Patent ID: 8403598

Claim:
A pile saver apparatus configured for minimizing marine growth on a pile, said apparatus comprising: a shell comprising a plurality of internal shell surfaces and opposing external shell surfaces wherein said shell defines a hollow polygonal shape defining an internal shell perimeter that is substantially consistent with the polygonal shape defined by the exterior perimeter of a pile and wherein said hollow polygonal shape is suitably sized to provide a predefined shell-pile-gap when said pile extends through said hollow polygon shape; wherein at least one of said external shell surfaces defines a shell-interface configured for being associated with a housing-interface; wherein said plurality of internal shell surfaces define at least one pile interface configured to rub against a surface of said pile; wherein said predefined shell-pile-gap is suitable for allowing said shell to move vertically relative to said pile so that said at least one pile interface defines a cleaning-association with an exterior surface of said pile; a housing defining at least one internal housing surface and at least one external housing surface, wherein said at least one internal housing surface defines a housing-interface suitably configured for being associated with said shell-interface and wherein said housing is suitably sized to extend around at least part of said shell; and wherein at least one of said housing and said shell are one of (a) constructed of, and (b) associated with, a material that results in a buoyant force being generated by a fluid surrounding at least a portion of said pile.