AU2006200663B2 - An Apparatus for Protecting the Hull of a Watercraft - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 AUSTRALIA Regulation 3.2 PATENTS ACT 1990 Original Complete Specification Standard Patent Invention Title: AN APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING THE HULL OF A WATERCRAFT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing known to me: -1 AN APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING THE HULL OF A WATERCRAFT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for protecting the hull of a watercraft. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for protecting the hull of a watercraft from fouling while the watercraft is moored. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION ) It is well known in the boating industry that fouling of a hull significantly reduces boat performance and economy. It is both time-consuming and expensive to lift a boat from the water to remove barnacles and other foreign matter. Applicant has conceived the present invention to alleviate the need to remove the boat from the water for the purposes of hull cleaning. In particular, the Applicant has conceived an apparatus that can be used to maintain the hull in a relatively dry condition while the boat is moored in water. It will be appreciated that fouling will be significantly inhibited if the hull can be maintained in a relatively dry state. 3 DEFINITION Applicant has used the term "watercraft" to apply to all forms of floating and underwater craft. In this specification, Applicant makes reference to "boat" for the purposes of convenience only. Such reference is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for protecting the hull of a watercraft, the apparatus including a support; 0 a submersible barrier assembly connected to the support and displaceable with respect to the support between an inoperative, submerged position and an -2 operative surface position, the barrier assembly being configured to cover at least a submerged portion of the hull in the operative position; and a displacement mechanism operable on the barrier assembly to displace the barrier assembly between the inoperative and operative positions. The support may be in the form of a pair of spaced floats positioned to permit a watercraft to be positioned between the floats when the barrier assembly is submerged. ) The barrier assembly may include a frame that bounds a docking zone dimensioned to receive the hull of the watercraft in the operative position. The barrier assembly may include a barrier sheet that is fast with the frame to span the docking zone and is dimensioned to cover at least the submerged portion of the hull in the operative position. The barrier assembly may include a water-impervious sheet and a drainage sheet that is positioned on the water impervious sheet such that the drainage sheet is interposed between the hull and the water-impervious sheet in the operative position to permit water to drain away from the hull. The drainage sheet may be of a woven material. The frame may be comprised of a number of tubular frame elements that together define a flotation chamber which can be flooded and evacuated to submerge and raise the frame, respectively. The frame elements may include internal flow regulating formations that are configured to divide the flotation chamber into discrete sub-chambers, such that, during flooding of the flotation chamber, the sub-chambers flood in consecutive order, causing the frame to tilt, thereby facilitating submersion of the frame. In addition, the internal flow regulating formations may be configured to divide the 0 flotation chamber into discrete sub-chambers such that air pumped into the flotation chamber acts to displace water from the sub-chambers in consecutive order, thereby facilitating substantially complete discharge of water from the flotation chamber.

-3 A pump may be positioned on the drainage sheet to pump water from between the hull and the drainage sheet during and after the barrier sheet is moved into the operative position. The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is not to be regarded as limiting the broad scope of the appended claims and the preceding summary. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a schematic sectioned end view of an apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for protecting the hull of a watercraft, in an inoperative condition. Figure 2 shows a three dimensional view of the apparatus in the inoperative condition. Figure 3 shows a schematic sectioned end view of the apparatus in an operative condition. 20 Figure 4 shows a three dimensional view of the apparatus in an operative condition. Figure 5 shows a side view of a slip coupling assembly of two frame elements of the apparatus. Figure 6 shows an end view of a male member of the slip coupling assembly. Figure 7 shows, schematically, a plan view of part of a rear frame element with two discharge ports. 30 -4 Figure 8 shows a schematic, sectioned end view of the rear frame element with one of the discharge ports. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for protecting the hull 12 of a watercraft. The apparatus 10 includes a submersible barrier assembly 14. The assembly 14 includes a submersible frame 16 of tubular frame elements 18 which are connected together to define a docking zone 20. The tubular frame elements 18 together define a flotation chamber 22 which can be flooded and evacuated to submerge and raise the frame 16. As can be seen in Figure 4, an air pump assembly 66 is connected to the frame 16 with a suitable conduit 68 to be in fluid communication with the flotation chamber 22. The air pump assembly 66 includes an air pump 70 and a silencer 72. The assembly 66 further includes suitable valves 74 and a venturi 76 to facilitate the generation of a vacuum. The pump assembly 66 is used to drive water from the flotation chamber 22 when it is necessary to raise the frame 16. The frame elements 18 are connected together with slip coupling assemblies 28, details of one shown in Figures 5 and 6. The slip coupling assembly 28 includes a male coupling member 30 received in a female coupling member 33. The members 30, 33 form part of adjacent frame elements 18 so that the frame elements 18 can be connected together. A pair of O-rings 31 is mounted on the male member 30 to seal the members 30, 33 with respect to each other and thus maintain the flotation chamber 22. A connecting formation 61 extends from the female member 33 and engages a complementary connecting formation 62 extending from the male member 30. The formations 61, 62 have complementary openings 64 to permit the formations 61, 62 to be connected together with a suitable fastener received through the 0 openings 64.

-5 Each slip coupling assembly incorporates a series of pairs of baffles, each pair comprising a front baffle 24 and a rear baffle 26. Each pair of baffles 24, 26 is provided at a slip coupling assembly 28. Each pair of the baffles 24, 26 is provided in a male slip coupling member 30. The front baffle 24 of each pair is configured to provide a passage 32 at an operatively lower region of the male member 30. The rear baffle 26 is configured to provide a passage 34 in an operatively upper region of the male member 30. Thus, it will be appreciated that when air is pumped into the flotation chamber 22 from a front of the frame 16 with the discharge port/s at a rear of the frame 16, the orientation of the baffles 24, 26 prevents the air from simply blowing over the top of a body of water within the flotation chamber 22. In particular, the baffles 24, 26 serve to constrain the air to drive the water out of the respective tubular elements 18. Furthermore, when the discharge port is open for flooding, it will be appreciated that a stern or rearmost frame element 18.1 is flooded first with the baffles 24, 26 interposed between the rear frame element 18.1 and a pair of opposed intermediate frame elements 18.2 serving to ensure that the rear frame element 18.1 is substantially filled before water begins entering the intermediate frame elements 18.2. Likewise, the baffles 24, 26 positioned between the intermediate frame elements 18.2 and a pair of opposed front frame elements 18.3 cause the intermediate frame elements 18.2 to be substantially filled with water before the water enters the front frame elements 18.3. In this manner, the submersible frame 16 is efficiently submerged. Furthermore, the orientation of the frame as it is submerged facilitates the escape of air. The pump assembly 66 is configured to generate a vacuum further to facilitate the escape of air from the flotation chamber 22. The frame element 18.1 has a full baffle 64. Discharge ports 62 are positioned on respective sides of the baffle 64. This facilitates removal of substantially all of the water out of the frame16 during pump operation. The full baffle 64 also facilitates 0 flooding of the frame 16 via the ports 62.

-6 The submersible barrier assembly includes a barrier sheet 36 that is connected to the frame 16 to span the docking zone 20. The barrier sheet 36 includes an outer skin 38 of a water-impervious material. The barrier sheet 36 further includes a drainage sheet in the form of a rope mat 40 positioned within the outer skin 38. The barrier sheet 36 is configured so that when the frame 16 is in a raised or operative condition, the rope mat 40 bears against the hull 12. 10 As can be seen in Figure 3, when the rope mat 40 bears against the hull 12, spaces 42 are defined between the skin 38 and the hull 12. Initially, these spaces are filled with water. The apparatus 10 includes a submersible pump 44 positioned centrally on the barrier sheet 36 to underlie a keel 46 of the hull 12. The barrier sheet 36 is dimensioned so that, due to water pressure, the barrier sheet can enclose the pump 44, as shown in Figure 3. During and after the barrier sheet 36 is raised into its operative position, the pump 44 serves to pump water away from a region between the skin 38 and the hull 12. The ?0 spaces 42 allow water to drain away from the hull and towards the pump 44 to be pumped out. Thus, an external surface of the hull 12 can be kept in a relatively dry condition without having to raise the boat out of the water. 30 -7 A pair of ballast members 50 are mounted on each intermediate frame member 18.2 to enhance submersion of the frame 16. The apparatus 10 includes a pair of spaced cylindrical floats 52 which are connected to respective intermediate frame elements 18.2. In particular, each float 52 is connected to its respective frame element 18.2 with a linked arm 54 and a suspension chain 56. The chain linked arm 54 allows relative linear movement between the floats 52 and the frame 16 during submersion and lifting of the frame 16. Furthermore, the suspension chain 56 prevents the frame 16 from descending too far. The coupling assemblies 28 each include connectors 57 to permit the linked arms 54 and suspension chains 56 to be connected to the frame 16. Each of the floats 52 have a mooring formation 58 to permit the apparatus 10 to be moored with suitable mooring lines 60. In use, a driver or pilot of the boat will steer the boat between the floats 52. The air pump and the submersible pump 44 can then be operated to raise the frame 16 into the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 and thus, when the boat is moored, the hull 12 can be kept relatively dry. It will be appreciated that this will inhibit fouling. It is well known that barnacles and other forms of marine growth on a hull can greatly increase fuel consumption and reduce the performance of a boat. The apparatus 10 thus provides a means whereby such marine growth on the hull is, to a large extent, obviated. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

Claims (22)

1. An apparatus for protecting the hull of a watercraft, the apparatus including a support, a submersible barrier assembly connected to the support and displaceable with respect to the support between an inoperative, submerged position and an operative surface position, the barrier assembly being configured to cover at least a submerged portion of the hull in the operative position, the barrier assembly having a frame that bounds a docking zone for receiving the hull, said frame having a barrier sheet spanning the docking zone, the barrier sheet including a water impervious sheet and a drainage sheet that is positioned on the water impervious sheet such that the drainage sheet is interposed between the hull and the water-impervious sheet in the operative position, the drainage sheet permitting water to drain from the hull, and a displacement mechanism operable on the barrier assembly to displace the barrier assembly between the inoperative and operative positions.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the support is in the form of a pair of spaced floats positioned to permit a watercraft to be positioned between the floats when the barrier assembly is submerged.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the drainage sheet is of a woven material.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the drainage sheet is in the form of a rope mat.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the rope mat is woven of rope of a plastics material.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the rope mat is woven of polypropylene rope.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the frame is comprised of a number of tubular frame elements that together define a flotation chamber which can be flooded and evacuated to submerge and raise the frame, respectively.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which the frame elements include internal flow regulating formations that are configured to divide the flotation -9 chamber into discrete sub-chambers, such that, during flooding of the flotation chamber, the sub-chambers flood in consecutive order, causing the frame to tilt, thereby facilitating submersion of the frame.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which the frame elements include internal flow regulating formations that are configured to divide the flotation chamber into discrete sub-chambers such that air pumped into the flotation chamber acts to displace water from the sub-chambers in consecutive order, thereby facilitating substantially complete discharge of water from the flotation chamber.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which a pump is positioned on the drainage sheet to pump water from between the hull and the drainage sheet during and after the barrier sheet is moved into the operative position.

11.An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, which includes a number of support slings for supporting the water-impervious sheet and the drainage sheet in the inoperative positions.

12.An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which the slings are mounted in parallel between opposed frame elements.

13.An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the barrier assembly is located between the hull of the watercraft and the slings, when the watercraft is received in the frame.

14.A method for fabricating an apparatus for protecting the hull of the watercraft, the method comprising the steps of providing a submersible barrier assembly connected to a support and displaceable with respect to the support between an inoperative, submerged position and an operative surface position, the barrier assembly being configured to cover at least a submerged position of the hull in the operative position, the barrier assembly having a frame that bounds a docking zone for receiving the hull, said frame having a barrier sheet spanning the docking zone, the barrier sheet including a water-impervious sheet and a drainage sheet that is position on the water-impervious sheet such that the drainage sheet is interposed between the hull and the water-impervious sheet in the operative position, the drainage sheet permitting water to drain from the hull, and providing a displacement mechanism operable on the barrier - 10 assembly to displace the barrier assembly between the inoperative and operative positions.

15.A method as claimed in claim 14, in which the drainage sheet is of a woven material.

16.A method as claimed in claim 14, in which the drainage sheet is in the form of a rope mat.

17.A method as claimed in claim 16, in which the rope mat is woven of a rope of a plastics material.

18.A method as claimed in claim 17, in which the rope mat is woven of polypropylene rope.

19.A method for operating the apparatus of claim 1, the method comprising operating the displacement mechanism to displace the barrier assembly between the inoperative and operative positions.

20.A method as claimed in claim 19, in which the pump is positioned on the drainage sheet to pump water from between the hull and the drainage sheet during and after the barrier sheet is moved into the operative position.

21.An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drainage sheet is a unitary member with one or more drainage openings therein.

22.A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the drainage sheet is a unitary member with one or more drainage openings therein.