Various aspects provide for parking an apparatus in a parking configuration. A parking configuration may be a configuration of an apparatus that minimizes damage (e.g., corrosion, wear, and the like) resulting from extended exposure during periods of inactivity. An apparatus may comprise a propulsion system (e.g., for a ship) and/or a steering system. An apparatus may comprise a linkage or other device positioned by an actuator. Some aspects include a water jet based propulsion system having a scoop and a nozzle operable to redirect the water jet, providing a range of forward/backward and port/starboard thrusts.

The invention relates to an underwater cleaner (1), especially for a swimming pool, comprising a housing (2) in which an especially battery-powered pump having an electric motor (4) and an impeller (3) is arranged, wherein the housing (2) comprises an inlet opening (23) and an outlet opening (22) for a flow path, said flow path forming a first channel section (13) originating from the first inlet opening (23) and a second channel section (14) accommodating the impeller (3), wherein the second channel section (14) is arranged in an inclined manner in relation to the first channel section (13), and wherein the impeller axis (18) is arranged in an inclined manner in relation to a normal (24) to the opening cross-section of the inlet opening (23). The ratio A/B of a first cross-sectional surface A to a second cross-sectional surface B is less than 2.8, wherein the first cross-sectional surface A is defined by the smallest flow cross-section in the first channel section (13) and the second cross-sectional surface B by the smallest flow cross-section of the second channel section (14) directly at the pump inlet. In order to obtain the simplest possible underwater cleaner (1) with the lowest production costs, which offers high suction power with low flow losses even in the case of impellers (3) of relatively large diameters, the first channel section (13) converges continuously into the second channel section (14).

The invention relates to an underwater cleaner (1), especially for a swimming pool, comprising a housing (2) in which an especially battery-powered pump having an electric motor (4) and an impeller (3) is arranged, wherein the housing (2) comprises an inlet opening (23) and an outlet opening (22) for a flow path, said flow path forming a first channel section (13) originating from the first inlet opening (23) and a second channel section (14) accommodating the impeller (3), wherein the second channel section (14) is arranged in an inclined manner in relation to the first channel section (13), and wherein the impeller axis (18) is arranged in an inclined manner in relation to a normal (24) to the opening cross-section of the inlet opening (23). The ratio A/B of a first cross-sectional surface A to a second cross-sectional surface B is less than 2.8, wherein the first cross-sectional surface A is defined by the smallest flow cross-section in the first channel section (13) and the second cross-sectional surface B by the smallest flow cross-section of the second channel section (14) directly at the pump inlet. In order to obtain the simplest possible underwater cleaner (1) with the lowest production costs, which offers high suction power with low flow losses even in the case of impellers (3) of relatively large diameters, the first channel section (13) converges continuously into the second channel section (14).

Device (3) for cleaning a submerged surface (12) of a vessel (7) includes a cleaning module (2) with at least one rotating brush (11) which, upon the movement of the cleaning module, ensures that the cleaning module is pushed or sucked against the aforementioned surface (12), wherein the device (3) is further provided with a launch platform (1) that can place the cleaning module against the surface and which is connected thereto by a first cable (15) for the control of the cleaning module, this launch platform being provided with at least one camera (4) and a drive (8) to move the launch platform underwater, whereby the launch platform is connected to elements (16) to bring the launch platform to a desired location underwater, whereby the launch platform is connected via a second cable (5) to a control unit (6) for controlling the launch platform and the cleaning module.

Device (3) for cleaning a submerged surface (12) of a vessel (7) includes a cleaning module (2) with at least one rotating brush (11) which, upon the movement of the cleaning module, ensures that the cleaning module is pushed or sucked against the aforementioned surface (12), wherein the device (3) is further provided with a launch platform (1) that can place the cleaning module against the surface and which is connected thereto by a first cable (15) for the control of the cleaning module, this launch platform being provided with at least one camera (4) and a drive (8) to move the launch platform underwater, whereby the launch platform is connected to elements (16) to bring the launch platform to a desired location underwater, whereby the launch platform is connected via a second cable (5) to a control unit (6) for controlling the launch platform and the cleaning module.

Integrated probes and probe systems suitable for attachment to a robotic arm of a remotely operated vehicle are disclosed. The probes and probe systems serve to perform cleaning operations and both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. The cathodic protection measurement system includes one or more electrically conductive legs that extend outwardly from the probe. These legs are arranged about a cleaning tool and an ultrasonic sensor. When the integrated probe contacts the underwater surface, at least one leg contacts the surface, thereby providing a desired distance between the probe and the underwater surface for efficient cleaning and UT inspection. The underwater surface can be cleaned and CP and UT measurements can all be performed using a single, integrated probed during a single operation, without having to reposition the probe.

The application describes a device in the form of a robot for performing operations on ship hulls. The robot comprises magnetic wheels enabling the robot to adhere to ferrous hulls via magnetic forces and a suspension arrangement for supporting the wheels on a body of the robot and for allowing the robot to travel over uneven surfaces. The wheels include a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels, with the pairs of wheels spaced apart from one another along a length of the robot. The suspension arrangement comprises a suspension pivot mechanism allowing a line extending between the centers of the first pair of wheels to rotate relative to a line extending between the centers of the second pair of wheels, along with a camber pivot mechanism for each wheel, with the camber pivot mechanism allowing the axis of rotation of the wheel to rotate relative to the axes of rotation of the other wheels in order that the wheel can align its axis of rotation with the surface of the hull. The magnetic forces for attaching the wheel to the hull act to rotate the suspension pivot mechanism and camber pivot mechanisms. The robot can therefore maintain a secure contact with the hull as it travels over the hull.

The invention provides an anti-fouling lighting system (1) configured for preventing or reducing biofouling on a fouling surface (1201) of an object (1200) that during use is at least temporarily exposed to a liquid, by providing an anti-fouling light (211) to said fouling surface (1201), the anti-fouling lighting system (1) comprising:

a lighting module (200) comprising a light source (210) configured to generate an anti-fouling light (211); and

an energy system (500) configured to locally harvest energy and configured to provide electrical power to said light lighting module (200), wherein the energy system (500) comprises (i) a sacrificial electrode (510), and (ii) a second energy system electrode (520), wherein the energy system (500) is configured to provide electrical power to the lighting module (200) when the sacrificial electrode (510) and the second energy system electrode (520) are in electrical contact with the liquid.

The invention provides an anti-fouling lighting system (1) configured for preventing or reducing biofouling on a fouling surface (1201) of an object (1200) that during use is at least temporarily exposed to a liquid, by providing an anti-fouling light (211) to said fouling surface (1201), the anti-fouling lighting system (1) comprising:

a lighting module (200) comprising a light source (210) configured to generate an anti-fouling light (211); and

an energy system (500) configured to locally harvest energy and configured to provide electrical power to said light lighting module (200), wherein the energy system (500) comprises (i) a sacrificial electrode (510), and (ii) a second energy system electrode (520), wherein the energy system (500) is configured to provide electrical power to the lighting module (200) when the sacrificial electrode (510) and the second energy system electrode (520) are in electrical contact with the liquid.

Various aspects provide for parking an apparatus in a parking position. A parking position may be a configuration of an apparatus that minimizes damage resulting from extended exposure during periods of inactivity. An apparatus may comprise a marine apparatus, which may be configured to be disposed in an environment comprising saltwater, salty air, brackish water, freshwater, and the like. An apparatus may comprise a propulsion system (e.g., for a ship) and/or a steering system. Some aspects include a water jet based propulsion system having a scoop and a nozzle operable to redirect the water jet, providing a range of forward/backward and port/starboard thrusts. A control cylinder and/or a linkage may be parked in a configuration that segregates damage incurred during periods of inactivity to portions of an apparatus not needed for normal operation.