US3567019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil leakage barrier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-03-18
•
Granted: 1971-03-02
•
Expires: 1989-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A light weight, elongated, flexible, tubular structure is provided for use in confining leaking oil and other lighter-thanwater substances to a predetermined area. At an offshore location the ends of the structure are drawn together to create a closed figure surrounding the point where oil is surfacing. The structure is divided into two chambers, one of which is filled with a liquid having at least the specific gravity of the liquid in which the structure floats. The second chamber of the structure is adapted to be distended such that a barrier is created extending above and below the surface producing a surface interlock with the liquid below the floating substance to prevent the substance from shipping beneath the barrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward E Headrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:09
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0122; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A barrier for confining oil floating on water to a predetermined area comprising: a first, second and third closed, elongated, hollow cylinder extending longitudinally of one another, each of said cylinders being fabricated from a flexible material, at least one of said cylinders being inflated with air and at least one of said cylinders being inflated with water; means for securing the three cylinders tangentially with respect to one another in a pyramid relationship; means for securing and maintaining the apparatus in a predetermined position extending through the air-water interface; blower means for maintaining air pressure in said air inflated tubes; water supply means for maintaining water pressure in said water inflated tubes; and pumping means communicating with the oil confined by the barrier for removing and delivering said oil to a collection point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A barrier for confining oil floating on water to a predetermined area comprising: a first, second and third closed, elongated, hollow cylinder extending longitudinally of one another, each of said cylinders being fabricated from a flexible material, at least one of said cylinders being inflated with air and at least one of said cylinders being inflated with water; means for securing the three cylinders tangentially with respect to one another in a pyramid relationship; means for securing and maintaining the apparatus in a predetermined position extending through the air-water interface; blower means for maintaining air pressure in said air inflated tubes; water supply means for maintaining water pressure in said water inflated tubes; and pumping means communicating with the oil confined by the barrier for removing and delivering said oil to a collection point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including signalling means mounted on said barrier for indicating the operating condition of the blower means and supply means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including hood means connected in an airtight relation to said barrier to retain said oil in the space between the surface of the water and the interior of the hood means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
A barrier for confining oil floating on water to a predetermined area comprising: a first, second and third closed, elongated, hollow cylinder extending longitudinallY of one another, each of said cylinders being fabricated from a flexible material, at least one of said cylinders being inflated with air and at least one of said cylinders being inflated with water; means for securing the three cylinders tangentially with respect to one another in a pyramid relationship; means for securing and maintaining the apparatus at a predetermined location relative to the oil to be confined, said securing and maintaining means being arranged so as to permit the barrier to extend through the air-water interface; blower means for maintaining air pressure in said air inflated tubes; water supply means for maintaining water pressure in said water inflated tubes; weir means joining two ends of said cylinders; and collection means connected to the barrier at the weir means location for receiving oil passing over the weir means to the exterior of the barrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
A barrier for confining oil floating on water to a predetermined area comprising: a first, second and third closed, elongated, hollow cylinder extending longitudinallY of one another, each of said cylinders being fabricated from a flexible material, at least one of said cylinders being inflated with air and at least one of said cylinders being inflated with water; means for securing the three cylinders tangentially with respect to one another in a pyramid relationship; means for securing and maintaining the apparatus at a predetermined location relative to the oil to be confined, said securing and maintaining means being arranged so as to permit the barrier to extend through the air-water interface; blower means for maintaining air pressure in said air inflated tubes; water supply means for maintaining water pressure in said water inflated tubes; weir means joining two ends of said cylinders; and collection means connected to the barrier at the weir means location for receiving oil passing over the weir means to the exterior of the barrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |