UV-C Net Member for Ship Antifouling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antifouling methods for ships, such as antifouling paint and underwater cleaning robots, face challenges in maintaining long-term effectiveness and efficiently preventing marine organism attachment to ship surfaces, particularly due to environmental concerns and limitations in coverage and maintenance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A marine organism antifouling apparatus using UV-C modules that emit ultraviolet light in all directions, integrated into a net member structure surrounding the ship's underwater exposure zone, to destroy the molecular structure of DNA and RNA of marine organisms, preventing their attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antifouling paint is applied to the bottom of a ship, then marine organism attachment is prevented, but the antifouling effect does not continue and periodic repainting is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantifouling effect continuityVSAvoidtime for periodic repainting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical antifouling paint with a physical UV-C light irradiation system. UV-C modules are installed on the ship's bottom surface to continuously emit ultraviolet light, which destroys the DNA and RNA of marine organisms, preventing their attachment. This mechanical/physical substitution eliminates the need for periodic repainting while maintaining continuous antifouling protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The UV-C modules are installed in advance on the ship's bottom surface, creating a proactive defense system. The ultraviolet light is emitted continuously before marine organisms can attach, destroying their genetic material and preventing biofilm formation. This preliminary action ensures long-term protection without requiring subsequent maintenance interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If cleaning robots are used to physically remove marine organisms, then attachment is removed, but extensive manual cleaning and frequent operation are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtime for manual cleaning operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cleaning robots with a UV-C light irradiation system. Instead of using robots to physically scrape and remove marine organisms, the UV-C modules emit ultraviolet light that destroys the genetic material of marine organisms, preventing their attachment in the first place. This eliminates the need for frequent mechanical cleaning operations and associated time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The UV-C irradiation system operates autonomously once installed on the ship's bottom surface. The modules continuously emit ultraviolet light without requiring manual operation, monitoring, or intervention. The system serves itself by maintaining continuous protection against marine organism attachment, eliminating the need for external cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If UV-C modules are installed to radiate ultraviolet light in all directions, then marine fouling organisms are eradicated effectively, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeradication effectiveness of marine organismsVSAvoidcomplexity of UV-C module arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the UV-C irradiation system into multiple modular UV-C modules that are distributed across the ship's bottom surface. Each module independently emits ultraviolet light in all directions, and collectively they provide comprehensive coverage. This segmentation allows the complex irradiation task to be divided into simpler, manageable modular units that can be installed and maintained independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus effectively eradicates marine fouling organisms by radiating UV-C light across the entire underwater exposure zone, preventing attachment and maintaining a clean surface without the need for frequent repainting or extensive manual cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

UV-C module configured to be turned on to emit ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

eradicate marine fouling organisms... destroy or damage the molecular structure of DNA and RNA of marine organisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentUS20240140569A1Marine Organism Antifouling Apparatus for Ships Using UV-C Module

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 KOREA INST OF OCEAN SCI & TECH KIOST

AI summary

Disclosed is a marine organism antifouling apparatus for ships using a UV-C module. The marine organism antifouling apparatus includes circular or polygonal net units and at least one UV-C module configured to be turned on to emit ultraviolet light by power supplied thereto, the UV-C module being provided at each of the net units, wherein the net units are connected to each other in horizontal and vertical directions to constitute a net member, and ultraviolet light is emitted from the UV-C module to prevent attachment of marine organisms in the state in which an underwater exposure zone of a ship that is moored is surrounded by the net member.