WO2003059732A1

WO2003059732A1 - Apparatus for inspecting and environmentally friendly mechanically/hydraulically cleaning of underwater surfaces of vessels, swimming pools, aquariums etc

Info

Publication number: WO2003059732A1
Application number: PCT/NL2002/000195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hendrikus Andreas Petrus Maria Schollen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-17
Filing date: 2002-03-27
Publication date: 2003-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2004-07-17
Also published as: NL1019765C2; AU2002241407A1

Abstract

A device (4) for inspecting and environmentally friendly mechanically/hydraulically cleaning of underwater surfaces of ships (1), swimming pools, aquariums and the like, comprises a composition of a self-priming cleaning head (9) with suction hose (13) leading water with slurry to a coarse filter (15) and via a vacuum pump (17) through a drain hose (14) with micro filter (16). The cleaned water can be discharged on the concerned water (3) or into a drain well. The cleaning head (9) is movable by means of telescopic extendable rod (8). The whole device (4), except the telescopic extendable rod (8), can be put away suitably and transported in three boxes (5, 6, 7).

Description

APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MECHANICALLY/HYDRAULICALLY CLEANING OF UNDERWATER SURFACES OF VESSELS, SWIMMING POOLS, AQUARIUMS ETC.

The present invention relates to a device for inspecting and cleaning and/or removing the sticking of algae and such to the submerged flat and curved surfaces, as of ships, mostly pleasure yachts, in which the cleaning device is called scrub machine, in which at least one moving brush is used, which can be driven hydraulically.

In practice it appears that in water occurring organisms such as algae, stick to underwater surfaces of ships, swimming pools, aquariums and such, through which the smooth surface of a ship's hull gets a pockmarked and rough surface with a much higher frictional resistance whilst sailing.

The friction factor becomes much higher, through which the ship with its available propellants, looses sailing speed. For swimming pools and aquariums the sides/ walls become unattractive and with glass the transparency is seriously hindered in the end, which, especially with aquariums, is not the aim.

Several manufacturers of paint and protecting products have brought anti-foulings on the market to stop the above described process on ship's hulls, with which the ship's hull should be treated. The anti-foulings is both plumbiferous and cupriferous. Even with these anti-fouling means the ship's hull cannot be kept clean. The organisms affect the anti-foulings and the water leaches out the anti-foulings, through which lead and copper comes in the surface water, which is harmful for the biology of the water due to the poisonousness . Furthermore the ships must be hoisted out of the water at a shipyard from time to time and the ship' s hull has to be cleaned with a high pressure sprayer and then the water with slurry must be collected and then treatment of the waste water is necessary or should be greatly diluted and possibly (with licence) drained in the public sewerage. This waste water from the sewer should then be treated oxidative-biologically in a sewage plant.

The above described procedure is time-consuming and especially costly, which is a large objection for the ship's owners. Also the leaching and wearing off of the mentioned anti-fouling from ships into the surrounding water during sailing is unwanted, for environmental and ecological reasons, which can be diminished by keeping the ship's hull clean. This way, the majority of the large quantities of the applied anti-fouling on ship's hulls, comes into the surface water. Through the described roughening of the ship' s hull it also causes a loss of a large part of the propulsion power and due to emission of the engines, becomes an extra burdening of the environment.

The objections and/or disadvantages for walls of swimming pools and aquariums are already sufficiently described above and also are an important cost item.

The aim of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus for inspecting and environmentally friendly mechanically/hydraulically cleaning of underwater surfaces of vessels, swimming pools, aquariums, in which the aforementioned objections and/or disadvantages are solved, which can be realized with an environmentally friendly management and which apparatus can be put economically favourable onto the market.

For this an apparatus for inspecting and environmentally friendly mechanically/hydraulically cleaning of underwater surfaces of vessels, swimming pools, aquariums is developed in a very inventive manner, such that the mentioned cleaning device is successively constructed of elements among which a self-priming cleaning head, which can be driven hydraulically, mechanically or electrically, a suction hose, a coarse filter, a vacuum gauge, a suction pump amongst others for the self-priming working of the mentioned cleaning head, a micro filter and a drain hose to the surface water or a samp, in which the suspension fork with the cleaning head is provided with an underwater camera with illumination, in which the results can be made visible on a monitor on board of a ship that has to be cleaned below water surface, in which the mentioned cleaning head is movable by means of a control or inspection apparatus in the form of a telescopic extendable rod with in its extension the single sided articulated hinging belt, movable along the mentioned surface to be cleaned, in which, if required, an environmentally friendly cleaning fluid can be dosed on the self-priming cleaning head, in which for the mentioned cleaning head materials for suitable durable use are chosen and for the rest elements, which are available on the market, can be used.

The advantage is an apparatus which can be operated on the wharf or waterside and of which the waste can be discharged into the water without problems, through which a lot of cost is saved and an environmentally friendly solution is created.

Further the apparatus according to the invention is developed in such a way, that the mentioned self-priming cleaning head is supplied with an oval shaped outer hood for cleaning the surface close to the waterline with an all round edge provided with an exchangeable brush edge, in which inside the mentioned oval shaped outer hood preferably a rotating brush inside the suction housing is fixed, in which the underpressure is preferably between 0,1 and 0,6 atmosphere (0,1 and 0,6 m watercolumn underpressure) .

The advantage is that the apparatus is thightly pressed against the surface to be cleaned and can brush well and because of the oval hood, good cleaning can be done on and just above the waterline.

Further the apparatus according to the invention is developed in such a way, that the mentioned coarse filter is built up cylindrically with a discharge from the inside to the outside, in which the actual filter is made from wound polypropylene with filter openings of approximately 60 micron, in which the mentioned micro filter is, for example, a fibre filter of wound polypropylene with filter openings of approximately 20 micron.

The advantages are that flakes and small parts of the anti-fouling layer and the pollution of the underwater surface is collected perfectly and can later be delivered separately as compact dirt at the proper authorities for further processing.

Furthermore the apparatus according to the invention is developed in such a way, that the mentioned underwater camera with illumination is constructed according to the specifications of a digital "fisheye" underwater camera.

The advantage is that a suitable illumination for inspection is present on the spot, so that the condition of the surface can be shown clearly on the monitor.

Furthermore the apparatus according to the invention is developed in such a way, that the mentioned control and inspection apparatus consists of a telescopic extendable rod with on the end and in one direction a movable articulated elongated element, that from one direction in extended position is hinging and on the end is supplied with an organ constructed as a fork shaped element with a floating capacity of some kilos, called a floating suspension fork.

The advantage is that due to the forced up power of the suspension fork and the articulated elongated element the apparatus is already pushed against the curved underwater surface and when released by the user stays afloat so that one does not have to search on the bottom.

The preferred construction of the invention will be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows schematically in front elevation a vessel by the quayside with the complete apparatus for inspecting and/or cleaning of the underwater surface of mentioned vessel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows schematically a side view of the complete apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the oval housing of the self- priming cleaning head provided with the floating suspension fork;

Fig. 4 shows a front elevation of the mentioned cleaning head of figure 3 :

Fig. 5 shows in oblique projection the self-priming cleaning head with the floating suspension fork, which clearly show the rotating brushes and the side brushes; and

Fig. 6 shows an exploded- iew in oblique projection of the cleaning head with floating suspension fork, in which more details are visible. Figure 1 shows schematically in front elevation a vessel 1 by the quayside 2 in the water 3 with the complete apparatus 4 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, called a scrub machine. In the three boxes 5, 6 7 on the quayside 2 the complete apparatus 4 except the telescopic rod 8 can be put away and transported, which is very handy for the user for storing. The movement of the self-priming cleaning head 9 along the ship's hull 10 and the centreboard 11 is shown schematically step by step. The advantage of a single sided articulated hinging belt 12 to reach under the hull 10 and at the centreboard 11 of the vessel 1 is clearly shown here. The suction of the water with slurry goes through hose 13 (= suction hose) with arrow A for the flow direction and the discharge of the cleaned water goes through hose 14 with arrow B for the flow direction back to the water surface. The coarse filter is indicated with 15 and is preferably cylindrically constructed with a discharge from the inside to the outside, in which the actual filter consists of wound polypropylene with openings of approximately 60 micron. The micro filter 16 is located behind the vacuum pump 17 with the vacuum gauge 18, after which the hose 14 with arrow direction B flows the cleaned water back.

Figure 2 shows schematically a side view of the complete apparatus 4 for inspecting and/or cleaning underwater surfaces according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Here, the already mentioned parts are shown in enlarged scale, being the self-priming cleaning head 9, which is suspended tumbler hinging in a floating suspension fork 19 and which, i 'its turn, is supplied with an illumination lamp 20 and a "fisheye" camera 21 of 180 degrees. The floating suspension fork 19 is connected to the telescopic extendable rod 8 by means of a single sided articulated hinging belt 12 in order to follow all curves of the ship's hull 10. The hose 13 (suction hose) is connected with the self-priming cleaning head 9 and the flow direction of the water with waste slurry is indicated with arrow A. The coarse filter 15, which is built-in this hose 13, collects the relatively larger dirt, which causes a sufficient cleaning of the waste water (water with slurry) . The operation of the vacuum pump 17 (= suction pump) is tested with the vacuum gauge 18. The filling tap 22 is for filling the vacuum pump 17 and the suction hose 13 with water at the beginning of the cleaning procedure.

Figure 3 shows in more detail a top view of the self- priming cleaning head 9 with the oval housing 23 to clean the ship's hull 10 thoroughly around the water line with the vacuum method. The self-priming cleaning head 9 is connected tumbler hingingly to the floating suspension fork 19. On the side of the tumbler hinge 24 side brushes are mounted to clean the frontside and backside of the centreboard 11 of the ship 1. The oval housing 23 is made up of two halves that are coupled to each other by means of a bolt/nut connection 26. By means of cable 27 the rotating brush 28 (see figure 5) can be driven.

Figure 4 indicates the front view of the self-priming cleaning head 9 of figure 3, in which the illumination lamp 20 on the floating suspension fork 19 is clearly visible.

Figure 5 shows in oblique projection the self-priming cleaning head 9 with flowing suspension fork 19, in which the rotating brush 28 and the side brushes 25 are clearly visible. It also indicates that the oval (outer) housing 23 is an inner suction housing 29 around the rotating brush 28. Further, the digital "fisheye" underwater camera 21, which is mounted on the floating suspension fork 19, is shown clearly. Figure 6 shows an exploded view in oblique projection of a self-priming cleaning head 9 with the floating suspension fork 19, which allows insight into more details of the constructive design. In this case, the rotating brush 28 is mechanically (geared) driven. Furthermore the oval brush edge 30 is indicated separately.

Finally it has to be emphasized, that the above description constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention and that further variations and modifications are still possible without departing the scope of this patent description.

Claims

1. Device for inspecting and cleaning and/or removing the sticking of algae and such to the submerged flat and curved surfaces, as of ships (1), mostly pleasure yachts, in which the cleaning device is called scrub machine, in which at least one moving brush is used, which can be driven hydraulically, characterized in that, the mentioned cleaning device is successively constructed of elements among which a self-priming cleaning head, which is hung up tumbler hinging in a floating suspension fork (19) and a suction hose (13), a coarse filter (15), a vacuum gauge (18), a suction pump (17) amongst others for the self- priming working of the mentioned cleaning head (9) , a micro filter (16) and a drain hose (14) to the surface water (3) or a samp, in which the suspension fork with the cleaning head (9) is supplied with an underwater camera (21) with illumination (20) , in which the results can be made visible on a monitor on board of a ship (1) that has to be cleaned below water surface, in which the mentioned cleaning head

(9) is movable by means of a control or inspection apparatus in the form of a telescopic extendable rod (8) with in its extension the single sided articulated hinging belt (12) , movable along mentioned surface to be cleaned, in which, if required, environmentally friendly cleaning fluid can be dosed on the self-priming cleaning head, in which the materials for the mentioned cleaning head (9) are chosen for suitable durable use and for the rest elements, which are available on the market, can be used.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned self-priming cleaning head (9) is supplied with an oval shaped outer hood (23) for cleaning the surface close to the waterline with an all round edge provided with an exchangeable brush edge, in which inside the mentioned oval shaped outer hood (23) preferably a rotating brush inside the suction housing (29) is fixed, in which the underpressure is preferably between 0,1 and 0,6 atmosphere (0,1 and 0,6 m watercolumn underpressure).

3. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned coarse filter (15) is built up cylindrically with a discharge from the inside to the outside, in which the actual filter is made from wound polypropylene with filter openings of approximately 60 micron.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that, the mentioned vacuum gauge (18) is a standard available model .

5. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned suction pump (17) is a standard available suction pump with a suitable capacity.

6. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned micro filter (16) is, for example, a fibre filter of wound polypropylene with filter openings of approximately 20 micron.

7. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned underwater camera with illumination (20) is constructed according to the specifications of a digital "fish eye" underwater camera (21) .

8. Device as claimed in claim 1 characterized, in that, the mentioned control and inspection apparatus consists of a telescopic extendable rod (8) with on the end and in one direction a movable articulated elongated element (12), that from one direction in extended position is hinging and on the end is supplied with an organ constructed as a fork shaped element with a floating capacity of some kilos, called a floating suspension fork (19) .

9. Device as claimed in aforementioned claims, characterized in that, where possible, the choice of materials, is for durable materials and, for maintenance reasons, as much as possible plastics and that the constructional shafts, movable parts and such are of stainless steel.

/ =