Coating processes – Direct application of electrical – magnetic – wave – or... – Electrostatic charge – field – or force utilized
Patent
1995-02-28
1997-04-08
Beck, Shrive
Coating processes
Direct application of electrical, magnetic, wave, or...
Electrostatic charge, field, or force utilized
427200, 427206, 114222, B05D 114, B05D 104, B63B 5904
Patent
active
056185880
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vessel brought forward in a fluid medium meeting a resistance of flow due to friction against the surrounding medium, and other marine constructions which at least partially reach under the surface of water. Especially, the invention relates to coatings below the surface of water for anti-fouling and reducing friction.
2. State of the Art
Vessels of the abovementioned type are floating in or supported by a surrounding medium both when they are stationary and moving forwards. Vessels also encounter a powerful resistance of flow when driven forwards, the resistance increasing with the square of the speed as it increases. The resistance to flow depends mainly on the friction against the surrounding medium and the greatest part of the input energy to the vessel is consumed for overcoming this frictional resistance. In order to reduce this resistance of friction and flow, up to now vessels have been made streamlined and the surfaces facing the medium as even and smooth as possible. One has also tried to paint the surfaces with friction reducing means and used toxic paints for preventing overgrowth and thereby increasing resistance of flow.
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
Tests to reduce the friction between a moving vessel and the surrounding medium have so far only been partly successful. It is true that big improvements in this respect have been made during later decades, but it is still a fact that large amounts of energy in the form of fuel have to be used. This, of course, is a big problem concerning the costs, but at least as big concerning the environment which is polluted by all the exhaust gases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
From the above mentioned reasons it has been a longfelt need to be able to reduce overgrowth and the frictional resistance between a vessel in movement and the surrounding medium and according to the present invention I have provided vessels wholly or partially with fiber flock on areas coming in contact with the fluid medium.
It is advisable to provide hulls with fiber flock up to the water line. Submarines, which often are driven totally immersed in water should be provided with flock all over the surface. Because of the lower energy consumption the submarine can stay longer under water and it is more silent due to the noise reduction in the flock layer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The technique for providing fiber flock to a surface is well known. It consists of providing an area with an adhesive whereafter electrically charged fibres are caused to land in the adhesive and are fastened in it. The adhesive often is a two component resin and the fibres usually are synthetic made of polyamide for instance. However, the fibres useful for the present invention are not limited to any special type, also for example coal fibres, glass fibres or similar can be used.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention a lot of fibres are used, which after electrostatic application to a great extent will be fixed perpendicular to the base. The density of fibres may be 50-300 fibres per square mm, preferrably more than 150 fibres per square mm, with a fibre thickness less than 0.1 mm, preferrably less than 0.05 mm and a length of 0,5-5 mm, preferrably less than 3 mm.
The known technology, which is considered closest to the herein proposed, is shown in EP A2 0 353 095 and JP 57-104 492 (Abstract). These show coatings with a fur surface in order to prevent overgrowth with marine organisms. In the first mentioned publication fur coated sheets are attached on the parts to be protected and the fibres are preferrably 10-30 mm in length in order to sway freely in the water. In the other publication a hull under the water line is coated with a fur or plastic mat with hair or plastic fibres arranged in the direction from the bow of the vessel in order to prevent an increase of the resistance of flow.
The present invention differs essentially from what is thus known in that fiber flock with a high densit
REFERENCES:
patent: 3554154 (1971-01-01), Thomas
patent: 4923730 (1990-05-01), Taniguchi et al.
"MoneySense", by R. Saunders, Daily News, Section E, p. 1, Feb. 7, 1988.
Beck Shrive
Parker Fred J.
Sealflock Aktiebolag
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