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US4869016A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Marine biofouling reduction

Assignee: SOLPRO MANUFACTURING Ltd
•
Filing: 1986-11-28
•
Granted: 1989-09-26
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Expires: 2006-11-28
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Abstract

Abstract PCT No. PCT/GB86/00725 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 15, 1987 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 15, 1987 PCT Filed Nov. 28, 1986 PCT Pub. No. WO87/03261 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 4, 1987.A method is disclosed to provide a substantial reduction of marine corrosion in sea water by micro and macro biofouling. An alternating current is generated of a strength and frequency sufficient to shock marine biofouling organisms and sufficient to upset the normal behavior patterns of the marine biofouling organisms entrained in the sea water passing around or through the structure. A second combination of alternating and direct currents are generated between two strategically located electrodes whereby to release into the water around or within the structure controlled amounts of chlorine ions and copper ions to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms. The effect of releasing copper ions and chlorine ions simultaneously is that they co-operate in a synergistic manner that greatly enhances the biocidal effect on marine organisms over and above the effect of the separate use of copper ions and chlorine ions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael F. Diprose
  • 👤 Edward E. Williams
  • 👤 Brent Knox-Holmes

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 13:46
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B59/00; B63B59/04; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/46; C02F1/4606; C02F1/461; C02F1/46104; C02F1/46109; C02F1/48

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 64 words
A method of preventing marine biofouling and associated corrosion fouling of structures in contact with sea water comprising generating across the structure a combination of alternating and direct currents between strategically located electrodes whereby to release into the sea water around or within the structure controlled amounts of chlorine ions and copper ions to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 64 words
A method of preventing marine biofouling and associated corrosion fouling of structures in contact with sea water comprising generating across the structure a combination of alternating and direct currents between strategically located electrodes whereby to release into the sea water around or within the structure controlled amounts of chlorine ions and copper ions to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 44 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein a third electrode is provided for the simultaneous release of aluminium ions and which elevates considerably the alkalinity of the sea water to a level that further enhances the biocidal action of the copper and chlorine ions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 51 words
A method as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrode materials are of copper or arsenical copper to which an AC and a DC current is applied for the release of copper ions and platinised titanium to which a DC current is applied for the release of chlorine ions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
A method as in claim 2, wherein the electrode material is aluminium to which a DC current is applied for the release of aluminium ions.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 70 words
A method of preventing marine biofouling of structures in contact with sea water, comprising simultaneous releasing of copper ions into the sea water around or within the structure and using a coated titanium anode to release chlorine ions from the sea water around or within the structure, and which ions cooperate in a synergistic manner in their combined effect to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 70 words
A method of preventing marine biofouling of structures in contact with sea water, comprising simultaneous releasing of copper ions into the sea water around or within the structure and using a coated titanium anode to release chlorine ions from the sea water around or within the structure, and which ions cooperate in a synergistic manner in their combined effect to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method as in claim 5 further comprising simultaneous releasing of aluminum ions in order to further enhance the biocidal action of said copper and chlorine ions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein said coated titanium anode comprises platinised titanium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
A method as in claim 5 comprising using an anode comprising copper for said release of said copper ions.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1021734A Cited
US2818672A Cited
US3241512A Cited
US3180047A Cited
US3524276A Cited
US3625852A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-09-25 1993-03-27 1993-09-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-09-25 1997-03-27 1997-09-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-09-25 2001-03-27 2001-09-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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