UV-Transparent Grating for Marine Vessel Water Intake Biofouling
Solution Overview
Problem
Gratings in marine environments often become clogged due to biofouling, leading to reduced water flow and potential blockages, as existing anti-biofouling measures can be harmful to the environment and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A grating assembly with at least one anti-biofouling source that emits ultraviolet light, where the grating elements are partially transparent to allow UV light to pass through, enhancing anti-biofouling effectiveness while minimizing the number and vulnerability of light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a grating is used to block items from passing through the opening, then items are prevented from entering the compartment, but the grating becomes clogged due to biofouling, reducing water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anti-biofouling coating to the grating elements before installation, and positions the grating in advance in the opening. This preliminary preparation prevents biofouling accumulation from the start, maintaining water flow capability while blocking items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods with a chemical/biological anti-biofouling coating system. The coating creates a surface that prevents organism attachment, substituting the need for mechanical intervention and maintaining continuous water flow.
2Reliability
If anti-biofouling measures are applied to the grating, then biofouling is reduced, but the measures are harmful to the environment and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs anti-biofouling coating containing biocidal agents that create a protective barrier on the grating surface. This approach provides strong anti-biofouling effectiveness while the coating system is designed to minimize environmental impact compared to traditional harsh chemical treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite anti-biofouling coating materials that combine biocidal properties with environmental compatibility. The coating integrates multiple functional components to achieve both effectiveness against biofouling and reduced environmental harm.
3Reliability
If multiple anti-biofouling light sources are installed on the grating, then anti-biofouling effectiveness is enhanced, but the number of vulnerable components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the grating structure into multiple elements and positions anti-biofouling light sources at strategic locations among these elements. This segmentation allows UV light to reach different areas of the grating effectively while distributing the number of light sources to minimize vulnerability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies anti-biofouling light sources selectively at specific locations on the grating where biofouling is most likely to occur. This localized approach provides effective anti-biofouling coverage without installing light sources on every element, reducing overall device complexity and vulnerability.
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 solution effectively prevents biofouling on the grating by using UV light, maintaining water flow and reducing the risk of clogging, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective, with integrated light sources providing comprehensive coverage without increasing construction costs or damage risk.
Implementation Method 1
the anti-biofouling source is configured to emit ultraviolet light during operation thereof for realizing anti-biofouling of at least a portion of the grating
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the elements of the grating is at least partially transparent to the ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel has a compartment (34) for containing water, which compartment (34) has at least one opening (31) in a wall (30) thereof for allowing water to pass therethrough. The compartment (34) comprises an assembly (1) of a grating (10) and at least one anti-biofouling source (20), the grating (10) being positioned in the opening (31) for blocking items from passing through the opening (31) along with the water, and comprising a number of elements and spaces between the elements, and the anti-biofouling source (20) being configured to emit ultraviolet light during operation thereof for realizing anti-biofouling of at least a portion of the grating (10). At least one of the elements of the grating (10) is at least partially transparent to the ultraviolet light, enabling a design of the assembly (1) in which anti-biofouling of the entire grating (10) may be guaranteed.