A device for the cleaning of a submerged section of the hull of a vessel that is treated with a non-toxic layer of paint based on a surface-treated coating. The device comprises a platform with a first cleaning module and with a device to place and move the cleaning module against the side of the hull of the vessel and that the device is further provided with a launch platform with a second cleaning module which can place the second cleaning module against the bottom of the hull. The second cleaning module is connected via a first cable to the launch platform for the movement and control thereof.

A magnetic robot crawler designed to efficiently adhere and traverse a ferrous surface partially or fully underwater, regardless of orientation. The crawler includes a vehicle body, a plurality of drive wheel assemblies, and a plurality of gearmotors. The vehicle body houses the necessary electronical components. The drive wheel assemblies are peripherally and externally mounted to the vehicle body in order to support the vehicle body. Each of the drive wheel assemblies is torsionally coupled to a corresponding gearmotor. Each of the drive wheel assemblies includes a tubular housing, a wheel, an annular cavity, and a semi-annular magnet. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body through a tubular housing and is torsionally coupled to the corresponding gearmotor through a magnetic coupling. The annular cavity laterally traverses into the wheel and receives the semi-annular magnet. The semi-annular magnet stays stationary while the wheel turns about the semi-annular magnet.

A magnetic robot crawler designed to efficiently adhere and traverse a ferrous surface partially or fully underwater, regardless of orientation. The crawler includes a vehicle body, a plurality of drive wheel assemblies, and a plurality of gearmotors. The vehicle body houses the necessary electronical components. The drive wheel assemblies are peripherally and externally mounted to the vehicle body in order to support the vehicle body. Each of the drive wheel assemblies is torsionally coupled to a corresponding gearmotor. Each of the drive wheel assemblies includes a tubular housing, a wheel, an annular cavity, and a semi-annular magnet. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body through a tubular housing and is torsionally coupled to the corresponding gearmotor through a magnetic coupling. The annular cavity laterally traverses into the wheel and receives the semi-annular magnet. The semi-annular magnet stays stationary while the wheel turns about the semi-annular magnet.

A magnetic robot crawler designed to efficiently adhere and traverse a ferrous surface partially or fully underwater, regardless of orientation. The crawler includes a vehicle body, a plurality of drive wheel assemblies, and a plurality of gearmotors. The vehicle body houses the necessary electronical components. The drive wheel assemblies are peripherally and externally mounted to the vehicle body in order to support the vehicle body. Each of the drive wheel assemblies is torsionally coupled to a corresponding gearmotor. Each of the drive wheel assemblies includes a tubular housing, a wheel, an annular cavity, and a semi-annular magnet. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body through a tubular housing and is torsionally coupled to the corresponding gearmotor through a magnetic coupling. The annular cavity laterally traverses into the wheel and receives the semi-annular magnet. The semi-annular magnet stays stationary while the wheel turns about the semi-annular magnet.

A magnetic robot crawler designed to efficiently adhere and traverse a ferrous surface partially or fully underwater, regardless of orientation. The crawler includes a vehicle body, a plurality of drive wheel assemblies, and a plurality of gearmotors. The vehicle body houses the necessary electronical components. The drive wheel assemblies are peripherally and externally mounted to the vehicle body in order to support the vehicle body. Each of the drive wheel assemblies is torsionally coupled to a corresponding gearmotor. Each of the drive wheel assemblies includes a tubular housing, a wheel, an annular cavity, and a semi-annular magnet. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body through a tubular housing and is torsionally coupled to the corresponding gearmotor through a magnetic coupling. The annular cavity laterally traverses into the wheel and receives the semi-annular magnet. The semi-annular magnet stays stationary while the wheel turns about the semi-annular magnet.

The present invention discloses a mobile platform and an operating method of the mobile platform. The mobile platform comprises: a base; a housing disposed above an upper surface of the base and forming a placement space placing a work device with the upper surface of the base; and a travel mechanism disposed below a lower surface of the base for driving the housing and the base to move, wherein the lower surface of the base is provided with a groove and a bottom of the housing is disposed outside of an edge of the base. Moreover, during movement of the mobile platform, a dripping liquid drips down along the housing when the mobile platform is in an upright state, and the dripping liquid drips into the groove when the mobile platform is in an inverted state.

The present invention discloses a mobile platform and an operating method of the mobile platform. The mobile platform comprises: a base; a housing disposed above an upper surface of the base and forming a placement space placing a work device with the upper surface of the base; and a travel mechanism disposed below a lower surface of the base for driving the housing and the base to move, wherein the lower surface of the base is provided with a groove and a bottom of the housing is disposed outside of an edge of the base. Moreover, during movement of the mobile platform, a dripping liquid drips down along the housing when the mobile platform is in an upright state, and the dripping liquid drips into the groove when the mobile platform is in an inverted state.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an underwater hull cleaning machine is provided. The cleaning machine includes a housing including a base region adapted to be arranged facing at least part of an external surface to be cleaned; a guiding mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the guiding mechanism is configured to enable the cleaning machine to be maneuvered along the external surface; and at least one brush configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the at least one brush is extended downwardly towards the base region to be in contact with the external surface. In the retracted position, the at least one brush is moved upwardly away from the base region to be free from contact with the external surface. According to further embodiments, a hull cleaning system and a method for cleaning a vessel hull are also provided.

A cleaning machine (10) for cleaning a submerged surface (11) has a drive device (12) and at least one cleaning head (14) disposed forward of the drive device in a forward direction of travel of the cleaning machine. The drive device has a pump (20). a pump inlet (22) for receiving material cleaned from the submerged surface, and a pump outlet (24) for output of the material, and traction means (18) for propelling the cleaning machine along the submerged surface, wherein contact of the traction means with the submerged surface is within a width cleaned by the at least one cleaning head (14). The at least one cleaning head is supported by a support structure (70) projecting form the drive device (12). One or more magnets (36) can be positioned by coarse and/or fine distance adjustment relative to the submerged surface.

An apparatus for cleaning or maintaining the outer side of a hull of a marine vessel or the inner side of a cargo hold of a marine vessel. The apparatus includes a housing provided with a first row of magnetic driving and attachment elements and a second row of magnetic driving and attachment elements. The first and second row being parallel and arranged at opposing lateral sides of the housing. The first row of magnetic driving and attachment elements comprising magnetic wheels and/or a continuous track with magnetic links. The second row of magnetic driving and attachment elements comprising magnetic wheels and/or a continuous track with magnetic links. Further, the apparatus is provided with least one suspended magnetic wheel arranged between the first row and the second row, the at least one suspended magnetic wheel being resiliently suspended from the housing and biased towards the housing.