, due to distinct chemistry and biology that determine what prevents them from settling. Hard fouling organisms include calcareous organisms such as barnacles, ectoplasmic corpuscles, mollusks, polychaetes and other tube worms, as well as zebra mussels. Soft fouling organisms include non-calcareous organisms such as seaweeds, hydroids, algae and biofilm "slime molds". These organisms combine together to form fouling communities. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] As mentioned above, biofouling causes significant problems. To address these problems, various solutions have been developed. For example, there are robots designed to scrape fouling organisms from the hull of a ship. WO 2014 / 188347 A1 discloses another solution, namely a solution that involves applying a biofouling prevention layer to a surface prone to biofouling, where the biofouling prevention layer is arranged to emit ultraviolet light from said surface. In this way, the risk of organisms growing on said surface (i.e. the surface from which the ultraviolet light emanates) is reduced. Alternatively, the surface subject to biofouling may be irradiated with ultraviolet light, where it is noted that the solution according to WO 2014 / 188347 A1 is usually preferred for underwater surfaces that have low transparency to ultraviolet light. In general, it is known that type C ultraviolet light, i.e. UV-C light, is effective in terms of biofouling prevention and good results can be achieved.

[0010] WO 2017 / 167629 discloses a biofouling prevention system in which an optical sensor is provided to monitor the degree of biofouling. The amount of UV radiation is controlled depending on the degree of biofouling, thereby making it possible to save energy during use of the system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention comprises the insight that it is possible to attribute additional functions to a biofouling prevention system for use with an object, in particular the function of obtaining measurement data on at least one structural feature of a biofouling prevention arrangement including both the biofouling prevention system and the object. In this way, it is achieved that the use of a biofouling prevention system with an object becomes even more interesting, since a method of evaluating / monitoring at least one structural feature of the object becomes possible without the need for separate means. It is also achieved that, when the present invention is applied, at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention system and / or at least one structural feature of the actual combination of the biofouling prevention system and the object can be evaluated / monitored as required. The present invention can be implemented by adapting the design of a conventional biofouling prevention system to include one or more sensors configured to perform measurements at the structural level, and any further components that may be necessary for power supply, data transmission, etc., without including all too complex means.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, the term "at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention device" should be understood as referring to at least one feature directly related to at least one specific aspect of the structure of the biofouling prevention arrangement. This term therefore encompasses aspects of the structure of the biofouling prevention system, e.g. aspects of the structure of the object, and aspects of the structure of the combination of the biofouling prevention system with the object, e.g. aspects relating to the connection between at least one unit of the biofouling prevention system and the object. From the above, it follows that the term "at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement" at least encompasses aspects related to both the structure and the mechanical properties of the biofouling prevention arrangement.

[0013] The structure of such a biofouling prevention configuration relates to the physical and mechanical properties of the biofouling prevention configuration, including initially before application to the object. The structure of such an object relates to the physical and mechanical properties of the object, including initially before the biofouling prevention configuration is applied to the object and before biofouling. The structure of the combination of the biofouling prevention system and the object relates to the interface between the biofouling prevention system and the object, including the initial interface properties before exposure to biofouling. In use, this interface is not intended to be exposed to biofouling, since the object surface is covered by the biofouling prevention configuration. Thus, the structural features are mechanical properties that are initially established as part of the structure of the biofouling prevention configuration, or the structure of the object, or the combination of the object and the biofouling prevention configuration. In each case, such structural features are initially established before exposure to biofouling, and thus before biofouling treatment. The evolution of the structural features can then be monitored, for example to detect structural damage or corrosion.

[0014] The present invention is not limited to any particular timing of the process of obtaining measurement data relating to at least one structural characteristic of a biofouling prevention configuration, which may be a continuous, ongoing process, or a discontinuous process in which measurements are performed at regular or irregular intervals, in an automated manner, or on demand.

[0015] The present invention is suitable for application in various fields, including in the field of marine structures. Examples of objects in which the biofouling prevention system according to the invention can be used include ships and other vessels, marine stations, offshore oil or gas installations, buoyancy devices, support structures for wind turbines at sea, structures for collecting wave / tidal energy, sea chests, underwater tools, etc. It is noted that in general, the present invention is not only suitable to be applied in the context of objects for use in seawater, but may include advantages with respect to any object for use in any type of water that is known to contain fouling organisms.

[0016] As alluded to above, the at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement, for which measurement data may be obtained by the sensor system, may be at least one structural feature of the object. For example, the sensor system may be configured to inspect the condition of the outer surface of the object to detect any damage thereto, and / or to look further down into the object, such as for the purpose of assessing the mechanical integrity of parts of the object, and / or to inspect whether a protruding component of the object is present, and if a component is found to be present, to inspect whether any possible connections between the component and the rest of the object are in fact intact. Numerous other possible functions of the sensor system are also available and are also covered by the present invention.

[0017] It may be practical for the sensor system to comprise at least one strain gauge configured to assess the mechanical deformation of at least one structural unit of the object and / or the biofouling prevention system, and / or at least one ultrasonic sensor configured to assess, for example, the mechanical integrity of at least one area of ​​the object. With regard to the possible uses of the strain gauges as described above, it is noted that if it is desired to obtain information about the mechanical deformation of the object, this can be done directly by performing a strain measurement directly on the object and / or indirectly by performing a strain measurement in a biofouling prevention system applied to the object. Ultrasonic sensors as mentioned can be used, for example, to assess the condition of weld seams on metal covers, etc. of the object.

[0018] In general, the sensor system may comprise any suitable type of sensor for inspecting the object for at least one structural feature, and more generally, the sensor system may comprise any suitable type of sensor for inspecting the object and / or (at least one structural unit of) the biofouling prevention system and / or the structural interaction between the object and the biofouling prevention system for at least one structural feature. In this respect, it is noted that in addition to or as an alternative to the option that the at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement for which measurement data can be obtained by the sensor system is at least one structural feature of the object, the invention covers at least one of the options that said at least one structural feature is at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention system and that said at least one structural feature is at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement at the interface of the object and the biofouling prevention system.

[0019] If at least one structural feature is to be checked at the interface of the object and the biofouling prevention system, it may be practical for the sensor system to comprise at least one UV sensor configured to evaluate the adhesion and / or the position of at least one structural unit of the biofouling prevention system relative to the object. This is based on the insight that, for example, when a structural unit of the biofouling prevention system starts to detach from the object, this may cause a detectable change in the reflection of ultraviolet light at the interface of the object and the structural unit.

[0020] The sensor system may further be configured to obtain measurement data on the degree of biofouling of at least certain areas of the biofouling prevention arrangement. For example, as mentioned above, a UV sensor used to evaluate the adhesion and / or position of at least one structural unit of the biofouling prevention system relative to the object may have an additional function in performing a biofouling check. It may be very advantageous to have a minimum of components in the biofouling prevention arrangement. Nevertheless, the invention also encompasses the option that at least one sensor is dedicated to performing a check of at least one structural feature in the biofouling prevention arrangement and at least one other sensor is dedicated to performing a check of the degree of biofouling in one or more areas of the arrangement.

[0021] It may be practical for the biofouling prevention system according to the invention to include at least two separate structural units. An example of a case where the option of having a large number of structural units may be advantageous is when an object has a surface of large dimensions and the biofouling prevention system is applied to that surface. The mentioned structural units may, for example, be substantially size-limited in two orthogonal directions perpendicular to the thickness direction of the biofouling prevention system, i.e. in two directions along the surface, in which case the structural units may be called biofouling prevention tiles, or may be substantially size-limited only in one direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the biofouling prevention system, in which case the structural units may be called biofouling prevention strips. The biofouling prevention tiles and strips may be very thin so that they may have a foil-like appearance.

[0022] Any structural unit of the biofouling prevention system may be of any suitable design. For example, at least one structural unit may include a slab of material transparent to the biofouling prevention light. The slab of material may have the function of transporting / guiding the light emanating from one or more light sources in an activated state and may include a light extraction surface having any suitable surface structure. In such a case, the one or more light sources may be associated with the slab of material in any suitable manner. For example, it may be practical for one or more light sources to be embedded within the slab of material. This is one way of realizing an embodiment of the biofouling prevention system according to the present invention, where the system is configured to emit the biofouling prevention light away from the object in the biofouling prevention configuration.

[0023] The anti-biofouling light can be ultraviolet light, in particular of the UV-C type, but this does not mean that other types of anti-biofouling light are not covered by the present invention. The anti-biofouling system may include one or more light sources of any suitable type. For example, the anti-biofouling system can include a layer of material that can be activated to emit light. On the other hand, the anti-biofouling system can include a number of separate light emitters, such as LEDs.

[0024] According to the foregoing, the present invention also relates to a biofouling prevention arrangement comprising an object and a biofouling prevention system applied to said object, the biofouling prevention system being configured to emit a biofouling prevention light in its activated state, it being noted that the biofouling prevention system comprises a sensor system configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement. The details of the biofouling prevention system mentioned above are equally applicable in the context of the biofouling prevention arrangement. The object may be of any shape and size and may comprise any type of material. For example, the object may comprise a conductive surface to which at least one structural unit of the biofouling prevention system is applied, in which case the object may have the function of transporting electrical power that may be used to operate the biofouling prevention system, and the biofouling prevention system may be equipped with a coil system or any other system configured to make it possible to supply electrical power to the biofouling prevention system. One practical example of an object is a ship, in which case at least one structural unit of the biofouling prevention system may be applied to the ship at the location of at least a certain area of ​​the ship's hull.

[0025] In a practical embodiment of a biofouling prevention arrangement according to the invention, the arrangement comprises a processor configured to receive and process measurement data from a sensor system of the biofouling prevention system and to provide an output representative of at least one structural characteristic of the biofouling prevention arrangement to which the measurement data relates, the output being interpretable in an automated manner and / or by one or more humans to determine whether any kind of action needs to be taken and / or to gain knowledge regarding the design aspects of the structure of the biofouling prevention arrangement that can be used to improve future embodiments of such an arrangement.

[0026] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of applying a biofouling prevention system to an object in a biofouling prevention arrangement as described above, wherein at least one structural unit of the biofouling prevention system is positioned and fixed relative to the object.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for obtaining information relevant to assessing at least one structural characteristic of a biofouling prevention arrangement as described above, comprising the steps of receiving and processing measurement data obtained from a sensor system of a biofouling prevention system and providing an output representative of the at least one structural characteristic of the biofouling prevention arrangement associated with the measurement data. A computer program product comprising code for causing a processor to carry out the above-described information obtaining method when the code is executed on the processor is also a subject of the invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for obtaining information relevant for designing the structure of a biofouling prevention arrangement as described above, comprising the steps of obtaining an output representative of at least one structural characteristic of the at least two different real biofouling prevention arrangements by performing the above described information obtaining method for at least two different real biofouling prevention arrangements, processing the output representative of the at least one structural characteristic of the at least two different real biofouling prevention arrangements, and providing an output representative of a trend of the at least one structural characteristic of the at least two different real biofouling prevention arrangements. Such a method can be applied as part of a process aiming at determining how the practical design of a biofouling prevention arrangement, i.e. the practical design of an object, a biofouling prevention system and / or an interface / coupling between an object and a biofouling prevention system, can be improved, at least as far as its structural aspects are concerned.

[0029] In the context of the present invention, a data collection system may be used to collect / store measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention configuration and / or information based on such data obtained by a sensor system of the biofouling prevention system that is part of the biofouling prevention configuration.

[0030] The above and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from and be described with reference to the following detailed description of a basic embodiment of a biofouling prevention arrangement comprising an object and a biofouling prevention system applied to the object and configured to emit anti-biofouling light in its activated state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which equal or similar parts are designated by the same reference numbers. [Figure 1] A cross-section of a ship and the biofouling prevention system deployed on the hull. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a portion of the hull and biofouling prevention system, the biofouling prevention system being drawn with an exaggerated thickness in the drawing for illustrative purposes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] With reference to the drawings, it is noted that a feasible embodiment of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 according to the invention comprises a ship 10 and a biofouling prevention system 20 arranged on the hull 11. At the location of the hull 11, the ship 10 will undergo a biofouling prevention action, in order to avoid the formation of biofouling on the hull 11 and thus an increase in the drag of the ship 10. In particular, it is noted that the biofouling prevention device 1 is designed to have a biofouling prevention action on the ship 10 based on light radiation, either continuously or from time to time, and the light may be ultraviolet light, in particular UV-C light, in order to achieve a good biofouling prevention effect.

[0033] As mentioned above, the biofouling prevention system 20 is arranged on the hull 11. The biofouling prevention system 20 may be, for example, a system of a type suitable for use in achieving an anti-biofouling effect on an object by emitting anti-biofouling light in a direction away from the object, as known from WO 2014 / 188347 A1. Such a system may include a number of light sources 21 arranged to generate anti-biofouling light. A practical example of such light sources 21 are UV-C LEDs.

[0034] The biofouling prevention system 20 can comprise a material that is transparent to the biofouling prevention light and that can have the structural function of, for example, embedding or otherwise supporting the light source 21 and that can be configured to cover an area of ​​the hull 11. This transparent material can be provided in various slabs, in which case the biofouling prevention system 20 can be realized as an assembly of structural units 22, such as tiles or strips, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, and the thickness of the slab of transparent material can be very thin, on the order of millimeters, so that the slab can be commonly referred to as a foil piece. During operation of the light source 21, the transparent material can have the function of transporting the generated biofouling prevention light along the hull 11 and can ensure that the biofouling prevention light is spread more or less evenly across the hull 11, i.e. it can act as a light guide where the biofouling prevention light is outcoupled from the light guide in a direction away from the ship 10 at various positions. Phenomena such as total internal reflection can contribute to the transport of light through the transparent material. A practical example of a transparent material is a silicone material.

[0035] In general, surfaces subject to biofouling are not necessarily plane / flat, but may instead be curved in one or more directions and may include one or more convexly and / or concavely curved regions. The hull 11 is an example of a curved surface. Furthermore, protrusions may be disposed on the surface, which may or may not be part of the biofouling prevention system 20. Examples of protrusions in the context of the vessel 10 include fins (not shown) on the hull 11, welded seams 12 on the hull 11, and protrusions (not shown) disposed to protect the biofouling prevention system 20 against the impact of external objects, such as tree trunks floating in the water, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0036] According to a notable aspect of the invention, the biofouling prevention system 20 comprises a sensor system 30 configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1. If the biofouling prevention system 20 comprises a plurality of structural units 22, it may be that each of these units 22 is provided with one or more sensors 31 and associated means, such as means for supplying the sensors 31 with power. However, this is not necessary and it may also be that the sensor system 30 appears in only one or a limited number of structural units 22. In any case, it may be such that one or more sensors 31 and / or one or more other components of the sensor system 30 are integrated in the (structural units 22 of) the biofouling prevention system 20. For example, assuming that the biofouling prevention system 20 comprises slabs of transparent material, the sensor 31 and / or other components may be embedded in one or more of these slabs. The sensor system 30 of the biofouling prevention system 20 may comprise only one type of sensor or at least two different types of sensors, depending on the number and type of structural features of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 to be evaluated.

[0037] The power supply required for the actual realization of the sensing function of the biofouling prevention system 20 can be realized in any suitable manner, the same applies for the light emission function of the biofouling prevention system 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 can further comprise a processor 32 for receiving and processing measurement data from the sensor system 30 and providing an output representative of at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 to which the measurement data relates. Furthermore, a data acquisition system 33 can be provided for receiving and storing the measurement data and / or the output from the processor 32. In Fig. 2, various data transmission possibilities are indicated by dashed lines and arrows. The processor 32 and the data acquisition system 33 are part of a data analysis system 34, which can optionally include further components.

[0038] The invention offers a wide variety of possibilities when using the sensor system 30 to obtain measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1. Some practical examples are listed below.

[0039] First, the sensor system 30 may be configured to obtain measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the vessel 10. Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to have information about the manner in which the vessel 10 deforms, whether metal fatigue occurs in one or more regions, whether hairline cracks are present in one or more regions, and / or about the condition of the weld seams 12 on the hull 11, etc.

[0040] Secondly, the sensor system 30 may be configured to obtain measurement data relating to at least one structural characteristic of the biofouling prevention system 20. For example, it may be desirable to have information regarding whether the structural units 22 are deformed and / or damaged. In such cases, the biofouling prevention system 20 may be referred to as a system with self-diagnostic capabilities when assessing the condition of the system at a structural level.

[0041] Thirdly, the sensor system 30 can be configured to obtain measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 at the interface between the vessel 10 and the biofouling prevention system 20. For example, it may be desirable to have information about whether the biofouling prevention system 20 is still in the correct position relative to the hull 11 and properly attached thereto.

[0042] The sensor system 30 may comprise one or more suitable types of sensors and may include as many sensors 31 as necessary to realize the envisaged function or functions. The sensors 31 may be configured to perform sensing operations in a specific direction, a limited number of directions or a range of directions on an area of ​​any possible size, a limited number of areas or a range of areas. The sensor system 30 allows to perform a continuous monitoring process and / or a single check of one or more important structural features of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1, periodically or irregularly, in an automated manner or on demand. It is advantageous for the biofouling prevention system 20 to have the capability to check whether biofouling deposits are present in one or more areas of the biofouling prevention device 1, for example on the outer surface of the biofouling prevention system 20, and, if so found, to actually determine a quantitative factor of biofouling. To that end, the biofouling prevention system 20 may comprise a further sensor system (not shown) or the sensor or sensors 31 included in the sensor system 30 configured for obtaining measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 may have a dual function, i.e. be suitable to be used both for obtaining measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 and for obtaining biofouling measurement data. In this respect, it is noted that a UV sensor is an example of a sensor that may have such a dual function, since it is suitable to be applied for checking the attachment of the structural units 22 of the biofouling prevention system 20 to the hull 11 on one side of the structural units 22 and for checking the structural units 22 for biofouling on the other side of the structural units 22.

[0043] Within the framework of the present invention, the measurement data obtained when the sensor system 30 is operated may be further used in any suitable manner, it may be practical to process the measurement data, but this does not change the fact that in certain cases a direct interpretation of the measurement data may be possible as well. The measurement data may not only be used to determine the actual state of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 or to predict the future state of one or more structural aspects, but may also be used in a process aimed at discovering trends related to various structural measures, so as to be able to generate possibilities for improving the structural aspects of the biofouling prevention arrangement 1 at the design level.

[0044] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several modifications and changes thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. It is intended that the present invention be construed as including all such modifications and changes insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and detailed description, such illustration and description should be considered merely as illustrative and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, omitting details that are not necessary for understanding the present invention, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0045] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0046] Elements and features described for or in connection with a particular embodiment can be combined with elements and features of other embodiments as appropriate, unless otherwise stated. Thus, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0047] The term "comprising" as used herein will be understood by those skilled in the art to cover the term "consisting of." Thus, the term "comprising" can mean "consisting of" in relation to an embodiment, but in another embodiment can mean "including at least the defined species, and optionally one or more other species."

[0048] Notable aspects of the present invention can be summarized as follows: In the context of biofouling prevention, a biofouling prevention system 20 is provided, which in its activated state emits an anti-biofouling light and is configured to be applied to an object 10. Furthermore, the biofouling prevention system 20 comprises a sensor system 30 configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural feature of a biofouling prevention arrangement 1, including both the biofouling prevention system 20 and the object 10, in the actual case when the biofouling prevention system 20 is in place on the object 10. One advantage of having a sensor system 30 as mentioned in the biofouling prevention system 20 lies in the insight that the biofouling prevention system 20 is in any case intended to be combined with the object 10 into a biofouling prevention arrangement 1 and therefore can be used for the purpose of inspecting / monitoring one or more structural aspects of such biofouling prevention arrangement 1, without the need for separate means for fulfilling such a function.

Claims

1. A biofouling prevention device having an object and a biofouling prevention system configured to emit biofouling prevention light in an activated state, the biofouling prevention system comprising a structural unit applied to the object and positioned and fixed relative to the object, the biofouling prevention system having a sensor system configured to acquire measurement data related to structural features related to the configuration of the biofouling prevention device, the structural features being structural features at the interface between the object and the biofouling prevention system.

2. The biofouling prevention device of claim 1 , wherein the structural feature is a structural feature of the object.

3. A biofouling prevention device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the structural feature is a structural feature of the biofouling prevention system.

4. A biofouling prevention device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor system comprises a strain gauge configured to evaluate the mechanical deformation of the object and / or the structural unit, and / or an ultrasonic sensor configured to evaluate the mechanical integrity of an area of ​​the object.

5. 2. The biofouling prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises at least one UV sensor configured to assess the adhesion and / or position of the structural unit relative to the object.

6. 6. A biofouling prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system is further configured to obtain measurement data relating to the degree of biofouling of an area of ​​the biofouling prevention device.

7. 7. A biofouling prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, configured to emit the anti-biofouling light away from the object in the biofouling prevention device.

8. A biofouling prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the object is a vessel and the structural unit is applied to an area of ​​the hull of the vessel.

9. 9. A biofouling prevention device according to claim 8, comprising a processor configured to receive and process measurement data from the sensor system of the biofouling prevention system and provide an output representative of the structural feature to which the measurement data relates.

10. A method for applying a biofouling prevention system to an object to obtain a biofouling prevention device according to claims 1 to 9, comprising the step of positioning and fixing said structural unit relative to said object.

11. A method for obtaining information for evaluating the structural features of a biofouling prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: receiving and processing measurement data obtained from the sensor system; and providing an output representative of the structural feature to which the measurement data pertains.

12. A computer program product which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to carry out the method according to claim 11.

Images