Ships – Implements – Hull cleaning
Patent
1998-01-09
1999-11-23
Dayoan, D. Glenn
Ships
Implements
Hull cleaning
B63B 5900
Patent
active
059880937
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning a ship hull, and in particular to a manoeuvrable floating dock.
BACKGROUND ART
Barnacles and marine growth on the hulls of ships, below the water line, are a significant factor in reducing the efficiency of marine shipping. There are two methods by which this problem has been addressed. The first has been the development of various anti-fouling paints. In general these paints include the composition tributyltin (TBT). For example, the most commonly used anti-fouling paint systems currently in use are the TBT-self-polishing copolymer (SPC) systems. TBT is toxic to marine life and also to humans. TBT can enter the environment in significant concentrations where ships sit in shallow relatively stationary water, and also as a result of ship hull cleaning. Thus, the use of TBT-containing paints is on the decline. Indeed, a number of countries have now banned the use of paints including TBT, or are in the process of passing legislation to prohibit its use. Alternative, non-TBT containing antifouling paints are being developed and tested but these tend to be effective for a shorter period and/or may be effective only against marine growth of selected types.
The second option for dealing with barnacles and marine growth is to conduct regular cleaning of ship hulls. Traditionally, ship hulls have been cleaned by divers operating small submarine machinery with steel brushes to brush off the barnacles and marine growth. However, this is a very time consuming process, the efficiency of the cleaning is questionable and the debris, which generally includes some possibly toxic paint, is discarded on the seabed at the mooring site of the ship (usually in a port).
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for cleaning the hull of a ship which reduces or overcomes the abovementioned problems, or which at least provides the public with a useful alternative.
Other objects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a floating dock comprising a ship hull receiving means adapted to accommodate the beam of a ship, buoyancy means to control buoyancy of the receiving means, lateral cleaning means adapted to contact and clean at least a part of a side of a ship hull, adjustment means adapted to adjust the position of the lateral cleaning means to accommodate ships of different beam and self propulsion means adapted to manoeuvre the receiving means both to and from moored ships and along the length of a moored ship hull, and wherein said adjustment means and self propulsion means operate independently of a ship to be cleaned.
In a further preferred form the floating dock of the present invention may further comprise support means adapted to support a base of the receiving means, when in use, beneath the ship hull.
The receiving means of a floating dock of the present invention may preferably comprise a substantially U-shaped hull, said hull having a base part and lateral towers. Preferably, the buoyancy means may provide buoyancy to at least the base, and preferably also to each of the lateral towers.
In one preferred form of the floating dock of the present invention there may be lateral cleaning means associated with each lateral tower and bottom cleaning means. Each cleaning means may comprise a plurality of brushes in rotatable disc form.
In one preferred form of the invention the plurality of brushes forming a lateral cleaning means may be adjustable collectively on one or more lateral panels. Preferably the adjustment means enable lateral movement, as well as tilt and/or rotation of the lateral panels about a vertical axis.
Alternatively, the or each lateral cleaning means may comprise a plurality of separate cleaning panels, each cleaning panel being separately adjustable and having a plurality of brushes.
In a preferred form of the invention the adjust
REFERENCES:
patent: 3734048 (1973-05-01), Michaelsen
patent: 3752109 (1973-08-01), Seiple
patent: 4007701 (1977-02-01), Fike
patent: 4043286 (1977-08-01), Doty
patent: 4784078 (1988-11-01), Feurt
Casella Anthony J.
Dayoan D. Glenn
Hespos Gerald E.
Muldoon Patrick
Orca Marine Company Limited
LandOfFree
Floating dock does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Floating dock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Floating dock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1209373