BOAT HULL CLEANING APPARATUS

Abstract: The invention consists of a machine for cleaning of boat bottoms. It is an automatic machine, that can be compared with an automatic car washing machine. The task of the automatic washing construction is to make it easy for the boat owner to keep the boat bottom clean. He doesn't have to take the boat out of the water. The washing construction is placed either on pontoons or in a stationary construction. The washing is executed by robots, which in its outer parts have washing aggregates, that contains a number of spray nozzles, spray nozzles combined with brushes or only brushes, that clean the boat body.

Description: Boat Hull Cleaning Apparatus Pos Description. See fig. page 1-5 (drawings). 1. Bogie for robot. Runs along the rail and keeps the right pressure against the boat body. The movements are effec¬ ted by electric motors or another power source. 2. Robot attached to bogie. The robotarm can have one link, as the drawing shows, but it can also have more than one. An electric motor or another power source drives the linked part. In the outer end of the arm there is a spray unit. The construction can have one or more robot arms. 3. Rail construction for bogie. It is attached to the ground and have a shape, that makes the bogie runs smoothly a- long it unto the mechanic buffer stops, that are placed in each end. The rail can be in one piece, but if there are any obstacles during mounting or transportation, it can be divided in suitable pieces. 4. Bogie for fixation arm. The bogie runs along the rail and is driven by an electric motor or another power source. The bogie drives the fixation arm with a hydraulic cylin¬ der construction or another power source, which guaran¬ tees, that the opposite fixation arm gets the same posi¬ tion and power in the movement and in that way fix the object (the boat) to the centre of the washing construc¬ tion. Fixation arm attached to its bogie. This arm can be in one piece or divided in one or more links. In the end of the arm there are protective rolls edgeways, and they can be of a model, that prevents rotation in both directions. The rolls are made of a material, that can't damage the boat body. The construction can be provided with 2 or more fixation arms. 6. Rolls or bumper guards. These will protect the boat from being damaged by the construction. They are placed where they are most useful; along sides, gates, bogie arms and other out-sticking parts. 7. Suspension attachment for net and canvas intended for collection of mud and particles from washed boat bodies. The arrangement can be taken care of by service preson- nel. It is placed in a pontoon or in a stationary con¬ struction. 8. Net or som other arrangement for stabilization of can¬ vas for collection of mud and particles from washed boat bodies. The arrangement is fixed to the suspension at¬ tachment )pos 7). It can be made of any material. 9. Cnavas for collection of particles and mud from cleande boat bottoms, in order to prevent the mud from getting out of the construction. This mud will be removed regu¬ larly. 10. Weights attached to the canvas to keep it intact. The weights can be of any form or construction. 11. Mobile pontoon-bridges or stationary constructions. The pontoon-bridges can also be semi-detached to one unit. This construction can have a gate in one or both ends. See pos 15. 12. Anchorage for pontoon-bridge in shape of a pole or an anchor with chain. 13. Construction for movable pipes. 1 . Lights .

Claims: 4 Patent demands 1. The construction is characterized by beeing an au omatic or semi-automatic boat bottom washer serving boats both in the leisure and the commercial sectors. The construction is characterized by beeing mounted on pon¬ toons (11) or on a stationary quay construction. The washing is normally done under the water surface, which means, that the boat doesn't have to be lifted out of the water, but it can also be done on boats on land but then in a construction, that is adapted for that purpose. The construction is also characterized by the fact that the boat is fixed to the construction during washing. ( 5 ) ( 17 ) . The washing operation: At least one robot arm on each side of the boat brings spray nozzles along the underwater boat- body. (2). The user will be able to use the construction himself, with¬ out any help from other persons. 2. Component (22) according to demand 1 is characterized by its location on the end of the robot arm against the boat body. (See the technical description of pos 22, spray unit.) The spray nozzle (2) will give a flat stream with a spread angle between 10-100°. The water pressure will be between 30-300 bar, the water quantity at least 20 lit/h per spray nozzle. 3. Component (6) according to demand 2 is characterized by a movable suspension attachment (3) and an off-centre mounted shaft for wheel (1) to get an automatically positioned angle of the spray nozzles against the boat body. (2). 3 15. The construction can be provided with a gate. It can be operated by hydraulic cylinders or another power source. The construction is mounted in the pontoon or in the stationary construction. Stripes are placed between the construction and the canvas (pos 8) to prevent the mud from coming out of the construction. The arrangement is used as a connection between pontoons or stationary con¬ structions . 16. Arrangement for locking the gates together. The arrange¬ ment can be rigid or movable. 17. Docking arrangement for boat stem. It will lock the stem to the centre line of the construction. 18. Handle to be used by the boat driver to steer the stem into the docking arrangement. 19. Hut for operation- and charging systems. 20. Desk for operating- and charging systems. Operating- and charging systems see pos 25 and 26. 21. High pressure pump for spray nozzles. 22. Spray unit placed in front of the robotarm. See separate description. 23. The sea bottom profile. 24. Dredged sea bottom profile, if necessary. 25. Automatic system for steering and controlling the const¬ ruction. The washing is activated by an operation panel. 26. Charging system that communicates with the steering sys¬ tem (pos 25) .

Inventors: AUGUSTSSON LEO, AUGUSTSSON, LEO
Applicants: AUGUSTSSON LEO, WIDENHAMMAR RUSTAN, AUGUSTSSON, LEO, WIDENHAMMAR, RUSTAN
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B63B59
IPC codes: B63B59