WO2014027894A1

WO2014027894A1 - Apparatus for cleaning of a floating body and method for use of the apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014027894A1
Application number: PCT/NO2013/050125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Per Arnt SELJESETH
Original assignee: Smv Hydraulic As
Priority date: 2012-08-14
Filing date: 2013-07-25
Publication date: 2014-02-20
Also published as: NO334624B1; GB2520210A; GB2520210B; NO20120909A1; GB201502635D0

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for cleaning an elongated, floating element (9) which includes at least one tubular floating body (9), the apparatus (1) including : - a frame (3); - at least one means (2) for attaching the frame (3) to a vessel (10); - at least one primary supporting roller (5) attached to the frame (3), the supporting roller (5) being formed with a primary supporting surface (51), and the primary supporting roller (5) being provided with a drive (55); - at least one upward washing device (8), the washing device (8) being positioned to one side of the primary supporting roller (5), and a portion of the washing device (8) being positioned lower than the uppermost portion of the primary supporting surface (51), and the frame (3) being arranged in a vertically movable manner on the vessel (10). A method for the use of the apparatus (1) is described as well.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING OF A FLOATING BODY AND METHOD FOR USE OF THE APPARATUS

The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a floating body floating in a water surface. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning an elongated floating body, such as a floating collar or one or more floating rings held together for an aquaculture net cage. The apparatus is attached to a vessel, such as a work boat, for example.

Over time, floating bodies in the sea will become fouled with various microbial and marine organisms. The fouling will reduce the buoyancy of the floating body. In some jurisdictions, there are requirements for equipment that is to be moved between different locations for farming to be cleaned and disinfected before being moved. This is in order to reduce the risk of transmitting fish diseases from location to location. In some jurisdictions, there are also requirements for a location to be left fallow after the fish of all the net cages in the location have been slaughtered. The nets are removed from the cages and brought ashore for cleaning. The floating collars are moved to another location as they would otherwise be idle in the fallowing period.

Over time, the aquaculture net cages have become larger and larger. The floating collar encircling a cage has a considerable length, such as 120 m and more, for example. It is therefore an extensive job to clean these structures.

Patent document WO 2011/087371 discloses a cleaning apparatus for a floating body for an aquaculture net cage. The cleaning apparatus is attached to a vessel. The cleaning apparatus includes at least one pair of wheels, which are attached to a supporting device, and at least one upward nozzle arranged in front of or behind the pair of wheels. The floating body to be cleaned rests on the surface of the wheels and is carried over the nozzle. To position the floating body on the surface of the wheels, the floating body is lifted up onto the pair of wheels. It does not appear from WO

2011/087371 whether the nozzles are down in the water or above the water. Under- water pressure-washing is known. A higher jet pressure is required in order to overcome the resistance in the surrounding water.

Patent document NO 331347 discloses a barge device with a motorized transport drum on the deck. A special lifting device lifts a floating body, such as a floating collar, out of the water and onto the transport drum. More specifically, a portion of the floating collar is lifted out of the water and over the barge device so that the barge device may pass under the floating collar from the outside of the cage to the inside of the cage. When the floating ring has been placed on the transport drum, the drum will move the floating collar across the barge device in such a way that the barge device is moved around inside the cage along the floating collar. This has the advantage of the floating collar not having to be detached from the frame mooring of the facility in order to be cleaned. The barge device is further provided with upward washing devices on the deck. They will clean the floating collar from below.

Patent document NO 312230 discloses a scraping device for cleaning elongated tubular bodies floating on the water. A band is passed around the circumference of the tube and surrounds the tube. The band is brought to move back and forth in the circumferential direction of the tube. Fouling will then be scraped off. Patent document NO 306933 discloses a cleaning device for an elongated tubular body floating on water. The cleaning device includes a supporting roller riding on the upper side of the tube and a rotating motorized brush which is positioned underneath the tube and bears against the submerged portion of the tube. The cleaning device is moved forwards along the tube resting on the supporting roller.

The invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art or at least provide a useful alternative to the prior art.

The object is achieved through features which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning an elongated floating element which includes at least one tubular floating body, the apparatus including :

- a frame;

- at least one means for attaching the frame to a vessel ;

- at least one primary supporting roller attached to the frame, the supporting roller being formed with a primary supporting surface, and the primary supporting roller being provided with a drive;

- at least one upward washing device, the washing device being positioned to one side of the primary supporting roller, and a portion of the washing device being positioned lower than the uppermost portion of the primary supporting surface, characterized by the frame being arranged in a vertically movable manner on the vessel so that:

- the primary supporting surface of the supporting roller is positioned below the floating body when the frame is in its lowered position; and

- the primary supporting surface of the supporting roller bears against the underside of the floating body when the frame is in its upper position, so that, in a portion, the floating body is raised above the water surface.

The means of attaching the frame to the vessel may include a supporting frame. In an alternative embodiment, the means may include an arm, preferably an articulated arm which is attached at one end to the vessel and is attached at its other end to the frame.

The apparatus may further be provided with a side frame which is movably attached to the frame, and the side frame may be provided with at least one secondary supporting roller provided with a secondary supporting surface, the secondary supporting surface may, in an uppermost portion, be positioned higher than a portion of the washing device in a position of application, and the secondary supporting roller may be provided with a drive. The side frame may further be provided with at least one upward washing device, wherein the washing device may be positioned to one side of the secondary supporting roller and a portion of the washing device may be positioned lower than the uppermost portion of the secondary supporting surface.

The apparatus may further be provided with at least one tertiary supporting roller which may be attached to the frame, and the tertiary supporting roller may be provided with a tertiary supporting surface, the uppermost portion of the tertiary supporting surface may be positioned lower than the primary supporting roller. The tertiary supporting roller may be displaceably attached to the frame.

The apparatus may further be provided with at least one washing device facing sideways.

The frame may further be provided with at least one primary guide roller positioned in a portion between the means for attaching the frame to the vessel and the primary supporting roller, wherein the rotational axis of the primary guide roller may be substantially vertical.

The primary supporting roller may be tilted so that the rotational axis of the primary supporting roller is slanted. The secondary supporting roller may be tilted in the direc- tion towards the primary supporting roller so that the rotational axis of the secondary supporting roller is slanted.

The frame may be provided with at least one tertiary guide roller positioned in a portion between the means for attaching the frame to the vessel and the tertiary supporting roller, and the rotational axis of the tertiary guide roller may be substantially vertical, the tertiary guide roller may be provided with a guide surface, and the contact portion of the guide surface may be on the opposite side of the rotational axis relative to the means for attaching the frame to the vessel.

The side frame may be provided with at least one tertiary guide roller, and the rotational axis of the tertiary guide roller may be substantially vertical, the tertiary guide roller may be provided with a guide surface and the contact portion of the guide surface may face the tertiary guide roller of the frame.

The side frame may further be provided with at least one sideward washing device facing the sideward washing device of the frame.

The washing device of the frame may be movably attached in an articulated manner to the frame to be able to take a passive position and an active position. The washing device of the side frame may be movably attached in an articulated manner to the side frame to be able to take a passive position and an active position. The frame may be provided with two washing devices movably attached in an articulated manner to the frame to be able to take a passive position and an active position, and the washing devices may be angled towards each other. The side frame may be provided with two washing devices movably attached in an articulated manner to the side frame to be able to take a passive position and an active position, and the washing devices may be angled towards each other.

The washing device may include a rotatable arm which may be provided with a nozzle tip in at least one end portion, and the washing device may further include a peripheral protection screen.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of cleaning an elongated floating body floating on a water surface, the method including the steps of:

a) providing a vessel with an apparatus for cleaning an elongated floating body;

b) bringing the apparatus to face the floating body, and the method further including the steps of

c) providing the vessel with an apparatus, as described above, and moving a portion of the apparatus under a portion of the floating body so that the supporting surface of at least one supporting roller is brought to bear against the underside of the floating body;

d) raising the at least one supporting roller of the apparatus out of the water so that a portion of the floating body is raised above the water;

d) moving a washing device from a passive position to an active position so that, in its active position, the washing device may emit an upward jet that hits the floating body on its underside in the portion that is raised above the water; and

e) activating a drive which brings the at least one supporting roller to rotate so that the floating body is moved past the washing device.

In what follows, an example of a preferred embodiment is described, which is visualized in the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a side view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention for cleaning an elongated floating body, the apparatus being attached to a vessel;

Figure 2 shows, on the same scale as figure 1, a top view of the apparatus;

Figure 3 shows, on a larger scale, a side view of the apparatus viewed perpendicularly to the view shown in figure 1;

Figure 4 shows, on a slightly smaller scale than figure 1, a side view of the apparatus, the apparatus having been lowered relative to the vessel and the apparatus being positioned relative to an elongated floating body in the form of a floating collar for an aquaculture net cage and washing devices being in a passive position;

Figure 5 shows, on the same scale as figure 4, a top view of the apparatus positioned relative to the elongated floating body shown in figure 4;

Figure 6 shows, on a different scale, the same side view as that shown in figure

3, the apparatus being positioned relative to the elongated floating body shown in figure 4;

Figure 7 shows the same as figure 4, the apparatus having lifted a portion of the floating body, and the washing devices of the apparatus being in an active position;

Figure 8 shows a top view of the same as that shown in figure 7; Figure 9 shows a side view of the same as that shown in figure 7, drawn on the same scale as in figure 6;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view, on a larger scale, of details of the washing device; and

Figure 11 shows the same as figure 3, but in a different embodiment.

In the following description and in the claims, directions are indicated relative to the position of application of the apparatus, that is to say the way in which it is attached to a vessel in the operative position. Directions are indicated according to their usual sense.

In the description of the drawings, descriptions of some details have been left out. These details are not essential for highlighting what is new about the invention. These details may be of importance for the production of the apparatus, but the descriptions of them have been left out to make the description simpler and the invention clearer.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates an apparatus in accordance with the invention. The apparatus 1 is shown attached to a stern 11 of a vessel 10. A water surface 19 is shown schematically. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus 1 includes a supporting frame 2, a frame 3 displaceably attached to the supporting frame 2, a side frame 4 displaceably attached to the frame 3, primary supporting rollers 5 attached to the frame 3, secondary supporting rollers 6 attached to the side frame 4, tertiary supporting rollers 7 attached to the frame 3 and a plurality of washing devices 8, 8', 8", 8"'.

The supporting frame 2 is shown attached to the stern 11 of the vessel 10 by means of at least one lower attachment 21 and at least one upper attachment 22. The lower attachment 21 is shown as a hinged attachment 21. In the embodiment shown, the upper attachment 22 is provided with an actuator 13 oriented substantially horizontally, which is attached to the vessel 10 by means of an actuator attachment 15, see figure 3. The supporting frame 2 can be tilted around the attachment 21 relative to the stern 11 by activation of the actuator 13. The supporting frame 2 is provided with at least one actuator 23 oriented substantially vertically, which is attached at one end portion to an upper portion of the supporting frame 2, and which is attached at an opposite end portion to the frame 3. The frame 3 can be lifted and lowered relative to the supporting frame 2 by activation of the actuator 23, see figures 1, 4 and 7, and figures 3, 6 and 9. In the figures, two actuators 13, two actuator attachments 15 and two actuators 23 are shown. The frame 3 is provided with at least one primary supporting roller 5. The primary supporting roller 5 has a substantially horizontal rotational axis 59 (see figure 6) oriented away from the supporting frame 2. The primary supporting roller 5 is formed with a primary supporting surface 51. In the figures, the supporting surface 51 is shown as a concave supporting surface 51. The primary supporting roller 5 is provided with a drive 55 arranged to rotate the primary supporting roller 5 around its rotational axis 59. The frame 3 is also provided with at least one rotatable guide roller 37. The guide roller 37 has a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The guide roller 37 is positioned in a portion between the supporting frame 2 and the primary supporting roller 5, see figure 2 for example. In the figures, two primary supporting rollers 5 and two guide rollers 37 are shown. The drive 55 may be hydraulically operated.

The frame 3 is further provided with at least one movably attached washing device 8. In the figures, two washing devices 8 movably attached to the frame 3 are shown. An elongated arm 31 is hingingly attached at one end portion to the frame 3; see figures 3, 6 and 9. The arm 31 carries one washing device 8 at its opposite end portion, and one washing device 8 on its middle portion, see figure 3. An actuator 33 is attached at one end portion to the frame 3 and at its other end portion to the arm 31, see figure 9 in particular. The washing devices 8 are attached to the arm 31 by means of attachment arms 81. The arm 31 with the washing devices 8 may be lifted and lowered by activation of the actuator 33. The washing devices 8 are shown staggered relative to each other on the arm 31 and angled towards each other.

The frame 3 is further provided with one side frame 4 attached in a horizontally movable manner. At least one actuator 49 is attached, at one end portion, to the frame 3 and is attached, at its opposite end portion, to the side frame 4. The side frame 4 can be displaced horizontally relative to the frame 3 by activation of the actuator 49, see in particular figures 3, 6 and 9. The side frame 4 is provided with at least one secondary supporting roller 6. The secondary supporting roller 6 is tilted towards the primary supporting roller 5 by the rotational axis 69 (see figure 6) of the secondary supporting roller 6 being tilted relative to the rotational axis 59 of the primary supporting roller 5. In the horizontal plane, the rotational axis 69 of the secondary supporting roller 6 is substantially parallel to the rotational axis 59 of the primary supporting roller 5. The secondary supporting roller 6 is formed with a secondary supporting surface 61. In the figures, the supporting surface 61 is shown as a concave supporting surface 61. The secondary supporting roller 6 is provided with a drive 65 arranged to rotate the secondary supporting roller 6 around its rotational axis 69. In the figures, two secondary supporting rollers 6 are shown. The drive 65 may be hydraulically operated. An alternative embodiment is shown in figure 11. In the alternative embodiment, the primary supporting roller 5 is tilted towards the secondary supporting roller 6 by the rotational axis 59 (see figure 11) of the primary supporting roller 5 being tilted relative to the rotational axis 69 of the primary supporting roller 6. In the horizontal plane, the rotational axis 69 of the secondary supporting roller 6 is substantially parallel to the rotational axis 59 of the primary supporting roller 5.

The side frame 4 is further provided with at least one movably attached washing device 8'. In the figures, two washing devices 8' movably attached to the side frame 4 are shown. An elongated arm 41 is hingingly attached at one end portion to the side frame 4. The arm 41 carries one washing device 8' at its opposite end portion and one washing device 8' on its middle portion, see figure 7. An actuator 43 is attached at one end portion to the frame 4 and is attached at its other end portion to the arm 41, see figure 9 in particular. The washing devices 8' are attached to the arm 41 by means of attachment arms 81'. The arm 41 with the washing devices 8' can be lifted and lowered by activation of the actuator 43. The washing devices 8' are shown staggered relative to each other on the arm 41 and angled towards each other.

The frame 3 is further provided with at least one tertiary supporting roller 7. The tertiary supporting roller 7 has a substantially horizontal rotational axis oriented away from the supporting frame 2. The tertiary supporting roller 7 is formed with a tertiary supporting surface 71. In the figures, the supporting surface 71 is shown as a concave supporting surface 71. The frame 3 is also provided with at least one rotatable guide roller 77. The guide roller 77 has a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The guide roller 77 is positioned in a portion between the supporting frame 2 and the tertiary supporting roller 7, see figures 2 and 3 for example, and higher up than the tertiary supporting roller 7. The guide roller 77 is formed with a guide surface 78 and the contact portion 79 of the guide surface is on the opposite side of the rotational axis relative to the supporting frame 2. In the figures, two tertiary supporting rollers 7 and two guide rollers 77 are shown.

The side frame 4 is also provided with at least one rotatable guide roller 77'. The guide roller 77' has a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The guide roller 77' is positioned higher up than the tertiary supporting roller 7. The guide roller 77' is formed with a guide surface 78', and the contact portion 79' of the guide surface faces the contact portion 79 of the guide roller 77, see figure 2. In the figures, two guide rollers 77' are shown. The frame 3 is further provided with a washing device 8", see figures 1 and 2. This washing device 8" is arranged to wash sideways in the direction of the side frame 4. The washing device 8" is positioned on the same height as the guide roller 77. The Side frame 4 is further provided with a washing device 8"', see figures 1 and 2. This washing device 8"' is arranged to wash sideways in the direction of the 8" on the frame 3. The washing device 8"' is positioned at the same height as the guide roller 77'.

The washing device 8' which is attached to the arm 41 is shown in greater detail in figure 10. The washing device 8' is provided with an elongated nozzle arm 82. The nozzle arm 82 is rotatably attached at its middle portion to the base 83 of the washing device 8'. In at least one of its free end portions, the nozzle arm 82 is provided with a nozzle tip 84. The nozzle tip 84 is provided with a nozzle opening 85. In the figures, the washing device 8' is shown with two tips 84. An arm 81' extends from the arm 41 to the base 83. A protective screen 86 circularly surrounds the nozzle arm 82. The protective screen 86 is attached to the base 83 by means of a holder 87. The washing device 8' is provided with pressurized liquid (not shown) in a known manner. The nozzle openings 85 are somewhat at an angle relative to the axis of rotation of the nozzle arm 82. The pressurized liquid will bring the nozzle arm 82 to rotate as it is known within the art. The washing devices 8, 8", 8'" are made substantially in the same way as the washing device 8' and are not described particularly.

When the apparatus 1 is not in use, for example when the vessel 10 is moving, the frame 3 is lifted to an upper position in the supporting frame 2, the side frame 4 is moved towards the frame 3 and the washing devices 8 may be lowered as shown in figures 1-3. When an elongated floating body 9 is to be cleaned by means of the device 1, the vessel 10 goes astern up to the elongated floating body 9. In the figures, the elongated body 9 is shown as a floating collar 9 for an aquaculture net cage (not shown). The floating collar 9 includes two floating rings: an outer floating ring 91 and an inner floating ring 93, which are interconnected by radial attachment braces (not shown). A bottom ring 95 is suspended from the attachment brace by a chain or a rope (not shown), for example. The bottom ring 95 has been lifted to hang right under the floating rings 91, 93. The frame 3 with the side frame 4 is lowered down and may possibly also be tilted so that the primary and secondary rollers 5, 6 with their respective supporting surfaces 51, 61 are moved under the outer floating ring 91 and the inner floating ring 93, respectively. The secondary supporting roller 6 must also be moved under and past the bottom ring 95. The side frame 4 is moved sideways relative to the frame 3 so that the distance between the primary supporting roller 5 and the secondary supporting roller 6 is adjusted to the radial distance between the outer floating ring 91 and the inner floating ring 93. By the side frame 4 being moved sideways, the distance between the tertiary guide rollers 77, 77' increases so that they will be positioned on respective sides of the bottom ring 95, see figures 6 and 9. The tertiary supporting roller 7 is moved under the bottom ring 95. When the supporting rollers 5, 6, 7 are in the correct positions, see figures 6 and 9, the frame 3 is lifted by means of the actuator 23, see figure 7. The outer floating ring 91, the inner floating ring 93 and the bottom ring 95 will thereby rest against the primary supporting roller 5, the secondary supporting roller 6 and the tertiary supporting roller 7 respectively, see figures 6, 7 and 9. The guide rollers 37 prevent the outer floating ring 91 from travelling outwards in a radial direction towards the supporting frame 2, see figures 5 and 8. The tilted secondary supporting roller 6 prevents the inner floating ring 93 from travelling off the secondary supporting roller 6 in an inward, radial direction; see figures 6 and 9. Both floating rings 91, 93 are thereby held in place since their mutual distance is kept constant by means of the attachment brace not shown.

When the frame 3 has been lifted to its upper position, the floating rings 91, 93 and the bottom ring 95 are raised above the water surface 19 in a portion, see figure 7. The washing devices 8 of the frame 3 and the washing devices 8' of the side frame 4 are lifted from a passive position into an active position as shown in figures 7-9. The washing devices 8, 8', 8", 8"' will be above the water surface 19. Then the cleaning of the floating rings 91, 93 and bottom ring 95 starts. Pressurized liquid is carried with great force from two directions towards the underside of the outer floating ring 91 via the washing device 8, and from two directions towards the underside of the inner floating ring 93 via the washing device 8'. The bottom ring 95 is washed from two opposite sides by means of liquid jets directed substantially horizontally via the washing devices 8", 8'".

The drives 55, 65 rotate respectively the primary supporting roller 5 and the secondary supporting roller 6. The supporting surfaces 51 and 61 bear against the underside of the outer floating ring 91 and the inner floating ring 93 respectively. The rotating supporting rollers 5, 6 will continuously lift the floating body 9 out of the water and carry the floating body 9 past the washing devices 8, 8', 8", 8"' before the floating body 9 is laid down on the water surface 19 after having passed the washing devices 8, 8', 8", 8"'. This brings an annular floating body 9 to rotate horizontally in the water surface 19. The vessel 10 may also be moved sideways through the water because of the weight of the floating body 9. In the figures, pairs of primary supporting rollers 5, pairs of secondary supporting rollers 6 and pairs of tertiary supporting rollers 7 are shown. This has the advantage of the floating body 9 not being subjected to buckling where the floating body 9 lies resting on the supporting surfaces 51, 61, 71. The operation of the invention will be the same if there is just one supporting roller 5, 6, 7 or more than two of each supporting roller 5, 6, 7.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the apparatus 1 may be provided with additional nozzles. These nozzles may be positioned on the opposite side of the apparatus 1 relative to the washing devices 8, 8' shown, which are movably attached to the frame 3 and the side frame 4. When the floating body 9 is being moved in over the supporting rollers 5, 6, a first set of nozzles may apply a detergent or the like to the surface of the floating body 9, whereas the washing devices 8, 8', 8", 8"' clean the floating body 9 as described. In a further alternative embodiment (not shown), the floating body 9 is cleaned as described, whereas another set of nozzles applies a disinfectant or some other agent to the surface of the floating body before the floating body 9 is guided back into the water.

The vessel 10 is provided with means necessary to provide the drives 55, 65 with energy, to operate and control the actuators 13, 23, 33, 43 and 49 and for supplying pressurized liquid to the washing devices 8, 8', 8", 8"'. Such means are known in the field and will not be described. The transmission of energy to the drives 55, 65, the operation and control of the actuators 13, 23, 33, 43 and 49 and the supply of pressurized liquid to the washing devices 8, 8', 8", 8"' of the apparatus 1 are common general knowledge as well and will not be described.

In the figures, the floating body 9 is shown with an outer floating ring 91, an inner floating ring 93 and a bottom ring 95. The person skilled in the art will know that the apparatus 1 shown may clean a floating body 9 without the bottom ring 95. The person skilled in the art will know that the apparatus 1 may also clean just one floating ring 91, 93 and that the floating body 9 does not have to be annular.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the frame 3 may be attached to at least one movable arm which is attached to the vessel 10. The movable arm may be articulated and provided with actuators. This has the advantage of enabling the frame 3 to be moved somewhat away from the vessel 10 when a portion of the apparatus 1 is to be moved under the floating body 9. Having to move the vessel 10 all the way up to the floating body 9 is thereby avoided, which may be difficult to carry out safely if the wave height is too large. After the floating body 9 has been positioned in the appa- ratus 1, the apparatus 1 is lifted by means of the arm, and the vessel 10 is pulled towards the floating body 9. In this embodiment, the apparatus 1 does not have to be provided with a supporting frame 3, or the supporting frame 3 is not used to move the frame 4.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. Apparatus (1) for cleaning an elongated, floating element (9) which includes at least one tubular floating body (9), the apparatus (1) including :

- a frame (3);

- at least one means (2) for attaching the frame (3) to a vessel (10);

- at least one primary supporting roller (5) attached to the frame (3), the supporting roller (5) being formed with a primary supporting surface (51), and the primary supporting roller (5) being provided with a drive (55);

- at least one upward washing device (8), the washing device (8) being positioned to one side of the primary supporting roller (5), and a portion of the washing device (8) being positioned lower than the uppermost portion of the primary supporting surface (51), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the frame (3) is arranged in a vertically movable manner on the vessel (10) so that:

- the primary supporting surface (51) of the supporting roller (5) is positioned under the floating body (9) when the frame (3) is in its lowered position; and

- the primary supporting surface (51) of the supporting roller (5) bears against the underside of the floating body (9) when the frame (3) is in its upper position, so that, in a portion, the floating body (9) is lifted up above the water surface (19).

2. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus (1) is further provided with a side frame (4) which is movably attached to the frame (3), and the side frame (4) is provided with at least one secondary supporting roller (6) formed with a secondary supporting surface (61), the secondary supporting surface (61) is positioned, in a position of application, with an uppermost portion higher than a portion of the washing device (8), and the secondary supporting roller (6) is provided with a drive.

3. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 2, wherein the side frame (4) is further provided with at least one upward washing device (8'), the washing device (8') being positioned to one side of the secondary supporting roller (6) and a portion of the washing device (8') being positioned lower than the uppermost portion of the secondary supporting surface (61).

4. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus (1) is further provided with at least one tertiary supporting roller (7), and the ter- tiary supporting roller (7) is formed with a tertiary supporting surface (71), the uppermost portion of the tertiary supporting surface (71) being positioned lower than the primary supporting roller (5).

5. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus ( 1) is further provided with at least one sideward washing device (8").

6. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the frame (3) is further provided with at least one primary guide roller (37) positioned in a portion between the means (2) and the primary supporting roller (5), and wherein the axis of rotation of the primary guide roller (5) is substantially vertical.

7. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the primary supporting roller (5) is tilted so that the rotational axis (59) of the primary supporting roller (5) is slanted.

8. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 2, wherein the secondary supporting roller (6) is tilted in the direction of the primary supporting roller (5) so that the rotational axis (69) of the secondary supporting roller (6) is slanted.

9. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 4, wherein the frame (3) is provided with at least one tertiary guide roller (77) positioned in a portion between the means (2) and the tertiary supporting roller (7), and wherein the rotational axis of the tertiary supporting roller (77) is substantially vertical, the tertiary guide roller (77) is formed with a guide surface (78) and the contact portion (79) of the guide surface (78) is on the opposite side of the rotational axis relative to the means (2).

10. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claims 2, 4 and 9, wherein the side frame (4) is provided with at least one tertiary guide roller (77'), and wherein the rotational axis of the tertiary guide roller is substantially vertical, the tertiary guide roller (77') is provided with a guide surface (78') and the contact portion (79') of the guide surface (78') faces the tertiary guide roller (77) of the frame (3).

11. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 2, wherein the side frame (4) is further provided with at least one sideward washing device (8"') facing the washing device (8") of the frame (3).

12. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the washing device (8) is movably attached in an articulated manner to the frame (3) to be able to take a passive position and an active position.

13. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 3, wherein the washing device (8') is movably attached in an articulated manner to the side frame (4), to be able to take a passive position and an active position.

14. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the frame (3) is provided with two washing devices (8') movably attached in an articulated manner to the frame (3) to be able to take a passive position and an active position, and wherein the washing devices (8') are angled towards each other.

15. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 3, wherein the side frame (4) is provided with two washing devices (8) movably attached in an articulated manner to the side frame (4) to be able to take a passive position and an active position, and wherein the washing devices (8) are angled towards each other.

16. The apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the washing device

(8) includes a rotatable arm (82) which is provided, in at least one end portion, with a nozzle tip (84), and wherein the washing device (8) further includes a peripheral protective screen (86).

17. A method for cleaning an elongated floating body (9) floating on a water surface (19), the method including the steps of:

a) providing a vessel (10) with an apparatus for cleaning an elongated floating body (9);

b) bringing the apparatus to face the floating body (9),

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the method further includes the steps of:

c) providing the vessel (10) with an apparatus (1) in accordance with claim 1, and moving a portion of the apparatus (1) under a portion of the floating body (9) so that the supporting surface (51, 61) of at least one supporting roller (5, 6) is brought to bear against the underside of the floating body

(9) ;

d) raising the at least one supporting roller (5, 6) of the apparatus (1) out of the water so that a portion of the floating body (9) is raised above the water surface (19);

d) moving a washing device (8) from a passive position to an active position so that, in its active position, the washing device (8) may emit an upward jet that hits the floating body (9) on its underside in the portion that is lifted up above the water; and

e) activating a drive (55, 65) which brings the at least one supporting roller (5, 6) to rotate so that the floating body (9) is moved past the washing device (8).