AU2017204370A1

AU2017204370A1 - A Marine Cleaning System

Info

Publication number: AU2017204370A1
Application number: AU2017204370A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roger Dyhrberg
Original assignee: Cleansubsea Operations Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Cleansubsea Operations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-10-27
Filing date: 2017-06-27
Publication date: 2017-07-20
Also published as: AU2012244227A1

Abstract

- 23 Abstract A cleaning head for cleaning a submerged surface is disclosed. The cleaning head comprises a body portion, 5 and a skirt portion extending around a periphery of the body portion, the skirt portion performing a sealing function between the body portion and a submerged surface desired to be cleaned when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface during use. The cleaning head 10 also comprises at least one cleaning member for causing material on the submerged surface to separate from the submerged surface when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface during use, and at least one suction aperture in fluid communication with a space defined 15 between the body portion and the submerged surface during use. During use, when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface and the at least one suction aperture is connected in fluid communication with a device for generating a negative pressure, material separated 20 from the submerged surface by the at least one cleaning member is drawn away from the cleaning head through the suction aperture. 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P88655.AU.3

Description

1 2017204370 27 Jun2017

A MARINE CLEANING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention 5 The invention relates to a marine cleaning system, in particular for cleaning an underwater portion of a vessel hull or other structure.

Background of the Invention 10

It is known that a tendency exists for an underwater portion of a vessel hull or structure to become increasingly fouled over time to the extent that eventually a significant layer of material, including in 15 some circumstances living organisms, accumulates on the underwater portion of the vessel hull or structure.

If such fouling is not removed from the vessel hull or structure, significant problems can occur, including 20 damage to the vessel hull or structure and, in the case of a marine vessel, a reduction in seafaring performance of the vessel. In addition, some living organisms can be noxious and, if transported to other locations, can be dangerous to local species. 25

Conventional techniques to remove material from a vessel hull involve removing the vessel from the water, and subsequently cleaning the vessel hull. However, this approach is expensive and time consuming. 30

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning system for 35 cleaning a submerged surface, the cleaning system comprising: a cleaning head having: 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P83655.AU.3 2 2017204370 27 Jun2017 a body portion; a skirt portion extending around a periphery of the body portion, the skirt portion performing a sealing function between the body portion and a 5 submerged surface desired to be cleaned when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface during use; and at least one cleaning member for causing material on the submerged surface to separate from the 10 submerged surface when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface during use; a device for generating a negative pressure; and a suction pipe extending between said device and the cleaning head, the suction pipe being in fluid 15 communication with a space defined between the body portion and the submerged surface during use; wherein during use when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface, material separated from the submerged surface is drawn away from the cleaning head 20 through the suction pipe.

In one embodiment, the body portion comprises first and second body portions moveably connected together, for example using a hinge. 25

In one arrangement, the skirt portion is of bristle like configuration .

In one embodiment, the cleaning system comprises a height 30 adjustment system arranged to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the body portion and the submerged surface to be cleaned, and thereby adjustment of the degree of compression of the skirt portion during use, and adjustment of the efficacy of the seal formed between the 35 skirt portion and the submerged surface.

In one embodiment, the cleaning system comprises a drive 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P88855.AU.3 3 2017204370 27 Jun2017 mechanism arranged to urge the cleaning head to move relative to the submerged surface during use. The drive mechanism may comprise at least 2 drive shafts connected together at a universal joint, each drive shaft having a 5 drive wheel mounted on the drive shaft.

In one embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a hydraulic motor, and a flow control device arrange to facilitate control of the amount of fluid supplied to the 10 hydraulic motor and thereby the speed of movement of the cleaning head.

The height adjustment system may be arranged to facilitate adjustment of the distance between one or more of the 15 drive shafts and the body portion.

In one embodiment, a plurality of cleaning members are provided. 20 In one embodiment, each cleaning member comprises a rotatable brush. The or each rotatable brush may be caused to rotate by one or more hydraulic motors.

In one embodiment, the device for generating a negative 25 pressure comprises a suction pump. The device for generating a negative pressure may be hydraulically or electrically powered. The device may alternatively be powered by pressurised sea water. 30 In one embodiment, the cleaning head comprises at least one buoyancy member.

In one embodiment, the cleaning system comprises an auxiliary cleaning head connectable to the suction pump 35 and manually operable by an operator.

In one embodiment, the cleaning head comprises a safety 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P88655.AU.3 4 2017204370 27 Jun2017 mechanism arranged to cease operation of the cleaning head if an operator becomes incapacitated or is otherwise unable to operate the cleaning head. 5 In one embodiment, the cleaning system comprises a separation device arrange to receive a slurry of water and material separated from the submerged surface and to separate the water and material from the slurry. In one embodiment, the cleaning system comprises a disinfection 10 device arranged to substantially disinfect water that has been separated from the slurry. The disinfection device may comprise a UV disinfection component and/or a chemical based disinfection component. 15 In one embodiment, the cleaning system comprises a cleaning enclosure including at least one transparent wall portion, at least one aperture, a sealing device associated with each aperture, and a suction aperture in fluid communication with a space defined by the enclosure, 20 wherein a cleaning device is disposable through the aperture and the sealing device such that the cleaning device forms a substantially sealed relationship with the aperture. 25 In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided cleaning head for cleaning a submerged surface, the cleaning head comprising: a body portion; a skirt portion extending around a periphery of the 30 body portion, the skirt portion performing a sealing function between the body portion and a submerged surface desired to be cleaned when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface during use; at least one cleaning member for causing material on 35 the submerged surface to separate from the submerged surface when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface during use; and 9215462.1 (GHMatters) P88655.AU 3 5 2017204370 27 Jun2017 at least one suction aperture in fluid communication with a space defined between the body portion and the submerged surface during use; wherein during use when the cleaning head is disposed 5 on the submerged surface and the at least one suction aperture is connected in fluid communication with a device for generating a negative pressure, material separated from the submerged surface by the at least one cleaning member is drawn away from the cleaning head through the 10 suction aperture. 15

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided method of cleaning a submerged surface, the method comprising: providing a cleaning head having: a body portion; a skirt portion extending around a periphery of the body portion; and 20 at least one cleaning member for causing material on the submerged surface to separate from the submerged surface when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface; 25 disposing the cleaning head on the submerged surface such that the skirt portion contacts the submerged surface and performs a sealing function between the body portion and the submerged surface; connecting a space defined between the body portion and the submerged surface in fluid communication with a device for generating a negative pressure; 30 activating said device and the at least one cleaning member so that material is separated from the submerged surface and is drawn away from the cleaning head.

Brief Description of the Drawings 35

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P88855.AU.3 6 2017204370 27 Jun2017 in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a marine cleaning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 5 Figure 2 is a diagrammatic upper perspective view of a cleaning head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic lower perspective view of the cleaning head shown in Figure 2; and 10 Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of an enclosure of the cleaning system shown in Figure 1.

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention 15 Referring to the drawings, in Figure 1 there is shown a marine cleaning system 10 for cleaning a submerged portion of a vessel or other structure in situ.

The present embodiment is described in relation to 20 cleaning a vessel hull, although it will be understood that other applications are envisaged.

The system 10 includes a cleaning head 14, in this example arranged during use to be disposed on an underwater 25 portion of a vessel hull 12 and configured so as to separate fouling material from the vessel hull 12.

The system 10 also includes a device for generating a negative pressure in a space defined between the cleaning 30 head 14 and the vessel hull 12 so that material that is separated from the vessel hull by the cleaning head 14 is discouraged from passing into the surrounding marine environment and instead is drawn away from the cleaning head 14. In this example, the device for generating 35 negative pressure is a conventional suction pump 16 of the type configured to operate in a marine environment. The suction pump 16 may be hydraulically or electrically 9215462_1 (SHMatters) P88655.AU.3 7 2017204370 27 Jun2017 powered.

In a marine environment, the fouling material present on a vessel hull 12 is typically predominantly of biological 5 type, although other types of material may also be present.

The system 10 also includes a separation device 18 arranged to receive a slurry of water and material 10 separated from the vessel 12 and to separate the water and material from each other, and a disinfection device 20 arranged to substantially disinfect the water that has been separated from the material. 15 It will be understood that the separation device 18 and the disinfection device 20 may take any suitable form, and in this example the separation device 18 is of a type manufactured by Baleen Filters Pty Ltd, for example a B1010S Baleen filter, and the disinfection device is of a 20 type manufactured by Berson Milieutechniek BV, for example a Berson inline 450 UV disinfection device. The disinfection device may in addition or alternatively include a chemical based disinfection component. Flow meters and other volume measuring devices may also be 25 included in order to improve water treatment quality.

The system 10 also includes a power unit 22 arranged to provide components of the system with the required electrical and/or hydraulic power. 30

In this example, the separation device 18, the disinfection device 20 and the power unit 22 are disposed above the waterline 32, for example on a jetty 30, and the suction pump 16 is disposed below the waterline 32. 35

During use, the cleaning head 14 is disposed adjacent a portion of the vessel hull 12 desired to be cleaned and 9215462_1 (GHMaiters) P88655.AU.3 8 2017204370 27 Jun2017 the suction pump 16 is activated so that a slurry containing water and material separated from the vessel hull 12 by the cleaning head 14 is drawn away from the cleaning head 14 and caused to move up to the separation 5 device 18 through an extraction conduit 19. At the separation device 18, solid material separated from the slurry collects in a solids collection bin 36 and water filtered from the slurry passes through the disinfection device 20 and back to the surrounding marine environment 10 through an outlet pipe 34.

While the present example is described in relation to a vessel hull 12, it will be understood that the system is applicable to any structure having a part which is 15 submerged and therefore susceptible to fouling. It will also be understood that while the present example is described in relation to cleaning bio-fouling from a vessel hull or submerged structure, the system is also applicable to cleaning other types of fouling that may 20 build up on structures submerged under water, or indeed in other fluid environments, for prolonged periods of time.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the cleaning head 14 is shown in more detail. 25

The cleaning head 14 in this example includes first and second body portions 40, 42 that are moveably connected to each other so that the profile defined by the first and second body portions 40, 42 is adjustable. In this 30 example, the first and second body portions 40, 42 are connected to each other by a hinge 44 that enables the first and second body portions 40, 42 to pivot relative to each other. This enables the first and second body portions 40, 42 to generally conform to the curvature of a 35 structure such as a vessel hull 12. A periphery defined by the first and second body portions 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P88655.AU.3 9 2017204370 27 Jun2017 40, 42 is provided with a skirt portion 46, in this example of bristle like configuration. The purpose of the skirt portion 46 is to provide a seal of sufficient efficacy between the first and second body portions 40, 42 5 and a surface of a structure intended to be cleaned. In this regard, the seal should be sufficiently efficacious that the negative pressure generated by the suction pump 16 causes material separated from the surface to be drawn away from the surface through the cleaning head 14 with 10 minimal egression of material past the skirt portion 46 to the surrounding marine environment. This is important because biological material separated from the surface of the vessel hull 12 has the potential to cause undesirable consequences to the surrounding environment. 15

As shown more particularly in Figure 3, the cleaning head 14 includes one or more cleaning members arranged to cause material on the surface of the vessel 12 to separate from the surface. In this example, two cleaning members are 20 provided and each cleaning member is in the form of a rotatable brush 48.

In this example, the brushes 48 are caused to rotate by at least one first hydraulic motor 50, although it will be 25 understood that other arrangements for causing rotation of the brushes 48 are envisaged. In this example, 2 first hydraulic motors 50 are provided, with each with rotatable brush having an associated first hydraulic motor 50. 30 The cleaning head 14 also includes a suction pipe 52 that extends from the cleaning head 14 to the suction pump 16. The suction pipe 52 conveys the slurry of water and material separated from the surface away from the cleaning head 14 during use. Extending from the suction pipe 52 35 are first suction conduits 54 in communication with the suction pipe 52 and extending to respective first suction apertures 56 disposed at opposite sides of the cleaning 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P88655.AU.3 10 2017204370 27 Jun2017 head 14. Also extending from the suction pipe 52 are second suction conduits 58 in communication with the suction pipe 52 and extending to respective second suction apertures 60 disposed at an end of the cleaning head 14 5 remote from the suction pipe 52. In this example, the first and second suction apertures 56, 60 are disposed adjacent the rotatable brushes 48.

In an example, the first hydraulic motors(s) 50 may 10 include a pump assembly arranged to increase efficiency in the cleaning head by pushing the slurry of water and material separated from the surface towards the suction apertures 56, 60. 15 In this example, the cleaning head 14 also includes a drive mechanism arranged to urge the cleaning head to move in a direction parallel to the hinge 44 during use. In this example, the drive mechanism includes a second hydraulic motor 62 connected to a reduction gearbox 64 and 20 arranged to drive movement of the cleaning head 14.

The drive mechanism includes a first drive shaft 66 connected to the reduction gearbox 64 and a first drive wheel 68 mounted on the first drive shaft 66. The first 25 drive shaft 66 is connected through a universal joint 70 to a second drive shaft 72, and a second drive wheel 74 is mounted on the second drive shaft 72.

Since the first and second drive shafts 66, 72 are 30 connected together through the universal joint 70, rotation of the first drive shaft 66 causes rotation of the second drive shaft 72 and thereby rotation of the first and second drive wheels 68, 74. During use, when the first and second drive wheels 68, 74 rotate, contact 35 between the first and second drive wheels 68, 74 and the surface being cleaned causes the cleaning head 14 to move in a direction generally parallel to the hinge 44. 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P83655.AU.3 11 2017204370 27 Jun2017

It will be understood that the universal joint 70 ensures that the drive mechanism is able to cause the cleaning head 14 to move for a wide range of angles between the 5 first and second body portions 40, 42. A non-driven rear wheel 76 is also provided.

The wheels 68, 74, 76 may be of any suitable 10 configuration, and in this example each wheel comprises a wheel body and metal wire 78 wound around the wheel body.

In this example, the cleaning head 14 also includes a flow control device 80 arranged to control the flow of 15 hydraulic fluid to the second hydraulic motor 62 and thereby the speed of rotation of the second hydraulic motor 62, the speed of rotation of the first and second drive wheels 68, 74 and the speed of movement of the cleaning head 14. 20

The first and second hydraulic motors 50, 62 are supplied with hydraulic fluid through hydraulic conduits 92 that extend from the first and second hydraulic motors 50, 62 to the power unit 22 disposed above the waterline 32. 25

In an example, the hydraulic power may be derived from a salt water hydraulic power system arranged to provide pressurised salt water to the first and second hydraulic motors 50, 62. This arrangement has advantages in that a 30 return line is not required.

In this example, the cleaning head 14 also includes first and second height adjustment devices 84, 86 arranged to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the first 35 and second body portions 40, 42 and the surface to be cleaned. The height adjustment devices 84, 86 facilitate modification of the position of the drive wheels 68, 74 9215462.1 (GHMatters) P88655.AU.3 12 2017204370 27 Jun2017 and the non-driven wheel 75 relative to the first and second body portions 40, 42. In this way, the degree of compression of the skirt portion 46 during use is adjustable, and as a consequence the efficacy of the seal 5 formed between the skirt portion 46 and the surface being cleaned is adjustable. The effect of this is that the pressure differential between the surrounding marine environment and the space defined by the cleaning head 14 and the surface being cleaned is adjustable as required, 10 and therefore the amount of water passing into the space defined by the cleaning head 14 and the surface is controllable .

In this example, the cleaning head 14 also includes 15 buoyancy members 90 that assist the cleaning head to remain in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

The system 10 may also include an auxiliary cleaning head 100 connectable to the suction pump 16 and usable by an 20 operator to manually clean material from a surface. Such an auxiliary cleaning head 100 may include a skirt portion 102 of similar configuration to the skirt portion 46 of the cleaning head 14, may provide a negative pressure region adjacent the surface to be cleaned, and may or may 25 not include cleaning members that actively remove material from the surface.

The system 10 may also include a safety mechanism 104 configured such that positive input from an operator is 30 required in order to activate the rotatable brushes 48 and/or the drive mechanism. In the absence of such positive input, operation of the rotatable brushes 48 and/or the drive mechanism ceases. The safety mechanism may be of a type conventionally referred to as a 'dead 35 man's control' wherein operation ceases if the operator is incapacitated or otherwise unable to operate the cleaning head 14. 9215462_1 (GHMaiters) P88665.AU.3 13 2017204370 27 Jun2017

During use, an operator places the cleaning head 14 adjacent a surface to be cleaned such that the skirt portion 46 contacts the surface, and activates the system 5 so that the brushes 48 begin to rotate and a negative pressure is generated in the space defined by the first and second body portions 40, 42 and the surface to be cleaned. As material is separated from the surface by the brushes 48, the material becomes entrained in surrounding 10 water and a slurry containing the water and separated material is sucked through the suction pipe 52 by the suction pump 16 up to the separation device 18, in this example disposed on the jetty 30. The separation device receives the slurry, separates water from the slurry and 15 feeds the separated water into the disinfection device 20. Solid material separated from the slurry passes into a solids collection bin 36, and water passing through the disinfection device 20 is disinfected and recycled back to the marine environment through the outlet pipe 34. 20

It will be appreciated that the cleaning system enables an operator to substantially clean material from a submerged surface, in particular a surface of a vessel hull 12, in situ, because substantially all of the material removed 25 from the surface is transported away from the surface without leeching into the surrounding water. Removal of the vessel from the water in order to effect cleaning is not necessary. 30 In a variation of the above embodiment, in addition to or instead of the rotatable brushes 48, the cleaning members may include rotatable blades that scrape material from the surface to be treated during use. 35 The cleaning system 10 may also include an enclosure 106 that can be used to remove fouling on and adjacent appendages of a vessel, such as anodes, transducer 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P88855 AU 3 14 2017204370 27 Jun2017 housings, suction grates and recesses.

The enclosure 106 includes a frame member 107, a pair of support hoops 108 at longitudinal ends of the enclosure 5 106, and a pair of end plates 109. The frame member 107, the support hoops 108 and the end plates 109 provide structural integrity for transparent top 110, side 111 and end walls 112. In this embodiment, the transparent walls are formed of Perspex material, although it will be 10 understood that other suitable materials are envisaged.

The top wall 110 includes a top support bar 114 in which elongate top apertures 116 are formed, and attached inwardly of the enclosure over the top apertures is a 15 sealing strip 118. The sealing strip 118 is formed of resilient material, such as rubber, and includes a longitudinal slit 120.

Similarly, the side and end walls 111, 112 also include 20 side apertures 122 formed in side bars 125, end apertures 124, and associated sealing strips 126, 128 and longitudinal slits 131, 132.

The frame member 107 may also be provided with one or more 25 sealing members, for example formed of rubber material, that assist in providing a good seal between the enclosure 106 and a vessel during use.

The purpose of the apertures 116, 122, 124 and sealing 30 strips 118, 126, 128 is to enable a cleaning nozzle (not shown) to be disposed in the space defined by the enclosure 106 without overly compromising the relative negative pressure environment in the space. 35 The enclosure 106 also includes a pipe stub 130 in communication with the space inside the enclosure, the pipe stub 130 disposed on one of the side support bars 125 9215462.1 (GHMatters) P88655 AU 3 15 2017204370 27 Jun2017 and facilitating connection to a suction hose of the cleaning system 106.

In this example, the frame member 107, the support hoops 5 108, the side plates 109 and the support bars 114, 125 are formed of aluminium material, although it will be understood that other suitable materials are envisaged.

During use, the enclosure 106 is disposed over an 10 appendage that is desired to be cleaned and a suction hose (not shown) is attached to the pipe stub 130 so as to create a relative negative pressure environment inside the enclosure. A suitable high pressure cleaning nozzle is then inserted through one of the apertures 116, 122, 124 15 and used to clean fouling from at and around the appendage(s). Fouling material that is separated from the vessel is drawn out of the enclosure, and for example caused to move up to the separation device 18 through the extraction conduit 19. 20

It will be appreciated that the transparent walls 109, 110, 111 provide a user with good vision during a cleaning operation, and the configuration of the enclosure 106 allows regions of a vessel hull adjacent appendages to be 25 cleaned whilst minimising egression of fouling material into the surrounding marine environment outside of the enclosure .

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a 30 skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute 35 an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 9215462_1 (GHMatters) P83655.AU.3 16 2017204370 27 Jun2017

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 5 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 9215462_1 (GHMaiters) P88655.AU.3

Claims

Claims :

1. A cleaning head for cleaning system a submerged surface, the cleaning head comprising: a body portion; a skirt portion extending around a periphery of the body portion, the skirt portion performing a sealing function between the body portion and a submerged surface desired to be cleaned when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface during use; at least one cleaning member for causing material on the submerged surface to separate from the submerged surface when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface during use; and at least one suction aperture in fluid communication with a space defined between the body portion and the submerged surface during use; wherein during use when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface and the at least one suction aperture is connected in fluid communication with a device for generating a negative pressure, material separated from the submerged surface by the at least one cleaning member is drawn away from the cleaning head through the suction aperture.
2. A cleaning head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises first and second body portions moveably connected together.
3. A cleaning head as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second body portions are moveably connected together using a hinge.
4. A cleaning head as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the skirt portion is of bristle like configuration .
5. A cleaning head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a height adjustment system arranged to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the body portion and the submerged surface to be cleaned, and thereby adjustment of the degree of compression of the skirt portion during use, and adjustment of the efficacy of the seal formed between the skirt portion and the submerged surface.
6. A cleaning head as claimed in any one of he preceding claims, comprising a drive mechanism arranged to urge the cleaning head to move relative to the submerged surface during use.
7. A cleaning head as claimed in claim 6, wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least 2 drive shafts connected together at a universal joint, each drive shaft having a drive wheel mounted on the drive shaft.
8. A cleaning head as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the height adjustment system is arranged to facilitate adjustment of the distance between one or more of the drive shafts and the body portion.
9. A cleaning head as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a hydraulic motor, and a flow control device arranged to facilitate control of the amount of fluid supplied to the hydraulic motor and thereby the speed of movement of the cleaning head.
10. A cleaning head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of cleaning members .
11. A cleaning head as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one cleaning member comprises a rotatable brush.
12. A cleaning head as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein at least one cleaning member comprises a rotatable blade.
13. A cleaning head as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein each rotatable brush is caused to rotate by one or more hydraulic motors.
14. A cleaning head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning head comprises at least one buoyancy member.
15. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a safety mechanism arranged to cease operation of the cleaning head if an operator becomes incapacitated or is otherwise unable to operate the cleaning head.
16. A cleaning system for cleaning a submerged surface, the cleaning system comprising: a cleaning head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; a device for generating a negative pressure; and a suction pipe extending between said device and the cleaning head, the suction pipe being in fluid communication with a space defined between the body portion and the submerged surface during use; wherein during use when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface, material separated from the submerged surface is drawn away from the cleaning head through the suction pipe.
17. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the device for generating a negative pressure comprises a suction pump.
18. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the cleaning system comprises an auxiliary cleaning head connectable to the suction pump and manually operable by an operator.
19. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, comprising a separation device arranged to receive a slurry of water and material separated from the submerged surface and to separate the water and material from the slurry.
20. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 19, comprising a disinfection device arranged to substantially disinfect water that has been separated from the slurry.
21. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, comprising a cleaning enclosure including at least one transparent wall portion, at least one aperture, a sealing device associated with each aperture, and a suction aperture in fluid communication with a space defined by the enclosure, wherein a cleaning device is disposable through the aperture and the sealing device such that the cleaning device forms a substantially sealed relationship with the aperture.
22. A method of cleaning a submerged surface, the method comprising: providing a cleaning head having: a body portion; a skirt portion extending around a periphery of the body portion; and at least one cleaning member for causing material on the submerged surface to separate from the submerged surface when the cleaning head is disposed on the submerged surface; disposing the cleaning head on the submerged surface such that the skirt portion contacts the submerged surface and performs a sealing function between the body portion and the submerged surface; connecting a space defined between the body portion and the submerged surface in fluid communication with a device for generating a negative pressure; activating said device and the at least one cleaning member so that material is separated from the submerged surface and is drawn away from the cleaning head.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the body portion comprises first and second body portions moveably connected together.
24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, comprising facilitating adjustment of the distance between the body portion and the submerged surface to be cleaned, and thereby adjustment of the degree of compression of the skirt portion during use, and adjustment of the efficacy of the seal formed between the skirt portion and the submerged surface.
25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, comprising providing a drive mechanism arranged to urge the cleaning head to move relative to the submerged surface during use.
26. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25, comprising providing a plurality of cleaning members.
27. A method as claimed in claim 26, comprising rotating each cleaning member using one or more hydraulic motors.
28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 27, comprising providing a safety mechanism arranged to cease operation of the cleaning head if an operator becomes incapacitated or is otherwise unable to operate the cleaning head.
29. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 28, comprising receiving a slurry of water and material separated from the submerged surface and separating the water and material from the slurry.
30. A method as claimed in claim 29, comprising substantially disinfecting water that has been separated from the slurry.
31. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 30, comprising providing a cleaning enclosure including at least one transparent wall portion, at least one aperture, a sealing device associated with each aperture, and a suction aperture in fluid communication with a space defined by the enclosure, and disposing a cleaning device through the aperture and the sealing device such that the cleaning device forms a substantially sealed relationship with the aperture.