FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In the first place, the invention relates to a system that is designed to realize
an anti-biofouling effect on a marine object such as a drive unit for use with a vessel,
the system including at least one light source that is configured to emit anti-biofouling
light.
[0002] In the second place, the invention relates to an assembly of a system as mentioned
and a marine object as mentioned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various structures that are temporarily or permanently exposed to an aqueous environment
are prone to biofouling. For instance, in a marine environment (including both seawater
and freshwater), marine objects such as vessels, oil rigs, pipelines, support structures
for sea-based wind turbines, structures for harvesting tidal/wave energy, etc. are
subject to organisms growing on them, especially in areas that are temporarily or
permanently exposed to water. As a result, the drag of vessels increases, the moving
of parts can be hampered, and filters can become clogged. In respect of the influence
of biofouling on the drag of vessels, it is noted that biofouling can involve an increase
of up to 40% in fuel consumption. For the sake of clarity, it is noted that the word
"vessel" as used in the present text is to be understood as referring to a watercraft
such as a ship, a boat, a yacht or a submarine.
[0004] In general, biofouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, small
animals and the like on surfaces. According to some estimates, over 1,800 species
comprising over 4,000 organisms are responsible for biofouling. Hence, biofouling
is caused by a wide variety of organisms, and involves much more than an attachment
of barnacles and seaweeds to surfaces. Biofouling is divided into micro fouling that
includes biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion, and macro fouling that includes
the attachment of larger organisms. Due to the distinct chemistry and biology that
determine what prevents them from settling, organisms are also classified as being
hard or soft. Hard fouling organisms include calcareous organisms such as barnacles,
encrusting bryozoans, mollusks, polychaetes and other tube worms, and zebra mussels.
Soft fouling organisms include non-calcareous organisms such as seaweed, hydroids,
algae and biofilm "slime". Together, these organisms form a fouling community.
[0005] As mentioned in the foregoing, biofouling creates substantial problems. Various methods
have been developed to address these problems. For instance, robots exist that are
designed to scrape biofouling from the hulls of vessels. Another method involves irradiating
a surface that is subject to biofouling with anti-biofouling light. In this respect,
it is noted that ultraviolet light, particularly ultraviolet light of type C, i.e.
UV-C light, is known for being effective when it comes to anti-biofouling so that
good results may be achieved.
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide ways of effectively applying the method
according to which anti-biofouling light is applied in order to obtain a satisfactory
level of anti-biofouling results even if a marine object is of a relatively complex
structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides a system that is designed to realize an anti-biofouling effect
on a drive unit for use with a vessel, the system including at least one light source
that is configured to emit anti-biofouling light, and the system being arrangeable
with respect to at least a part of the drive unit that is intended to extend from
the vessel at an outside of the vessel, for emitting the anti-biofouling light towards,
in and/or away from the drive unit in an activated state of the system.
[0008] Basically, a drive unit for use with a vessel comprises components for providing
the vessel with thrust and a motor for driving the components. The components for
providing the vessel with thrust may comprise at least one propeller arrangement that
is to be located outside of the vessel. The motor may be accommodated in a housing
that is intended to be located outside of the vessel as well, but it is also possible
for the motor to be intended for placement in the vessel's interior. Besides the components
directly involved in thrusting the vessel and the motor for driving those components,
a drive unit for use with a vessel may comprise many other components such as components
designed to realize a steering action on the vessel by means of the drive unit. Generally
speaking, as compared to the relatively smooth appearance of the vessel's hull, a
drive unit for use with a vessel is of a complex design and includes numerous areas
that are both prone to biofouling and hard to reach. Practical examples of a drive
unit for use with a vessel include stern drives and azimuth thrusters.
[0009] An anti-biofouling system is provided that is designed to realize an anti-biofouling
effect on a drive unit for use with a vessel, the system comprising a receiver for
comprising at least one light source that is configured to emit anti-biofouling light,
and the system being arrangeable with respect to at least a part of the drive unit
that is intended to extend from the vessel at an outside of the vessel, for emitting
the anti-biofouling light towards, in and/or away from the drive unit in an activated
state of the system. The receiver may comprise a light source socket, a clamp for
holding a light source, a volume for receiving a light source, etc.
[0010] An anti-biofouling system is provided that includes at least one anti-biofouling
light source and that is arrangeable with respect to at least a part of the drive
unit that is intended to extend from the vessel at an outside of the vessel, i.e.
at least a part of the drive unit that is exposed to water during a major part of
its lifetime, for emitting the anti-biofouling light towards, in and/or away from
the drive unit in an activated state of the system. Hence, the invention covers various
options of achieving an anti-biofouling effect on a drive unit despite the relatively
complex design of such a type of marine object. The system according to the invention
may be provided as one or more units that are to be arranged in, on, or at a distance
from the drive unit, wherein it may or may not be advantageous for the design of the
drive unit to be adapted for the purpose of enhancing anti-biofouling effects, for
example by making one or more parts of the drive unit transparent to the anti-biofouling
light. A practical way of arranging the system at a distance from the drive unit may
involve arranging the system on the vessel. In general, the system may include at
least one carrier that is arrangeable to extend from the vessel at an outside of the
vessel, from the drive unit and/or in the drive unit. Further, the system according
to the invention may be realized as an integral part of the drive unit, for example
by designing the drive unit with one or more transparent parts in which discrete light
sources such as UV-C LEDs are embedded.
[0011] It follows from the foregoing that practical ways of making the system according
to the invention available involve providing the system i) as a part, probably an
integral part, of the drive unit, ii) as an add-on of the drive unit and/or the vessel
on which the drive unit is to be used, and iii) on a separate carrier. Emission of
anti-biofouling light in a direction away from the drive unit may be achieved by arranging
a suitable kind of light-emitting covering on the drive unit.
[0012] In the following, particulars of a number of practical embodiments of the system
according to the invention are defined and explained, wherein it is to be noted that
those embodiments are not only applicable to a drive unit for use with a vessel, but
also to a marine object in a more general sense, and wherein it is to be noted that
it is possible to have combinations of the various possibilities.
[0013] In the first place, the system may include at least one movable component that is
configured to be movably arranged on the vessel, on the drive unit and/or in the drive
unit. The at least one light source of the system may or may not be arranged on the
at least one movable component. One possibility for the at least one movable component
is to be arranged so as to cover the at least one light source of the system in one
position and to allow exposure of the at least one light source of the system in another
position. Another possibility for the at least one movable component is to serve as
a carrier of the at least one light source of the system, so that the at least one
light source can be moved to various positions by means of the movable component,
including at least one position in which the at least one light source may be effective
in having an anti-biofouling influence on the drive unit. In a practical embodiment,
the system may include at least one hinge element, and the at least one movable component
may be configured to be hingeably arranged on the vessel, on the drive unit and/or
in the drive unit through the at least one hinge. The hinge element may comprise a
linear hinge or a ball hinge, for example. The at least one movable component may
be of any possible design, wherein it is noted that it may be practical for the at
least one movable component to be shaped like some kind of sheet/panel.
[0014] In the second place, the system may include a deployable arrangement that is movable
between an activated position associated with the activated state of the system and
an inactivated position. In this respect, it is noted that the deployable arrangement
may comprise at least one of a telescopic arrangement, a foldable arrangement, and
an inflatable arrangement. For example, the system may include something like an inflatable
bag that that is provided with one or more anti-biofouling light sources, and that
is arranged and dimensioned so as to encompass at least a part of the drive unit that
is intended to extend from the vessel at an outside of the vessel, i.e. at least an
exterior part of the drive unit, when the drive unit is not in operation. In such
a case, the one or more anti-biofouling light sources may be arranged in/on the bag's
material and comprise UV-C LEDs or the like, which does not alter the fact that it
is also possible for one or more anti-biofouling light sources to be arranged in the
interior of the bag in inflated condition. According to another possibility, the system
may include a foldable awning-like device that can be pulled up or pulled out to face/encompass
at least a part of the drive unit that is intended to extend from the vessel at an
outside of the vessel, wherein it may be practical for the one or more anti-biofouling
light sources to have a position in/on the device's material besides other optional
positions.
[0015] In the third place, the system may include at least one fixed component that is configured
to be fixedly arranged on the vessel, on the drive unit and/or in the drive unit.
For example, the system may include a kind of sleeve-like element for carrying one
or more anti-biofouling light sources and/or serving as a light guide for anti-biofouling
light and/or one or more light-emitting fibers, which sleeve-like element and/or one
or more light-emitting fibers may be arranged so as to encompass a part of the drive
unit. Another possibility involves the system being configured to be fixedly arranged
on the drive unit and/or in the drive unit and to emit the anti-biofouling light away
from the drive unit. In this respect, it is noted that the system may comprise tile-like
units that can be actuated to emit anti-biofouling light and that can be arranged
on one or more surface areas of at least the exterior part of the drive unit.
[0016] In the fourth place, when the system is particularly designed to realize an anti-biofouling
effect on a drive unit that is movable between an operable position and a stowed position,
the system may include a housing for accommodating at least a part of the drive unit
in the stowed position thereof. The at least one light source of the system may be
realized as a plurality of UV-C LEDs arranged on an interior surface of the housing,
for example, which UV-C LEDs may emit anti-biofouling light directly towards the drive
unit in the stowed position in that case.
[0017] It may be practical for the system according to the invention to comprise a net-shaped
structure that may be fixedly arranged so as to cover or encompass at least a part
of the marine object, or that may be movable between a position for emitting anti-biofouling
light towards and/or from the at least a part of the marine object, and another position.
Such a net-shaped structure may be made up of a number of light-emitting fibers, for
example. Alternatively, some kind of blanket structure or other structure suitable
for covering or encompassing the at least a part of the marine object may be used
in the system according to the invention.
[0018] The invention further relates to an assembly of a system defined in the foregoing
and a marine object such as a drive unit for use with a vessel. As mentioned earlier,
it may be advantageous if the marine object comprises at least one transparent part
that is configured to allow anti-biofouling light emitted by the system in the activated
state thereof to pass through. According to another or an additional possibility,
the marine object may be especially designed so as to avoid as much as possible that
a component of the marine object to be irradiated with anti-biofouling light is in
the shadow of another component.
[0019] The invention does not only relate to a system designed to realize an anti-biofouling
effect on a marine object such as a drive unit for use with a vessel and to an assembly
of such a system and a marine object as mentioned. The fact is that the invention
further involves a method for arranging the system with respect to at least a part
of a marine object as mentioned, and also a method of controlling operation of the
system, for putting the system in the activated state whenever appropriate. The latter
method may at least involve determining an on/off condition of the at least one light
source of the system in cases in which the at least one light source is not operated
continuously. This may be done in any suitable manner, for example by following a
protocol determining a repetitive sequence of a time that the at least one light source
should be operated and a time that the at least one light source does not need to
emit anti-biofouling light. Depending on the design of the system according to the
invention, controlling operation of the system may further involve a step of moving
at least one component of the system with respect to the marine object in order to
put the at least one component in any desired/predetermined position with respect
to the marine object. The system may comprise any suitable kind of controller for
controlling operation of the system in an automatic manner by following preprogrammed
algorithms and/or in a manual manner on the basis of input provided by a human operator.
[0020] In the context of the invention, the following considerations may be relevant. In
the case that the system according to the invention is designed to realize an anti-biofouling
effect on a drive unit for use with a vessel, the system according to the invention
may be intended to be used only when the drive unit is not operated to drive the vessel.
On the other hand, it is possible for the system to be used independently of whether
or not the drive unit is operated. Further, taking into account the fact that anti-biofouling
light may be harmful to human beings and other living beings such as sea mammals,
which is known to be the case when UV-C light is used, the design of the system may
be chosen such that the extent to which anti-biofouling light is emitted to the system's
environment in the activated state of the system is minimized. Still further, any
possible practical way of powering the at least one light source of the system is
covered by the invention, including using batteries, having means for generating electric
power on the basis of one or more environmental aspects such as motion and temperature
difference, providing wireless transfer of electric energy through coils, etc.
[0021] The above-described and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and
elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of a number of possible
embodiments of a system that is designed to realize a light-based anti-biofouling
effect on a drive unit for use with a vessel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures,
in which equal or similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs, and in
which:
Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a side view of a drive unit as mounted to a vessel,
and illustrates a first embodiment of an anti-biofouling system according to the invention;
Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a bottom view of a drive unit as mounted to a vessel,
and illustrates a second embodiment of an anti-biofouling system according to the
invention;
Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows a bottom view of a drive unit as mounted to a vessel,
and illustrates a third embodiment of an anti-biofouling system according to the invention;
Fig. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of an anti-biofouling system according to the
invention;
Fig. 5 diagrammatically shows a side view of a drive unit as mounted to a vessel,
and illustrates a fifth embodiment of an anti-biofouling system according to the invention;
Fig. 6 diagrammatically shows a side view of a drive unit as mounted to a vessel,
and illustrates a sixth embodiment of an anti-biofouling system according to the invention;
Fig. 7 diagrammatically shows a partially sectional side view of a bellows as may
be part of a drive unit for use with a vessel, and illustrates a seventh embodiment
of an anti-biofouling system according to the invention; and
Fig. 8 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a bellows as may be part of a
drive unit for use with a vessel, and illustrates an eighth embodiment of an anti-biofouling
system according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The invention is in the context of realizing an anti-biofouling effect on a marine
object by means of anti-biofouling light. Various feasible embodiments of the system
are illustrated in the figures and the particulars of those embodiments and other
possibilities existing within the framework of the invention are described and explained
in the following. All of those embodiments are in the context of a drive unit 100
for use with a vessel 200, which does not need to be understood so as to imply that
the invention is limited to that context nor to imply that all particulars of the
various systems described in the following are intrinsically linked to that context.
[0024] The vessel 200 has a hull 201, and a part of the hull 201 is shown in Figs. 1-5.
The drive unit 100 has a motor part that is positioned in the interior of the vessel
200 and an outside drive part 101 that extends externally from the hull 201 of the
vessel 200 and is therefore present in an aqueous environment when the vessel 200
is in the water. Only the outside drive part 101 is visible in Figs. 1-6. Among other
things, the outside drive part 101 includes a propeller arrangement 102 that is driven
by the motor part through transmission components for providing the vessel 200 with
thrust, a tilting rod arrangement 103 for allowing the outside drive part 101 to be
tilted with respect to the vessel 200, between an operable position and an upwardly
tilted position, a mounting arrangement 104 at the end of the outside drive part 101
where the outside drive part 101 is attached to the vessel 200, and a tubular bellows
105 for allowing water to be taken in to the motor part for cooling purposes.
[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates an anti-biofouling system 1 according to a first embodiment of
the invention. The anti-biofouling system 1 is in an assembly 15 with a drive unit
100 as mounted to a vessel 200, and activatable to irradiate at least a part of the
outside drive part 101 of the drive unit 100 with anti-biofouling light. In the shown
example, the anti-biofouling system 1 comprises two sheet-like/panel-like light emission
bodies 10a, 10b that are movable about a hinge 11a, 11b and that are provided with
a number of discrete light sources 12 that are configured to emit anti-biofouling
light. A first configuration of the anti-biofouling system 1 is associated with a
rest state of the system 1 in which the light emission bodies 10a, 10b are stowed
against the hull 201 of the vessel 200, as indicated in Fig. 1 by means of dashed
lines, acting more or less as an additional layer to the hull 201 that is hardly of
any influence to the general configuration of the combination of the vessel 200 and
the outside drive part 101 and the aquadynamic properties associated therewith. Not
only are the light emission bodies 10a, 10b in a position as mentioned in the rest
state of the anti-biofouling system 1, also the light sources 12 are in a deactivated
state. A second configuration of the anti-biofouling system 1 is associated with an
activated state of the system 1 in which the light emission bodies 10a, 10b have been
hinged from the position associated with the rest state of the system 1 towards each
other, so as to more or less enclose the outside drive part 101 between them, as indicated
in Fig. 1 by means of continuous lines. Not only are the light emission bodies 10a,
10b in the hinged position as mentioned in the activated state of the anti-biofouling
system 1, also the light sources 12 are in an activated state so as to perform an
anti-biofouling action on the outside drive part 101 under the influence of the anti-biofouling
light emitted from the light sources 12.
[0026] It is practical if the rest state is the default state of the anti-biofouling system
1. Actions of moving the anti-biofouling system 1 between the rest state to the activated
state may be performed according to any suitable schedule. For example, the state
of the anti-biofouling system 1 may be changed from the rest state to the activated
state during a predetermined limited time period only, one or more times per 24 hours
or another time unit when the outside drive part 101 is in an aqueous environment.
The state of the anti-biofouling system 1 may be set by means of a preprogrammed control
device that may also be adapted to allow manual manipulation of the system 1.
[0027] The light emission bodies 10a, 10b may have any suitable shape. Preferably, the light
emission bodies 10a, 10b are shaped so as to be capable of facing each other with
the outside drive part 101 between them, as shown in Fig. 1, as in that case, an anti-biofouling
impact of the anti-biofouling system 1 can be optimal while loss of anti-biofouling
light to the environment can be kept to a minimum. If the light emission bodies 10a,
10b are positioned so as to emit light in a direction that is mainly towards the hull
201 of the vessel 200, use of the anti-biofouling system 1 is optimally safe for human
beings and other living beings as may be present in the vicinity of the vessel 200
and the outside drive part 101. Further, in that case, the anti-biofouling system
1 is effective in realizing anti-biofouling of the relatively complex and irregular
structure of the mounting arrangement 104 at the end of the outside drive part 101
where the outside drive part 101 is attached to the vessel 200. In practice, this
may involve a configuration of the anti-biofouling system 1 in which the light emission
bodies 10a, 10b are connected to an area of the outside drive part 101 that is at
a distance from the hull 201 of the vessel 200 such as an area of the outside drive
part 101 that may be denoted as being a most rearward area of the outside drive part
101 as seen in a front-rear direction defined from the vessel 200 towards the outside
drive part 101. In such a case, the light emission bodies 10a, 10b may be arranged
to closely cover the outside drive part 101 in the rest state of the anti-biofouling
system 1 and to open for facing both the outside drive part 101 and a portion of the
vessel 200 as present in front of the outside drive part 101 in the activated state
of the system 1.
[0028] In the shown example, the light emission bodies 10a, 10b have a generally curved
shape, but other shapes are feasible as well, such as a planar shape as shown in Figs.
2 and 3. Further, in the shown example, the light emission bodies 10a, 10b are mounted
on the hull 201 of the vessel 200 through the hinges 11a, 11b, but is it also possible
for the light emission bodies 10a, 10b to be mounted at another position, as mentioned
earlier, such as on the outside drive part 101, as shown in Fig. 3. The hinges 11a,
11b can be linear hinges, and, assuming a normal, operable orientation of the vessel
200, the hinges 11a, 11b can extend in a substantially horizontal direction, as shown
in Fig. 1, or in any other appropriate direction, such as a substantially vertical
direction as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
[0029] The anti-biofouling system 1 according to the invention may include any type of light
source. Also, the number of light sources 12 can be chosen freely within the framework
in the invention. It is possible to use a number of UV-C LEDs in the anti-biofouling
system 1, for example, but many alternatives are feasible, including alternatives
in which both a light-generating device and some kind of light-guiding device are
used. The at least one light source 12 of the anti-biofouling system 1 may be designed
to emit light in any suitable range of directions, such as a limited range of directions,
wherein the at least one light source 12 may even be of the type that is denoted as
unidirectional in practice.
[0030] The activated state of the anti-biofouling system 1 according to the invention does
not necessarily need to involve having both light emitting bodies 10a, 10b in the
hinged position, as it may be possible to move the light emitting bodies 10a, 10b
independently from each other and to put only one light emitting body 10a, 10b to
a hinged position at a time.
[0031] Fig. 2 illustrates an anti-biofouling system 2 according to a second embodiment of
the invention. When a comparison is made to the anti-biofouling system 1 according
to the first embodiment of the invention, it is found that the basic principles of
the two anti-biofouling systems 1, 2 are the same, whereas differences are found in
the shape of the light emission bodies 10a, 10b and the orientation of the hinges
11a, 11b. As mentioned earlier, in the anti-biofouling system 2 according to the second
embodiment of the invention, the light emission bodies 10a, 10b have a planar shape
and the hinges 11a, 11b have a vertical orientation so that when the light emission
bodies 10a, 10b are put to the hinged position and the light sources 12 are activated,
the anti-biofouling light is emitted from the light emission bodies 10a, 10b to the
outside drive part 101 from the sides of the outside drive part 101 rather than from
what would normally be denoted as the bottom and the top of the outside drive part
101.
[0032] Fig. 3 illustrates an anti-biofouling system 3 according to a third embodiment of
the invention. When a comparison is made to the anti-biofouling system 2 according
to the second embodiment of the invention, a difference is found in the fact that
in the anti-biofouling system 3 according to a third embodiment of the invention,
the hinges 11a, 11b are arranged on the outside drive part 101 so that the light emission
bodies 10a, 10b are connected to the outside drive part 101. In the shown example,
the size of the light emission bodies 10a, 10b is chosen so as to cover only a limited
area of the outside drive part 101. Each of the light emission bodies 10a, 10b can
be moved from one stowed position against the outside drive part 101 to another, as
indicated in Fig. 3. In a first section of the moving range, the light emission body
10a, 10b can be used to emit light to one area of the outside drive part 101, and
in a second section of the moving range, the light emission body 10a, 10b can be used
to emit light to another, adjacent area of the outside drive part 101. A notable feature
of the anti-biofouling system 3 is that the system 3 can very well be used for subjecting
the mounting arrangement 104 at the end of the outside drive part 101 where the outside
drive part 101 is attached to the vessel 200 to an anti-biofouling action, opening
to the mounting arrangement 104 from a position that is further rearward on the outside
drive part 101 as seen in a front-rear direction defined from the vessel 200 towards
the outside drive part 101 for a part of the moving range. In the shown example, the
light emission body 10a, 10b is equipped with light sources 12 at both sides in order
to realize the desired light emission towards the outside drive part 101 in every
possible position of the light emission body 10a, 10b. Alternatively, the hinge 11a,
11b can be provided in the form of a ball hinge or the like, in which case the light
emission body 10a, 10b can be turned around a longitudinal axis thereof so that having
light sources 12 at only one side may suffice for achieving that light can be emitted
from the light emission body 10a, 10b towards the outside drive part 101 in every
possible position of the light emission body 10a, 10b.
[0033] Fig. 4 illustrates an anti-biofouling system 4 according to a fourth embodiment of
the invention. Also this embodiment relies on having a light emission bodies 10a,
10b that are movable to a position for emitting anti-biofouling light to the outside
drive part 101 in the activated state of the anti-biofouling system 4. In this case,
a plurality of light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x is used, wherein the light
emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x are provided as the ribs of a foldable dome awning-like
device 40 that can be pulled up or fully pulled out to encompass the outside drive
part 101, the light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x being provided with light sources
12. Fig. 4 shows the dome awning-like device 40 in a state of being fully pulled out.
In the shown example, the light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x are generally U-shaped,
the ends of the light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x being hingably connected
to the hull 201 of a vessel 200. Between the light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ...,
10x, flexible and/or foldable intermediate material 41 may be present, although this
is not necessary. If intermediate material 41 is present, indeed, it may be so that
the anti-biofouling system 4 is equipped with light sources 12 that are located at
the position of the light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x and/or at the position
of the intermediate material 41.
[0034] An advantage of the anti-biofouling system 4 according to the fourth embodiment of
the invention resides in the generally closed appearance of the system 4 in the activated
state thereof. On the basis of such appearance, it is achieved that the anti-biofouling
light that is emitted by the light sources 12 in the activated state of the system
4 is mainly kept inside the area defined between the hull 201 of the vessel 200 and
the light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x. In the case of intermediate material
41 being present between the light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x, the intermediate
material 41 may be chosen so as to be impermeable to the anti-biofouling light so
that impact of the anti-biofouling light on the environment is further minimized.
[0035] Besides the dome awning-like device 40 including the light emission bodies 10a, 10b,
..., 10x, the light sources 12, the optional intermediate material 41 between the
light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x, and an arrangement for realizing a hinged
connection of the light emission bodies 10a, 10b, ..., 10x to the hull 201 of the
vessel 200, the anti-biofouling system 4 according to the fourth embodiment of the
invention may comprise a suitable housing for storing the dome awning-like device
40 in the rest state of the system 4. It is possible to have brushes or the like in
the vicinity of such a housing, on such a housing and/or in such a housing in order
to clean the dome awning-like device 40 when it retracts to the housing. Additionally
or alternatively, it is possible to apply a light-based anti-biofouling solution for
counteracting biofouling on areas of the dome awning-like device 40 that are not covered
by the anti-biofouling light for realizing anti-biofouling of the outside drive part
101 in case it is intended to have the anti-biofouling system 4 in the activated state
thereof for quite some time. The dome awning-like device 40 may be positioned and
dimensioned so as to encompass the outside drive part 101 in its entirety against
the hull 201 of the vessel 200, but other possibilities exist as well, particularly
the possibility of the dome awning-like device 40 being positioned and dimensioned
to cover only a part of the outside drive part 101.
[0036] Fig. 5 illustrates an anti-biofouling system 5 according to a fifth embodiment of
the invention. In this embodiment, the anti-biofouling system 5 comprises inflatable
bodies 50a, 50b on which light sources 12 are arranged, and is thereby an example
of a system that includes a deployable arrangement that is movable between an activated
position associated with the activated state of the system and an inactivated position.
Besides the inflatable bodies 50a, 50b and the light sources 12, the system 5 comprises
means 51 designed to inflate or deflate the inflatable bodies 50a, 50b.
[0037] In the example illustrated in Fig. 5, the inflatable bodies 50a, 50b have a generally
elongated shape in the activated position thereof and are arranged so as to shine
anti-biofouling light towards different areas of the outside drive part 101. It is
to be noted that when it comes to the concept of using inflatable bodies 50a, 50b
for the purpose of moving light sources 12 to an operable position and back to a stowed
position, many possibilities exist, wherein the inflatable bodies 50a, 50b can be
of any suitable shape and size, and wherein any suitable number of inflatable bodies
50a, 50b can be used, including just a single one. Other options that may be practical
are the option of having a sleeve-like inflatable body that is inflated so as to encompass
at least a part of the outside drive part 101 and the option of having a bag-like
inflatable body that is inflated so as to enclose the outside drive part 101 and to
have the outside drive part 101 in the interior thereof. In the latter case, the bag-like
inflatable body may not only be used for shining anti-biofouling light towards the
outside drive part 101, but may also have a function in creating a sealed space around
the outside drive part 101 so that any liquid present in the space can be sterilized
by means of the anti-biofouling light or liquid can be evacuated from the space and
optionally be replaced by anti-biofouling chemicals.
[0038] In the anti-biofouling system 5 that is equipped with at least one inflatable body
50a, 50b, the at least one light source 12 of the system 5 can have any appropriate
position. Practical possibilities in respect of the position as mentioned include
one or more of a position at an exterior surface of an inflatable body 50a, 50b, a
position at an interior surface of an inflatable body 50a, 50b, a position in the
material making up the inflatable body 50a, 50b, and a position in an interior space
of the inflatable body 50a, 50b. In respect of the latter possibility, it is noted
that assuming that the inflatable body 50a, 50b is filled with air or another appropriate
gas in the activated position thereof, there is hardly any absorbing effect on the
anti-biofouling light inside the inflatable body 50a, 50b, so that the anti-biofouling
light can be emitted from the inflatable body 50a, 50b in a manner that is practically
as effective as would be the case when the at least one light source 12 would be arranged
in and/or on the material making up the inflatable body 50a, 50b.
[0039] Further, when at least one inflatable body 50a, 50b is applied in the anti-biofouling
system according to the invention, it is possible for the system to comprise a combination
of the at least one inflatable body 50a, 50b and one or more non-inflatable parts.
For example, the at least one inflatable body 50a, 50b may be designed so as to act
like a kind of extendable/retractable mast carrying a number of sheet-like/panel-like
non-inflatable transverse elements.
[0040] Fig. 6 illustrates an anti-biofouling system 6 according to a sixth embodiment of
the invention. In this embodiment, the anti-biofouling system 6 includes at least
one light source 12 that is configured to be fixedly arranged on the vessel 200, on
the drive unit 100 and/or in the drive unit 100. In particular, in the shown example,
the light source 12 comprises a tubular lamp or an elongated strip of LEDs or the
like that is fixed to the outside drive part 101 at a position for emitting anti-biofouling
light towards the tilting rod arrangement 103, as indicated in Fig. 6 by means of
a number of arrows.
[0041] The example illustrated in Fig. 6 is just one representative of numerous possibilities
of having one or more light sources 12 in a fixed arrangement in or on the outside
drive part 101. It may also be practical to provide the at least one light source
12 in a (transparent) wall element of the outside drive part 101. Further, as mentioned,
it is also possible for the vessel 200 to be equipped with one or more light sources
12 for shining anti-biofouling light towards the outside drive part 101. In the anti-biofouling
system 6 according to the sixth embodiment of the invention, putting the system 6
to the activated state may only involve switching on the at least one light source
12 without a need for having a certain movement for bringing the at least one light
source 12 to a certain place.
[0042] Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate an anti-biofouling system 7 according to a seventh embodiment
of the invention and an anti-biofouling system 8 according to an eighth embodiment
of the invention, respectively, both of which are designed to be used for performing
an anti-biofouling action on the tubular bellows 105 as may be part of the outside
drive part 101. It is understood that due to the very constructional nature of the
bellows 105, especially the presence of a pattern of grooves and ridges, the bellows
105 is very much susceptible of biofouling.
[0043] Within the framework of the invention, various possibilities for obtaining an anti-biofouling
effect on a bellows 105 by using anti-biofouling light exist, a number of which will
now be addressed. In the first place, as illustrated in Fig. 7, it is possible that
an anti-biofouling system 7 having fiber-like light emission elements 70a, 70b, ...,
70x is applied, which fiber-like light emission elements 70a, 70b, ..., 70x may be
provided as separate rings around the bellows 105 or as ring-shaped sections of a
single elongated fiber body. Preferably, as shown, such fiber-like emission elements
70a, 70b, ..., 70x are arranged between the ridges of the bellows 105, i.e. at the
position of the grooves of the bellows 105. The fiber-like emission elements 70a,
70b, ..., 70x may be adapted to emit anti-biofouling light in any suitable way, for
example through a number of discrete light sources 12. In the second place, as illustrated
in Fig. 8, it is possible that a sleeve-shaped carrier 71 that is adapted to encompass
the bellows 105 and that is provided with a number of light sources 12 is used. The
light sources 12 may be arranged in and/or on the material of the sleeve-shaped carrier
71, wherein it may be practical for the material of the sleeve-shaped carrier 71 to
be transparent to the anti-biofouling light. In Fig. 8, the sleeve-shaped carrier
71 is depicted as having two halves and being in a state prior to full closure of
those halves around the bellows 105. In the third place, the bellows 105 itself may
be used as a carrier of light sources 12, preferably of relatively small light sources
12 such as UV-C LEDs. The bellows 105 may be designed so as to be at least partially
transparent, and the light sources 12 may be arranged at the interior surface of the
bellows 105 in that case and/or may be embedded in the material of the bellows 105.
Having a bellows 105 that is at least partially transparent also offers a possibility
of having a light source 12 that extends in the interior space of the bellows 105
and still achieving anti-biofouling effects on the exterior surface of the bellows
105.
[0044] Emitting anti-biofouling light to and/or away from the bellows 105 may involve using
light sources 12 at a fixed arrangement with respect to the bellows 105, as suggested
in the foregoing, but it is also possible to use light sources 12 that are arranged
so as to be movable with respect to the bellows 105. The solutions explained in the
foregoing are not exclusive to the bellows 105 of the outside drive part 101, but
may also be applied to other components/areas of the outside drive part 101 in a similar
or comparable manner insofar as this is not prohibited by design aspects of the other
components/areas. In general, it is noted that it may be so that the above explanation
of the invention provided with reference to the figures is in the context of vessels
200 and drive units 100 of vessels 200, but that is not to be understood so as to
mean that the invention would not be applicable to other contexts. In this respect,
it is noted that the skilled person does not have any difficulty in understanding
that the invention is at the level of the anti-biofouling system to be used with some
kind of marine object, or at least a part thereof, and that the drive unit 100 is
no more than one practical example of such an object.
[0045] In general, the invention covers all possible situations in which it may be desirable
to subject at least a part of a marine object such as a drive unit 100 that can be
activated so as to perform a certain function or that can be switched off to an anti-biofouling
action. With reference to the example of the drive unit 100, it is possible to control
the system according to the invention depending on whether or not the drive unit 100
is activated to drive a vessel 200, or is expected to be activated soon to do so.
This may particularly be applicable to embodiments of the system including some kind
of movable component(s). On the other hand, it is possible to control the system according
to the invention according to a certain time schedule, for example.
[0046] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is
not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments
and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention
as defined in the attached claims. It is intended that the invention be construed
as including all such amendments and modifications insofar they come within the scope
of the claims or the equivalents thereof. While the invention has been illustrated
and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and
description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive.
The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic,
wherein details that are not required for understanding the invention may have been
omitted, and not necessarily to scale.
[0047] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person
skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures,
the description and the attached claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does
not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not
exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention.
[0048] Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may
be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly
stated otherwise. Thus, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually
different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures
cannot be used to advantage.
[0049] The terms "comprise" and "include" as used in this text will be understood by a person
skilled in the art as covering the term "consist of". Hence, the term "comprise" or
"include" may in respect of an embodiment mean "consist of', but may in another embodiment
mean "contain/have/be equipped with at least the defined species and optionally one
or more other species".
[0050] Notable aspects of the invention can be summarized as follows. In the context of
anti-biofouling, a system is provided that is designed to realize an anti-biofouling
effect on a marine object such as a drive unit 100 for use with a vessel 200, the
system including at least one light source 12 that is configured to emit anti-biofouling
light, and the system being arrangeable with respect to at least a part 101 of the
marine object, for emitting the anti-biofouling light towards, in and/or away from
the marine object in an activated state of the system. It may be advantageous for
the system to include at least one movable component 10a, 10b, ..., 10x that is configured
to be movably arranged with respect to the marine object, wherein optionally at least
one light source 12 of the system 1 is arranged on the at least one movable component
10a, 10b, ..., 10x.
1. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) designed to realize an anti-biofouling effect on a
drive unit (100) for use with a vessel (200), the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
comprising a receiver for comprising at least one light source (12) that is configured
to emit anti-biofouling light, and the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) being arrangeable
with respect to at least a part (101) of the drive unit (100) that is intended to
extend from the vessel (200) at an outside of the vessel (200), for emitting the anti-biofouling
light towards, in and/or away from the drive unit (100) in an activated state of the
system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
2. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises
the light source.
3. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 1, wherein the system (1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8) is arrangeable on the vessel (200), on the drive unit (100) and/or
in the drive unit (100).
4. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) includes at least one movable component (10a, 10b, ..., 10x)
that is configured to be movably arranged on the vessel (200), on the drive unit (100)
and/or in the drive unit (100).
5. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 4, wherein the receiver or the
at least one light source (12) of the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) is arranged
on the at least one movable component (10a, 10b, ..., 10x).
6. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the system (1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) includes at least one hinge element (11a, 11b), wherein the at
least one movable component (10a, 10b, ..., 10x) is configured to be hingeably arranged
on the vessel (200), on the drive unit (100) and/or in the drive unit (100) through
the at least one hinge (11a, 11b).
7. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) includes a deployable arrangement (40; 50a, 50b) that is
movable between an activated position associated with the activated state of the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and an inactivated position.
8. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 7, wherein the deployable arrangement
comprises at least one of a telescopic arrangement, a foldable arrangement (40), and
an inflatable arrangement (50a, 50b).
9. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) includes at least one fixed component (70a, 70b, ..., 70x;
71) that is configured to be fixedly arranged on the vessel (200), on the drive unit
(100) and/or in the drive unit (100).
10. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) is particularly designed to realize an anti-biofouling effect
on a drive unit (100) that is movable between an operable position and a stowed position,
and wherein the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) includes a housing for accommodating
at least a part (101) of the drive unit (100) in the stowed position thereof.
11. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 1, wherein the system (1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8) comprises at least one transparent part configured to allow anti-biofouling
light emitted by the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) in the activated state thereof
to pass through, wherein optionally the at least one transparent part is comprised
in a bellows.
12. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) comprises a bellows, wherein optionally the bellows is arranged
to comprise the at least one light source at a ridge and/or a groove of the bellows.
13. Assembly (15) of a system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to any of claims 1-12
and a drive unit (100) for use with a vessel (200), wherein the drive unit (100) comprises
at least one transparent part configured to allow anti-biofouling light emitted by
the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) in the activated state thereof to pass through.
14. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) designed to realize an anti-biofouling effect on a
marine object (100), the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) including a receiver for
comprising at least one light source (12) that is configured to emit anti-biofouling
light, the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) being arrangeable with respect to at least
a part (101) of the marine object (100), for emitting the anti-biofouling light towards,
in and/or away from the marine object (100) in an activated state of the system (1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), and the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) further including at
least one movable component (10a, 10b, ..., 10x) that is configured to be movably
arranged on the marine object (100).
15. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 14, wherein the receiver comprises
the light source.
16. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the receiver
or the at least one light source (12) of the system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) is arranged
on the at least one movable component (10a, 10b, ..., 10x).
17. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to any of claims 14-16, wherein the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) includes at least one hinge element (11a, 11b), wherein the
at least one movable component (10a, 10b, ..., 10x) is configured to be hingeably
arranged on the marine object (100).
18. System (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to any of claims 14-17, wherein the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) includes a deployable arrangement (40; 50a, 50b) that is
movable between an activated position associated with the activated state of the system
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and an inactivated position.
19. Assembly (15) of a system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) according to any of claims 14-18
and a marine object (100), wherein the marine object (100) comprises at least one
transparent part configured to allow anti-biofouling light emitted by the system (1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) in the activated state thereof to pass through.