USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Ignacio D Rivera

Elizabeth G Haslbeck

Kara C Sorensen

Bart Chadwick

Patrick John Earley

Cassandra Sosa

Nathan H Gabriel

Eric R Holm

Kody L Lieberman

Chuck Katz

Derek M Michelin

Exemplary inventive practice replicatively tests the effects of cleaning processes applied to marine hulls coated with biofouling-control substances. A sample (e.g., antifouling-coated panel) is coupled with a trolley that is linearly moveable via trolley wheels upon two parallel tracks provided along the length of an open rectangular box-shaped tank, partially filled with natural or artificial seawater. The cleaning element (e.g., brush bristles) points vertically upward in a stationary position atop a motorized cleaning unit installed proximate the bottom of the tank. In accordance with the trolley's horizontal movement, and while the sample and cleaning element are immersed in seawater, the sample traverses the cleaning element in a contactual manner that mimics underwater cleaning dynamics for a hull surface. Using sensory data, seawater portions are evaluated to relate the cleaning instrumentation and operation to the nature and degree of biocides and chemicals that, concomitant the cleaning, are released into the seawater.

Underwater ship hull cleaning tool test device

A method for collecting samples of one or more substrate can include the steps of: A) providing a sample collection tube having a first end and a second end, B) providing a cap pivotable about the first end and a footplate pivotable about the second end, C) biasing the cap and the footplate closed so that a watertight compartment can be established inside the tube; D) forcing the cap and the footplate open by attaching the cap and footplate to a releasable fastener, E) positioning the sample collection tube into the one or more substrate to collect the sample, followed by F) releasing the cap and footplate from the releasable fastener so that a watertight compartment is established inside the tube when the cap and the footplate are closed.

Multi-substrate subtidal sampler

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Ignacio D Rivera