COATING ON MARINE CONSTRUCTIONS

Abstract: The invention relates to vessels and other marine constructions situated in or brought forward in a fluent medium. The invention is characterized in that the marine constructions are provided with fiber flock on surfaces coming in contact with the medium. This will cause a reduced inclination for plants and animals to grow on and damage the construction (anti-fouling) and a reduced friction against the medium when the vessel is moving.

Description: Titel : Coating on marine constructions . Field of the invention: The present invention relates to vessels brought forward in a fluent medium meeting a resistance of flow due to friction agains t the surrounding medium , and other mar ine constructions which at least partially reaches under the surface of water . Especially , the invention relates to coatings below the surface of water for anti- fouling and keeping friction low. State of the art : Vessels of the abovementioned type are floating in or supported by a surrounding medium both when they are stationnary and moving forwards. Vessels also encounter a powerful resistance of flow when driven forwards, the resistance increasing with the square of the speed as it increases. The resistance of flow depends mainly on the friction against the surrounding medium and the greatest part altogether of the input energy to the vessel is consumed for overcoming this frictional resistance. In order to reduce this resistance of friction and flow, up to now vessels have been made streamlined and the surfaces facing the medium as even and smooth as possible. One has also tried to paint the surfaces with friction reducing means and used toxic paints for preventing overgrowing and thereby increasing resistance of flow. Technical problem: Tests to reduce the friction between a vessel in movement and the surrounding medium have so far only been partly successful. It is true that big improvements in this respect has been done during later decades, but it is still a fact that big amounts of energy in the form of fuel have to be used. This, of course, is a big problem concerning the costs, but at least as big concerning the environment . which is polluted by all the exhaust gases. The solution: From the above mentioned reasons it has been a longfelt want to be able to reduce overgrowing and the frictional resistance between a vessel in movement and the surrounding medium and according to the present invention I have provided vessels wholly or partially with fiber flock on areas coming in contact with the medium. It is advisable to provide hulls with fiber flock up to the water line. Submarines, which often are driven totally immersed in water should be provided with flock all over the surface. Because of the lower energy consumption the submarine can stay longer under water and it is more silent due to the noise reduction in the flock layer. The technique for providing fiber flock to a surface is well known. It consists of providing an area with an adhesive whereafter electrically charged fibres are caused to land in the adhesive and are fastened in it. The adhesive often is a two component resin and the fibres usually are synthetic made of polyamide for instance. However, the fibres useful for the present invention are not limited to any special type, also for example coal fibres, glass fibres or similar can be used. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention a lot of fibres are used, which after electrostatic application to a great extent will be fixed perpendicular to the basis. The density of fibres may be 50-300 fibres per square mm, preferrably more than 150 fibres per square mm, with a fibre thicknss less than 0.1 mm, preferrably less than 0.05 mm and a length of 0,5-5 mm, preferrably less than 3 mm. Known technology: The known technology, which is considered closest to the herein proposed, is shown in EP A2 0 353 095 and JP 57-104 492 (Abstract) . These show coatings with a fur surface in order to ■ prevent overgrowth with marine organisms . In the first mentioned publication fur coated sheets are attached on the parts to be protected and the fibres are preferrably 10- 30 mm in length in order to sway freely in the water. In the other publication a hull under the water line is coated with a fur or plastic mat with hair or plastic fibres arranged in the direction from the bow of the vessel in order to prevent an increase of the resistance of flow. The present invention differs essentially from what is thus known in that fiber flock with a high density of thin, short fibres are used and that they are applicated directly in an adhesive on the areas to be coated. No substantial change in the resistance of flow has been registered in spite of the directions of the fibres partially is randomized with most of the fibres directed essentially perpendicular to the basis. On the contrary, a low resistance of flow is maintained with the present invention owing to none or insignificant overgrowth. The surface with fiber flock also has a high durability and noise reducing and insulating qualities. Advantages: As mentioned above, according to the present invention the advantage is achieved that less energy is required for driving a vessel, which means savings in costs and reduced stress on the environment. When boats and other marine constructions are provided with fibre flock on surfaces under the water line, this will prevent growth of algae and other plants and animals on the surfaces (anti-fouling) . Therefore you can give up coating the surfaces with toxic substances such as red lead to avoid such growth. This further strengthens the environment promoting effect of the invention. The invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above. It can be varied in different ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Vessel or other marine construction, characterized in that they are wholly or partially provided with fiber flock on surfaces coming in contact with the water. 2. Marine construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the fiber flock consists of synthetic fibres applicated with electrostatic technique in an adhesive on the surfaces . 3. Marine construction according to claim 2, characterized in that the fibres have a length between 0.5 and 5 mm and a density of 50-300 fibres per square mm. 4. Marine construction according to claim 3, characterized in that the fibres have a length between 0.5 and 3 mm and a density of 150-300 fibres per square mm. 5. Vessel or other marine construction according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the hull of the vessel or the marine construction wholly or partially is provided with fiber flock to the water line. 6. Marine construction according to any of claims 1-4 in the form of a submarine, characterized in that essentially all of the hull is provided with fiber flock. 7. Method of preventing overgrowth on surfaces under the water line on vessels and other marine constructions, characterized in that the surfaces wholly or partially are provided with fiber flock. .8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the fiber flock consists of synthetic textile fibres applied in an adhesive • on the surfaces with an electrostatic technology. 9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the fibres have a length between 0.5 and 5 mm and a density of 50-300 fibres per square mm. 10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the fibres have a length between 0.5 and 3 mm and a density of 150-300 fibres per square mm.

Inventors: ALM KJELL K, ALM, KJELL, K.
Applicants: ALM KJELL K, JURISTBYRAAN INDIREKT, JURISTBYRAAN INDIREKT AB
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B63B1
IPC codes: B63B1, B63B59