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US 2014/0196745 A1Published application
Method and Apparatus for Removing Biofouling From a Protected Surface in a Liquid Environment
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsColin S. Whelan, Matthew D. Thoren, Andrew M. Piper, Joseph C. DiMare
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes a UV light source and an optical medium coupled to receive UV light from the UV light source. The optical medium is configured to emit UV light proximate to a surface from which biofouling is to be removed once the biofouling has adhered to the protected surface. A method corresponds to the system.
Claims28
System for anti-biofouling a protected surface, comprising:
- an ultraviolet light source;
- a transmission medium coupled to receive the ultraviolet light and configured to distribute the ultraviolet light upon the protected surface;
- and
- a cleaning mechanism proximate to the protected surface and operable to remove biological material from the protected surface.
1 more element
System for anti-biofouling a protected surface, comprising:
- an ultraviolet light source;
- a transmission medium coupled to receive the ultraviolet light and configured to disburse the ultraviolet light upon the protected surface;
- and
- a degradable layer disposed over and mechanically coupled to the protected surface, wherein the degradable layer is disposed to receive the portions of the ultraviolet light that escape the optical medium, wherein the degradable layer is responsive to the ultraviolet light such that selected portions of the degradable layer are configured to change mechanical properties and to be removable in response to the ultraviolet light, facilitating removal of biological material from the protected surface.
1 more element
Method of anti-biofouling a protected surface, comprising:
- generating ultraviolet light;
- distributing the ultraviolet light about the protected surface though a transmission medium;
- providing a cleaning mechanism proximate to the protected surface;
- and
- after the distributing the ultraviolet light upon the degradable layer, using the cleaning mechanism to remove biological material from the protected surface.
2 more elements
A method of anti-biofouling a protected surface, comprising:
- generating ultraviolet light;
- providing a degradable layer as an outermost layer of the protected surface;
- distributing the ultraviolet light about the protected surface though a transmission medium;
- and
- distributing the portions of the ultraviolet light upon the degradable layer, wherein portions of the degradable layer are configured to change chemical structure and to be removable once exposed to the ultraviolet light, facilitating removal of biological material from the protected surface.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.