GB2078546A - Apparatus for Cleaning Underwater Structures - Google Patents
Apparatus for Cleaning Underwater Structures Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2078546A GB2078546A GB8020078A GB8020078A GB2078546A GB 2078546 A GB2078546 A GB 2078546A GB 8020078 A GB8020078 A GB 8020078A GB 8020078 A GB8020078 A GB 8020078A GB 2078546 A GB2078546 A GB 2078546A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- jet
- fluid
- gas
- nozzle
- reactive
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 10
- 206010028813 Nausea Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000012886 Vertigo Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Fe]O[Fe]=O JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008693 nausea Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000889 vertigo Toxicity 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B59/00—Hull protection specially adapted for vessels; Cleaning devices specially adapted for vessels
- B63B59/06—Cleaning devices for hulls
- B63B59/08—Cleaning devices for hulls of underwater surfaces while afloat
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
- B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
- B05B7/04—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
- E02B17/0034—Maintenance, repair or inspection of offshore constructions
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/18—Drilling by liquid or gas jets, with or without entrained pellets
- E21B7/185—Drilling by liquid or gas jets, with or without entrained pellets underwater
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
Abstract
Apparatus for cleaning underwater structures e.g. submerged parts of offshore oil rigs comprises a nozzle 1 for providing a high velocity jet of fluid and a passage 5 for providing a jet of gas in close proximity with the jet of fluid whereby to reduce the noise caused by the jet of fluid when used under water. Preferably the passage 5 for providing the jet of gas comprises an annular orifice (6) surrounding the jet of fluid. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Apparatus for Cleaning Underwater Structures
Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a apparatus for, and a method of, cleaning underwater structures.
Background Art
With offshore structures such as, for example, oil rigs, it is necessary to inspect the submerged parts from time to time to check for defects such as weld failure, and to enable the submerged parts to be properly inspected it is necessary to remove any marine growth, rust or scale from the parts being inspected. Inspections of this kind are usually carried out by a diver who cleans the parts being inspected using a high velocity jet of water supplied by suitable pumps mounted above the surface of the water. The apparatus used to effect the cleaning usually comprises a "jetting gun" having a nozzle which directs the high velocity jet of water on to the relevant parts. A further, rearwardly facing, high velocity jet of water may be provided to overcome the reaction force on the jetting gun produced by the jet directed towards the parts to be cleaned.
It is a disadvantage of this known apparatus that the noise caused by the cleaning jet, and by the reaction jet when provided, is such that it may become a safety hazard to the diver. At best the level of noise, as perceived by the diver, is such as to make communication between the diver and surface crew extremely difficult and sometimes virtually impossible. At worst the level of noise may cause physical hardship and in some instances vertigo and nausea have been experienced by divers.
An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for cleaning underwater structures which to some extent alleviates the abovementioned disadvantage.
Disclosure of the Invention
According to one aspect of the present invention apparatus for cleaning underwater structures comprises means for providing a high velocity jet of fluid and means for providing a jet of gas in close proximity with the jet of fluid whereby to reduce the noise caused by the jet of fluid when used underwater.
According to another aspect of the present invention a method of cleaning underwater structures comprises the steps of directing a high velocity jet of fluid on to the underwater structure and directing a jet of gas in close proximity with the jet of fluid whereby to reduce the noise caused by the jet of fluid.
Preferably the fluid would be water and the gas would be air, since they are readily available in offshore locations, but other fluids or other gases may be used where this is practical and necessary.
Conveniently, the means for producing the jet of gas may provide a substantially annular jet surrounding the jet of fluid.
Alternatively, the means for producing the jet of gas may comprise an plurality of separate jets located at spaced positions around the jet of fluid.
When the apparatus and method of the invention includes the provision of a high velocity reaction jet of fluid, a jet of gas would be provided in close proximity with the reaction jet.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of one form of underwater cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of another form of underwater cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of a reaction jet arrangement for use in conjunction with the apparatus shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2; and
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the reaction jet arrangement shown in Figure 3.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring in the first instance to Figure 1, the underwater cleaning apparatus comprises a nozzle 1 secured to one end of the body 2 of a "jetting gun" of which only the front end portion is shown in the drawing. The nozzle 1 is secured to the gun body 2 by a screw-threaded collar 3 which carries an annular outer sheath 4 concentric with the nozzle 1. An annular passage 5 is defined between the collar 3 and the outer sheath 4 and has a narrow, annular, orifice 6 surrounding and in close proximity with the end of the nozzle 1.
In use of the underwater cleaning apparatus water under pressure is supplied to the gun body 2 so that a high velocity jet of water is ejected from the nozzle 1. At the same time air under pressure is supplied to the annular passage 5 through an inlet pipe 7 so that an annular jet of air issues from the annular orifice 6 in close proximity with the jet of water. It has been found that the presence of the jet of air reduces the noise caused by the jet of water so that the noise level perceived by the diver operating the apparatus is tolerable.
Turning now to Figure 2, the nozzle 1 is secured to the gun body 2 by a threaded collar 3 having a plurality of radially extending fins which carry a ring and a cover 10 concentric with the nozzle 1.
An annular passage 5 is defined between the ring 1 and the cover 10 and has a narrow, annular orifice 6 surrounding and in close proximity with the end of the nozzle 1.
As before water under pressure is suppled to the gun body 2 so that a high velocity jet of water is ejected from the nozzle 1. At the same time air under pressure is supplied to the annular passage 5 through an inlet pipe 12so that an annular jet of air issues from the orifice 6 in close proximity to the jet of water to reduce the noise level perceived by the diver operating the apparatus.
Referring finally to Figures 3 and 4, the reaction jet arrangement comprises a nozzle 1 3 which is secured to the rear end of the gun body 2 by a screw threaded sleeve 14. A plurality of fins 1 5 extending radially from the collar 14 carry a tubular member 1 6 concentric with the nozzle 1 3.
The tubular member 16 is provided with a bell mouth 1 7 at the end remote from the nozzle 1 3.
A further tubular member 18, also concentric with the nozzle 13, is supported on the tubular member 16 by means of a plurality of spacing members 19 so that an annular passage 20 is defined between the tubular members 1 6 and 18.
An annular shield 21, also concentric with the nozzle 13, surrounds and is supported on the tubular member 18 by a plurality of radially extending spacing members 22. The annular shield 21 is provided with a plurality of apertures 23 at the end adjacent to the bell mouth.
The reaction jet arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be used in conjunction with either of the arrangements shown in Figures 1 and 2 to provide a high velocity reaction jet of fluid whereby to reduce the reaction force produced by the jet from the cleaning nozzle 1 shown in those
Figures. To this end, water under pressure is supplied to the gun body 2 so that a high velocity jet of water is ejected from the nozzle 1 3.
At the same time air under pressure is supplied to the annular passage 20 through an inlet pipe 24 so that an annular jet of air issues from an annular orifice 25 at the end of the passage 20 adjacent the nozzle 1 3. The air issuing from the orifice 25 is in close proximity with the jet of water ejected from the nozzle 1 3 and acts to reduce the noise caused by the jet of water so that the noise level perceived by the diver operating the apparatus is tolerable.
The annular shield 21 which extends in the direction of flow of the reaction jet affords protection for the diver. The apertures 23 adjacent the bell mouth 1 7 allow water from the exterior of the shield 21 to pass into the interior of the shield to replace water displaced by the force of the jet from the nozzle 1 3.
Although in the embodiments of the invention described above the jet of gas is in the form of an annulus surrounding the nozzle 1 or 13, as the case may be, in other embodiments of the invention the jet of gas may be provided by a plurality of separate jets located at spaced positions around the jet of water under pressure, or by a single jet of gas in close proximity with the jet of water.
Claims (18)
1. Apparatus for cleaning underwater structures characterized by means of providing a
high velocity jet of fluid (1), and means for
providing a jet of gas (6) in close proximity with the jet of fluid whereby to reduce the noise
caused by the jet of fluid when used underwater.
2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the means for producing a jet of gas comprises an annular orifice (6) surrounding the jet of fluid (1) and through which the gas is ejected.
3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by a nozzle (1) through which the jet of fluid is ejected and an annular orifice (6) surrounding the nozzle and through which the gas is ejected.
4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the annular orifice (6) is supported on the nozzle (1) by a plurality of fins (8) extending from the nozzle.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that the means for providing a high velocity jet of fluid comprises a nozzle (1) secured to the body (2) of a jetting gun by a screw-threaded collar (3), and the means for providing the jet of gas (6) is supported by the collar.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized by means for providing a reactive high velocity jet of fluid (1 3) and means for providing a jet of gas (25) in close proximity with the reactive jet of fluid whereby to reduce the noise caused by the reactive jet of fluid when used underwater.
7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that the means for producing the jet of gas (25) comprise an annular orifice (25) surrounding the reactive jet of fluid (1 3) and through which the gas is ejected.
8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, characterized by a nozzle (13) through which the reactive jet of fluid is ejected and an annular orifice (25) surrounding the nozzle (13) and through which the gas is ejected.
9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that the annular orifice (25) is supported on the nozzle (13) by plurality fins (15) extending from the nozzle.
10. A method of cleaning underwater structures comprising the steps of directing a high velocity jet of fluid onto the underwater structure,
characterized by directing a jet of gas in close
proximity with the jet of fluid whereby to reduce the noise caused by the jet of fluid.
11. A method as claimed in Claim 10,
characterized in that the fluid is water and the gas
is air.
12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim
11, characterized in that the fluid is directed through a nozzle (1) and the gas is directed through an annular orifice (6) surrounding thie nozzle.
13. A method as claimed in any of the Claims
10 to 12, characterized by the step of directing a
reactive high velocity jet away from the
underwater structure and directing a jet of gas in
close proximity with the reactive jet of fluid whereby to reduce the noise caused by the
reactive jet of fluid.
14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, characterized in that the fluid is water and the gas
is air.
1 5. Apparatus for cleaning an underwater structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
1 6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, including a reaction jet arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
1 7. A method of cleaning underwater structures substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
18. A method as claimed in Claim 17, including the use of a reaction jet arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8020078A GB2078546A (en) | 1980-06-19 | 1980-06-19 | Apparatus for Cleaning Underwater Structures |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8020078A GB2078546A (en) | 1980-06-19 | 1980-06-19 | Apparatus for Cleaning Underwater Structures |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2078546A true GB2078546A (en) | 1982-01-13 |
Family
ID=10514165
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8020078A Withdrawn GB2078546A (en) | 1980-06-19 | 1980-06-19 | Apparatus for Cleaning Underwater Structures |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2078546A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1985001971A1 (en) * | 1983-10-31 | 1985-05-09 | Thomas Henderson | Underwater growth inhibition |
| FR2817230A1 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | Jean Philippe Tible | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING PARTS OF A BOAT UNDERWATER |
| WO2009112485A1 (en) | 2008-03-14 | 2009-09-17 | Dürr Ecoclean GmbH | Device and method for deburring and/or cleaning a workpiece dipped in a fluid medium |
| CN102363148A (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2012-02-29 | 杭州电子科技大学 | High pressure water jet cleaning unit with gas injection system |
| DE102011078076A1 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2012-12-27 | Dürr Ecoclean GmbH | Nozzle module and cleaning device with nozzle module |
| WO2023087585A1 (en) * | 2021-11-16 | 2023-05-25 | 江苏科技大学 | Bottom-supported wind power mounting platform submerged cavitation nozzles and design method therefor |
-
1980
- 1980-06-19 GB GB8020078A patent/GB2078546A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1985001971A1 (en) * | 1983-10-31 | 1985-05-09 | Thomas Henderson | Underwater growth inhibition |
| US4676692A (en) * | 1983-10-31 | 1987-06-30 | Thomas Henderson | Underwater growth inhibition |
| FR2817230A1 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | Jean Philippe Tible | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING PARTS OF A BOAT UNDERWATER |
| WO2002044020A1 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2002-06-06 | Advanced Boat Cleaning Technology (E.U.R.L.) | Device and method for cleaning parts of a boat immersed in water |
| WO2009112485A1 (en) | 2008-03-14 | 2009-09-17 | Dürr Ecoclean GmbH | Device and method for deburring and/or cleaning a workpiece dipped in a fluid medium |
| CN101970136B (en) * | 2008-03-14 | 2012-10-24 | 杜尔艾科克林有限公司 | Device and method for deburring and/or cleaning a workpiece dipped in a fluid medium |
| US8608865B2 (en) | 2008-03-14 | 2013-12-17 | Dürr Ecoclean GmbH | Device and method for deburring and/or cleaning a work piece dipped in a fluid medium |
| DE102011078076A1 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2012-12-27 | Dürr Ecoclean GmbH | Nozzle module and cleaning device with nozzle module |
| CN102363148A (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2012-02-29 | 杭州电子科技大学 | High pressure water jet cleaning unit with gas injection system |
| WO2023087585A1 (en) * | 2021-11-16 | 2023-05-25 | 江苏科技大学 | Bottom-supported wind power mounting platform submerged cavitation nozzles and design method therefor |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732 | Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |