System and method for prevention of adhesion of marine organisms to a substrate contacting with seawater

Abstract

A system and a method for prevention of adhesion of marine organisms to a substrate contacted with seawater are provided. The system comprises a generator ( 120, 220 ) for producing an electrical signal ( 150 ) operating in desirable frequencies in which the marine organisms can be chased or killed, said generator ( 120, 220 ) having at least two output connectors ( 122, 124, 222, 224 ), means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal ( 150 ) along a surface of the substrate, said means being adapted to make electrical connection with the at least two output connectors ( 122, 124, 222, 224 ) of the generator ( 120, 220 ) and being submerged in seawater, and an electric power source ( 110, 210 ) connected to the generator ( 122, 124, 222, 224 ) for applying a selected voltage to the generator ( 122, 124, 222, 224 ) to produce the electrical signal ( 150 ).

1 . A system for prevention of adhesion of marine organisms to a substrate contacting with seawater, comprising:
 a generator for producing an electrical signal operating with desirable frequencies which are able to chase or kill the marine organisms, said generator having at least two output connectors;   means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal along a surface of the substrate, said means being adapted to make electrical connection with the at least two output connectors of the generator and being submerged in water; and   an electric power source connected to the generator for applying a selected voltage to the generator to produce the electrical signal.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises a card console and a plurality of transistors connected to the card console to produce the electrical signal having the frequencies in square wave form. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal comprises at least two spaced electrode antennas between which the electrical signal oscillates and propagates, each of the electrode antennas being adapted to make electrical connection with the respective output connectors of the generator. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal comprises a plurality of spaced electrode antennas which are arranged in an array configuration, and the array configuration having two ends adapted to make electrical connection with the respective output connectors of the generator. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the frequencies generated by the generator vary in the range of 5 kHz to 200 kHz. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the frequencies are selected in the range of 5 kHz to 50 kHz. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the electrodes are made of a material selected from metal, metal oxide, and graphite. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the electric power source supplies to the generator a low voltage of 24V, 30V, 36V, 45V or 48V. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal comprises an antenna, and a coil wound around the antenna and having two ends adapted to make electrical connection with the respective output connectors of the generator. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal further comprises a housing in which the antenna and the coil are disposed. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the frequencies generated by the generator vary in the range of 5 kHz to 200 kHz. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the frequencies are selected in the range of 5 kHz to 30 kHz. 
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the antenna is made of ferrite or a hollow non-metallic tube. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the electric power source supplies to the generator a low voltage of 24V, 30V, 36V, 45V or 48V. 
     
     
         15 . A method for prevention of adhesion of marine organisms to a substrate contacting with seawater, comprising the steps of:
 providing a generator for producing an electrical signal operating with desirable frequencies which are able to chase or kill the marine organisms, said generator having at least two output connectors;   providing means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal, and disposing the means along a surface of the substrate to be submerged in water, said means being adapted to make electrical connection with the at least two output connectors of the generator; and   connecting the generator to an electric power source for applying a selected voltage thereto in order to produce the electrical signal.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal comprises providing at least two spaced electrode antennas between which the electrical signal propagates, each of the electrode antennas being adapted to make electrical connection with the respective output connectors of the generator, wherein the generator produces the electrical signal operating with frequencies in the range of 5 kHz to 200 kHz. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal comprises providing an antenna, and a coil wound around the antenna and having two ends adapted to make electrical connection with the respective output connectors of the generator, wherein the generator produces the electrical signal operating with frequencies in the range of 5 kHz to 200 kHz. 
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal comprises at least two spaced electrode antennas between which the electrical signal oscillates and propagates, each of the electrode antennas being adapted to make electrical connection with the respective output connectors of the generator. 
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the electrodes are made of a material selected from metal, metal oxide, and graphite. 
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the means for oscillating and propagating the electrical signal comprises an antenna, and a coil wound around the antenna and having two ends adapted to make electrical connection with the respective output connectors of the generator.