The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 26, 2022
Filed:
Feb. 06, 2021
The United States of America, As Represented BY the Secretary of the Navy, Arlington, VA (US);
Elizabeth G. Haslbeck, Derwood, MD (US);
Eric R. Holm, McLean, VA (US);
Kody L. Lieberman, Arlington, VA (US);
Patrick J. Earley, San Diego, CA (US);
Ignacio D. Rivera, San Diego, CA (US);
Derek M. Michelin, Plymouth, MA (US);
Nathan H. Gabriel, Powell, OH (US);
The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
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.