GB191216717A - Improved Apparatus for Cleaning the Hulls of Ships or any kind of Vessel. - Google Patents

Abstract

16,717. Browne, F. G. July 17. Hulls, cleaning mechanically.-In apparatus for cleaning the hulls of ships, which is suspended from a floating lighter or dock wall, the pressure of the cleaning-member is regulated by the supporting-cables in addition to adjustable rollers mounted on the casing of the cleaner. The cables are capable of relative adjustment. The cleaner h is carried by cables k, l passing over a derrick g, which is raised and lowered by an electric winch g<2>. The derrick g is mounted on a lighter b connected to each end of the ship by ropes passing over pulleys and around a winch on the lighter b, so that the cleaner h may be traversed over the ship's hull. Relative adjustment of the cables k, l is obtained by means of drums, Fig. 4, driven by a motor o by chain gearing p. A drum carries the cable n for supplying power to the cleaner h. The drums i, j may be rotated independently of one another by disconnecting the clutch r. When cleaning the bottom of the hull, a loose pulley is supported from a second boat, and the ropes k, l pass right under the ship, being kept clear of bilge keels &c. by pulleys mounted on forked members engaging the keels &c. The points of attachment of the cable k may be made adjustable, thereby altering the inclination of the cleaner h. In a modified form of derrick, Fig. 10, the arms g are double, as shown. The ends of the derrick arms are fitted with rollers g<1>. The supporting-cables k, l are also in duplicate. Instead of enclosing the cleaner in a watertight casing, as described in Specification 29,020/11, the motor casing is provided with conical ends fitted with air-chambers to increase the buoyancy. The actual cleaning-member is driven from the motor by sprocket-wheels and chains through worm gearing.