Optical cleaning system for removing matter from underwater surfaces

Claim 2

An optical cleaning system for removing matter from underwater surfaces comprising: a high-energy strobe lamp having the capacity to be operated at greater than ten kilojoules of energy, said strobe lamp having a structural integrity capable of withstanding submerged pressures of up to 1500 feet; capacitance means electrically connected to said strobe lamp for storing energy of greater than ten kilojoules; a power supply electrically connected to said capacitance means, said power supply for charging said capicitance means; and a trigger circuit means electrically interactive with said capicitance means, said trigger circuit means for causing the instantaneous discharge or greater than ten kilojoules of energy stored in said capacitance means to pass to said strobe lamp.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, said strobe lamp being a xenon lamp.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1, said strobe lamp being a krypton lamp.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1 said high energy strobe lamp comprising a plurality of strobe lamps hinged to each other.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1, said optical cleaning system further comprising: reflector means arranged about said strobe lamp such that said reflector means reflects light from said lamp to a desired location.

Claim 7

The system of claim 5, said reflector means comprising a stainless steel reflector.

Claim 8

The system of claim 1, said capacitance means being a capacitor with a capacitance of greater than 500 microfarads.

Claim 9

The system of claim 1, said power supply being a generator with a capacity of 10 kilovolts or less.

Claim 10

The system of claim 1, said optical cleaning system further comprising: a cooling fluid; and a cooling fluid circulating means arranged about said strobe lamp for causing a heat exchange effect between said lamp and said cooling fluid.

Claim 11

The system of claim 1 said cooling fluid being deionized water.

Claim 12

An optical cleaning system for removing matter from underwater surfaces comprising: a high-energy strobe lamp having the capacity to be operated at greater than ten kilojoules of energy; capacitance means electrically connected to said strobe lamp for storing energy of greater than ten kilojoules; a power supply electrically connected to said capacitance means, said power supply for charging said capacitance means; and a trigger circuit means electrically interactive with said capacitance means, said trigger circuit means for causing the instantaneous discharge of greater than ten kilojoules of energy stored in said capacitance means to pass to said strobe lamp, said trigger circuit means comprising: a transformer means electrically connected in series with said capacitance means and said strobe lamp, said transformer means capable of producing a sufficient voltage for discharging said capacitance means; and switch means electrically connected to said transformer means, said switch means operable in two modes, the first of said two modes for producing insignificant voltage by said transformer means, the other of said two modes for actuating said transformer so as to produce said sufficient voltage for discharging said capacitance means.

Claim 13

An optical cleaning system for removing matter from underwater surfaces comprising: a high-energy strobe lamp having the capacity to be operated at greater than ten kilojoules of energy; capacitance means electrically connected to said strobe lamp for storing energy of greater than ten kilojoules; a power supply electrically connected to said capacitance means, said power supply for charging said capacitance means; and a trigger circuit means electrically interactive with said capacitance means, said trigger circuit means for causing the instantaneous discharge of greater than ten kilojoules of energy stored in said capacitance means to pass to said strobe lamp, said trigger circuit means comprising: a transformer means electrically connected in series with said capacitance means and said strobe lamp, said transformer means capable of producing a sufficient voltage for discharging said capacitance means; and switch means electrically connected to said transformer means, said switch means operable in two modes, the first of said two modes for producing insignificant voltage by said transformer means, the other of said two modes for actuating said transformer so as to produce said sufficient voltage for discharging said capacitance means.

Claim 14

The system of claim 1, said trigger circuit means comprising; an electrical coil encircling said strobe lamp; an electrical supply of sufficient capacity to cause an ionization effect in said strobe lamp, said electrical supply electrically connected to said electrical coil; and electrical switching means interactive with said electrical coil and said electrical supply, said switching means operable in two modes, the first of said two modes for causing said electrical supply to pass to said electrical coil, the other of said two modes for stopping the flow of electricity from said electrical supply to said electrical coil.

Claim 15

An optical cleaning system for removing matter from underwater surfaces comprising: a high-energy strobe lamp having the capacity to be operated at greater than ten kilojoules of energy; capacitance means electrically connected to said strobe lamp for storing energy of greater than ten kilojoules; a power supply electrically connected to said capacitance means, said power supply for charging said capacitance means; and a trigger circuit means electrically interactive with said capacitance means, said trigger circuit means for causing the instantaneous discharge of greater than ten kilojoules of energy stored in said capacitance means to pass to said strobe lamp: underwater manipulation means attached to said strobe lamp for positioning said strobe lamp adjacent the surface from which matter is to be removed; and remote controller means electrically connected to said manipulation means for permitting above-water control of said manipulation means.

Claim 16

An optical cleaning system for removing matter from underwater surfaces comprising: a high-energy strobe lamp having the capacity to be operated at greater than ten kilojoules of energy; capacitance means electrically connected to said strobe lamp for storing energy of greater than ten kilojoules; a power supply electrically connected to said capacitance means, said power supply for charging said capacitance means; and a trigger circuit means electrically interactive with said capacitance means, said trigger circuit means for causing the instantaneous discharge of greater than ten kilojoules of energy stored in said capacitance means to pass to said strobe lamp: underwater manipulation means attached to said strobe lamp for positioning said strobe lamp adjacent the surface from which matter is to be removed; and remote controller means electrically connected to said manipulation means for permitting above-water control of said manipulation means.

Claim 17

The system of claim 13, said manipulation means comprising: a work sled containing said capacitance means and said power supply; an arm manipulator movably connected to said work sled, said arm being responsive to said remote controller means, said arm having said strobe lamp attached to the end of said arm opposite said work sled.

Claim 20

The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: circulating a cooling fluid in heat exchange relationship about said strobe lamp while said strobe lamp produces said high energy burst of light.

Claim 21

The method of claim 15, said step of discharging comprising; triggering a transformer such that said transformer produces a high voltage of relatively low amperage, said transformer being electrically connected in series with said capacitor and said strobe lamp.

Claim 22

The method of claim 15, said step of positioning comprising: placing said high energy strobe lamp within eighteen inches of the area to be cleaned.