CN111741893A

CN111741893A - System and method for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on ships and marine objects

Info

Publication number: CN111741893A
Application number: CN201880088505.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·M·钱伯斯
Original assignee: Zecon Chambers Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Zecon Chambers Pty Ltd; Zircon Chambers Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-06
Filing date: 2018-12-06
Publication date: 2020-10-02
Also published as: RU2020122187A; WO2019109146A1; WO2019109146A8; EP3720765A1; JP2021505477A; AU2018379397A1; US20200298943A1; CA3084836A1; RU2020122187A3; EP3720765A4

Abstract

An anti-corrosion or fouling system for preventing fouling or corrosion of a vessel or aquatic organism having a surface in contact with seawater and/or brackish water in an aquatic environment, the system comprising: a flexible and impermeable barrier extending around the surface of the vessel or aquatic organism to avoid direct contact between the surface and seawater and/or brackish water; an attachment structure for attaching the barrier relative to the vessel or aquatic organism to position the barrier in a spaced arrangement from the surface of the vessel so as to define an internal volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier to contain a fluid having a composition different from the aquatic environment.

Description

System and method for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on ships and marine objects

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the prevention of fouling and/or corrosion on objects in an aquatic environment.

Background

Any reference to prior art methods, apparatus or documents is not to be taken as any evidence or admission that they form or form part of the common general knowledge.

Barnacles, algae, and marine organisms often accumulate on underwater structures such as the hull of a ship, a process commonly referred to as biofouling. In the case of ships, the presence of fouling may increase the drag (drag) in the water, which in turn increases fuel consumption. However, fouling may also cause damage to the hull or propulsion system. Similar problems exist with other underwater structures, such as subsea machinery.

Antifouling coatings are often applied to these underwater structures to prevent or at least reduce the prevalence of fouling. In many cases, paints including biocides are applied to the hull of ships to prevent such fouling. A problem with such antifouling coatings is that they are often toxic to the marine environment in which they are used. In particular, antifouling coatings are often worn and thus distributed in the waterway, where they may cause damage to other types of marine organisms. An additional problem with such antifouling coatings is that the coatings are often difficult to apply because the boat (or other structure) must be kept out of water to enable such application. While such coatings can be applied at the time of manufacture, the coatings typically must be reapplied periodically.

Another problem with underwater structures is corrosion. Paints or similar corrosion resistant coatings are often provided on underwater structures to prevent corrosion. However, as discussed above with respect to antifouling coatings, corrosion resistant coatings present similar problems.

It can thus be seen that there is a clear need for an improved system for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on objects in an aquatic environment.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present invention provides a corrosion or fouling prevention system for preventing fouling or corrosion of a vessel or water organism having a surface in contact with seawater and/or brackish water in an aquatic environment, the system comprising:

a flexible and impermeable barrier extending around the surface of the vessel or aquatic organism to avoid direct contact between the surface and seawater and/or brackish water;

an attachment structure for attaching the barrier relative to the vessel or aquatic organism to position the barrier in a spaced arrangement from the surface of the vessel so as to define an internal volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier to contain a fluid having a composition different from the aquatic environment.

In an embodiment, the attachment structure comprises one or more floatation devices adapted to be positioned relative to the vessel or object, and wherein, during use, the barrier is suspended in a generally downward direction relative to the floatation devices to position the barrier in said spaced arrangement.

In embodiments, the buoyancy of the one or more floatation devices may be variable to allow for lowering or raising of the attachment structure.

In an embodiment, the floating device is adapted to be attached to a vessel or object.

In an embodiment, the floatation device comprises a wall enclosing a hollow cavity having: an inlet for receiving fluid therein such that supplying fluid into the cavity of the floatation device causes the attachment structure to be lowered or submerged into seawater and/or brackish water in a lowered position to allow the vessel or aquatic organism to be positioned above the attachment structure; and a fluid removal device for progressively removing fluid from the one or more cavities of the floatation device to raise the attachment structure to the surface of the sea or brackish water to facilitate attachment of the barrier relative to the vessel or aquatic organism.

In an embodiment, the corrosion or fouling prevention system further comprises a flow controller for controlling the flow of fluid into or out of one or more chambers of the flotation device to effect movement of the attachment structure.

In an embodiment, the corrosion or fouling prevention system further comprises:

a pumping arrangement adapted to pump seawater or brackish water from an interior volume between surfaces of a vessel or object; and

a fluid supply arrangement for supplying a fluid having a composition different from that of the aquatic environment into the interior volume between the surfaces of the vessel or object.

In embodiments, the corrosion or fouling prevention system further comprises one or more coupling assemblies positioned relative to the barrier and/or the attachment structure, the coupling assemblies being adapted to be coupled to a pumping arrangement and/or a fluid supply arrangement.

In embodiments, the floatation device further comprises one or more vents positioned to vent the one or more chambers and release accumulated air when the floatation device contains pressurized fluid in the chambers.

In an embodiment, an anti-corrosion or fouling system for preventing fouling or corrosion of a vessel having a surface in contact with seawater and/or brackish water in an aquatic environment further comprises a dock attachment assembly adapted to couple with an attachment structure and/or barrier to facilitate installation or removal of the anti-corrosion or fouling system relative to the vessel.

In an embodiment, the dock attachment assembly further comprises an extension member extending outwardly from the dock for attachment to the attachment structure at one or more attachment locations, wherein the extension member is adapted to move up or down to facilitate the upward or downward movement of the attachment structure relative to the vessel to facilitate installation or removal of the corrosion or fouling prevention system relative to the vessel.

In an embodiment, the dock attachment assembly comprises one or more connectors adapted to fluidly couple to the fluid supply arrangement and the pumping arrangement.

In an embodiment, the fluid contained in the internal volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier is fresh water.

In an embodiment, the corrosion or fouling prevention system further comprises a sealing arrangement for sealing a portion of the barrier relative to the vessel or marine object to prevent sea water or brackish water from being contained into the interior volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for preventing corrosion or fouling in a vessel or aquatic organism having a surface in contact with seawater and/or brackish water in an aquatic environment, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a flexible and impermeable barrier extending around the surface of the vessel or aquatic organism to avoid direct contact between the surface and the seawater and/or brackish water;

attaching an attachment structure relative to the vessel or aquatic organism to position the barrier in a spaced arrangement from the surface of the vessel so as to define an interior volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier;

a fluid is supplied into the interior volume, wherein the fluid has a composition different from the aquatic environment.

In an embodiment, the attachment structure comprises one or more floatation devices adapted to be attached to a vessel or object, and wherein the attaching step of the method comprises suspending the barrier in a generally downward direction relative to the floatation devices to position the barrier in said spaced arrangement.

In an embodiment, the method for preventing corrosion or fouling further comprises the steps of:

supplying a fluid into a hollow cavity defined by a wall of the floatation device to lower or submerge the attachment structure into seawater and/or brackish water into a lowered position to allow the vessel or aquatic organism to be positioned over the attachment structure; and

fluid is removed or pumped out of the hollow cavities of the flotation device to gradually raise the flotation device of the attachment structure to the surface of the sea or brackish water to facilitate positioning of the barrier relative to the vessel or aquatic organism.

In an embodiment, the method for preventing corrosion or fouling further comprises the intermediate step of: pumping or removing any seawater or brackish water from the internal volume prior to the step of supplying fluid into the internal volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: coupling an attachment structure and/or barrier to the dock attachment assembly to facilitate installation or removal of the corrosion or fouling prevention system relative to the vessel.

In embodiments, the dock attachment assembly further comprises an extension member extending outwardly from the dock, and the method comprises the additional steps of:

attaching a dock attachment assembly to an attachment structure at one or more attachment locations;

lowering the extension member in a downward direction to facilitate downward movement of the attachment structure to position the attachment structure in the lowered position prior to positioning the vessel or aquatic organism above the attachment structure; and

the extension member is raised in an upward direction to facilitate upward movement of the attachment structure in the sea or brackish water and the attachment structure is positioned adjacent the vessel or object at or along the surface of the sea or brackish water.

Drawings

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the present invention can be identified from the following detailed description, which provides sufficient information for a person skilled in the art to carry out the invention. The detailed description is not to be taken in any way as limiting the scope of the previous summary of the invention. The detailed description will make reference to the several drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a marine vessel 205 protected by an anti-corrosion and fouling system 200;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of portion 200A (shown in FIG. 1);

FIG. 2 is a side view of a vessel 205 with the corrosion and fouling prevention system 200 installed thereon shown in a use configuration;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a marine vessel 205 with the corrosion protection system 200 shown in a lowered configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic fluid supply and pumping arrangement for (a) supplying fluid into the floatation device 225 or removing fluid from the floatation device 225;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a marine vessel 205 with the corrosion protection system 200 shown in a gradually rising configuration;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a marine vessel 205 with the corrosion protection system 200 shown in a fully elevated configuration;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a fluid pumping and fluid supply arrangement for (a) pumping seawater or brackish water out of an interior volume between a surface of a vessel 205 and a barrier 215; and (b) supplying a protective fluid into the interior volume between the surfaces of the vessel or object;

fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a marine vessel 205, with the corrosion protection system 200 shown in a fully raised configuration whereby seawater has been pumped out of the interior volume;

fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the marine vessel 205, with the corrosion protection system 200 shown in a fully raised configuration whereby protection fluid has been pumped into the interior volume;

fig. 9 is a side view of vessel 205 with corrosion and fouling prevention system 200 mounted thereon shown in a coupled configuration relative to dock attachment assembly 235;

fig. 10 is a top view of corrosion and fouling prevention system 200 shown in a coupled configuration relative to dock attachment assembly 235 (with marine vessel 205 removed for clarity);

fig. 11 is a side view of the corrosion and fouling protection system 200 in a reduced configuration (with the marine vessel 205 removed for clarity) shown coupled to the dock attachment assembly 235;

fig. 12 is a side view of the corrosion and fouling protection system 200 in an elevated configuration (with the marine vessel 205 removed for clarity) shown coupled to the dock attachment assembly 235;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the master controller 230 shown in communication with the first controller 273 and the second controller 287;

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of a system for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on a buoy in the sea 410, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of a system for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on subsea machinery in the sea, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic view of a system for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on objects partially submerged in an aquatic environment, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic view of a system for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on objects fully submerged in an aquatic environment, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic view of a system for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on objects partially submerged in an aquatic environment and extending into a foundation, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-13 illustrate a corrosion and fouling prevention system 200 for preventing fouling or corrosion of a vessel 205. In particular, the system 200 protects the hull of the vessel 205 and is provided to protect the vessel 205 from the growth and corrosion of barnacles, algae, and marine organisms thereon, all of which may otherwise occur if the vessel 205 were submerged in the aquatic environment 210 while unprotected. The aquatic environment 210 is typically an exposed body of water, such as a sea, river, or lake, containing barnacles, algae, and/or marine organisms.

The system 200 includes a flexible and impermeable sheet 215 positioned adjacent the hull of the vessel 205 to form a barrier and define a protected area 220 adjacent the vessel 205. During use, the sheet 215 extends around the surface of the hull 205a of the vessel 205 to avoid direct contact between the surface 205a and the seawater and/or brackish water of the aquatic environment 210.

The floatation device 225 includes attachment structures that allow the floatation device 225 to be attached to the vessel 205 at a plurality of locations extending around the surface of the hull 205 a. The flotation device 225 allows the impermeable sheet 215 to be positioned in a spaced configuration relative to the surface 205a of the hull to define an interior volume between the surface 205a of the vessel and the sheet/barrier 215 to contain a fluid having a composition different from that of the aquatic environment. In the use configuration, the internal volume between the surface 205a of the vessel and the sheet/barrier 215 is filled with a protective fluid (e.g., fresh water) that is different from the seawater or brackish water of the aquatic environment 210.

Fig. 1A depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of portion 200A from fig. 1. The aquatic environment 210 may include a sea or body of water that may facilitate and cause damage to the growth of barnacles, algae, and marine organisms on the hull surface 205a of the vessel 205, or at least increase the drag of the vessel, which may increase fuel consumption. Similarly, without protection, metal items on or around the hull 205 may be subject to corrosion. Applicants have found that the flotation device 225 is attached around the hull 205a of the vessel to suspend the barrier sheet 215 in a generally downward direction and fill the interior volume between the surface 205a of the vessel and the sheet/barrier 215 with a protective fluid (having a composition that prevents or inhibits corrosion and fouling of the hull surface 205 a), resulting in the formation of a protected zone 220 that prevents fouling and corrosion of the vessel 205.

The system 200 is preferably reusable in that the system can be opened or removed while the vessel 205 is underway and can be closed or reinstalled while the vessel 205 is moored or anchored, as will be explained in the preceding sections.

The floatation device 225 includes a substantially hollow structure. In the presently described embodiment, the flotation device 225 takes the form of hollow tubes (such as PVC tubes) that include walls enclosing a hollow cavity for containing fluid into the hollow cavity. Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the floatation devices 225 are provided with respective fluid inlets 227 for allowing fluid to fill the cavities of the floatation devices 225. Each inlet 227 may be fluidly coupled to a pumping arrangement comprising a pumping device 270 controlled by a flow controller 273. The controller 273 can be actuated by the user in an initial step to pump fluid, such as fresh water, into the floatation device 225 using the pumping device 270. Fluid may be pumped from the reservoir 275. Supplying fluid into the cavity of the flotation device 225 causes the flotation device 225 to be lowered or submerged into the seawater and/or brackish water in a lowered position to allow the vessel 205 to be positioned above the corrosion and fouling prevention system 200. As is apparent from fig. 3, temporarily lowering the floating device 225 (by supplying fluid into the hollow floating device 225, as described above) allows the vessel 205 to be moored into an initial position for installation, whereby the vessel 205 is located directly above the floating device. It is also important to note that during this initial installation step, seawater or brackish water from the aquatic environment 210 may enter the interior volume defined by the barrier sheet 215. The removal of such seawater or brackish water from the interior volume of barrier sheet 215 will be discussed in the following sections.

Once the vessel 205 has been positioned substantially above the floatation device (initial position, fig. 3), water from the floatation device 225 may be raised relative to the vessel 205 by removing fluid from the floatation device 225. Again, the fluid inlet 227 may now be used to direct fluid out of the floatation device 225. The fluid may be gradually removed from the floatation device 225 by: the controller 273 is actuated to pump fluid from the floatation device 225 using the pumping device 270 to return the pumped fluid to the reservoir 275. Fig. 5 depicts the floatation device 225 in a gradually raised configuration.

Referring to fig. 6, once the fluid from the floatation device 225 has been substantially pumped out or removed, the floatation device 225 is raised and located at the surface of the seawater or brackish water in close proximity to the hull of the vessel 205. One or more vents 225 (see fig. 11 and 12) may be positioned to vent the cavity of the floatation device 225 and release accumulated air when the floatation device 225 contains pressurized fluid in one or more of the cavities.

The flotation device 225 may be fastened or attached to the hull of the vessel at a plurality of attachment locations. The manner in which the flotation device is secured to the vessel 205 is not limiting and the flotation device 225 may be attached to the vessel 205 using one or more conventional methods. In some embodiments, the attachment of the floatation device to the vessel 205 may result in: forming a sealing arrangement for sealing a portion of the sheet or barrier 215 with respect to the vessel 205. The formation of such a seal allows the interior volume defined between the surface of the vessel 205 and the barrier 215 to be fluidly sealed from the aquatic environment 210.

When attaching the floatation device 225 and forming the sealing arrangement, the next step involves removing any seawater or brackish water from the interior volume defined between the surface of the vessel 205 and the barrier 215. A fluid inlet/outlet 217 is provided for removing fluid from the substantially sealed interior volume. It must be understood that the location or structural configuration of the inlet/outlet 217 is not limiting. The auxiliary controller 287 may be actuated to initiate a pumping operation that causes seawater or brackish water to be pumped out of the interior volume. Another pumping device 280 may be used to pump out the seawater and direct it into the reservoir 283. Alternatively, the pumped seawater may also be released into the aquatic environment 210. Fig. 8A depicts the system 200 in an evacuated configuration (without any protection fluid in the interior volume).

Once the seawater has been removed from the internal volume, a protective fluid can be pumped into the internal volume by actuating the controller 287. Actuating controller 287 causes the protective fluid to be pumped from protective fluid reservoir 285 into the interior volume defined by barrier sheet 215 by introducing the protective fluid into the interior volume through inlet/outlet 217 to form protective zone 220 as shown in fig. 8B.

Referring to fig. 9-12, system 200 further includes a dock attachment assembly 235 adapted to couple with flotation device 225 and barrier sheet 215 to facilitate installation or removal of corrosion or fouling prevention system 200 on vessel 205. The dock attachment assembly 235 includes an extension member 238 that extends outwardly from the dock M for attachment to an attachment structure of the floatation device 225 at an attachment location, such as attachment location 239 (see fig. 11 and 12). The extension member 237 is substantially elongate and pivots about the pivot point 237 to allow the distal end of the extension member 238 to be lowered or raised as the extension member 238 pivots about the pivot point 237. During installation of the corrosion and fouling prevention system 200 onto the vessel 205, the dock attachment assembly 235 (and particularly the extension member 238) assists in lowering or raising the floatation device 225 (attached to the extension member at attachment location 239). Similarly, during removal of the corrosion and fouling prevention system 200 from the vessel 205, the dock attachment assembly 235 (and particularly the extension member 238) also assists in lowering or raising the floatation device 225 (attached to the extension member at attachment location 239). Fig. 11 shows system 200 in a lowered position while coupled to dock attachment assembly 235. On the other hand, fig. 9 and 12 illustrate system 200 in a raised configuration while coupled to dock attachment assembly 235.

The dock attachment assembly 235 may also provide one or more supply lines via a service center 240 for supplying electricity and for supplying protective fluid (e.g., fresh water) and other fluids, such as fluid pumped into the floatation device 225. Additional supply lines may also be provided via the secondary hub 245. By way of example, the secondary center 245 may be used to pump seawater or brackish water out of the interior volume of the barrier 215 (as shown in fig. 8A).

Additional fluid couplings or connection points 243 and associated controllers may also be provided to provide additional control of the fluid flow into and out of the floatation device 225.

As shown in fig. 13, a first controller 273 (which controls filling or removing fluid from the floatation device 225) and a second controller 287 (which controls pumping seawater out of the interior volume of the barrier and filling the interior volume with a protection fluid) may be electronically coupled to the main controller 230 (see fig. 9, 10, and 13). Further, in at least some embodiments, master controller may be positioned relative to dock attachment assembly 235 to allow personnel to be at the dock to easily install and remove system 200 from vessel 205.

Although the system 200 as described in the preceding section relates to a marine vessel 205, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be particularly useful for partially or fully submerged around bridge structures in a body of water, such as buoys, pylons and underground installations.

Fig. 14 illustrates a side view of a system 400 for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on a buoy 405 in a sea 410, according to an embodiment of the invention. Buoy 405 is anchored to sea floor 410a by anchor 415.

An impermeable sheet 420 is placed around the underside of the buoy 405 and sealed against the anchor 415 on the underside using an attachment 430 and against the perimeter and the upper side of the buoy 405, which defines a protected zone 425 against the submerged portion of the buoy 405. Seawater is pumped from protected area 425 and replaced with fresh water in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the section of system 200.

According to certain embodiments, the buoy 405 may be configured to generate fresh water, thereby continuously replenishing the fresh water in the protected area 425. This is particularly advantageous when the protected zone 425 is not completely sealed or when the sheet in use is permeable in one direction only, for example, because it enables nutrients or saline to be continuously or periodically flushed from the protected zone.

Fig. 15 illustrates a side view of a system 500 for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on subsea machinery 505 in the sea 510, according to another embodiment of the invention. Subsea machine 505 is associated with an offshore platform 515 and vessel 520 that provide offshore service and control of machine 505.

In particular, machine 505 is tethered to either offshore platform 515 or vessel 520 by tether 525. An impermeable sheet 530 is placed around the machine 505 and sealed against the tether 525 on one side and the perimeter of the machine 505 on the other side, defining a protective zone 535 around at least a portion of the machine 505. The seawater is pumped from the protected zone and replaced by fresh water as described above.

A remote-controlled vehicle (ROV) may be used to install such barriers. The tether 525 may be used to pump saline from the protected area and provide fresh water to the protected area. The fluid may be displaced by using, for example, a pump, a pressurized gas cylinder, a cylinder, and a compressor. The associated fluid may be placed, replaced, removed, or reinstalled in the protected zone 535, as described above. If the fluid required for the protected area is potable water, in this regard, the desalination device may be located on the offshore platform 515 and/or vessel 520 along with a pump or the like to enable such remote displacement of seawater around the machinery 505.

Fig. 16 schematically illustrates a system 600 for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on (otherwise) objects 1 semi-submerged in an aquatic environment, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Much like the system described above, the barrier 4 is positioned adjacent the underside of the object 1, defining a liquid protection zone 2 around the underside of the object. This protects the object 1 from fouling and/or corrosion that would otherwise occur when placed directly in the aquatic environment 5. Furthermore, one or more devices, switches, valves, pumps and/or electronics 3 are present in the liquid protection zone 2.

The upper side of the object 1 is exposed to the atmosphere 7 and thus does not need to be protected from the aquatic environment 5.

The barrier 4 may be configured to float at least partially in the aquatic environment 5 when in use, with the lower portion being spaced from the ground 6 of the aquatic environment 5. The barrier 4 may also be attached directly to the object 1 (e.g. around its perimeter), or to one or more other objects.

The barrier 4 may also be transitioned between raised and lowered states. In particular, a portion of the barrier 4 may be moved into or out of the aquatic environment 5 and into the atmosphere 7 (and thus into an elevated state), which is particularly useful where the object 1 is a vessel and is berthed, moored or anchored. The barrier 4 may then be moved or moved back into the aquatic environment 5 (surrounding the object 1) (and thereby into a lowered state), which is particularly useful when the vessel is moving or is about to move.

Fig. 17 schematically illustrates a system 700 for preventing fouling and/or corrosion on (otherwise) an object 1 submerged in an aquatic environment 5, according to an embodiment of the invention.

The barrier 4 is arranged around the object 1, defining a liquid protection zone 2 around the object 1. This protects the object 1 from fouling and/or corrosion that would otherwise occur when placed directly in the aquatic environment 5. In contrast to the system 600, the object 1 is completely contained within the liquid protection zone 2 and is thus not exposed to the atmosphere 7, but is still separated from the foundation 6 of the aquatic environment 5.

Fig. 18 shows a system similar to that shown in fig. 16, but in which the objects 1 extend from above the waterline down into the foundation 6 of the aquatic environment 5. In this embodiment, the barrier is defined around the object, wherein the upper portion is configured to float at least partially in the aquatic environment 5 in use, and the lower portion seals or extends around the lower end of the object, preferably at least partially within the ground 6 of the aquatic environment 5. The barrier 4 may also be attached directly to the object 1 (e.g. around its perimeter), or to one or more other objects.

Although the above embodiments describe the use of fresh, clean water, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other fluids may be used. As an illustrative example, the fluid may include a gas (e.g., carbon dioxide, argon, or nitrogen) or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the gas is substantially non-corrosive to the object and may comprise an inert (or substantially inert) gas or a mixture of gases forming a substantially inert mixture.

The use of gas may enable the deployment of electrical instruments in areas that cannot function in liquids, such as electronic measurement devices, relays, switches, sensors, and the like.

Similarly, the water may comprise seawater (or water from outside the protected zone) that has been treated with an additive. As illustrative examples, the additive may comprise a biocide and/or a corrosion inhibitor.

Further, while the above embodiments describe the use of an impermeable sheet, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any suitable barrier may be used, and that such a barrier may for example comprise a plurality of sheets or any other suitable structure that provides a barrier. In some embodiments, the barrier may comprise a frame.

In some embodiments, the barrier (e.g., a non-permeable sheet) is UV permeable. It follows that ultraviolet radiation can penetrate the barrier, which can help prevent fouling. The barrier is preferably resistant to UV radiation and thus, as can be seen, does not degrade in the presence of UV radiation.

As mentioned above, the electrical component may be located within the protected area, including for example when the protected area is filled with a gas. In this case, the barrier may include isolation properties, such as electrical insulation properties, which may prevent interaction of the electrical component with external components. Furthermore, such barriers may also be provided for safety purposes to further prevent electrical shock or injury to humans or animals in the vicinity of the barrier.

In addition to the above-mentioned objects made for water, embodiments of the present invention may be used to protect emergency devices in water. In this case, the barrier may be inflatable to prevent the emergency device from being submerged in water.

Some embodiments of the invention may be specifically configured to prevent cross-contamination between fluids (e.g., fresh water) in the protected zone and fluids (e.g., saltwater) outside the protected zone. As an illustrative example, water from the protected zone may be withdrawn (e.g., by a pump) prior to removal of the protected zone. Similarly, the system may include the ability to exchange ballast water and/or bilge water to prevent cross-contamination between different ocean regions.

The above-described embodiments enable rapid and inexpensive creation of an environment around objects that are at least partially or fully submerged in an aquatic environment to prevent or reduce fouling, marine growth, and/or corrosion (including oxidation, rusting, galvanic corrosion, and changes due to electrolysis). It follows that the environment surrounding the object can be quickly and efficiently changed from an environment in which marine growth and/or corrosion is sustained to an environment in which marine growth is not sustained and corrosion is inhibited.

Embodiments may be used on structures that are already submerged, and it follows that there is no need to retrieve objects from the water, as is the case with antifouling painting and/or cleaning.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural or methodical features. The term "comprising" and variants thereof, such as "consisting of … …," are used throughout in an inclusive sense and do not exclude any additional features.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown or described, since the means herein described comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An anti-corrosion or fouling system for preventing fouling or corrosion of a vessel or aquatic organism having a surface in contact with seawater and/or brackish water in an aquatic environment, the system comprising:

a flexible and impermeable barrier extending around the surface of the vessel or aquatic organism to avoid direct contact between the surface and the seawater and/or brackish water;

an attachment structure for attaching the barrier relative to the vessel or aquatic organism to position the barrier in a spaced arrangement from a surface of the vessel so as to define an internal volume between the surface of the vessel or the object and the barrier to contain a fluid having a composition different from the aquatic environment.

2. The anti-corrosion or fouling system of claim 1, wherein said attachment structure comprises one or more floatation devices adapted to be positioned relative to the vessel or object, and wherein, during use, said barrier is suspended in a generally downward direction relative to said floatation devices to position said barrier in said spaced-apart arrangement.

3. The corrosion or fouling prevention system of claim 2, wherein the buoyancy of the one or more floatation devices may be variable to allow for lowering or raising of the attachment structure.

4. A corrosion or fouling prevention system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the flotation device is adapted for attachment to the vessel or object.

5. An anti-corrosion or fouling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flotation device comprises a wall enclosing a hollow cavity having: an inlet for containing a fluid therein such that supplying fluid into the hollow cavity of the floatation device causes the attachment structure to be lowered or submerged into the seawater and/or brackish water in a lowered position to allow the vessel or aquatic organism to be positioned above the attachment structure; and a fluid removal device for progressively removing fluid from the one or more hollow cavities of the floatation device to raise the attachment structure to the surface of the sea or brackish water to facilitate attachment of the barrier relative to the vessel or aquatic organism.

6. The anti-corrosion or fouling system of claim 5, further comprising a flow controller for controlling the flow of fluid into or out of the one or more hollow cavities of the flotation device to effect movement of the attachment structure.

7. The corrosion or fouling prevention system of any one of claims 5 or 6, further comprising:

a pumping arrangement adapted to pump seawater or brackish water out of the interior volume between the surfaces of the vessel or object; and

a fluid supply arrangement for supplying the fluid having a different composition to the aquatic environment into the interior volume between the surfaces of the vessel or object.

8. The anti-corrosion or fouling system of claim 7, further comprising one or more coupling assemblies positioned relative to the barrier and/or the attachment structure, the coupling assemblies adapted to be coupled to the pumping arrangement and/or the fluid supply arrangement.

9. The corrosion or fouling prevention system of claim 7 or 8, wherein the floatation device further comprises one or more air vents positioned to vent the hollow cavities and release accumulated air when the floatation device contains a pressurized fluid in the hollow cavity or cavities.

10. A corrosion or fouling prevention system according to any one of the preceding claims, for preventing fouling or corrosion of a vessel having a surface in contact with seawater and/or brackish water in an aquatic environment, further comprising a quay attachment assembly adapted to couple with the attachment structure and/or the barrier to facilitate installation or removal of the corrosion or fouling prevention system relative to the vessel.

11. The corrosion or fouling prevention system of claim 10, when dependent on any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the dock attachment assembly further comprises an extension member extending outwardly from the dock for attachment to the attachment structure at one or more attachment locations, wherein the extension member is adapted to move upwardly or downwardly to facilitate upward or downward movement of the attachment structure relative to the vessel to facilitate installation or removal of the corrosion or fouling prevention system relative to the vessel.

12. A corrosion or fouling prevention system according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 7, wherein the quay attachment assembly comprises one or more connectors adapted to be fluidly coupled to the fluid supply arrangement and the pumping arrangement.

13. A corrosion or fouling prevention system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid contained in the internal volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier is fresh water.

14. A corrosion or fouling prevention system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sealing arrangement for sealing a portion of the barrier relative to the vessel or marine object to prevent the seawater or brackish water from being received into the internal volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier.

15. A method for preventing corrosion or fouling in a vessel or aquatic organism having a surface in contact with seawater and/or brackish water in an aquatic environment, said method comprising the steps of:

attaching an attachment structure relative to the vessel or aquatic organism to position the barrier in a spaced arrangement from a surface of the vessel so as to define an interior volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier; and

supplying a fluid into the interior volume, wherein the fluid has a different composition than the aquatic environment.

16. A method for preventing corrosion or fouling according to claim 15, wherein the attachment structure comprises one or more floating devices adapted to be attached to the vessel or object, and wherein the attaching step comprises suspending the barrier in a generally downward direction relative to the floating devices to position the barrier in the spaced-apart arrangement.

17. The method for preventing corrosion or fouling according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

supplying a fluid into a hollow cavity defined by a wall of the floatation device to lower or submerge the attachment structure into the seawater and/or brackish water into a lowered position to allow the vessel or aquatic organism to be positioned over the attachment structure; and

removing or pumping fluid from the hollow cavity of the floatation device to gradually raise the floatation device of the attachment structure to the surface of the seawater or brackish water to facilitate positioning of the barrier relative to the vessel or aquatic organism.

18. The method for preventing corrosion or fouling according to any one of claims 15 to 17, further comprising the intermediate steps of: pumping or removing any seawater or brackish water from the internal volume between the surface of the vessel or object and the barrier prior to the step of supplying the fluid into the internal volume.

19. The method for preventing corrosion or fouling according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising the steps of: coupling the attachment structure and/or the barrier to a dock attachment assembly to facilitate installation or removal of the corrosion or fouling prevention system relative to the vessel.

20. The method for preventing corrosion or fouling of claim 19, wherein the dock attachment assembly further comprises an extension member extending outwardly from the dock, the method comprising the additional steps of:

attaching the dock attachment assembly to the attachment structure at one or more attachment locations;

raising the extension member in an upward direction to facilitate upward movement of the attachment structure in the sea or brackish water and positioning the attachment structure adjacent the vessel or the object at or along the surface of the sea or brackish water.