Patent ID: 6173669
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A marine fouling prevention system, comprising:a first electrically conductive surface disposed at least partially below the surface of a body of water during operation of said fouling prevention system;a second electrically conductive surface disposed at least partially below the surface of said body of water during operation of said fouling prevention system;an electric current generating device connected in electrical communication with said first electrically conductive surface and said second electrically conductive surface to cause an electric current to flow between said first and second electrically conductive surfaces;a control circuit connected in electrical communication with said first and second electrically conductive surfaces to periodically change the direction of said electrical current between said first and second electrically conductive surfaces;a timer for causing said control circuit to cause said direction of current to change after a preselected period of time in one of two possible directions; anda fault detection circuit which compares said current flowing from one of said first and second electrically conductive surfaces with said current flowing into the other one of said first and second electrically conductive surfaces.