FR2628701A1 - Composition material for protecting underwater surfaces - consists copper or alloy strips fixed with water-resistant resin adhesive - Google Patents

Abstract

A composition material for protecting the bottom of ships or underwater installations from seaweed and molluscs consists of thin layers of copper or a copper alloy, allied with a resin-based adhesive which is resistant to sea-water, and stuck to the protected surface in layers with overlapping edges. The metal bands can be applied parallel or perpendicular to the water-line, and it can be made in strips or panels which are grooved or corrugated to allow them to be bent to fit curved surfaces. The bands can have straight overlapping edges or be cut in the shape of fish-scales. ADVANTAGE - Improved performance with less environmental damage.

Description

So far, there has been no satisfactory solution to protect seals (algae, molluscs) from the hulls of ships of all kinds, and submerged bodies,
There are more or less effective paints, but which must be redone approximately every year, sometimes more often in warm waters. Only these paints are very toxic for the marine environment, and in ports, they create serious local pollution.

 The costs occasioned by the careening operations are quite high, the boats having to be put in dry dock or on floating dock for the cleaning operation of the hull, then of its painting.

 However, there are mechanical means for cleaning the hulls of ships afloat, which must be used very often.

 In addition, each type of material constituting the hulls of the ships, have defects which must be neutralized with each fairing: steel and aluminum hulls = corrosion + galvanic effects; wooden hulls = risk of rotting and leaking; plastic shells = osmosis phenomenon of gelcoats by taking up water in the resin; ferro-cement hulls = corrosion + micro-cracking.

 A solution existed for wooden hulls, from the 18th century, the use of copper sheets nailed in strips on the hulls which eliminated the carving chores. The only defect was its high cost price.

The present invention aims to remedy all these drawbacks by manufacturing a composite material comprising a thin sheet of copper or copper alloy (having a good resistance to marine corrosion) associated with a tough adhesive, resistant to water sea, which will be stuck where thermo-souae on the hull, in bands dating narrower than the unit is small and its hull not deve -loppable. The copper foil will be coated with a product
adhesive, based on resin of any kind whatsoever, tar or bitumen-based products are not very good, because they can dissolve due to oil pollution, mainly in ports .

In addition, the adhesion of copper or alloy, is not excellent.

 Depending on the nature of the resin adhesive, the shell will receive the application of a primer. The strips of composite material will always be arranged with a certain overlap, either parallel, perpendicular or oblique to the waterline. In order to marry the parts in non-developable forms, the copper or the copper alloy, will have striations, which will always be parallel to the flow of the veal fillets.

 Alternatively, an embossing, either oblong, ovoid, or diamond-shaped, or square or rectangular, or three-dimensional, where many fish scales, in addition to its great flexibility for use, modifies the flow. Laminar water, reducing the thickness of the boundary layer. In addition, this embossing of the embossing serves as a lure for sonard and sea-salt detectors, disturbing the echo.

 For decorative purposes, the bands, when applied perpendicular or oblique to the waterline, can have a cut on one of the edges in drilling fish scales. For aesthetic reasons, a special narrow strip can be applied lengthwise to the waterline to make joint cover.

 The implementation on the hull of ships, will start from the stern of the boat, in the case of per-pendulum or oblique bands, at the waterline.

Claims (7)

10) Composite material and its implementation, anti-fouling protection (alnues and molluscs) of the hulls of ships of all kinds and submerged bodies, characterized in that it comprises copper or copper alloy, laminated in thin sheets, alloyed with a tenacious adhesive, based on resin resistant to seawater, which is glued in strips with a coating. 20) Composite material, according to claim 1 characterized in that it consists of bands which are applied parallel to the flotation link 30) Composite material, according to claim 1 characterized in that it consists of bands which we apply perpen -dicululaire to the waterline. 40) Composite material according to claim 1 characterized in that it consists of strips which are applied obliquely -ment relative to the waterline.  5) Composite material, according to any one of reven -dications 1 to 4, characterized in that the metal sheet comprises a ridge which allows to marry by deformation, the forms which cannot be developed. 60) Composite material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the metal sheet has an embossing in the shape of a parallelogram, which allows, by deformation, to match the non-developable shapes. . 70) Composite material, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the metal sheet comprises an embossing of ovoid shape, which allows by deformation to match the non-developable shapes. 80) Composite material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the metal sheet has an embossing in the form of fish scales, which allows by deformation to match the non-developed shapes. -bles.  90) Composite material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the strips can be cut, on one of the edges, in the form of a line of fish scales. 100) Composite material, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a narrow strip is applied as a joint cover, over the entire length of the waterline.