Abstract:
A system and process is provided to deplete or remove moisture from wood coring in boats. The system and process does not require the destruction, removal, or reconstruction of the wood coring. The present invention comprises piercing of the wood coring to create bores therethrough. Next, blowing ultra dry air through the bores, this removes moisture from the coring. And finally sealing the holes with a sealant.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a system and method of drying wood structures, particularly those found in boats. 
         [0002]    Boats may be comprised of wood coring in certain areas. The coring may be stringers and bulkheads. Coring provides hull strength. Wood coring can weigh less than fiberglass coring. Wood coring is usually coated with fiberglass, to form a fiberglass outer skin. However moisture can still enter the wood coring. When moisture enters the wood coring it can weaken the structural integrity of the wood coring. In some cases the wood coring becomes saturated, partially saturated, or moldy. The boat may then become too weak to operate safely in the water; or it may be a source of toxic mold, rot or cause of other respiratory problems. Further, the boat may be un-insurable when moisture enters the coring. Thus the coring may have to be cut, or removed and then rebuilt. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,271 (“the &#39;271 patent”) discloses a system to remove water and moisture from hard wood flooring. This patent does not disclose hole creation or the drilling of holes to expose wood, and to remove moisture therefrom. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for a system and method that removes moisture from wood coring. There is also a need for a system and method that does not require the removal and reconstruction of coring. There is also a need for a system and method to remove moisture from coring at a reduced cost, and with less down time of the boat, which prolongs the life of the boat. There is also a need for a system and method to apply a sealant, epoxy, or protectant that penetrates the wood; and to apply a sealant, epoxy, or protectant to fill holes in wood coring. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One aspect of the present invention is a method of removing moisture from wood coring of a boat, comprising the steps of: piercing the wood coring to create an exposed portion; pumping fluid into the exposed portion; penetrating the exposed portion with a sealant; and filling the exposed portion with a sealant. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the present invention is a method to remove moisture from wood coring of a boat, comprising: creating holes into the wood coring; pumping dry air into the holes; and hermetically sealing the holes. 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic of an embodiment of a moisture removal system of the present invention; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic of an exemplary method of use of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0011]    Broadly, the present invention may be used for removing moisture from wood. Moisture may include liquid and water. The present invention is of particular importance for use to remove moisture from the coring and other wood components of boats and even other non-boat structures and items. 
         [0012]    The present invention differs from the prior art by, among other things, the use of a method that removes moisture but does not require destruction and reconstruction of the coring. 
         [0013]    The present invention allows the structural integrity of the structure or coring to remain, which (1) reduces the cost involved in removing the coring and reconstructing new coring; (2) reduces the time in which the boat is unavailable for use because of the time involved to remove and reconstruct coring. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a general schematic that illustrates an embodiment of a moisture removal system  10  of the present invention, including steps that may include: 
         [0015]    1. piercing  20  a an outer skin, such as fiberglass (this is not necessary if the wood has no outer skin); 
         [0016]    2. forming  30  bores or holes  200  in wood coring to form an exposed portion (forming may be performed by drilling); 
         [0017]    3. pumping  40  dry air into the bores or holes  200  (an alternative embodiment may include “sucking” or “pulling” the air towards a vacuum device); 
         [0018]    4. penetrating  50  an exposed portion  80 ; with a sealant  100 ; and 
         [0019]    5. filling  60  the exposed portion  80  with a sealant  100 . 
         [0020]    In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the piercing step  20  includes the forming  30  of bores or holes  200  that may be spaced apart by a distance of about 8 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, the forming  30  of bores or holes  200  can be created by drilling the bores or holes  200 . In one exemplary embodiment, the spacing  70  of the bores or holes  200  may be greater than 8 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, the spacing  70  of the bores or holes  200  may be less than 8 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, the spacing  70  of the bores or holes  200  may vary. The forming  30  of bores or holes  200  creates an exposed portion  80  of the coring. 
         [0021]    The pumping step  40  may be performed by pumping in ultra dry air from an inlet end  300  of the bore  200 , so that the ultra dry air is displaced adjacent to the exposed portion  80 , to remove moisture from the coring. In one exemplary embodiment the ultra dry air may be pumped in by using a first pumping step  42 , and a second pumping step  44 . The first pumping step  42  may include the use of an air dryer. In one exemplary embodiment, the air dryer may be a Dri-Force desiccant. In one exemplary embodiment the second pumping step  44  may include the use of a mid pressure, high volume pump. 
         [0022]    The first pumping step  42  may be used to dry the air in and around the exposed portion  80 . The second pumping step  44  may be used to pump air into the exposed portion  80 . In one exemplary embodiment, the first pumping step  42  may be used to dry the air to create and ultra dry air  90 . The second pumping step  44  may include capturing  110  the ultra dry air  90 , and then displacing the ultra dry air  90  into the exposed portion  80 . 
         [0023]    In one exemplary embodiment, the penetrating step  50  may include penetrating the exposed portion  80  with a first sealant  100  or epoxy. The filling step  60  may include the filling  60  of the exposed portion  80  with a second sealant  100 ′ or epoxy. In a further embodiment only one of the penetrating  50  or filling  60  step may be used, in other words both may not always be necessary. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates one exemplary method and type of apparatus employable of using the system, including the forming  30  of a plurality of bores  200  within a stringer  210 . The bores  200  are capable of having an inlet end  300 , and an outlet end  320 . The inlet end  300  may receive air from an external source  400 , such as an air pump. The outlet end  320  enables an escape or exit route for the air pumped in through the inlet end  300 . As the air is displaced throughout the bores  200  adjacent the exposed portion  80 , and out of the outlet end  320 ; the moisture is removed. The bores  200  may be created by a drill. Another exemplary embodiment may include, rather than “pushing” air through the system with the external source, but to “pull” or “suck” air using the external source  400  as a vacuum. 
         [0025]    After moisture is removed, either partially or entirely, then the bores  200  can be filled with a sealant  100  or an epoxy in a filling step  60 . For example, a first sealant  100  or epoxy may be used to penetrate the exposed portion  80 . And a second sealant  100 ′ or epoxy may be used to fill the bores  200 . The first and second sealant  100 ,  100 ′ can be blown into the bores  200  with a pressurized device, such as a pressurized paint machine, or pressurized washer, or manually, such as with a handheld caulking gun. 
         [0026]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.