1. Technical Field.
This invention pertains to fluid control systems and particularly to valves. The apparatus of this invention is useful for preventing and correcting the deleterious affects of marine mussels colonizing in marine raw water inlet systems of boats and equipment. The valve apparatus is useful for winterizing these systems where introduction of antifreeze compounds may be desired.
2. Background Information.
Raw water inlet systems, such as those commonly employed in boat engines, marine heads, and marine generators, operate most efficiently when a free and unrestricted flow of water is able to pass through them. The water is used for cooling of engines or machinery, and for flushing of sanitation devices. If the flow of water should become restricted or stopped, the effected equipment may be disabled or damaged.
It has been determined that some marine animals, particularly zebra mussels, dreissena polymorpha, will colonize in the raw water inlets of marine equipment thereby disabling or damaging the equipment. It is therefore economically advantageous to control or eliminate these colonies in boats and marine equipment. The zebra mussel is a small bivalve mollusk which has an elongated thick shell showing alternating light and dark bands. The zebra mussel is found in all of the Great Lakes and is expected to proliferate into other freshwater systems in the Midwestern and Eastern portions of the United States. The zebra mussel is believed to have a substantial negative impact on commercial and recreational boating, including damage to boat cooling and sanitation systems due to constriction of boat plumbing by colonies of the animal. Current zebra mussel control techniques involve scraping or application or chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, ozone, and copper sulfate. It is known that zebra mussels are sensitive to temperatures above 37 degrees C. (98.6.degree. F.), are quickly killed at temperatures between 45.degree.-55.degree. C. (113.degree.-131.degree. F.) and are immediately killed at temperatures above 60.degree. C. (140.degree. F.). This property, sensitivity to heat and chemicals, is utilized by the apparatus and method of the present invention to control zebra mussel infestation.
In addition to the problems associated with zebra mussel infestation in marine plumbing systems, boats and equipment that are laid up in winter due to freezing conditions are subject to damage of their machinery and plumbing systems from internal build up of ice. It is therefore necessary to winterize this equipment by draining and/or the introduction of antifreeze compounds into the raw water systems of the equipment.
In the past, various devices and/or methods have been used or proposed, to either control zebra mussel colonization or permit marine system winterization. However, these devices and methods have significant limitations and shortcomings. And no single apparatus or method is known to have been used for both purposes.
Despite the need in the art for an apparatus and method which overcome the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art, none insofar as is known has been developed or proposed. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of use therefor, which prevents and corrects zebra mussel colonization in marine raw water inlet systems of boats and other equipment. It is also an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method which is usable to introduce antifreeze and other compounds into the raw water inlet systems of boats and other equipment for winterization purposes. It is an additional object of the invention to provide a combined mussel control and antifreeze introduction system using a single, unitary fittng or set of fittings disposed in the marine equipment. It is a further object of this invention to provide a Zebra mussel control and marine winterization apparatus which is reliable, efficient, economical, and usable by operators and service personnel at marinas and boat yards, as well as owner operators of marine equipment, and which overcomes the limitations and shortcomings of the prior art.