# US 9,434,456 B2 · Submergible cleaning system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,456 B2 - Document ID: US9434456B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/651,069 - Filed: 2013-12-11 - Published: 2015-10-29 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-11 - Assignees: C-Leanship A/S - Applicants: C-Leanship Aps - Inventors: Jesper Højer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434456B2 ## CPC - B63B 59/08: of underwater surfaces while afloat (B63B59/10 takes precedence) - B08B 1/36: rotating about an axis orthogonal to the surface - B08B 3/024: {Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned} - B63G 8/08: Propulsion ({schnorkels B63G8/36;} nuclear propulsion B63H21/18; submerged exhausting apparatus F01N13/12) - B63G 8/14: Control of attitude or depth (of torpedoes F42B19/00) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - B63G: OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS (means of attack or defence in general, e.g. turrets F41H) ## Abstract A submergible cleaning system (1) for cleaning an underwater hull surface (3) of a vessel while the vessel is afloat or an offshore facility, the cleaning system (1) comprising a housing (2) comprising a top face (3) and side faces (4) having edges (5) and an open bottom face, the edges (5) and bottom face being arranged opposite the hull surface (3), and the further comprising a rotary disc (6) having a plurality of nozzles (7) arranged around a periphery (30) of the rotary disc, the nozzles facing the hull surface (3), rolling spacing devices (8) for providing a predetermined first gap (9) between the rotary disc (6) and the hull surface (3), a suction device (10) fluidly connected to an outlet (11) arranged in the housing (2) for providing a negative pressure within the housing (2), a pressurizing device (12) fluidly connected with the nozzles (7) for providing a high pressure fluid to the nozzles (7), whereby the nozzles (7) are adapted for discharging fluid under high pressure against the hull surface (3) for cleaning, wherein the housing (2) further comprises a shroud (13) at least partly arranged between the rotary disc (6) and the housing (2), whereby a chamber (14) is provided between the housing (2) and the shroud (13), the chamber (14) being in fluid communication with the suction device (10). The present invention also relates to a vessel or workboat comprising such submergible cleaning system and to use of such submergible cleaning system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A submergible cleaning system for cleaning an underwater hull surface of a vessel while the vessel is afloat or an offshore facility, the cleaning system comprising: a housing comprising a top face and side faces having edges and an open bottom face, the edges and bottom face being structured to be arranged opposite a hull surface, and the housing further comprising: a rotary disc having a plurality of nozzles arranged around a periphery of the rotary disc, the nozzles being positioned to face the hull surface, rolling spacing devices for providing a predetermined first gap between the rotary disc and the hull surface, a suction device fluidly connected to an outlet arranged in the housing for providing a negative pressure within the housing, a pressurising device fluidly connected with the nozzles for providing a pressurized fluid to the nozzles, whereby the nozzles are adapted for discharging fluid under pressure against the hull surface for cleaning, wherein the housing further comprises a shroud at least partly arranged between the rotary disc and the housing, whereby a chamber is provided between the housing and the shroud, the chamber being in fluid communication with the suction device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the shroud comprises a top shroud face and side shroud faces having shroud edges and an open bottom shroud face, the shroud edges and bottom shroud face being arranged opposite the hull surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 2, wherein the shroud is arranged within the housing with a predetermined second gap between the side shroud faces and the side faces of the housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the side face of the housing are arranged at a first distance from the hull surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the first distance is smaller than a second distance between the shroud edges and the hull surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the negative pressure in the housing is controlled during the operation by adjusting the first distance between the edges of the housing and the hull surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure creates suction within the housing along the edges of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of rotary discs are arranged within the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein each rotary disc comprises a rotational axis, and the nozzles are supplied with the pressurized fluid through a hollow spindle arranged concentrically to the rotational axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the rolling spacing devices are adjustable for adjusting the first gap between the rotary disc and the hull surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein the size of the first gap is adjusted automatically during cleaning by adjusting the rolling spacing devices with a pressure controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the nozzles are cavitation type nozzles adapted to induce cavitation in front of each nozzle to provide high and localised stresses on the hull surface due to bubble cavity collapse. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the nozzles are interlocked with a pressure switch in the housing, so that cleaning is provided only when the housing has a negative pressure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein a recovery arrangement is arranged in relation to the outlet in the housing for collecting effluent water from cleaning of the hull surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 14, wherein the recovery arrangement comprises a filter unit adapted to filter the effluent water for residues and/or debris. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 1, further comprising a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 16, wherein a rotation speed of rotary discs are adjusted in relation to a speed of the ROV so that when the speed of the ROV increases, the rotation speed of the discs will increase accordingly and vice versa. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A submergible cleaning system according to claim 16, wherein a control unit is arranged for controlling a 4- to 6-dimensional movement of the ROV while the ROV is submerged.