Oil entrapment and containment watercraft
Abstract
Abstract AN OIL SLICK ENTRAPMENT AND CONTAINMENT WATERCRAFT HAS A PAIR OF PONTOONS BOUYANTLY SUPPORTING AN OPEN-BOTTOMED ENTRAPMENT TOWER AND A FUNNEL-SHAPED SURFACE SKIMMING SHROUD. THE OPEN BOTTOM OF THE ENTRAPMENT TOWER IS BELOW THE WATER LKEVEL, AND, AS THE CRAFT MOVES ON THE WATER HAVING AN OIL SLICK, THE OIL PASSES INTO THE SKIMMER AND INTO THE ENTRAPEMENT TOWER WHERE THE COLUMN OF LIQUID IS RAISED BY VACUUM APPLIED TO THE TOP OF THE ENTRAPEMENT TOWER. OIL RISES TO THE TOP OF THE WATER IN THE ENTRAPMENT TOWER DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE IN SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND WITHOUT EMULSIFYING AND IS THEN PUMPED OFF THE TOP, A SINGLE PUMP CQRRIED BY THE CRAFT IS CONNECTED BY SUITABLE PIPING ARRANGEMENTS AND PROVIDES MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS INCLUDING, DRAWING VACUUM IN THE ENTRAPMENT TOWER BY ASPIRATING AIR FROM THE ENTRAPEMENT TOWER THROUGH AN ASPIRATOR, SUPPLYING AIR TO THE PONTOONS, AND PUMPING THE OIL FROM THE ENTRAPMENT TOWER. THE BOUYANCY OF THE PONTOONS IS CONTROLLED BY SUPPLYING AIR AND WATER TO THE TOP OF THE PONTOONS ALLOWING THE WATER TO ESCAPE OUT OF A SLOT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PONTOONS AND PROVIDING AIR PURGE LINES IN THE PONTOONS.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe M Valdespino
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-25 | 1975-04-26 | 1975-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-25 | 1979-04-26 | 1979-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-25 | 1983-04-26 | 1983-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |