Anti-fouling apparatus for submerged marine surfaces

摘要

An anti-fouling apparatus and method for retarding the formation of marine plants and animals on marine surfaces submerged in water is disclosed. Telescopically extendable support arm members in the form of pneumatic struts are pivotally mounted on a mounting bracket for selective movement between a first raised position, at which the distal end is raised out of the water, and a second lowered position, at which the distal end is submerged in the water. A selectively energizable water propulsion means, which includes an electrically powered motor and a propeller, is operatively mounted on the support arm member adjacent to the distal end so as to be submerged in the water when the support arm is in the second lowered position. A shroud member defining an internal throughpassage between an inlet end and an outlet end, surrounds the water propulsion means so as to direct a propelled water stream through the throughpassage in generally parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the shroud member, generally toward the submerged marine surface when the water propulsion means is energized and the support arm member is in the second lowered position. A pneumatically actuated rotary motor controls the movement of the support arm member between the first raised and the second lowered positions such that the support arm member is automatically raised when the ignition of the boat is turned on and is automatically lowered when the ignition is turned off. An automatic timer selectively energizes the water propulsion means.