Patent Description:
As is known, the hulls of vessels over time, at the submerged part thereof, tend to become dirty with algae and other organisms that form actual encrustations. Such incrustations cause a not negligible worsening of the hydrodynamics of the hull since they disturb the flow lines of the water that laps the hull during navigation. This worsening is reflected in the fuel consumption of the vessel and, within certain limits, also in its maneuverability and noise and comfort in navigation.

For these reasons, at predetermined time intervals, the hulls of vessels need to be cleaned, i.e. deprived of such encrustations.

The cleaning operations, except in cases in which maintenance and storage operations are carried out, are performed in water, i.e. with the hull in partial immersion.

For these reasons they are usually carried out by hand by divers using brushes or manually directed and guided water jets.

This cleaning method is not without drawbacks; in fact it is first of all slow and expensive, especially if it is necessary to clean up hulls having dimensions of thousands of square meters.

The costs are double because they concern not only the cost of the actual cleaning operation but also the inevitable costs due to the vessel being stopped pending the completion of the cleaning itself.

Furthermore, in manual operations the dirt detached from the hull is inevitably dispersed in the water; in this way there is a risk of polluting the seabed of the port areas, where these operations are usually carried out.

In order to obviate, at least partially, these drawbacks, there are also apparatuses for automatic cleaning of the hulls of vessels which provide a hollow structure provided with cleaning devices which is hooked to the hull of the ship.

However, these solutions are extremely expensive and difficult to implement; furthermore, the steps of approach/coupling to the hull are particularly complex and risky because they may easily lead to damage to the hull, especially in the event of wave motion. Solutions according to prior art are disclosed by <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>.

Thus, there is a need to resolve the cited drawbacks and limitations in reference to the prior art.

This need is met by an apparatus for cleaning the hull of a vessel according to claim <NUM> and by a method according to claim <NUM>.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred and non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:.

Elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described hereinafter will be indicated with the same numerical references.

With reference to the aforesaid figures, the reference numeral <NUM> globally indicates an apparatus for cleaning the hull <NUM> of a vessel <NUM> according to the present invention.

It should be noted that for the purposes of the present invention the materials, dimensions and typology of the vessel and the hull are not relevant, even if, obviously, the invention has a preferred application to larger vessels. Furthermore, the invention finds application on vessels having one or more hulls (for example catamarans, trimarans and the like).

The apparatus <NUM> for cleaning the hull <NUM> of a vessel <NUM> comprises a washing unit <NUM> having a plurality of washing modules <NUM> of said hull <NUM>, suitable for washing the hull <NUM> in a submerged configuration.

Furthermore, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a service and guidance module <NUM> for the washing unit <NUM>, which acts as a support, movement and supply of means and services for said washing unit <NUM>, as better described below.

According to a possible embodiment, said service and guidance module <NUM> comprises a pair of longitudinal guides or supports <NUM>, parallel to each other and to a main longitudinal extension direction Y-Y of the hull <NUM>, so as to be able to guide and/or feed the washing unit <NUM> during the movement thereof in said main longitudinal extension direction Y-Y.

Preferably, the service and guidance module <NUM> is provided with propulsion means for moving the service and guidance module <NUM> and/or the washing unit <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment, the service and guidance module <NUM> comprises a turret equipped with at least one crane or winch <NUM> for handling loads.

The service and guidance module <NUM> is equipped with a dirty water storage tank <NUM>, fluidically connected to the washing modules <NUM> and containing the dirt removed from the hull <NUM> by the washing modules <NUM>.

Preferably, the service and guidance module <NUM> is provided with a cleaning water storage tank <NUM>, fluidically connected to the washing modules <NUM> so as to feed pressurized cleaning water to the washing modules <NUM>. The washing pressure may reach up to about <NUM> bar.

According to a possible embodiment, the service and guidance module <NUM> is a semi-submersible vessel module configured to position itself under the hull <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> to be cleaned.

Preferably, said semi-submersible vessel module comprises a pair of longitudinal submersed tanks, which serve as a dirty water storage tank <NUM> and cleaning water storage tank <NUM> so as to serve the washing means with which they are fluidically connected.

As mentioned above, the service and guidance module <NUM> is operatively connected to the washing modules <NUM> which interface directly with the hull <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> for the relative cleaning.

In particular, according to a possible embodiment, the service and guide module <NUM> comprises movement means <NUM> for the washing modules <NUM>. For example, said movement means <NUM> comprise vertical adjustment cables <NUM> and longitudinal and/or transversal adjustment cables <NUM>.

In particular, the vertical adjustment cables <NUM> allow the washing modules <NUM> to be moved along the vertical direction, so as to allow for example the sinking thereof under the hull <NUM> and subsequent lifting; the longitudinal and/or transversal adjustment cables <NUM>, on the other hand, allow the washing modules <NUM> to be firmly fixed to the hull <NUM> both in the longitudinal direction Y-Y and in the transversal direction X-X. In this way, it is possible to firmly constrain the washing modules <NUM> to the service and guidance module <NUM> and to the hull, preventing, for example the wave motion, from causing even violent impacts between the washing modules <NUM> and the hull <NUM>. At the same time, the longitudinal and/or transversal adjustment cables <NUM> allow the washing modules <NUM> to advance along the hull, in the longitudinal direction Y-Y, so as to allow the relative cleaning. Of course, both the vertical adjustment cables <NUM> and the longitudinal and/or transversal adjustment cables <NUM> are operationally connected to relative drive winches and/or relative transmissions and drive mechanisms, preferably independent from each other so as to be able to carry out all the maneuvers of displacement and adaptation to the geometry of the hull <NUM> required by the circumstances and conditions of the sea.

Preferably, the sinking of the washing modules <NUM> takes place with the aid of suitable ballasts <NUM>.

According to a further embodiment, the service and guidance module <NUM> comprises a first and a second guide boat <NUM>, <NUM> arranged on opposite sides of the hull <NUM> to be cleaned, with respect to a transverse direction X-X.

Said first and second guide boats <NUM>, <NUM> comprise for example a tugboat and a barge. For example, the first guide boat <NUM> comprises an umbilical <NUM> which distributes the pressurized washing water to the washing modules <NUM>. The umbilical <NUM> is preferably at least <NUM> long and is a flexible tube so as to allow a correct safety spacing between the first guide boat <NUM> and the hull <NUM> to be cleaned.

Said guide boats <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided with ballasts suitably maneuvered by service cranes (installed on the guide boats <NUM>, <NUM> themselves) in order to immerse the washing unit <NUM> with its washing modules <NUM> under the hull <NUM> to be cleaned.

The first boat <NUM>, by means of the umbilical <NUM>, may for example supply pressurized power and oil for the movement of the washing modules <NUM>.

The second guide boat <NUM> is, for example, fluidically connected to the washing modules <NUM> so as to be able to receive the so-called fouling, i.e. the water mixed with the dirt removed from the hull <NUM> which may be stored in a special tank <NUM>.

Each of said guide boats <NUM>, <NUM> is provided with propulsion means so as to be able to proceed parallel to the longitudinal direction Y-Y dragging the washing unit <NUM> in said direction during the cleaning of the hull <NUM>. Of course, the advancement movement of the guide boats <NUM>, <NUM> must be synchronized as much as possible so as to follow the washing unit during the advancement of the latter with respect to the hull <NUM> along the main longitudinal extension direction Y-Y.

According to an embodiment, the washing modules <NUM> are provided with means of advancement <NUM> so as to be able to advance longitudinally with respect to the hull <NUM>.

For example, the means of advancement <NUM> comprise drive cylinders <NUM> fitted with a rod <NUM> which slides at least partially inside said drive cylinders <NUM> according to an actuation stroke, and at least one electromagnet <NUM> to enable the means of advancement <NUM> to be anchored to a wall of the hull <NUM>.

The electromagnet <NUM>, once activated, allows a solid anchoring to the hull <NUM> of the vessel <NUM>; in this condition, the drive or the exit of the rod <NUM> from the respective drive cylinder <NUM> causes the washing module <NUM> to advance by a stroke equal to at most the extraction stroke of the rod <NUM>.

It is therefore sufficient to command the extraction or retraction of the rod <NUM> after anchoring the means of advancement <NUM> to the hull <NUM> and connect the rod <NUM> to a portion of the washing modules to obtain the advancement of the washing modules <NUM> along the longitudinal extension direction Y-Y with respect to the hull <NUM>.

According to a further possible embodiment, the service and guidance module <NUM> comprises a guide boat <NUM>, <NUM> and a quay or jetty arranged on opposite sides of the hull <NUM> to be cleaned, with respect to a transverse direction X-X. It is also possible to use two quays (for example in the case of a navigable canal) or two jetties as support points for the service and guidance module <NUM>.

According to a further possible embodiment, the vessel <NUM> is provided on board with said cleaning apparatus <NUM> which may be lowered at the moment of use by means of a crane supplied with the vessel <NUM> itself or which may also be kept immersed, for example in special housing formed inside the hull <NUM>.

Advantageously, each washing module <NUM> is equipped with mobile connection means <NUM> for the mobile mechanical connection of one washing module <NUM> to an adjacent washing module <NUM>, so as to allow a reciprocal movement between said adjacent washing modules <NUM> during washing and/or movement.

Preferably, the washing unit <NUM> comprises a plurality of washing modules <NUM> associated and arranged together in an arched pattern with an intrados counter-shaped with respect to the hull <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> to be cleaned. In other words, the mobile connection means <NUM>, better described below, allow the washing modules <NUM> to be adapted to the specific geometry, i.e. curvature, of the hull <NUM> to be cleaned. In fact, the individual washing modules constitute the segments of a broken curved line which is adapted and counter-shaped with respect to the hull <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment, said mobile connection means <NUM> comprise hinge means <NUM> for hinging adjacent washing modules <NUM>.

For example, the hinge means <NUM> comprise longitudinal hinges or pins <NUM> extending along a longitudinal rotation axis, parallel to a main longitudinal extension direction Y-Y of the associated hull <NUM>.

Preferably, adjacent washing modules <NUM> comprise profiles <NUM> at least partially flared and/or counter-shaped to each other at said mobile connection means <NUM>, so as to allow reciprocal movement around said mobile connection means <NUM> to assume an arched configuration with an intrados counter-shaped with respect to the hull <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> to be cleaned.

Preferably, the mobile connection means <NUM> are arranged at upper ends <NUM> of the washing module <NUM>, directly facing the associated hull <NUM>.

According to a further embodiment, at least two washing modules <NUM> comprise, as mobile connection means <NUM>, vertical hinges or pins <NUM> extending along a vertical axis of rotation Z-Z, perpendicular to a plane tangential to the washing module <NUM> and to the hull <NUM> to which the washing module <NUM> is applied. The mobile connection means <NUM> may also comprise spherical hinges and/or cardan joints.

Preferably, adjacent washing modules <NUM>, provided with vertical hinges or pins <NUM>, comprise at least partially flared and/or counter-shaped profiles <NUM> so as to allow reciprocal rotation around said vertical hinges or pins <NUM>.

Each washing module <NUM> is in turn provided with washing means <NUM> of the hull <NUM> of a vessel <NUM>, suitable for scraping dirt from said hull <NUM>.

The washing means <NUM> may be of various types.

For example, the washing means <NUM> comprise pressure water jets.

Preferably, the washing means <NUM> are arranged at or astride a transverse center plane M-M of each washing module <NUM>, perpendicular to said main longitudinal extension direction Y-Y.

Preferably, each washing module <NUM> comprises dirt collection means <NUM>.

For example, the dirt collection means <NUM> comprise a collection chamber <NUM> delimited by sealing means <NUM> arranged astride the washing means <NUM>.

The sealing means <NUM>, typically gaskets, serve to isolate the portion of the hull subject to the cleaning action of the washing means <NUM> so as to confine the dirt removed and prevent it from spreading in an uncontrolled manner.

The washing means <NUM> may comprise a supply channel of pressurized clean water <NUM> and a dirty water recovery channel <NUM>.

The dirty water recovery channel <NUM> is in fluidic connection with the collection chamber <NUM>.

Preferably, the supply channel of pressurized clean water <NUM> is in fluidic connection with the cleaning water storage tank <NUM> of the service and guidance module <NUM>.

Preferably, the dirty water recovery channel <NUM> is in fluidic connection with the dirty water storage tank <NUM> of the service and guidance module <NUM>.

According to a further embodiment, the washing means <NUM> comprise rotating brushes (not shown) which carry out cleaning by mechanical abrasion of the hull <NUM>.

The rotating brushes may be provided as an alternative or also alongside the jets of pressurized water.

According to the invention, each washing module <NUM> is provided with drive means <NUM> to allow the positioning and movement of the washing module <NUM> with respect to the hull <NUM> and/or with respect to other washing modules <NUM> during the cleaning of the hull <NUM>.

As mentioned above, movement means <NUM> comprising cables, tow ropes and the like are associated with said washing modules <NUM> so as to allow the washing modules <NUM> to be lifted and/or rotated around said mobile connection means <NUM>.

Preferably, the movement means <NUM> comprise cables or tow ropes joined to each washing module <NUM> at lower ends <NUM> of the module itself, opposite the associated vessel <NUM> and said upper ends <NUM>.

For example, the movement means <NUM> comprise contact and guide bearings <NUM> with the hull <NUM>, suitable to allow a reciprocal sliding between the module itself and the hull <NUM>.

The contact and guide bearings <NUM> may comprise guide rollers with a transverse axis of rotation, perpendicular to the main longitudinal extension direction Y-Y of the hull <NUM>, so as to facilitate the sliding of the washing module <NUM> on the hull <NUM> along said main longitudinal extension direction Y-Y.

Each washing module <NUM> comprises at least one watertight chamber <NUM>, which may be filled with air, dimensioned so as to provide the relevant washing module <NUM> with a positive buoyancy thrust that allows it to be stopped in abutment against the hull <NUM> of the associated vessel <NUM>.

Preferably, the at least one watertight chamber <NUM> is arranged astride the washing means <NUM> of each washing module <NUM>, or adjacent thereto.

According to the invention, said watertight chamber <NUM> is equipped with control means suitable to allow the at least partial flooding of the watertight chamber <NUM> or the relative expulsion of water from said watertight chamber <NUM>. In this way, it is possible to modify the overall buoyancy of the washing module <NUM> according to the required needs.

The operation or the cleaning method carried out by a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will now be described.

In particular, the washing unit <NUM> is initially sunk so that it may be positioned under the hull <NUM> of the vessel <NUM>.

The vessel is anchored or moored beforehand, preferably on the stern side.

The washing unit <NUM> is then positioned resting on the hull, centered with respect to its own transverse center plane M-M.

According to a possible embodiment, the method proceeds by advancing from bow to stern. In this first step, the cleaning operation is not carried out, but a scan of the geometry/morphology of the hull <NUM> and also of the degree, type and/or conformation of the dirt present on the hull itself.

Once at the stern, the washing unit <NUM> goes back towards the bow, carrying out the actual cleaning.

The washing unit <NUM> may also be provided with video cameras for recording in real time the cleaning operations, for example to allow an external operator to check the occurrence of possible problems. Of course, such shooting and alert operation may be automated.

The process described above obviously applies to any type of service and guidance module <NUM> employed.

As seen, the cleaning of the hull <NUM> is carried out keeping the washing unit <NUM> at a constant distance from the hull <NUM> both in the vertical direction Z-Z, perpendicular to the waterline of the vessel <NUM>, and in the transverse direction X-X perpendicular to the vertical direction Z-Z and the main longitudinal extension direction Y-Y of the vessel <NUM>.

The method may also comprise the step of monitoring and controlling the position of the washing unit <NUM> with respect to the hull <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> by means of position sensors and/or GPS and/or laser and/or ecoscanner technologies.

As may be seen from the above description, the cleaning apparatus according to the invention allows the drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome.

In particular, the present invention allows cleaning of the hull to be carried out relatively quickly, without the use of divers.

Cleaning is complete and effective and also does not involve any dispersion of the material detached from the hull, so it does not involve any environmental pollution.

The cleaning operation does not cause any damage to the hull because the cleaning apparatus is relatively light and able to remain adherent to the hull without damaging it in any way, even in the event of wave motion. In fact, the washing modules are anchored to the hull in a vertical and transverse direction and are gradually towed in the longitudinal direction to clean the hull. In this way, even in the presence of wave motion, there are no dangerous collisions between the washing modules and the hull itself.

Furthermore, the present invention provides for the implementation of an apparatus of considerably reduced dimensions and weights with respect to known solutions.

By virtue of the fact that the dimensions and the weight are contained, the handling costs of the apparatus and the overall times of the cleaning operation are also reduced.

Advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention is capable of carrying out the cleaning of the boat even in the harbor, exploiting the waiting times of the vessel, such as, for example, waiting for passage in the Panama Canal. In this way, considerable time savings and cost optimization are achieved.

Washing is carried out with pressurized water jets and the dirt collected directly by the.

washing modules and conveyed to a special collection chamber.

Claim 1:
Apparatus (<NUM>) for cleaning the hull (<NUM>) of a vessel (<NUM>) comprising a washing unit (<NUM>) having a plurality of washing modules (<NUM>) of said hull (<NUM>), suitable for washing the hull (<NUM>) in a submerged configuration,
- wherein each washing module (<NUM>) is equipped with mobile connection means (<NUM>) for the mobile mechanical connection of one washing module (<NUM>) to an adjacent washing module (<NUM>), so as to allow a reciprocal movement between said adjacent washing modules (<NUM>) during washing and/or movement,
- each washing module (<NUM>) having washing means (<NUM>) of the hull (<NUM>) suitable for scraping dirt from said hull (<NUM>),
- each washing module (<NUM>) being equipped with drive means (<NUM>) to allow the positioning and movement of the washing module (<NUM>) with respect to the hull (<NUM>) and/or with respect to other washing modules (<NUM>) during the cleaning of the hull (<NUM>),
characterised in that
each washing module (<NUM>) comprises at least one watertight chamber (<NUM>), which can be filled with air, dimensioned so as to provide the relevant washing module (<NUM>) with a positive buoyancy thrust that allows it to be stopped in abutment against the hull (<NUM>) of the associated vessel (<NUM>),
and in that said watertight chamber (<NUM>) is equipped with control means suitable to allow the at least partial flooding of the watertight chamber (<NUM>) or expulsion of water from the watertight chamber (<NUM>).