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:
Sep. 21, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 19, 1996
Charles G Miller, Branford, CT (US);
John A Rolls, Armonk, NY (US);
Otis H Hastings, Mahwah, NJ (US);
Thermion Systems International, Stratford, CT (US);
Abstract
A method is provided for preventing biofouling on the surface of structures, such as docks, ships, oil drilling platforms, which come into contact with aquatic environments. In the method, a pre-formed panel heater element is provided to the surfaces of the structure which are for submerging into water. The heater element is disposed at a predetermined depth from the surface of the structure, and energized at prescribed intervals and temperature which are effective to kill and prevent settlement of larvae on the surface of the structure. The pre-formed panel heater element consists of an inner layer composed of a fabric of electrically conductive fibers encapsulated in fiberglass/resin; two outer fiberglass/resin layers disposed on opposing surfaces of and encapsulating said inner layer; and electrical leads connected to said conductive fibers and adapted to receive power from a power source.