阅读说明：本技术 评价防生物淤积布置的至少一个结构特征 (Assessing at least one structural feature of an anti-biofouling arrangement ) 是由 R·B·希特布林克 E·M·J·尼森 A·A·P·舒德拉罗 R·罗斯 于 2020-03-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：在防生物淤积的背景下,提供了一种被配置为在其激活状态下发射防生物淤积光并且要被应用于对象(10)的防生物淤积系统。此外,所述防生物淤积系统(20)包括传感器系统(30),所述传感器系统被配置为在所述防生物淤积系统(20)放置在所述对象(10)上的实际情况下获得与防生物淤积布置(1)的至少一个结构构造特征有关的测量数据,所述防生物淤积布置包括所述防生物淤积系统(20)和所述对象(10)两者。通过在所述防生物淤积系统(20)中具有如所提到的传感器系统(30),实现了可以检查/监测所述防生物淤积布置(1)的一个或多个结构方面而不需要提供用于实现这种功能的单独器件。(In the context of anti-biofouling, an anti-biofouling system configured to emit anti-biofouling light in its activated state and to be applied to a subject (10) is provided. Furthermore, the anti-biofouling system (20) comprises a sensor system (30) configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural configuration feature of an anti-biofouling arrangement (1) in an actual situation in which the anti-biofouling system (20) is placed on the subject (10), the anti-biofouling arrangement comprising both the anti-biofouling system (20) and the subject (10). By having a sensor system (30) as mentioned in the anti-biofouling system (20), it is achieved that one or more structural aspects of the anti-biofouling arrangement (1) can be checked/monitored without the need to provide separate means for achieving such a function.)

1. An anti-biofouling system (20) configured to emit, in its activated state, anti-biofouling light and to be applied to a subject (10), the anti-biofouling system (20) comprising a sensor system (30),

characterized in that the sensor system is configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural configuration feature of an anti-biofouling arrangement (1) in an actual situation in which the anti-biofouling system (20) is placed on the subject (10), the anti-biofouling arrangement comprising both the anti-biofouling system (20) and the subject (10), the structural configuration feature being related to the configuration of the anti-biofouling system (20) itself, to the configuration of the subject (10) itself, or to the configuration of a combination of the anti-biofouling system and the subject.

2. The anti-biofouling system (20) of claim 1, wherein the at least one structural configuration feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement (1) is at least one structural feature of the subject (10).

3. The anti-biofouling system (20) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one structural configuration feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement (1) is at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling system (20).

4. The anti-biofouling system (20) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the sensor system (30) comprises: at least one strain gauge configured to evaluate mechanical deformation of the object (10) and/or a structural unit (22) of the anti-biofouling system (20); and/or at least one ultrasound sensor configured to evaluate the mechanical integrity of at least one region of the object (10).

5. An anti-biofouling system (20) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one structural configuration feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement (1) is at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement (1) at an interface of the subject (10) and the anti-biofouling system (20).

6. The anti-biofouling system (20) of claim 5, wherein the sensor system (30) comprises at least one UV sensor configured to evaluate the attachment and/or positioning of at least one structural unit (22) of the anti-biofouling system (20) with respect to the subject (10).

7. The anti-biofouling system (20) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the sensor system (30) is further configured to obtain measurement data related to the degree of biofouling of at least one area of the anti-biofouling arrangement (1).

8. The anti-biofouling system (20) according to any one of claims 1-7, configured to emit the anti-biofouling light exiting the subject (10) in the anti-biofouling arrangement (1).

9. An anti-biofouling arrangement (1) comprising:

an object (10); and

an anti-biofouling system (20) according to any one of claims 1-8 applied to the subject (10).

10. The anti-biofouling arrangement (1) of claim 9, wherein said object is a vessel (10) and wherein at least one structural unit (22) of said anti-biofouling system (20) is applied to said vessel (10) at the location of at least one area of a hull (11) of said vessel.

11. The anti-biofouling arrangement (1) of claim 9 or 10, comprising a processor (32) configured to: receiving and processing measurement data from the sensor system (30) of the anti-biofouling system (20); and providing an output representative of said at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement (1), to which said measurement data relates.

12. A method of applying an anti-biofouling system (20) to an object (10) in an anti-biofouling arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9-11, wherein at least one structural unit (22) of the anti-biofouling system (20) is positioned and fixed relative to the object (10).

13. A method of obtaining information related to evaluating at least one structural configuration feature of an anti-biofouling arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9-11, comprising the steps of:

receiving and processing measurement data obtained from the sensor system (30) of the anti-biofouling system (20), and

providing an output representative of the at least one structural configuration feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement (1), the measurement data relating to the at least one structural configuration feature.

14. A computer program product comprising code which, when run on a processor (32), causes the processor (32) to carry out the method according to claim 13.

15. A method of obtaining information related to the structure for designing an anti-biofouling arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9-11, comprising the steps of:

obtaining an output representative of at least one structural configuration characteristic of at least two different actual anti-biofouling arrangements by performing the method according to claim 13 in relation to the at least two different actual anti-biofouling arrangements,

processing the output representing the at least one structural configuration characteristic of the at least two different actual anti-biofouling arrangements, and

providing an output representative of trends in the at least one structural configuration characteristic of the at least two different actual anti-biofouling arrangements.

Technical Field

First of all, the present invention relates to an anti-biofouling system configured to emit anti-biofouling light in its activated state and to be applied to a subject.

Secondly, the invention relates to an anti-biofouling arrangement comprising a subject and an anti-biofouling system applied to the subject, the anti-biofouling system being configured to emit an anti-biofouling light in its activated state.

Third, the present invention relates to a method of applying an anti-biofouling system to an object in an anti-biofouling arrangement as mentioned.

Fourth, the invention relates to a method of obtaining information related to an evaluation of at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement as mentioned.

Fifth, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising code which, when run on a processor, causes the processor to carry out the method as mentioned.

Sixth, the invention relates to a method of obtaining information related to the structure of a design of an anti-biofouling arrangement as mentioned.

Background

Various structures that are temporarily or permanently exposed to an aqueous environment are susceptible to biofouling. For example, in marine environments (including sea water and fresh water), ships, oil rigs, pipelines, support structures for offshore wind turbines, structures for capturing tidal/wave energy, and the like are affected by the growth of living objects thereon, particularly in areas that are temporarily or permanently exposed to water. Therefore, the resistance of the ship increases, the movement of the components may be hindered, and the filter may become clogged. With regard to the effect of biofouling on the resistance of the ship, it should be noted that biofouling may even involve an increase in fuel consumption of up to 40%.

Generally, biofouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, small animals, and the like on surfaces. According to some estimates, over 1800 species, including over 4000 species of subjects, are responsible for biofouling. Thus, biofouling is caused by a wide variety of biological objects and involves not only barnacles and seaweeds adhering to surfaces. Biofouling is divided into micro fouling, which includes biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion, and macro fouling, which includes attachment of larger biological objects. Biological subjects are also classified as hard or soft due to the different chemistries and biology that determine what prevents them from settling. Hard fouling organisms include calcareous organisms such as barnacles, encrusting bryozoans, mollusks, polychaetes and other tubeworms, and zebra mussels. Soft fouling organisms include non-calcareous organisms such as seaweeds, hydroids, algae and biofilm "slime". These raw objects together form a fouling community.

As mentioned above, biofouling creates significant problems. Various solutions have been developed to address these problems. For example, there are robots designed to scrape biofouling from the hull of a ship. WO2014/188347a1 discloses another solution, namely a solution involving the application of a bio fouling prevention layer to a surface that would otherwise be susceptible to bio fouling, wherein the bio fouling prevention layer is arranged for emitting ultraviolet light outwardly from said surface. In this way, the risk of the living object growing on said surface (i.e. the surface from which the ultraviolet light is now emitted) is reduced. Alternatively, the surface subjected to biofouling may be irradiated with ultraviolet light, wherein it should be noted that the solution according to WO2014/188347a1 is generally preferred for surfaces in water having a low transparency to ultraviolet light. Generally, type C ultraviolet light (i.e. UV-C light) is known to be effective when anti-biofouling is concerned, so that good results can be achieved.

WO2017/167629 discloses an anti-biofouling system wherein an optical sensor is provided to monitor the extent of biofouling. The amount of UV radiation can then be controlled depending on the degree of biofouling, thereby saving energy during use of the system.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is defined by the claims.

According to the present invention, there is provided an anti-biofouling system configured to emit, in its activated state, anti-biofouling light and to be applied to a subject, and comprising a sensor system configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural configuration feature of an anti-biofouling arrangement in an actual situation in which the anti-biofouling system is placed on the subject, the anti-biofouling arrangement comprising both the anti-biofouling system and the subject.

The present invention relates to the following insights: it is possible to add an additional function to the anti-biofouling system for use with the subject, in particular a function of obtaining measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement comprising both the anti-biofouling system and the subject. In this way it is achieved that the use of the anti-biofouling system together with the subject becomes even more interesting, since a way of evaluating/monitoring at least one structural feature of the subject is achieved without the need for separate means. Furthermore, when applying the present invention, it may be achieved that at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling system and/or at least one structural feature of the actual combination of the anti-biofouling system and the subject may be evaluated/monitored, if so desired. The invention does not involve all too complicated measures and may be put into practice by adapting the design of the conventional anti-biofouling system to include one or more sensors configured to perform measurements on a structural level and any other components that may be necessary for power supply, data transmission, etc.

In the context of the present invention, the term "at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement" should be understood to refer to at least one feature that is directly related to at least one specific aspect of the construction of the anti-biofouling arrangement. Thus, the term encompasses aspects of the construction of the anti-biofouling system itself, aspects of the construction of the object itself and aspects of the construction of the combination of the anti-biofouling system and the object, such as aspects related to the coupling between the at least one unit of the anti-biofouling system and the object. From the foregoing, it follows that the term "at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement" covers at least aspects both related to the configuration of the anti-biofouling arrangement and as a mechanical property.

The construction of the anti-biofouling arrangement itself relates to the physical and mechanical properties of the anti-biofouling arrangement, including initially prior to application to the subject. The construction of the object itself relates to the physical and mechanical properties of the object, including initially before the anti-biofouling arrangement is applied to the object and before biofouling. The configuration of the combination of the anti-biofouling system and the subject relates to the interface between the anti-biofouling system and the subject, including the characteristics of the interface initially prior to exposure to biofouling. In use, the interface is not intended to be exposed to biofouling as the surface of the subject is covered by the anti-biofouling arrangement. Thus, the structural construction feature is a mechanical property, which is initially established as part of the construction of the anti-biofouling arrangement, or the object, or a combination of the object and the anti-biofouling arrangement. In each case, such structural configuration features are initially established prior to exposure to biofouling and thus prior to biofouling treatment. The evolution of structural features may then be monitored, for example to detect structural damage or attenuation.

The invention is not limited to any particular timing of the process of obtaining measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement. The process may be a continuous, continuous process, or may be a discontinuous process, wherein measurements are performed in an automated manner or on demand at regular or irregular intervals.

The invention is applicable in a variety of fields, including the field of marine structures. Examples of objects that may be used with the anti-biofouling system according to the present invention include ships and other vessels, marine stations, offshore oil or gas installations, buoyancy devices, support structures for offshore wind turbines, structures for collecting wave/tidal energy, sea chests, underwater tools, etc. In general, it should be noted that the present invention is not only suitable to be applied in the context of objects used in seawater, but may also relate to advantages with respect to any object used in any type of water known to contain biofouling objects.

As mentioned before, the at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement, which may obtain measurement data related thereto by means of the sensor system, may be at least one structural feature of the subject. For example, the sensor system may be configured to inspect the condition of the outer surface of the object in order to detect any damage to the outer surface, and/or may be configured to further view the object downwards, such as for the purpose of evaluating the mechanical integrity of a portion of the object, and/or may be configured to inspect whether a protruding part of the object is present, and if the part is indeed found to be present, to inspect whether any possible coupling between the part and the rest of the object is complete. Many other possible functions of the sensor system are also available and are covered by the present invention.

For example, it may be practical that the sensor system comprises at least one strain gauge configured to evaluate mechanical deformation of the object and/or at least one structural element of the anti-biofouling system and/or at least one ultrasound sensor configured to evaluate mechanical integrity of at least one region of the object. With regard to the possible use of strain gauges as mentioned, it should be noted that when it is desired to obtain information about the mechanical deformation of the object, this may be done in a direct manner by performing strain measurements directly on the object and/or in an indirect manner by performing strain measurements in an anti-biofouling system applied to the object. For example, the ultrasonic sensor as mentioned may be used to evaluate the condition of a weld on a metal covering or the like of an object.

In general, the sensor system may comprise any suitable type(s) of sensor(s) for examining the object for at least one structural feature, and more generally the sensor system may comprise any suitable type(s) of sensor(s) for examining the object for at least one structural feature and/or (at least one structural unit of) the anti-biofouling system and/or the structural interaction between the object and the anti-biofouling system. In this respect, it should be noted that the invention covers at least one of the following options in addition to or instead of the at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement, which may obtain measurement data related thereto by means of a sensor system being the at least one structural feature of the subject: the at least one structural feature as mentioned is at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling system and the at least one structural feature as mentioned is at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement at an interface of the subject with the anti-biofouling system.

When at least one structural feature is to be inspected at the interface of the object and the anti-biofouling system, it may be practical that the sensor system comprises at least one UV sensor configured to evaluate the adhesion and/or positioning of at least one structural unit of the anti-biofouling system with respect to the object. This is based on the following insight: for example, if a structural unit of the anti-biofouling system starts to become detached from the object, this may cause a detectable change of the reflection of ultraviolet light at the interface of the object and the structural unit.

The sensor system may also be configured to obtain measurement data relating to the extent of biofouling of at least one area of the anti-biofouling arrangement. For example, as previously mentioned, a UV sensor for assessing the attachment and/or positioning of at least one structural unit of the anti-biofouling system with respect to the subject may have an additional function in performing a biofouling check. It may be very advantageous to have a minimum of components in the anti-biofouling arrangement. However, the invention also covers the following options: according to said option, at least one sensor is dedicated to performing an examination of at least one structural feature in the anti-biofouling arrangement and at least one other sensor is dedicated to performing an examination of the extent of biofouling on one or more areas in the arrangement.

It may be practical that the anti-biofouling system according to the present invention comprises at least two separate structural units. An example of a situation where an option with multiple structural units may be advantageous is where the object has a large-sized surface and the anti-biofouling system is to be applied to this surface. The structural units as mentioned may for example be substantially dimensionally limited in two orthogonal directions perpendicular to the thickness direction of the anti-biofouling system (i.e. in two directions along the surface), in which case the structural units may be referred to as anti-biofouling tiles, or in only one direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the anti-biofouling system, in which case the structural units may be referred to as anti-biofouling strips. As mentioned the anti-biofouling tiles and strips may be so thin that they may have a foil-like appearance.

The optional structural elements of the anti-biofouling system may be of any suitable design. For example, the at least one structural unit may comprise a slab of material transparent to anti-biofouling light. The slab of material may have a function in transmitting/guiding light illuminated from the one or more light sources in the activated state and may comprise a light out-coupling surface having any suitable surface structure. In this case, the one or more light sources may be associated with the slab of material in any suitable manner. For example, it may be practical to embed one or more light sources in a slab of material. This is one way of implementing an embodiment of the anti-biofouling system according to the present invention according to which the system is configured to emit anti-biofouling light outwards from a subject in the anti-biofouling arrangement.

The anti-biofouling light may be ultraviolet light, in particular of the UV-C type, which does not mean that other types of anti-biofouling light are not equally covered by the present invention. The anti-biofouling system may comprise one or more light sources of any suitable type. For example, an anti-biofouling system may include a layer of material that may be activated to emit light. On the other hand, the anti-biofouling system may comprise a plurality of discrete light emitters, such as LEDs.

In light of the foregoing, it is noted that the present invention also relates to an anti-biofouling arrangement comprising a subject and an anti-biofouling system applied to the subject, the anti-biofouling system being configured to emit an anti-biofouling light in its activated state and the anti-biofouling system comprising a sensor system configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement. The aforementioned details of the anti-biofouling system apply in the context of the anti-biofouling arrangement as well. The object may be of any shape and size and may comprise any type of material. For example, the object may comprise an electrically conductive surface to which at least one structural unit of the anti-biofouling system is applied, in which case the object may have a function in transmitting electrical power that may be used for operating the anti-biofouling system, wherein the anti-biofouling system may be equipped with a coil system or any other system configured to enable the anti-biofouling system to be supplied with electrical power. A practical example of an object is a ship, in which case at least one structural unit of the anti-biofouling system may be applied to the ship at the location of at least one area of the hull of the ship.

In a practical embodiment of the anti-biofouling arrangement according to the present invention, the apparatus is equipped with a processor configured to receive and process measurement data from a sensor system of the anti-biofouling system and to provide an output indicative of at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement to which the measurement data relates. The output may be interpreted in an automatic manner and/or by one or more persons, such as to determine whether some action needs to be taken and/or to gain knowledge about the design aspects of the structure of the anti-biofouling arrangement that may be used to improve future embodiments of such an apparatus.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of applying an anti-biofouling system to an object in an anti-biofouling arrangement as mentioned, wherein at least one structural unit of the anti-biofouling system is positioned and fixed relative to the object.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of obtaining information related to evaluating at least one fouling characteristic according to an anti-biofouling arrangement as mentioned, comprising the steps of: receiving and processing measurement data obtained from the sensor system of the anti-biofouling system; and providing an output representative of the at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement to which the measurement data relates. The invention also covers a computer program product comprising code which, when executed on a processor, causes the processor to carry out the information obtaining method.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of obtaining information related to the structure of a design of an anti-biofouling arrangement as mentioned, comprising the steps of: obtaining an output representing at least one structural feature of at least two different actual anti-biofouling arrangements by performing the above-mentioned information obtaining method in respect of the at least two different actual anti-biofouling arrangements, processing the output representing the at least one structural feature of the at least two different actual anti-biofouling arrangements, and providing an output representing a trend of the at least one structural feature of the at least two different actual anti-biofouling arrangements. Such a method may be applied as part of a process aimed at determining how the actual design of the anti-biofouling arrangement (i.e. the actual design of the object and/or the anti-biofouling system and/or the interface/coupling between the object and the anti-biofouling system) may be improved, at least in terms of its structure.

In the context of the present invention, the data collection system may be used to collect/store measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement obtained by means of a sensor system of the anti-biofouling system that is part of the anti-biofouling arrangement and/or information based on such data.

The above and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from and elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of a basic embodiment of an anti-biofouling arrangement comprising a subject and an anti-biofouling system applied to the subject and configured to emit anti-biofouling light in its activated state.

Drawings

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which identical or similar parts are denoted by identical reference numerals, and in which:

fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of a ship and an anti-biofouling system arranged on the hull of the ship, and

fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a hull of a ship and a part of an anti-biofouling system in an enlarged view.

For the purpose of illustration, the anti-biofouling system is depicted in the drawings in exaggerated bold.

Detailed Description

With reference to the drawings, it should be noted that a possible embodiment of an anti-biofouling arrangement 1 according to the present invention comprises a ship 10 and an anti-biofouling system 20 arranged on the hull 11 of the ship. At the location of the hull 11, the ship 10 will be subjected to an anti-biofouling effect in order to avoid biofouling deposits forming on the hull 11 and thereby to avoid an increase in the drag of the ship 10. In particular, the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 is designed to continuously or from time to time perform an anti-biofouling action on the ship 10 based on light radiation, wherein it is noted that for achieving a good anti-fouling effect the light may be ultraviolet light, in particular UV-C light.

As mentioned, the anti-biofouling system 20 is arranged on the hull 11. The anti-biofouling system 20 may be a type of system suitable for achieving an anti-biofouling effect on a subject by emitting anti-biofouling light in a direction away from the subject, e.g. as known from WO2014/188347a 1. Such a system may comprise a plurality of light sources 21 configured to generate anti-biofouling light. A practical example of such a light source 21 is a UV-C LED.

The anti-biofouling system 20 may comprise a material transparent to the anti-biofouling light, which may have a structural function in e.g. embedding the light source 21 or supporting the light source 21 in another way, and which may be arranged so as to cover an area of the hull 11. The transparent material may be provided in various slabs, in which case the anti-biofouling system 20 may be implemented as a collection of structural units 22, such as tiles or strips, for example, as shown in fig. 2, wherein the thickness of the slab of transparent material may be so small (even in the millimeter range) that the slab may be generally referred to as a foil. During operation of the light source 21, the transparent material may have the function of transporting the generated anti-biofouling light along the hull 11 and ensuring that the anti-biofouling light is spread more or less evenly over the hull 11, i.e. may be used as a light guide, wherein the anti-biofouling light is coupled out of the light guide at various locations in a direction away from the ship 10. Phenomena like total internal reflection may facilitate the transmission of light through transparent materials. A practical example of a transparent material is a silicone material.

In general, the surface subject to biofouling need not be planar/flat, but may be curved in one or more directions and comprise one or more convex curved areas and/or concave curved areas. The hull 11 of the ship is an example of a curved surface. Furthermore, a protrusion may be arranged on the surface, which protrusion may or may not be part of the anti-biofouling system 20. Examples of the protrusions in the context of the ship 10 include fins (not shown) on the hull 11 of the ship, welds 12 (as shown in fig. 2) on the hull 11 of the ship, and protrusions (not shown) arranged to protect the anti-biofouling system 20 from impact by external objects, such as a trunk floating in water.

According to a noteworthy aspect of the present invention, the anti-biofouling system 20 comprises a sensor system 30, the sensor system 30 being configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1. Where the anti-biofouling system 20 comprises a plurality of structural units 22, it may be such that each of those units 22 may be provided with one or more sensors 31 and associated means (such as means for powering the sensors 31). However, this is not essential and it is also possible for the sensor system 30 to be represented by only one or a limited number of structural units 22. In any case, one or more sensors 31 and/or one or more other components of the sensor system 30 may be made integrated in (the structural unit 22 of) the anti-biofouling system 20. For example, assuming that the anti-biofouling system 20 comprises slabs of transparent material, the sensor(s) 31 and/or other component(s) may be embedded in one or more of those slabs. The sensor system 30 of the anti-biofouling system 20 may comprise only one type of sensor or at least two different types of sensors depending on the number and kind of structural features of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 that should be evaluated.

The power supply necessary for actually implementing the sensing function of the anti-biofouling system 20 may be implemented in any suitable way and is also applicable in relation to the lighting function of the anti-biofouling system 20. As shown in fig. 2, the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 may further comprise a processor 32, the processor 32 being adapted to receive and process measurement data from the sensor system 30 and to provide an output representing at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1, to which the quantity data relates. Furthermore, a data collection system 33 may be provided for receiving and storing measurement data and/or output from the processor 32. The various data transmission possibilities are indicated in fig. 2 by dashed lines and arrows. Processor 32 and data collection system 33 are part of data analysis system 34, and data analysis system 34 may optionally include additional components.

The present invention provides various possibilities when it comes to the use of the sensor system 30 for the purpose of obtaining measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1. A number of practical examples are listed below.

First, the sensor system 30 may be configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the ship 10. It may be desirable to have information about the way the ship 10 deforms under certain circumstances and/or information about whether metal fatigue occurs in one or more areas and/or information about whether hair cracks are present in one or more areas and/or information about the condition of the weld 12 on the hull 11 etc.

Secondly, the sensor system 30 may be configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling system 20. For example, it may be desirable to have information regarding whether structural element 22 is deformed and/or damaged. In this case, when it is involved in evaluating the condition of the system on the structural level, the anti-biofouling system 20 may be represented as a system having a self-diagnostic function.

Third, the sensor system 30 may be configured to obtain measurement data relating to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 at the interface of the ship 10 and the anti-biofouling system 20. For example, it may be desirable to have information about whether the anti-biofouling system 20 is still in the correct position relative to the hull 11 of the ship and is correctly attached to the hull 11 of the ship.

The sensor system 30 may comprise one or more suitable types of sensors and may comprise a large number of sensors 31 required for carrying out one or more functions as envisaged. The sensor 31 may be configured to perform a sensing action in a particular direction, in a limited number of directions or in a range of directions, over an area of any possible size, over a limited number of areas or over a range of areas. By means of the sensor system 30, a continuous monitoring process and/or a single check of one or more important structural features of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 can be performed in an automatic manner or on demand on a regular or irregular basis. It may be beneficial that the anti-biofouling system 20 has the function of checking whether biofouling deposits are present in one or more areas of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1, such as on the outer surface of the anti-biofouling system 20, and if this is indeed found to be the case, determining a quantitative factor for biofouling. For this purpose, the anti-biofouling system 20 may be equipped with another sensor system (not shown), or one or more sensors 31 comprised in the sensor system 30 configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 may have a dual function, i.e. may be adapted for both obtaining measurement data related to at least one structural feature of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 and obtaining biofouling measurement data. In this respect, it should be noted that UV sensors are an example of sensors that may have a dual function as mentioned, as such sensors are suitable to be applied for checking the attachment of the structural unit 22 of the anti-biofouling system 20 to the hull 11 at one side of the structural unit 22, and for checking the biofouling of the structural unit 22 at the opposite side of the structural unit 22.

Within the framework of the invention, the measurement data obtained when operating the sensor system 30 may further be used in any suitable way, wherein processing the measurement data may be practical, which does not alter the fact that a direct interpretation of the measurement data may also be possible in certain situations. The measurement data may not only be used for determining the actual state or predicting the future state of one or more structural aspects of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1, but may also be used in a process aimed at finding trends related to various structural measures, so that possibilities may be created to improve the structural aspects of the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 at the design level.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, wherein details which are not necessary for understanding the invention can have been omitted, and not necessarily to scale.

Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Elements and aspects discussed with respect to or in connection with a particular embodiment may be combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments as appropriate, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Thus, even though specific measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims, this does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The term "comprising" as used herein is understood by those skilled in the art to cover the term "consisting of … …". Thus, the term "comprising" may mean "consisting of … …" with respect to one embodiment, but may mean "including/including at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species" in another embodiment.

Notable aspects of the invention can be summarized as follows. In the context of anti-biofouling, an anti-biofouling system configured to emit anti-biofouling light in its activated state and to be applied to a subject 10 is provided. Furthermore, the anti-biofouling system 20 comprises a sensor system 30 configured to obtain measurement data related to at least one structural configuration feature of an anti-biofouling arrangement 1 comprising the anti-biofouling system 20 and the subject 10 in an actual situation in which the anti-biofouling system 20 is placed on the subject 10. One of the benefits of having the sensor system 30 as mentioned in the anti-biofouling system 20 is the following insight: the anti-biofouling system 20 is intended to be combined with the subject 10 to the anti-biofouling arrangement 1 and may thus be used for the purpose of checking/monitoring one or more structural aspects of such an anti-biofouling arrangement 1 without the need to provide separate means for achieving such a function.