US 12,268,994 B2
Durable biofouling protection
Brian McMurray, Aberdeen, NC (US); Cliff Sharpe, Aberdeen, NC (US); Mike Termini, Aberdeen, NC (US); Emily Ralston, Aberdeen, NC (US); Abraham Stephens, Aberdeen, NC (US); Ed Dormier, Aberdeen, NC (US); Lindsey Calcutt, Aberdeen, NC (US); and Joseph Basista, Chandler, AZ (US)
Assigned to BIOFOULING TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Aberdeen, NC (US)
Filed by BioFouling Technologies, Inc., Aberdeen, NC (US)
Filed on Jun. 26, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/755,521.
Application 18/755,521 is a continuation of application No. 17/246,159, filed on Apr. 30, 2021, granted, now 12,059,653.
Application 17/246,159 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2019/059546, filed on Nov. 1, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/817,873, filed on Mar. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/754,574, filed on Nov. 1, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0350980 A1, Oct. 24, 2024
Int. Cl. A01N 25/10 (2006.01); A01N 25/34 (2006.01); A01N 31/02 (2006.01); A01N 59/00 (2006.01); A01N 59/16 (2006.01); B01D 65/08 (2006.01); B01D 67/00 (2006.01); B01D 69/02 (2006.01); B01D 69/06 (2006.01); B63H 5/16 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 69/06 (2013.01) [A01N 25/10 (2013.01); A01N 25/34 (2013.01); A01N 31/02 (2013.01); A01N 59/00 (2013.01); A01N 59/16 (2013.01); B01D 65/08 (2013.01); B01D 67/0088 (2013.01); B01D 69/02 (2013.01); B01D 2315/06 (2013.01); B01D 2321/168 (2013.01); B01D 2325/48 (2013.01); B63H 5/165 (2013.01)] 41 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for reducing biofouling on a surface at least partially submerged in an aqueous environment, the device comprising:
a structure which is or becomes fluid permeable, said structure defining an open top adapted to receive said surface therethrough, wherein the open top defines one or more walls that remain spaced apart from the surface in a not fully sealed arrangement, wherein the structure comprises at least one of mesh, lattice, fenestration, or holes that enable fluid flow therethrough, wherein the structure is flexible and defines a first side and a second side,
wherein, when the structure at least partially surrounds the surface in the aqueous environment such that the first side of the structure faces the surface, the structure allows fluid exchange therethrough to the surface while preventing or limiting biofouling on the surface such that a first chemistry of the aqueous environment between the surface and the first side of the structure is different than a second chemistry of the aqueous environment outside the second side of the structure, wherein the first chemistry is measured in the aqueous environment proximate the surface, wherein the second chemistry is measured in the aqueous environment at a spaced apart distance from the second side of the structure facing away from the surface.