Self-cleaning apparatus for the prevention of marine growth

Abstract

An ocean surface-driven apparatus (1) to be installed around structural marine components comprising at least one ring wherein said ring comprising a plurality of rollers (2) disposed on a plurality of roller shafts (3) which are linked together by connectors (4). A plurality of linking members (5) with at least one moving self-cleaning ring (6) disposed on each linking member, said linking members linking a plurality of rings together.

Claims

1. An apparatus to be installed around structural marine components, comprising: a plurality of freely rotatable rollers disposed on a plurality of roller shafts; the plurality of roller shafts linked together by single ring connectors to form a ring collar; and, a plurality of self-cleaning discs mounted directly on the single ring connectors.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of self-cleaning discs freely rotating and moving back and forth along the single ring connector.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of self-cleaning discs each comprises HDPE or a combination of HDPE and rubber sleeve.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the single ring connectors comprises a tube with opened ends for insertion of adjacent roller shafts at the ends by locking pins via countersunk holes.

5. An apparatus to be installed around structural marine components, comprising: a plurality of ring collars, each ring collar comprising a plurality of freely rotatable rollers disposed on a plurality of roller shafts (3), the plurality of roller shafts linked together by multiple ring connectors to form the ring collar; a plurality of tubular linkage pipes connecting to the multiple ring connectors to connect the plurality of ring collars in parallel to form a cage; and a plurality of self-cleaning discs mounted directly on the multiple ring connectors and the linkage pipes.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of fixed self-cleaning discs freely rotatable around a lock shaft and placed above and under the multiple ring connectors and the plurality of self-cleaning discs freely rotatable and movable back and forth along the surface of the connectors or movable up and down along the linkage pipes.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of self-cleaning discs each comprises HPDE or a combination of HDPE and rubber sleeve.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the multiple ring connectors comprises a tube with opened ends for insertion of adjacent roller shafts at the ends by locking pins via countersunk holes.

9. An apparatus to be installed around structural marine components comprising: a plurality of freely rotatable rollers disposed on a plurality of roller shafts; the plurality of roller shafts linked together by single ring connectors to form a ring collar; and a plurality of self-cleaning discs mounted directly on the single ring connectors, wherein each single ring connector is a multiple-angle fixed connector.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each single ring connector is moulded to predetermined angles to enable the ring collar to encircle the structural marine components.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each single ring connector is linked with roller shafts at either ends by locking pins via countersunk holes at each end.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of self-cleaning discs are freely rotatable and movable back and forth along the fixed connector.

13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of self-cleaning discs comprises HDPE or a combination of HDPE and rubber sleeve.

14. An apparatus to be installed around structural marine components, comprising: a plurality of ring collars, each ring collar comprising a plurality of freely rotatable rollers (2) disposed on a plurality of roller shafts (3), the plurality of roller shafts (3) linked together by multiple ring connectors to form a ring collar; a plurality of tubular linkage pipes connecting to the multiple ring connectors to connect the plurality of ring collars in parallel to form a cage; and a plurality of self-cleaning discs mounted directly on the multiple ring connectors and the linkage pipes; wherein each multiple ring connector is a multiple-angle fixed connector with multiple arms connecting adjacent roller shafts on a horizontal plane and pipes on a vertical plane.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each of the multiple ring connectors is moulded to predetermined angles to enable the cage to encircle a protected structure.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each of the multiple ring connector is linked with roller shafts at either ends by locking pins via countersunk holes at each end, and the pipe is linked with the multiple ring connector of a parallel ring collar via a vertical arm of the multiple ring connector.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of self-cleaning discs are freely rotatable and movable back and forth along the surface of the multiple ring connectors and movable up and down along the linkage pipes.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of self-cleaning discs comprises HDPE or a combination of HDPE and rubber sleeve.

19. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of self-cleaning discs freely rotate on either sides of a vertical arm of the multiple ring connector.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of self-cleaning discs comprises long flexible bristles to continuously sweep over the surface of the multiple ring connectors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order to understand the invention clearly, hereinafter will be described certain preferred embodiments thereof, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a single ring collar apparatus used for marine growth prevention and to withstand impact according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a translucent isometric view of an embodiment of a single ring collar apparatus used for marine growth prevention and to withstand impact according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the plan view of a single ring collar apparatus used for marine growth prevention and to withstand impact according to the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows details of a single-plane connector assembly with countersunk holes and self-cleaning discs;

(6) FIG. 5 shows details of the multiple-plane Connector Assembly with moving and fixed self-cleaning rings;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a typical assembly of a multiple-ring apparatus used for marine growth prevention and to withstand impact according to the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 shows connector design with multiple pre-determined angles for a single ring apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(9) 1 Ring collar 2 Rollers 3 Roller shafts 4 Single ring connector 5 Linkage pipe 6 Self-cleaning disc 7 Locking pin 8 Fixed self-cleaning ring 9 Lock shaft 10 Multiple ring connector

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(10) The apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 and is a wave-driven apparatus, adapted to be installed around submerged structural components for preventing growth of marine fouling. The apparatus comprises at least one ring used individually (as shown in FIG. 1) or in a series held together with linking members to form a cage (as shown in FIG. 6).

(11) In an embodiment, the rings of apparatus 1 are connected together, in spaced-apart array, as seen in FIG. 6, by means of tubular linking members (5). The tubular members are disposed substantially parallel to the submerged structural member which is surrounded by the flexible collars. Each linking member (5) has, mounted for rotation on it, at least one moving self-cleaning disc (6) which can freely rotate and move in an upwardly or downwardly direction. The roller disks are preferably made of high density plastic with a layer of soft material such as composite rubber or the like to serve as a component that is slightly positive buoyant. The constant movement of the self-cleaning disc (6) along the linking member is to maintain each linking member free of marine growth.

(12) In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the individual or a series of rings, are provided with a plurality of rollers (2) linked together to constitute a collar. The roller (2) of the current embodiment is preferably made of a material that is resistant to wear and abrasion. In addition to durability, the roller (2) is also preferably made of a material that has a cushioning effect to absorb impact forces such as rubber and the like, when the roller (2) is used on submerged structures which are coated with paint, wrapped with corrosion prevention tape and others. When used on submerged structures without any form of coating on the surface or tape wrap and others, the roller (2) is preferably made of material that is highly resistant to abrasion and impact such as High Density poly Ethylene, Ralloy, Teflon and the like.

(13) Each roller (2) is freely rotatable about a roller shaft (3). The roller shafts (3) of the ring are linked together by a fixed connector (4, 10). Each connector (4, 10) is designed with a pre-determined angle to encircle pillars with a certain diameter range. The connector (4, 10) is linked with roller shafts (3) at either ends by locking pins (7) via two countersunk holes at each end.

(14) Two types of connectors (4, 10) are envisaged, one connects with roller shafts (3) on horizontal plane for the single-ring apparatus in FIG. 1 and the other connects both roller shafts (3) on horizontal plane and linkage pipe (5) on vertical plane for the multiple-ring apparatus in FIG. 6 respectively. To keep the single ring connector (4) in FIG. 1 and multiple ring connector (10) in FIG. 6 free of marine growth settlement, one or more self-cleaning discs (6) are mounted on the connector. The relative movement of the self-cleaning aid over the body of connector (4, 10) will keep the connector (4, 10) clean and the random contact between the sides of self-cleaning disc (6) and the end of roller (2) will also keep all surfaces free of marine growth settlement. To keep the multiple ring connector (10) in FIG. 6 free of marine growth, an additional fixed self-cleaning rings (8) with long flexible bristles will be installed and the sweeping motion of the bristles over the surface of the multiple ring connector (10) will keep its surface free of marine growth settlement.

(15) In summary, the apparatus comprising a single or multiple ring configuration which is slightly positive buoyant in nature when surrounding a submerged structure will have constant upwardly and downwardly movement along the submerged structure according to the movement of the ocean surface in the like of waves, tidal fluctuations and swells will prevent any growth of marine fouling on the submerged structure. The apparatus is suitable to be installed in areas with rough sea conditions such as in typhoon prone areas and the like.

(16) While the above invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those of ordinary skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the meaning and scope of the appended claims.