Abstract: A robotically operated device uses an ultrasonic transducer for the cleaning of ships' hulls. The device may also be used for spraying paints or other chemicals on the sides of ships' hulls. The device includes a housing having an open face adapted to confront a ship's hull and apparatus disposed in the housing for impinging a flow of fluid through the open face onto the ship's hull. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed in the housing for impinging a flow of ultrasonic energy through the open face onto the ship's hull. Apparatus connected to the outside of the housing retains the housing on the ship's hull and moves the housing on the ship's hull. In an additional embodiment, apparatus for spraying paint or other chemicals on a ship's hull is disposed in the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-contained apparatus for cleaning the vertical surface of a building exterior, including washing, rinsing and drying the windows. The apparatus is positioned by an operator above a vertical row of windows and then remotely operated to clean the exterior building surface as the apparatus descends. The apparatus consists of a housing having a washing chamber, a rinsing chamber, and a drying chamber. The washing chamber has a plurality of cleaning fluid spray heads, a sonic agitator for impinging sonic energy onto the cleaning fluid to aid in removing dirt from the windows, air seals for retaining the fluid in the chamber, and a plurality of air wipes for removing the fluid from the building surface. The rinsing chamber has a plurality of rinsing liquid spray heads, a plurality of air seals to contain the rinsing fluid within the chamber and a plurality of air wipes for removing the fluid from the building surface.