A cleaning device for the hulls of vessels

Abstract

A cleaning device 1 for the hulls of vessels comprising: a first shuttle 21 and a second shuttle 22, couplable to the vessel's hull and movable along an advancement direction X identified on said vessel; a cleaning belt 3, operatively connected to the first shuttle 21 and to the second shuttle 22 and comprising a plurality of cleaning units 4, wherein each cleaning unit 4 comprises movable cleaning elements 41 for applying an external force to bring about the removal of material deposited on the vessel's hull. A cleaning apparatus 10 for cleaning the hulls of vessels, comprising: at least one cleaning device 1.

Description

[0001] A CLEANING DEVICE FOR THE HULLS OF VESSELS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to the naval sector and, in particular, to the field of vessel maintenance and cleaning.

[0004] In fact, an object of the present invention is a cleaning device for hulls; a further object of the present invention is a cleaning system for hulls comprising said cleaning device.

[0005] The term hull refers to the portion of the hull of a vessel that is submerged or, in other words, which is found below the water level during navigation or, in any case, when the ship is lowered into the water; the hull is also otherwise called the bottom of the vessel and is opposite the topside, that is, the portion of the walls of the vessel that remains above the water level during navigation.

[0006] In fact, the hull is affected by a phenomenon of accumulation of what is called "marine biofouling" in the form of incrustations of living organisms, plants and animals, and non-living substances present in the water, such as dirt, plastics, sludge and hydrocarbons, accumulation that leads to the formation of incrustations on the outer surface of the ship along the hull: initially, said organisms and said substances deposit to form a thin irregular layer, called microfouling. Following a longer stay in water, the continuous accumulation of substances and the proliferation of living organisms determine the increase in thickness of said irregular layer, to form macrofouling.

[0007] Microfouling, to a lesser extent, and macrofouling, to a considerably greater extent, contribute to increasing the friction phenomena that occur between water and hull during the navigation of the vessel: in these conditions, to travel a navigation route, the vessel requires a greater amount of fuel than the amount necessary to complete the same route in the absence of micro or macrofouling deposits. In the case of macrofouling, fuel consumption, in quantitative terms, and consequently in terms of costs, is also 30% higher. Furthermore, said fuel consumption consequently results in greater pollution and, in particular, in more copious emissions of exhaust gases and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

[0008] In addition, micro- and macrofouling cause unwanted phenomena such as biocorrosion or MIC, i.e., corrosion of the metals present in the hull by microorganisms, and loss of efficiency of the heat exchange between vessel and water.

[0009] To carry out the cleaning of the hull and avoid the aforementioned undesired phenomena, the vessel is typically drydocked in special dry-docks, and the hull with incrustations of living organisms and non-living substances, is cleaned by means of pressure washers which, acting mechanically, cause the disintegration of the layer present.

[0010] However, this operation has the obvious limit of requiring the vessel return to port and be drydocked; furthermore, this operation takes a considerable amount of time and can require multiple people, depending on the size of the vessel. Furthermore, the pressure of the pressure washer must be carefully controlled in order to mechanically remove the incrustations and, on the other hand, in order to avoid the detachment of the paint below the micro- and macrofouling.

[0011] To overcome the aforesaid limits, systems are known that perform the cleaning of the hull, removing micro- and macrofouling deposits while the vessel is lowered in water. These systems comprise a cleaning belt or rope on which a plurality of brushes or other elements are positioned which are capable of causing the mechanical disintegration of the layer deposited on the hull; the rope is then connected to two auxiliary vessels, one positioned starboard side and one port side of the hull to be cleaned: when the vessel is stationary, the auxiliary vessels drag the cleaning belt along the length of the hull, causing the brushes to come into contact with the hull, causing the removal of the incrustations.

[0012] However, even this prior art device and method, although it allows cleaning the vessel in water, has obvious limitations: firstly, the cleaning operations not only use the cleaning means, i.e., the cleaning belt and brushes, but also two auxiliary vessels, requiring a certain availability of space around the vessel, to allow the easy movement of the auxiliary vessels, space that is not always available, for example, within a port. Secondly, the auxiliary vessels may have to move several times along the hull to disintegrate the fouling incrustations: the vessel must therefore also remain stationary for long periods of time for the completion of the cleaning operations. Therefore, this device and method is less efficient and can definitely be improved; furthermore, the device and method described require a vessel to be stopped, for a cleaning time that can range from a few hours to a few days, depending on the size of the vessel, the type of device used and the amount of incrustation of organisms, substances and debris deposited on the surface of the ship. For example, small robots, or human-guided ROVs of the prior art also take up to a couple of days to complete the cleaning of the hull, a time interval in which the ship is stationary and unusable.

[0013] The technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide a cleaning device for the hulls of vessels and an apparatus comprising said device capable of overcoming the obvious limitations of the prior art.

[0014] The stated technical task and specified objects are achieved by a cleaning device for the hulls of vessels and an apparatus comprising said device, comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the illustrative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a cleaning device for the hulls of vessels and an apparatus comprising said device.

[0016] Such a description will be set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided solely for illustrative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which: - Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a vessel on which a device for cleaning hulls according to the present invention is positioned; - Figure 2 shows a detail of the cleaning device of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the cleaning device according to the present invention, in a first embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4 shows a first shuttle comprised in the cleaning device of Figure 3;

[0018] Figure 5 shows a second shuttle comprised in the cleaning device of Figure 3;

[0019] Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the cleaning device according to the present invention, in a second embodiment;

[0020] Figure 7 shows a first shuttle comprised in the cleaning device of Figure 6;

[0021] Figure 8 shows a second shuttle comprised in the cleaning device of Figure 6;

[0022] Figure 9 shows a plurality of cleaning elements usable in the cleaning device according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 10 shows an isometric view of a cleaning device 1 according to the present invention, in a third embodiment.

[0024] A first object of the present invention is a cleaning device 1 for hulls comprising a first shuttle 21 , a second shuttle 22, a cleaning belt 3 operatively connected to the first shuttle 21 and to the second shuttle 22 and a plurality of cleaning units 4 comprising cleaning elements 41 arranged for removing material deposited on the hull or on the bottom.

[0025] The cleaning device 1 according to the present invention advantageously allows to perform the cleaning of the hull while the vessel is in water, avoiding the operations while drydocked.

[0026] Even more advantageously, the cleaning device 1 according to the present invention allows to perform the cleaning of the hull during navigation, that is, while the vessel is in motion.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the cleaning device 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0028] The first shuttle 21 and the second shuttle 22 comprised in the cleaning device 1 are couplable to a vessel and are movable along an advancement direction X identified on said vessel. In a non-exclusive embodiment, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 are couplable to a hull portion of said vessel and are arranged to travel at least a section of said hull moving in the advancement direction X.

[0029] The coupling between the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 and the vessel is, in a first embodiment, of a reversible or temporary type: in other words, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 can be coupled or positioned along a vessel temporarily, for example to perform a cycle of cleaning operations, and be removed from said vessel to be positioned on a different vessel for another cycle of cleaning operations.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the coupling between the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 and the vessel is of a non-reversible type, i.e., the first and the second shuttle are permanently coupled to the vessel.

[0031] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 are positioned respectively starboard and port side of the hull, or, in other words, on the walls of the vessel, and the advancement direction X extends between the stern and the bow of said vessel. In other words, given a vessel having a hull having a main longitudinal extension, the advancement direction X has at least one component parallel to said longitudinal extension: therefore, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 are arranged to be movable or, in other words, to travel at least a section of the vessel parallel to its longitudinal extension.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the first shuttle 21 is positioned starboard or port side of the hull, on the walls of the vessel, and the second shuttle 22 is positioned along the ship's front hull area. In addition, or alternatively, a further first shuttle 21 is positioned on the other side of the vessel (if the previous one has been positioned on the starboard side, and vice versa) and a further second shuttle 22 is positioned along the respective ship's front hull area. Each first shuttle 21 is connected to the respective second shuttle 22 through the cleaning belt 3. In a further embodiment, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a first shuttle 21 is positioned to the right of the vessel, a second shuttle 22 is positioned to the left of the vessel and a further shuttle or sliding means is positioned along a lower portion of the hull, preferably near the longitudinal axis of the vessel: in this configuration, the cleaning belt 3 has a first section that connects the first shuttle 21 to the further shuttle or sliding means, and a second section, which connects the second shuttle 22 to the same further shuttle or sliding means. Furthermore, in this configuration the further shuttle or sliding means is movable integrally with the first and the second shuttles 21 ,22.

[0033] Different placements of the first and the second shuttles 21 ,22 relative to the vessel or relative to the hull and, consequently, different advancement directions X from those indicated are not excluded.

[0034] The first and second shuttles 21 ,22 are therefore movable in the advancement direction X; preferably, the first and the second shuttles 21 ,22 are slidable in the advancement direction X.

[0035] In fact, the device 1 according to the present invention can comprise a guide 23, suitably positioned along a vessel and, in particular, at the hull of said vessel, to identify the advancement direction X. The first and second shuttles 21 ,22 can be coupled, reversibly or irreversibly, to said guide 23 and be slidable along said guide 23. Thanks to the coupling with the guide 23, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 can be moved in the advancement direction X.

[0036] The first and second shuttles can be of various types. Consequently, the coupling and, therefore, the movement or sliding of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 along the hull of the ship in the advancement direction X can be brought about in different ways.

[0037] In a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the present invention, illustrated in Figures 6-8, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 comprise a main body connected to a carriage 26, which is slidable along the guide 23. The carriage 26 according to the first embodiment can further comprise movement means connected to a power supply unit 25 arranged to determine the movement of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 along the guide 23 in the advancement direction X. The power supply unit 25 can be of the electrical type.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the movement of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 along the guide 23 can be brought about manually by an operator.

[0039] In a second embodiment of the device 1 according to the present invention, illustrated in Figures 3-5, the coupling between the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 is of a magnetic type. In detail, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 comprise a main body connected to a carriage 26, said main body having magnetic tracks 24 sliding along the hull of the vessel.

[0040] The magnetic tracks 24 are connected to a power supply unit 25: the power supply unit 25 is arranged for the electrical supply of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22, allowing the magnetic coupling with the hull of the vessel and the sliding in the advancement direction X.

[0041] The device 1 according to the present invention further comprises a cleaning belt 3, operatively connected to the first shuttle 21 and to the second shuttle 22 and comprising a plurality of cleaning units 4 configured to bring about the removal of material deposited on the bottom of the vessel and, in particular, on the hull of the vessel.

[0042] Preferably, the cleaning belt 3 is arranged to remove the material deposited on portions of walls forming the waterline and comprising at least in part the hull and at least in part the topside of the vessel.

[0043] Even more preferably, the cleaning belt 3 is arranged to remove material deposited on the waterline area, avoiding the stern area: the stern, in fact, typically has rudders and propulsion systems, in which the cleaning belt 3 or its components could get stuck, risking causing a faulty condition of the vessel.

[0044] The cleaning belt 3 is flexible, to be able to adapt to the shape of the hull. For example, the cleaning belt 3 comprises a cable, a rope or a flexible longshaped or ribbon-shaped element of another type. The cleaning belt 3, for example, has a first end constrained to the first shuttle 21 and a second end constrained to the second shuttle 22. In the preferred embodiment, the cleaning belt 3 connected to the first and second shuttles 21 ,22, placed starboard and port side of the hull, has a shape such as to externally enclose a hull portion of the vessel; in other words, the cleaning belt 3, connected to the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 placed starboard and port side of the vessel, passes below the hull, assuming a substantially U or V configuration.

[0045] Considering vessels having walls or bow and stern portions which are at least partially concave, the cleaning device 1 according to the present invention is capable of following the external profile of the walls having the concavities and of cleaning them, thanks to a cleaning belt 3 comprising at least one magnetic wheel. In other words and in detail, the cleaning belt 3 can comprise a magnetic wheel or a plurality of magnetic wheels suitably positioned or distributed between the first and second shuttles 21 ,22: each magnetic wheel inside the cleaning belt 3 is configured to couple with the hull of the ship, keeping the cleaning belt 3 in contact with the hull.

[0046] Each magnetic wheel can be of the motorised type, therefore connected to a power supply unit, or non-motorised, therefore freely rolling or fixed on the axis of the cleaning belt 3.

[0047] By suitably positioning the magnetic wheel(s) along the cleaning belt 3, the device 1 according to the present invention is capable of successfully cleaning hulls having very different shapes or, in other words, having different areas of concavity and / or convexity.

[0048] Operationally, the cleaning belt 3 during a first installation can be positioned on the vessel while it is moored anchored or in port: for example, the cleaning belt 3 can be installed with the aid of small service vessels and divers.

[0049] Furthermore, the cleaning belt 3 can be installed following maintenance and cleaning operations carried out at special rapid vessel hull washing stations, in order to maintain the achieved maintenance and cleaning conditions for a long time during navigation, improving navigation efficiency and reducing washing process times in subsequent interventions at the washing station. The cleaning belt 3 is preferably removable from the first and / or second shuttles 21 ,22, to allow its removal, any maintenance operations and its replacement in the event of, for example, breakage or wear.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the first and / or second shuttle 21 ,22 comprise a winding device 27 comprising, for example, a winding cylinder. The cleaning belt 3 can be constrained to said winding device 27. The first and / or second shuttles 21 ,22 can further comprise manual or automatic winding means, configured to bring about the movement of the cleaning belt 3 on a plane perpendicular to the advancement direction x, and to achieve a partial or total winding of the cleaning belt 3 around the winding cylinder.

[0051] Advantageously, thanks to the presence of the flexible cleaning belt 3 and the winding device 27 connected to movement means, the cleaning belt 3 can be wound around the winding cylinder or unwound from the winding cylinder if necessary: advantageously, the length of the cleaning belt 3 can thus be adjusted and adapted to hulls of different sizes.

[0052] During the present discussion, reference will be made to a device 1 comprising a first and a second shuttle 21 ,22 connected by a cleaning belt 3; however, the device 1 according to the present invention, in an alternative embodiment not depicted in the accompanying figures, can comprise a plurality of first and second shuttles 21 ,22, each pair of first and second shuttles 21 ,22 being connected by a respective cleaning belt 3, to achieve a particularly fast and efficient cleaning of vessels, even having large dimensions.

[0053] In a third embodiment, depicted in Figure 10, the cleaning belt 3 comprises a first belt 31 and a second belt 32, removably connected to the first and second shuttles 21 ,22. The first and second belts 31 ,32 can comprise ropes, cables or other elongated elements. Furthermore, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 can be of the slidable type with guide 23 - carriage 26 coupling or of the type comprising magnetic sliding blocks 24. The first and / or second shuttle 21 ,22 can comprise one or more independent winders operatively connected to the first and second belts 31 ,32, respectively, and arranged to cause the winding and unwinding, of a controlled type or managed by a spring tensioning system or by means of similar systems, capable of recognizing the shapes of the hull and adapting the right tension for the first and second belts 31 ,32; preferably, the winders operate independently on said first and on said second belt 31 ,32.

[0054] In the third embodiment, each cleaning unit 4 has a first end portion 4a, removably constrained to the first belt 21 , and a second end portion 4b, removably constrained to the second belt 32.

[0055] The cleaning belt 3, comprising the first and second belts 31 ,32, advantageously allows to perform the cleaning operations keeping the cleaning units 4 adherent to the hull, even when the vessel is in motion, therefore during navigation, or when the vessel is affected by turbulence or other phenomena that frequently occur, for example, in the open sea. In other words, the hull cleaning efficiency of the cleaning units 4 is improved, both when the vessel is stationary and when the vessel is in motion.

[0056] Furthermore, the cleaning belt 3, thanks to the presence of the second belt 32 operating as a guide and of the independent winders, allows to obtain, in a very advantageous manner, the controlled winding and unwinding of the first belt 31 during the winding or unwinding operations of the cleaning belt 3 and during the positioning operations of the cleaning units 4.

[0057] Furthermore, the cleaning belt 3, comprising the first and second belts 31 ,32 according to the third embodiment of the invention, allows to strongly reduce the risk of dispersion of the cleaning units 4 at sea due to their accidental detachment from the cleaning belt 3 caused by turbulence, vortices induced by navigation and opposite currents, or, in other words, currents which are transverse relative to a navigation direction.

[0058] Finally, the first belt 31 operates as a safety device for the second belt 32, and vice versa: upon the detachment or accidental breakage of one of the two belts, the other integral belt helps to retain the detached or broken belt portions, preventing them from becoming dispersed in the water or becoming stuck in the rudder and in the propulsion means of the vessel.

[0059] As anticipated in the preceding paragraphs, the cleaning belt 3 has a plurality of cleaning units 4 comprising cleaning elements 41 arranged for the removal of material deposited on the bottom or hull.

[0060] In particular, the cleaning elements 41 are movable by applying an external force and, in particular, by hydrodynamic effect.

[0061] In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying Figures 1 , 2, 3 and 6, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 drag or transport the cleaning belt 3 connected thereto and cause the movement of the cleaning elements 41 by hydrodynamic effect. The cleaning elements 41 thus moved, when placed in contact with the vessel hull, cause the disintegration and removal of the material deposited on the bottom or hull, such as microfouling, macrofouling, biofilm or other types of incrustations.

[0062] In other words, the force exerted by the water on the cleaning unit 4 moves the cleaning units 4 and, in particular, the cleaning elements 41 which move, touching the hull of the ship, causing the cleaning thereof. The cleaning effect is advantageously obtainable both while the ship is stationary, due to the sliding effect of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 that move the cleaning belt 3, and while the ship is in motion, combining with the sliding of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22, the further force exerted by the surrounding water volume on the cleaning units 4 during navigation.

[0063] In the preferred embodiment of the cleaning device 1 according to the present invention, the cleaning units 4 each comprise a propeller or similar means, arranged to rotate upon the advancement of the ship in the water: in other words, the propeller is integrally or operatively connected to the cleaning unit 4 or to the cleaning elements 41 and, in particular, to a rotation axis R identified for the cleaning unit 4 and preferably arranged parallel to the advancement direction (X). The propeller can be made of rubber or polymer or other material. Consequently, during navigation, the hydrodynamic force exerted by the water on the propeller rotates the cleaning elements 41 , determining the cleaning action thereof.

[0064] Advantageously, thanks to the presence of the propeller or similar means, the cleaning unit 4 further efficiently exploits the hydrodynamic force exerted by the water, making the hull cleaning operations particularly effective, reducing the time necessary to clean the hull or to complete the cleaning of a section thereof.

[0065] The cleaning elements 41 can be connected to the cleaning belt 3 in various ways and can have different configurations.

[0066] Preferably, the cleaning elements 41 are movable around the axis R or, in other words, are configured to rotate around the axis R. The rotation axis R is preferably, but not exclusively, arranged substantially parallel to the advancement direction X, so as to optimise the hydrodynamic effect.

[0067] Alternatively, the rotation axis R is substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction X. In other words, in the alternative form, the rotation axis R identified for the cleaning elements 41 is parallel to the cleaning belt 3 or, in other words, coincident with said cleaning belt 3. Therefore, the cleaning elements 41 rotate around the axis R identified by the cleaning belt 3 by hydrodynamic effect.

[0068] In the embodiment of the device 1 having the first and second belts 31 ,32, one or both of the belts 31 ,32 can have the cleaning elements 41 with rotation axes R arranged parallel to the direction identified by the belt 3: therefore, the cleaning elements 41 can have an axis R coinciding with the respective first and / or second belts 31 ,32.

[0069] Considering a device 1 having several first and second shuttles 21 ,22 having a respective cleaning belt 3, each cleaning belt 3 or each first and second belt 31 ,32 can have cleaning elements 41 having similarly or differently oriented rotation axes R. For example, a belt 3 connected to a first pair of first and second shuttles 21 ,22 can have cleaning elements 41 with axis R parallel to the advancement direction X, while a belt 3 connected to a second pair of first and second shuttles 21 ,22 can have cleaning elements 41 having axis R perpendicular to the advancement direction X, i.e., coinciding with the extension of the cleaning belt 3.

[0070] Different combinations of spatial orientations of the cleaning elements 41 can be used to ensure an improved cleaning of the hull. Advantageously, therefore, the device 1 according to the present invention, comprising the cleaning units 4 having the movable cleaning elements 41 , allows to bring about the cleaning of the hull while the vessel is lowered into the water and while the vessel is in motion, i.e., without interrupting navigation.

[0071] Advantageously, therefore, the operations of drydocking the vessel or washing in water are reduced or simplified, in order to complete the hull cleaning, greatly reducing the times necessary for cleaning operations and, consequently, the ship downtime.

[0072] Advantageously, moreover, the device 1 , comprising the first and second shuttles 21 ,22, the cleaning belt 3 connected to the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 and having the cleaning units 4, allows to bring about the cleaning of the bottom or hull of the vessel while the ship is lowered in the water and navigating, encumbering the space surrounding the vessel to a limited extent. In other words, thanks to the device 1 comprising the described elements, the cleaning operations of the bottom or hull can be carried out without requiring large free spaces in the immediate vicinity of the vessel, contrary to the prior art.

[0073] Going into a greater degree of detail, the cleaning units 4 can comprise a plurality of cleaning elements and said cleaning elements 41 can be of various types.

[0074] The cleaning units 4 can in fact comprise, in a first embodiment, ribbon-like strips 41 wound around the axis R so as to form a substantially helical cleaning element 41 or strips 41 comprising several ribbons of various shapes and sizes and in materials different from each other, such as plastic or synthetic materials.

[0075] Alternatively or in addition, the cleaning units 4 can comprise bundles of strips or brushes 41 having a constrained end along the axis R and a free end away from the axis R: the free end is configured to come into contact with the vessel hull and with the incrustations present thereon, causing the removal thereof. The strips or brushes 41 can be, for example, made of nylon or felt or other plastic or synthetic material.

[0076] Further additionally or alternatively, the cleaning units 4 can comprise propeller blades 41 made from deformable rubber.

[0077] Other types of cleaning elements 41 can be intuitively used to form the cleaning units 4.

[0078] In other words, the cleaning elements 41 can assume a plurality of shapes, for example substantially cylindrical or spherical or conical or helical, as long as they have an external surface with discontinuities or, in other words, not smooth and arranged to come into contact with the deposits present on the hull, causing the removal thereof.

[0079] Furthermore and preferably, but not exclusively, in the embodiment of the cleaning elements 41 having a rotation axis R oriented parallel to the cleaning belt 3 or coincident with the cleaning belt 3, the cleaning elements 41 have a conformation of the type with blades arranged radially with respect to the axis R or of the screw type.

[0080] Furthermore, the cleaning belt 3 can comprise different types of cleaning units 4 and cleaning elements 41 , so as to bring about the efficient cleaning of the hull depending on the areas of use.

[0081] Still further, the cleaning belt 3 can comprise cleaning units 4 or cleaning elements 41 having different diameters: for example, cleaning units 4 or cleaning elements 41 with a larger diameter can advantageously be placed along a portion of the cleaning belt 3 arranged to clean a concavity zone, so as to obtain contact with the walls of the vessel in the concavity zone and ensure the removal of incrustations even in those zones which may be more difficult to clean.

[0082] In other words, it is possible to position cleaning elements 41 along the cleaning units 4, comprising different materials and having a wide variety of three-dimensional shapes.

[0083] Finally, the cleaning units 4 can be uniformly distributed along the cleaning belt 3 or, alternatively, they can be conveniently concentrated, in response to specific needs, on some areas of interest of the cleaning belt 3, leaving others unassisted.

[0084] The cleaning elements 41 and / or the cleaning units 4 can be fixedly or removably constrained to the cleaning belt 3.

[0085] The cleaning elements 41 and the cleaning units 4 removable from the cleaning belt 3 can be removed from the cleaning belt 3, facilitating the winding operations of the cleaning belt 3 by the winding device 27. Furthermore, the removed cleaning units 4 and cleaning elements 41 can be subjected to maintenance operations or can be replaced by new cleaning units 4 and new cleaning elements 41 .

[0086] The cleaning belt 3 can further comprise a plurality of distancing and sinking elements 28 distributed along said cleaning belt 3 so as to distance the belt 3 from the hull and allow the controlled sinking of the cleaning belt 3. Preferably, the distancing and sinking elements 28 comprise cylindrical or spheroidal elements made of rubber-coated stainless steel, such as rubberised and shaped wheels, arranged to keep the cleaning belt 3 at an adequate distance from any protrusions present on the hull of the vessel, such as sacrificial anodes or anti-roll fins.

[0087] The distancing and sinking elements 28 therefore act as weights, allowing to obtain the controlled sinking of the cleaning belt 3; advantageously, the cleaning belt 3 comprising the sinking and distancing elements 28 can be positioned along or, in other words, around a desired portion of the hull, efficiently bypassing any structures protruding from the hull and consequently preventing damage or breakage.

[0088] In a further embodiment, the device 1 can comprise a deflection element, intended to prevent any debris present in the water from impacting or becoming stuck in the cleaning belt 3. In particular, the deflection element is particularly effective in deflecting floating or semi-floating debris, such as wooden debris, fishing nets and partially sunken objects.

[0089] The deflection element can be a device of various types. Preferably, the deflection element comprised in the device 1 is a deflection belt connected to the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 in a manner similar to that described for the first and second cleaning belts 31 ,32. Preferably, the deflection belt is connected to the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 in a removable manner. The deflection belt can further comprise one or more grid elements in succession, arranged in front of the cleaning units 4 or the cleaning elements 41 and oriented transversely relative to the advancement direction of the vessel, and configured to physically deflect the debris approaching the cleaning elements 41 .

[0090] Therefore, the deflection belt identifies a plane transverse to the advancement direction X and, preferably, perpendicular to said advancement direction X.

[0091] The deflection belt can comprise at least one rope, a cable or other element having an elongated extension between the first shuttle and the second shuttle 21 ,22 and is arranged in front of the cleaning belt 3, considering the movement direction of the vessel. In other words, considering the movement direction of the vessel, the deflection belt is in front of the cleaning belt 3, so as to intercept and deflect any debris present in the water. In the absence of the deflection belt, in fact, the debris could impact against the cleaning belt 3 and the cleaning elements 41 , causing malfunctions, failures or breakage phenomena for the cleaning belt 3 and / or for the cleaning elements 41 .

[0092] The deflection belt can be provided both for the embodiment of the device 1 comprising a single cleaning belt 3, and for the embodiment of the device 1 comprising the first and second belts 31 ,32.

[0093] The first and second shuttles 21 ,22 can comprise a winding system operatively connected to the deflection belt and arranged to cause the winding and unwinding, of a controlled type or managed by a spring tensioning system or by means of similar systems, capable of recognizing the shapes of the hull and adapting the right tension for the deflection belt. The winding system of the deflection belt can comprise a winding cylinder and movement means configured to bring about the movement of the deflection belt and to achieve the partial or total winding of the deflection belt around the winding cylinder.

[0094] Furthermore, the deflection system is operatively connected to an autonomous tension control system. If, in fact, a floating or semi-floating debris or object remains stuck or attached to the deflection device, a tension can be exerted thereon as a result of the friction generated by the debris with the water, while the vessel moves in the advancement direction.

[0095] The tension control system is configured to detect said increase in tension exerted on the deflection system, for example on the rope or cable comprised therein, and to emit an alarm signal if the detected tension is beyond a threshold or outside a safety range.

[0096] The alarm signal can be sent to a device, even remotely, so as to promptly signal the presence of stuck debris and to schedule or request maintenance operations upon return to port.

[0097] Preferably, the winding system is independent of the winding system provided for the cleaning belt 3. In other words, the winding and unwinding of the deflection belt can be carried out independently of the winding and unwinding of the cleaning belt 3.

[0098] Thanks to the presence of the deflection belt, the integrity of the cleaning belt 3, of the cleaning elements 41 and, where present, of the further components, such as the sinking and distancing elements 28, is advantageously preserved.

[0099] Therefore, thanks to the presence of the deflection belt, the device 1 has improved operability and longevity.

[0100] Finally, at least one of the first and the second shuttle 21 ,22 of the cleaning device 1 according to the present invention can comprise a float device or airbag. The flotation device is designed to inflate when the first and / or second shuttle 21 ,22 fall into the water, in particular when they accidentally fall into the water, preventing the damage thereof. Furthermore, the flotation device allows to facilitate the recovery operations of the first and / or second shuttles 21 ,22 or, in other words, of the cleaning belt: their fall into the water, in the absence of a flotation device, would almost inevitably lead to their sinking, given the weight of the individual components, and to an inability to successfully recover them.

[0101] In order to further improve the safety thereof, the cleaning device 1 according to the present invention can comprise an emergency cable or rope arranged substantially parallel to the guide 23: the emergency cable or rope is configured to perform the rapid recovery of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 and is, in fact, connected to pulleys comprised in a rapid winding system.

[0102] The rapid winding system, operatively connected to the emergency cable or rope, in the event of breakage of the cleaning belt 3 allows to recall the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 towards the bow, moving away from the stern and, in particular, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 from the rudder and from the propulsion means and, consequently, the cleaning belt 3 connected to the cleaning units 4. Advantageously, the rapid winding system comprising the emergency cable or rope allows to further limit the risk of damage to the vessel.

[0103] Further floating elements can be comprised in or operatively connected to the cleaning belt 3 so as to allow a rapid recovery thereof when said cleaning belt 3 is removed or released from the first and second shuttles 21 ,22, voluntarily or for undesired phenomena such as malfunctions, failures or breaking phenomena.

[0104] Advantageously, the cleaning device 1 according to the present invention, thanks to the presence of the removable first and second shuttles 21 ,22, can be positioned on a vessel to bring about the micro-fouling and macrofouling incrustation removal operations during navigation and, at the end of such operations, can be removed from said vessel and can be positioned along a different vessel. The washing device 1 according to the present invention is, therefore, couplable to vessels of different shapes and sizes and is adaptable to different types of vessels, being particularly versatile.

[0105] In conclusion, very advantageously, the device 1 according to the present invention, given the versatility of use, the efficiency and the reduced size, can be used for the dynamic maintenance of the hull of a vessel: in other words, during a navigation route, the device 1 according to the present invention can be activated if necessary, one or more times, to clean the hull, removing deposits and incrustations, in order to keep the hull clean, strongly limiting or avoiding unwanted phenomena such as excess fuel consumption and biocorrosion. Consequently, the costs related to fuel and hull maintenance are reduced thanks to the device 1 .

[0106] A further object of the present invention is a cleaning apparatus for vessel hulls comprising at least one cleaning device 1 , of the type described in the previous paragraphs and a storage magazine 20 of the at least one cleaning device 1. Inside the apparatus according to the present invention, the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 operate between an active configuration, in which they are movable in the advancement direction X to allow the cleaning of the hull and the bottom of the vessel, and a rest configuration, in which they are stored inside the storage magazine 20.

[0107] Preferably, the storage magazine comprises a first box for housing the first shuttle 21 and a second box for housing the second shuttle 22. Alternatively, the housing box can be shaped to accommodate a plurality of first and / or second shuttles 21 ,22.

[0108] Within each housing box of the storage magazine there may be, in an embodiment, means for the maintenance of the shuttles 21 ,22: in this case, each housing box represents both a unit for the storage of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 when not used in cleaning operations, and an automatic or manual maintenance unit of said first and second shuttles 21 ,22, preserving the structural and functional integrity thereof and preventing the occurrence of failures and malfunctions. The boxes can also comprise maintenance means for the cleaning units 4 and / or for the cleaning elements 41 connected to the cleaning belt 3.

[0109] For example, in order to allow the cleaning, maintenance or replacement of the cleaning units 41 from the cleaning belt 3, one or more operators positioned along the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 can rewind the cleaning belt 3, releasing the cleaning units 4, so as to bring the cleaning units 4 back on board. Facilitated release coupling means, comprising bayonet fittings or clamps, can be used to constrain the cleaning units 4 to the cleaning belt 3, advantageously allowing quick coupling and release operations.

[0110] Finally, the apparatus according to the present invention can comprise a safety system communicating with one or more sensors, configured to detect a tension information, for example excessively high tension or, vice versa, absence of tension, of the cleaning belt 3 and to report breakage phenomena of the cleaning belt 3 on the basis of the tension information. The signal on the basis of the tension information allows to start the recovery operations of the cleaning belt 3, or the first and / or second belts 31 ,32 if present, to prevent them from being dragged towards the stern of the vessel: in detail, the signal starts the rapid, total or partial rewinding of the cleaning belt 3 along the first and / or second shuttle 21 ,22.

[0111] Additionally or alternatively, the safety system is configured to signal the accidental detachment of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22, in order to promptly complete the recovery operations of the first and / or second shuttles 21 ,22 which have accidentally fallen into the water.

[0112] The safety system according to the present invention is connected and communicating with management software.

[0113] The management software is configured to receive tension information from one or more sensors, for example excessively high tension or no tension, and to transform said tension information into an operating command. For example, if the sensors transmit tension information corresponding to the absence of tension, the software records, for example, the breakage of the belt 3 and sends an operational command for moving the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 towards the bow, in order to prevent the belt 3 and the cleaning units from becoming stuck in the propulsion means or in the rudder in the stern zone. Alternatively, if the sensors detect an excessively high tension, with respect to a preset threshold, it could mean that debris of various kinds transported by the water current have remained stuck in the cleaning belt 3 or in the cleaning units 4: in this case, the management software integrated in the safety system, having received said tension information, could advantageously transmit operational commands to interrupt a cleaning cycle or operation, in order to safeguard the integrity of the belt or of the cleaning units 4, to allow a possible subsequent intervention of divers equipped with adequate instrumentation to remove the stuck debris.

[0114] The management software can be further configured to programme washing cycles of the vessel hull on the basis of parameters of interest: for example, but not exclusively, the parameters of interest can comprise duration of a cleaning cycle, frequency of the cleaning cycles, duration of each cleaning cycle, width of the hull surface affected by each cleaning cycle. Advantageously, the safety system communicating with the management software allows to customise the washing cycles, on the basis of the aforementioned parameters, in order to optimise the cleaning process of the ship. Further parameters can be intuitively identified for the present application.

[0115] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention allows to carry out and complete the cleaning operations of the vessel hull quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the present invention very advantageously allows to perform the maintenance of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22, of the cleaning belt 3 and of the cleaning units 4, preventing breakage and wear phenomena and malfunctions.

[0116] Finally, the apparatus according to the present invention advantageously allows to detect and promptly report accidental and unwanted phenomena of detachment, breakage and / or failures, in order to promptly remedy said phenomena.

[0117] Finally, a further object of the present invention is a method for cleaning the hull of a vessel, whether stationary or in motion, comprising the steps of:

[0118] - providing a first shuttle 21 and a second shuttle 22 couplable to the hull of the vessel;

[0119] - coupling the first shuttle 21 and the second shuttle 22 to the hull of the vessel;

[0120] - providing a cleaning belt 3 having a first constrained section and a second constrained section;

[0121] - providing one or more cleaning units 4 comprising movable cleaning elements 41 for applying an external force to bring about the removal of material deposited on the hull;

[0122] - constraining the cleaning units 4 to the cleaning belt 3;

[0123] - connecting the cleaning belt 3 to the first shuttle 21 and to the second shuttle 22, externally enclosing a hull portion, to create a cleaning device 1 ;

[0124] - activating the cleaning device 1 by moving the first and second shuttles

[0125] 21 ,22 in an advancement direction X identified on the hull to move the cleaning elements 41 , thereby initiating a hull cleaning cycle;

[0126] - deactivating the cleaning device 1 by interrupting the advancement of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 in the advancement direction X, thereby ending the hull cleaning cycle.

[0127] The steps listed above can be performed in the order indicated or in a different order.

[0128] In detail, the step of activating the cleaning device 1 can be performed manually; alternatively, said step of activating the cleaning device 1 can be brought about by management software integrated with a safety system which, by sending an activation operating command, causes the movement of the cleaning device 1 and, in particular, of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 in the advancement direction X. Similarly, the step of deactivating the cleaning device 1 can also be performed manually; alternatively, said step of deactivating the cleaning device 1 can be brought about by management software integrated with a safety system which, by sending a deactivation operating command, causes the cleaning device 1 to stop and, in particular, stops the advancement of the first and second shuttles 21 ,22 in the advancement direction X.

[0129] Furthermore, the method according to the present invention can comprise the step of presetting and / or modifying washing parameters, comprising: duration of a cleaning cycle, frequency of cleaning cycles, surface involved in each cleaning cycle.

[0130] In addition to the advantages already illustrated for the cleaning device 1 and for the cleaning apparatus 10, the method according to the present invention allows to obtain the efficient cleaning of a stationary or moving vessel or, in other words, without interrupting navigation, manually or automatically activating and deactivating the cleaning device 1 , when needed.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A cleaning device (1 ) for the hulls of vessels comprising: a first shuttle (21 ) and a second shuttle (22), couplable to the vessel’s hull and movable along an advancement direction (X) identified on said vessel; a cleaning belt (3), operatively connected to the first shuttle (21 ) and to the second shuttle (22) and comprising a plurality of cleaning units (4), wherein each cleaning unit (4) comprises movable cleaning elements (41 ) for applying an external force to bring about the removal of material deposited on the vessel’s hull.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) are reversibly couplable to the vessel.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a guide (23) identifying the advancement direction (X) and wherein the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) each comprise a carriage (26) slidable along said guide (23).

4. The device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) each comprise magnetic tracks (24) connected to a power supply unit (25).

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning belt (3) is removable from the first and / or from the second shuttle (21 ,22).

6. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) comprises a winding device (27) comprising a winding cylinder and movement means configured to bring about the movement of the cleaning belt (3) and to carry out the partial or total winding of the cleaning belt (3) around the winding cylinder.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the cleaning belt (3) comprises a first belt (31 ) and a second belt (32) operatively connected to a respective winding portion of the winding device (27), said respective portion being configured to bring about the winding and unwinding of thefirst and / or of the second belt (31 ,32).

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the cleaning units (4) have a first end portion constrained to the first belt (31 ) and a second end portion constrained to the second belt (32) and wherein the first and second end portions are removable from and / or slidable relative to the first and second belts (31 ,32).

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning units (4) or cleaning elements (41 ) are movable by a hydrodynamic effect.

10. The device according to one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the cleaning units (4) comprise a propeller, integral with or operatively connected to the cleaning elements (41 ) along a rotation axis (R), wherein said propeller is set into rotation by the application of an external force or by a hydrodynamic effect, thereby transmitting the rotation to the cleaning elements (41 ).1 1 . The device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the cleaning units (4) comprise: one or more ribbon-like strips (41 ) wound around the axis (R) so as to form a substantially helical cleaning element (41 ); and / or bundles of strips or brushes (41 ) having a constrained end along the axis (R) and a free end away from the axis (R); and / or propeller blades (41 ) made from deformable rubber.

12. The device according to claim 1 1 , wherein the strips or brushes (41 ) comprise nylon or felt bristles.

13. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning elements (41 ) are removable from the cleaning belt (3).

14. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) comprises a float device or airbag.

15. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning belt (3) comprises a plurality of distancing and sinking elements (28) distributed along said cleaning belt (3) so as to distance the belt (3) from the hull and allow the controlled sinking of the cleaning belt (3).

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the distancing and sinking elements (28) comprise cylindrical or spheroidal elements made of rubber- coated stainless steel.

17. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising a deflection belt connected to the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) and arranged in front of the cleaning belt (3), considering a movement direction of the vessel.

18. The device according to the preceding claim when dependent on claim 6, wherein the deflection belt can be wound by means of a winding system operatively connected to the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) and independently operable relative to the winding device (27) of the cleaning belt (3).

19. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning belt (3) comprises one or more motorised or idle magnetic wheels slidable along the hull so as to bring about a further coupling between the cleaning belt (3) and the hull.

20. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising an emergency cable or rope, operatively connected to a rapid recovery system comprising one or more pulleys, wherein the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) are coupled to said emergency cable or rope and wherein said rapid recovery system is configured for rapid movement of the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) at least in the advancement direction (X).

21. A cleaning apparatus (10) for cleaning the hulls of vessels, comprising: at least one cleaning device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 -18; a storage magazine for the at least one cleaning device (1 ); wherein the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) operate between an active configuration, in which they are movable in the advancement direction (X) to allow the cleaning of the hull, and a rest configuration, in which they are stored inside the storage magazine.

22. The cleaning apparatus according to the preceding claim, whereinthe storage magazine comprises a first box for housing the first shuttle (21 ) and a second box for housing the second shuttle (22).

23. The apparatus according to one of claims 21 or 22, comprising a safety system integrated with management software, communicating with one or more sensors and configured to:Acquire information about the tension of the cleaning belt (3) and signal any phenomena of breakage of the cleaning belt (3) on the basis of the tension information; and / orSignal the accidental detachment of the first and second shuttles (21 ,22); and / orProgram hull cleaning cycles on the basis of cleaning parameters comprising duration of a cleaning cycle, frequency of cleaning cycles, and / or hull surface involved in each cleaning cycle.

24. A method for cleaning a hull of a vessel, stationary or in movement, comprising the steps of:- providing a first shuttle (21 ) and a second shuttle (22) couplable to the hull of the vessel;- coupling the first shuttle (21 ) and the second shuttle (22) to the hull of the vessel;-providing a cleaning belt (3) having a first constrained section and a second constrained section;-providing one or more cleaning units (4) comprising movable cleaning elements (41 ) for applying an external force to bring about the removal of material deposited on the hull;-constraining the cleaning units (4) to the cleaning belt (3);-connecting the cleaning belt (3) to the first shuttle (21 ) and to the second shuttle (22), externally enclosing a hull portion, to create a cleaning device (1 );-activating the cleaning device (1 ) by moving the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) in an advancement direction (X) identified on the hull to move the cleaning elements (41 ), thereby initiating a hull cleaning cycle;-deactivating the cleaning device (1 ) by interrupting the advancement of the first and second shuttles (21 ,22) in the advancement direction (X), thereby ending the hull cleaning cycle.

25. The method according to the preceding claim, comprising the step of:- presetting and / or modifying washing parameters, including: duration of a cleaning cycle, frequency of cleaning cycles, and / or hull surface involved in each cleaning cycle.

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