US3752109A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ecologically controlled ship's hull reconditioner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-22
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A floating platform is ballasted and trimmed to allow the passage of a ship through a U-shaped channel. A plurality of cylindrically shaped brushes is brought to bear against the ship''s hull and interconnected motors rotate the brushes to clean fouling from the ship''s hull as it traverses the length of the channel. Locating the platform outside of a harbor permits the cleaning of outgoing ships prior to transoceanic voyages to reduce fuel consumption while incoming ships are cleaned before entry to eliminate the possibility of harbor pollution. Incorporating a suction-pump filter unit in the close vicinity of each rotating brush ensures the collection of removed marine organisms to avoid contamination of surrounding waters. Additionally, a paint roller assembly is included to coat the scrubbed and cleaned surfaces with a new layer of anti-fouling paint to complete preventative maintenance of the hull and to recondition it.
Inventors
- 👤 R Seiple
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:43
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B59/00; B63B59/06; B63B59/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
349 words
An apparatus for reconditioning the hull of a ship comprising: an integral semi-submerged platform provided with an elongate Ushaped channel sized to accommodate the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of said ship, said platform is adapted to be raised and lowered to receive ships having different drafts; a plurality of cylindrically shaped brush elements having radially outwardly reaching bristles arranged in a first set of opposed brushes oriented for cleaning the bow and stern of said ship, a second set of brushes oriented for cleaning the keel of said ship and a third set of brushes oriented for cleaning the sides of the hull of said ship; a motor element joined to a source of power and mounted on each brush element for imparting rotational motion thereto; means pivotally interconnecting said first set of opposed brushes to said platform for ensuring the placement on and the cleaning of the bow and stern of said ship by the opposed brush elements of said first set of brushes; at least one hydraulic ram mounted on the upwardly facing base of the elongate U-shaped channel connected to vertically displace each brush element of said second set of brushes to the keel of said ship and at least two other hydraulic rams mounted on internally opposing surfaces in said elongate Ushaped channel, each of the two rams are sized to inwardly laterally displace and position its interconnected said brush element adjacent a lateral contour of said hull and all the hydraulic rams configured for mechanical cooperation to place their respectively interconnected said brush element for cleaning a discrete peRipheral portion of said hull; a sensor element operatively associated with each of the sets of brushes to ensure an operative engagement with respect to said hull as said ship passes through said channel; and a hydraulic power source connected to each said hydraulic ram for positioning all said brush elements to ensure a continuous contact of said bristles along the lateral contour of said hull, upon passing said ship through said channel, the rotating bristles remove fouling from the entire wetted surface of said hull.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
349 words
An apparatus for reconditioning the hull of a ship comprising: an integral semi-submerged platform provided with an elongate Ushaped channel sized to accommodate the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of said ship, said platform is adapted to be raised and lowered to receive ships having different drafts; a plurality of cylindrically shaped brush elements having radially outwardly reaching bristles arranged in a first set of opposed brushes oriented for cleaning the bow and stern of said ship, a second set of brushes oriented for cleaning the keel of said ship and a third set of brushes oriented for cleaning the sides of the hull of said ship; a motor element joined to a source of power and mounted on each brush element for imparting rotational motion thereto; means pivotally interconnecting said first set of opposed brushes to said platform for ensuring the placement on and the cleaning of the bow and stern of said ship by the opposed brush elements of said first set of brushes; at least one hydraulic ram mounted on the upwardly facing base of the elongate U-shaped channel connected to vertically displace each brush element of said second set of brushes to the keel of said ship and at least two other hydraulic rams mounted on internally opposing surfaces in said elongate Ushaped channel, each of the two rams are sized to inwardly laterally displace and position its interconnected said brush element adjacent a lateral contour of said hull and all the hydraulic rams configured for mechanical cooperation to place their respectively interconnected said brush element for cleaning a discrete peRipheral portion of said hull; a sensor element operatively associated with each of the sets of brushes to ensure an operative engagement with respect to said hull as said ship passes through said channel; and a hydraulic power source connected to each said hydraulic ram for positioning all said brush elements to ensure a continuous contact of said bristles along the lateral contour of said hull, upon passing said ship through said channel, the rotating bristles remove fouling from the entire wetted surface of said hull.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further including: a suction element carried in the near proximity of said brush element for drawing off removed said fouling; and means for filtering out said removed said fouling coupled to each said suction element for preventing pollution of said body of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further including: side-hull fenders and a keel cushion disposed at the mouth of said channel for protecting said apparatus and said ship and wheel-and-track means carried on the upwardly facing base of the elongate U-shaped channel for positioning said second set of brushes in the close proximity of the hull of said ship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which at least one of the hydraulic rams is longer than the other hydraulic rams connected to brush elements in the second set of brushes to allow placing of its interconnected brush on the rounded contour of the hull lying between the sides and keel of said ship.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |