Claims
- 1. A method of cleaning contaminating matter from a surface underwater comprising the steps of:providing a cryogenic freezing device including a housing and a chamber enclosed in said housing, said housing having a rim-shaped end portion which is adjacent to said chamber; placing said rim-shaped end portion of said housing on a surface underwater, wherein said rim-shaped end portion of said housing isolates a portion of water and contaminating matter present on said surface; venting cryogenic liquid to said chamber; creating a gas from said vented cryogenic liquid in said chamber; freezing said portion of water and said contaminating matter isolated in said rim-shaped end portion of said housing by contacting with said gas; and removing said frozen portion of water and said frozen contaminating matter from said underwater surface.
- 2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:interposing a wall portion between said chamber and said rim-shaped end portion of said housing.
- 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the removing step comprises displacing said housing to break-away and remove said frozen portion of water and said frozen contaminating matter from said surface.
- 4. The method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of:insulating a portion of said housing from ambient water.
- 5. The method according to claim 4 further comprising the step of:exhausting said gas from said chamber.
- 6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising the step of:including a reservoir of said cryogenic liquid in said housing.
- 7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of:venting said cryogenic liquid to said chamber through a valve between said reservoir and said chamber.
- 8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of:controlling venting of said cryogenic liquid from said reservoir to said chamber with an actuator extending through an insulating layer on said housing to said valve.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
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