ANTI-BIOFOULING, FLUID DYNAMIC EFFICIENT SURFACE COVERING FOR STRUCTURES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING
First Claim
1. An anti-biofouling covering for a structure comprising:
- an inner layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface of said inner layer disposed in conformal contact with a structure to be covered; and
an outer layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said inner surface of said outer layer is in conformal contact with said outer surface of said inner layer, andwherein said outer covering comprises an anti-biofouling material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention combines novel materials to provide improved fluid dynamic, biofouling and corrosion control to structures, for example ship stabilizer fins, by applying a novel multilayered conformal covering to such structures. The covering may further comprise drag-reducing control surfaces such as grooves, crests and troughs that improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of the structure. The invention may be comprised of two layers: an inner layer comprising an fabric, composite, elastomeric, or combination thereof, material to provide shape and a firm fit to the existing body and an outer layer comprising silicone based polymer to prevent or control biological growth. The properties of the inner layer, which may be stiff or elastomeric, are selected to provide a tough conformal fit over the structure to be improved and may be made from an fabric, composite or elastomer, or combinations thereof, such as neoprene or high modulus toughened silicone.
6 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An anti-biofouling covering for a structure comprising:
-
an inner layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface of said inner layer disposed in conformal contact with a structure to be covered; and an outer layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said inner surface of said outer layer is in conformal contact with said outer surface of said inner layer, and wherein said outer covering comprises an anti-biofouling material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for manufacturing an anti-biofouling covering for a structure, comprising the steps of:
-
fabricating an inner layer having an inner surface forming a complimentary shape to a structure to be covered, wherein said inner layer has an outer surface and wherein said inner comprises material selected from the group consisting of a fabric material, a composite material or an elastomeric material, and wherein said inner layer is formed by molding, casting, machining, or laying up; and forming an outer layer on said outer surface of said inner layer applying a conformal coating of anti-biofouling material onto said outer surface of said inner layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification