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US 7,025,013 B1Granted
Multilayered submersible structure with fouling inhibiting characteristic
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsRichard E. Staerzl, Christopher J. Misorski, Mitesh B. Sheth, Kevin R. Anderson, Corey N. Nianekeo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multilayered submersible structure has an outer coating that is disposed in contact with water in which the structure is submerged, a current distribution layer or charge distribution layer, an electrical conductor connectable in electrical communication to a source of electrical power, and a support structure. By selectively energizing the current distribution layer, or charge distribution layer, chemical and ionic changes can be caused in the water immediately adjacent the outer coating or layer to inhibit the growth of marine organisms on the outer surface of the submersible structure.
Claims33
A multilayered submersible structure, comprising:
- a support structure;
- an electrical conductor connectable in electrical communication to a source of electrical power;
- a current distribution layer connected in electrical communication with said electrical conductor and attached to said support structure;
- an insulative layer disposed between said support structure and said current distribution layer;
- and
- an outer coating disposed in contact with said current distribution layer, said current distribution layer being a material selected from the group consisting of electrically conductive paint and a resin with suspended electrically conductive particles, said outer coating being an outer surface of said material.
3 more elements
A submersible structure, comprising:
- a support structure;
- an electrically conductive layer attached to said support structure;
- and
- an electrical conductor connected in electrical communication with said electrically conductive layer and connectable in electrical communication with a source of electrical power, said electrically conductive layer being made of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon fibers suspended in a polymer matrix and graphite particles suspended in a polymer matrix, said support structure comprising a plurality of fiberglass laminae and a plurality of fiberglass cloth laminae.
1 more element
A submersible structure, comprising:
- a charge distribution layer;
- a conductor connected in electrical communication with said charge distribution layer and connectable in electrical communication to a source of electrical power;
- an outer layer disposed between said charge distribution layer and surrounding water when said submersible structure is disposed in a body of water;
- and
- a support structure attached to said charge distribution layer, said support structure comprising a plurality of alternating layers of fiberglass and fiberglass cloth.
2 more elements
An antifouling submersible structure, comprising:
- a charge distribution layer, said charge distribution layer being made of a material selected from the group consisting of electrically conductive fibers suspended in a resin matrix, a carbon fiber cloth, a carbon fiber pressed mat, a metal wire, a metal mesh, a metal sheet, a metal foil and a metal screen;
- a conductor connected in electrical communication with said charge distribution layer and connectable to a source of electrical power, said conductor being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal screen, a carbon fiber cloth, a carbon fiber pressed mat, metal wire, a metal mesh, a metal sheet and a metal foil;
- an outer layer disposed between said charge distribution layer and surrounding water when said submersible structure is disposed in a body of water, said outer layer comprising a material with carbon particles embedded in a resin matrix;
- and
- a support structure attached to said charge distribution layer, said support structure comprising a plurality of alternating layers of fiberglass and fiberglass cloth.
2 more elements
A submersible apparatus for inhibiting marine growth on a surface, comprising:
- a first structure comprising a first outer coating, a first electrically conductive layer disposed in electrical communication with said first outer coating, a first electrical conductor disposed in electrical communication with said first electrically conductive layer, and a first inner surface disposed in supporting attachment with said first electrically conductive layer;
- a second structure comprising a second outer coating, a second electrically conductive layer disposed in electrical communication with said second outer coating, a second electrical conductor disposed in electrical communication with said second electrically conductive layer, and a second inner surface disposed in supporting attachment with said second electrically conductive layer, said first and second electrically conductive layers being electrically insulated from each other;
- and
- a source of electrical power which is connectable in electrical communication with said first and second electrical conductors.
1 more element
An antifouling submersible structure, comprising:
- a charge distribution layer, said charge distribution layer being made of electrically conductive fibers suspended in a resin matrix;
- a conductor connected in electrical communication with said charge distribution layer and connectable to a source of electrical power, said conductor being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal screen, a carbon fiber cloth, a carbon fiber pressed mat, metal wire, a metal mesh, a metal sheet and a metal foil;
- an outer layer disposed between said charge distribution layer and surrounding water when said submersible structure is disposed in a body of water, said outer layer comprising a material with electrically conductive particles embedded in a resin matrix;
- and
- a support structure attached to said charge distribution layer, said support structure comprising fiberglass.
2 more elements
A submersible apparatus for inhibiting marine growth on a surface, comprising:
- a source of electrical power;
- a first structure comprising a first outer layer, a first electrically conductive layer disposed in contact with said first outer layer, a first electrical conductor disposed in electrical communication with said first electrically conductive layer, and a first inner layer disposed in supporting attachment with said first electrically conductive layer;
- and
- a second structure comprising a second outer layer, a second electrically conductive layer disposed in contact with said second outer layer, a second electrical conductor disposed in electrical communication with said second electrically conductive layer, and a second inner layer disposed in supporting attachment with said second electrically conductive layer, said first and second electrical conductors being connectable in electrical communication with said source of electrical power, said first and second electrically conductive layers being electrically insulated from each other.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.