Lattice Structure for Stable Gas Retention Under Liquid

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention relates to a device that can be mounted on a surface to maintain a stable layer of gas (such as air) under a liquid. The device uses a specially spaced grid structure, separated from the surface by spacers, to trap and retain the gas layer when submerged. The grid is made from materials with water- and oil-repellent (amphiphobic) properties and can be fabricated in various forms, such as perforated plates, nets, or meshes. This stable gas layer helps make the surface unwettable even in dynamic and pressurized liquid environments.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Covering ship or boat hulls to reduce underwater drag and improve fuel efficiency
• Applying to underwater pipelines to prevent corrosion and biofouling
• Cladding tubes and conduits for reduced flow resistance in industrial or municipal water systems
• Equipping underwater sensors or instruments to maintain their functionality and resist biofouling
• Using in fluidic or drag-reducing surfaces for aquatic vehicles or robots
• Implementing on surfaces to support microbubble technology for gas layer renewal
• Integrating into flow or pressure sensors that utilize deformation of the grid structure for measurement

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Long-term and stable retention of gas (air) under liquid, even in fast-flowing or pressurized conditions
• Reduction in frictional resistance (drag) between the surface and the liquid, resulting in improved energy efficiency (especially for ships)
• Prevention of biofouling, reducing maintenance needs and improving operational lifespan of submerged surfaces
• Ease and flexibility of manufacture compared to filament-based solutions, enabling large-scale or commercial deployment
• Structural robustness: the grid structure better withstands mechanical impacts and defects without losing gas-retention functionality
• Adaptability: grid and spacer dimensions can be tailored for specific applications or environmental conditions
• Supports use of microbubble technologies to regenerate or maintain the gas layer
• Potential to act as a functional component in sensors by monitoring grid deformation under fluid pressure or flow

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Device mountable on a surface (10), the device comprising a spacer system (12, 16, 20, 22) and a grid structure (2) which grid structure (2) is attached in spaced relation to the surface (10) by means of the spacer system (12, 16, 20, 22), wherein the distance between the surface (10) and the grid structure (2) is in a range from > 0.1 µm to 0.5 µm to