Improvements in or connected with Machines for Scrubbing and Cleaning the Hulls of Vessels.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 4th Jan., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Machines for Scrubbing and
Cleaning the Hulls of Vessels.
We, EDGAR HARVEY UPHAM and HUGH OSBORNE, both of Orleans, Walnut
Street 12 in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts, United States of
America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The invention relates to machines of a class particularly adapted for use in
cleaning the hulls of vessels.
The object is to produce apparatus by which the removal of all accumulation of
foreign substance from the hull and especially the bottom of steel and iron vessels,
may be effected with economy and in a ready and convenient manner and without
necessitating beaching or docking the vessel; and further to provide means for
controlling the machine, so as to direct and cause it to operate upon any point of
the hull of the vessel, thereby keeping the entire surface free and clear of all
adhering particles and enabling a maximum speed to be maintained at a minimum
consumption of fuel.
With these objects in view, the invention consists in an improved construction
and certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will be herein-
after described and claimed.
The accompanying drawings, forming part of this Specification, in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:
Fig. 1, is a view in plan of one embodiment of the invention, with the top or
cover of the casing removed.
Fig. 2, is a view in elevation of the same, looking from the rear.
Fig. 3, is a detail view, in section of a valve.
Fig. 4, is a plan view of one of the brushes.
Fig. 5, is a view in plan of a modified, arrangement of the brushes and driving
gearing, the top or cover of the casing being removed.
Fig. 6, is a view in elevation of the same.
Figs. 7, and 8, are views, in diagram, showing the brushes in action upon curved
portions of the hull.
Figs. 9 and 10, are views in elevation, showing the machine in operation at the
stern and amidship.
In these drawings:
A designates a water-tight box of any suitable size and shape, but is preferably
triangular as shown in Fig. 1. This box is divided into two compartments by a
horizontally arranged partition, a, the upper compartment being designed to contain
and support the driving mechanism and the lower, smaller one serving as a water
ballast tank. At each corner of the frame a vertically disposed shaft a', is
rotatably mounted, with one end thereof projecting through a water-tight box in
the cover a, and has loosely mounted thereon a circular brush or scraper a³.
These brushes are each provided with a collar or sleeve a', which encircles the
shaft and is yieldingly held at the outer end of the shaft under the action of a
spiral spring a. At the opposite end within the upper compartment the shafts
bave keyed thereto bevel gears, a, which are connected to rotate together, by the
terminal engaging pinions a', of the angularly disposed shafts a, a, intermeshing
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page_text: with the gears, a°. Power from an electric or other motor a10, is transmitted to the
shaft through sprocket wheels a", a¹, and an endless chain a¹³3.
B, designates a second and smaller electric or other motor, which is geared to
operate a balanced valve, b, and admit water to the tank 63, a spring 63, being
employed to close the valve when the circuit is broken.
C, designates a similar motor, which is geared to operate a pump, c, and exhaust
the chamber or compartment thus lightening the machine and thereby causing the
machine to rise. These motors are each wired on a separate circuit by being
connected in multiple branches, from the ship's source of electrical supply, the
wires serving as leads, being formed into a single cable, which is carried through a
water-tight box in the wall of the motor chamber and extends to the deck of the
vessel where the currents are separately controlled by suitable switches.
The machine when used, is held in proper position at any desired point, by means
of attached chains, which lead up on each side of the ship, and are secured on deck.
To prevent the brushes from bearing too forcibly upon the hull of the vessel, the
machine may be provided with rollers, or the buoyancy may be adjusted.
The modification illustrated consists in the substitution of reciprocating for the
rotating brushes, and referring to Figs. 5 and 6 :—
The
D, represents a motor, from which power is transmitted, through worm.
gearings, d, to a shaft d, carrying at its ends, bevel gears d³. These gears mesh
with similar gears d', upon vertical shafts d', to the upper ends of which, are keyed
crank arms, d. Sliding in boxes in the sides of the casing, are shafts, d', the ends
of which project and have pivoted thereon, brush carrying frames, d.
rotary movement of these frames are limited by stop pins do, working in slots do,.
of the sleeves of the frame. Reciprocatory motion is imparted to the shafts,
through connecting rods or links d", which are interposed between the shafts, and
the crank arms. Upon each frane, three or more brushes d, are spring seated,
and held between pivoted links, d¹³, so as to yield readily against the action of the
springs, and adapt themselves to the curvature of the hull of the vessel. This
action may be facilitated by the use of springs, which would encircle the sliding
shafts and be inclosed by the sleeves of the frames.
'The operation is as follows:-The machine is lowered from the deck, by chains:
over the bow of the vessel, so that one chain lies on each side of the hull. Water
is then admitted to the chamber of the box or casing, by closing the circuit through.
the valve-opening motor, and upon the buoyancy of the machine being overcome,
it sinks to the keel of the ship, where it is held by the chains. The circuit is then
closed through the pump motor, and as the machine is relieved of its water ballast
it rises under the ship, and with the brushes yieldingly pressed against the side
thereof. On closing the circuit through the brush motor, the scrapers are set in.
motion and the machine is then gradually hauled to the surface, after which it is
moved after a short distance, sunk to the keel, floated. under the bottom and
inanipulated as above described and so on until the entire hull bas been operated
upon.
Being thus held by the chains, the buoyancy of the machine serves to press the
brushes firmly against the side of the ship and thereby operate effectually in
removing all adhering deposits of foreign substance.
'It will be understood, that we do not wish to confine ourselves to the particular
construction or arrangement of parts set forth, as many changes may be made
without departing from the general principle involved.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare, that what we
claim is:-
i
1. A machine of the class described, comprising a water tight casing, and
scrapers or brushes and operating mechanism wholly or partially supported by the
buoyancy of the casing, substantially as described.
2. A machine of the class described, comprising a water tight casing provided.

page_text: with a plurality of non-communicating compartments, a series of electrically driven
scrapers or brushes, and means for wholly or partially filling or exhausting one or
more of the compartments, for the purpose described.
3. A. machine of the class described, comprising a water tight casing having
compartments, means for opening one or more of the compartments for the entrance
of water, an exhaust pump, controlling devices, and a series of electrically driven.
brushes, for the purpose set forth.
4. A machine of the class described, comprising a water tight casing having
compartments, brushes or scrapers, inclosed mechanism for operating the brushes
or scrapers, and means for varying the buoyancy of the casing, for the purpose set.
forth.
1005
ROBERT KRAYN,
Agent for Applicants.