US3635342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for recovering a substance floating as a sheet on the surface of a liquid mass
Assignee: Bertin Technologies SAS
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Filing: 1969-12-22
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1989-12-22
Abstract
Abstract For recovering a substance, more especially a hydrocarbon, spread as a thin sheet and floating on the surface of a liquid, the liquid is, in the vicinity of its surface, subjected to a local rotating movement so as to bring about the formation of a vortex-type cavity which is open and has a vertical axis, and in which the substance originating from the sheet accumulates, and from the said cavity the accumulated substance is extracted, the amount extracted being automatically replaced, as it is extracted, by further substance emanating from the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Claude Mourlon
- 👤 Ernest Marie Rene Dubois
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:06
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/10; E02B15/107; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
25 words
Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substance is discriminatingly extracted from said depression by suction at a point located in the midst thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid is whirled by forcefully driving a portion thereof located adjacent said depression and expelling said portion away therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said liquid portion is forcefully centrifuged with respect to said axis into the surrounding body of liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said liquid portion is forcefully entrained downward into the underlying body of liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
Method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said liquid portion is forcefully entrained in a direction having, in addition to its downward component, a component substantially tangent to said cup-shaped outline. 7. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said liquid portion is forcefully entrained by induction of energized fluid blown thereinto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method as claimed in claim 3, comprising the further steps of recovering part of said liquid portion on its expulsion path, and rediverting said part towards said depression.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said recovering step is effected at a lower level, and said rediverting step is effected at an upper level, whereby a vortex circulation of liquid is established in said body of liquid around said depression, in a direction with respect thereto successively outward, upward, and inward.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for removing from the surface of a deep body of liquid, an immiscible substance overfloating the same and spread thereover as a thin and wide layer, said body of liquid and said layer of substance forming distinct horizontal strata, comprising: rotary impeller paddle means for locally whirling said liquid close to said surface about a substantially vertical axis to generate a whirlpool producing in said surface a depression of downwardly tapering, closed bottom cup-shaped outline into which said overfloating substance is centripetally drawn from the environment of said layer and accumulates in extra thickness compared therewith, said rotary impeller paddle means being positioned outside said depression at a distance from said cup-shaped outline thereof, and means separate and distinct from said rotary impeller paddle means, for discriminatingly extracting therefrom said substance as it accumulates therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said rotary impeller paddle means comprises a generally horizontal rotary impeller immersed in said body of liquid at a depth lower than that of said closed bottom of said depression.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for removing from the surface of a deep body of liquid, an immiscible substance overfloating the same and spread thereover as a thin and wide layer, said body of liquid and said layer of substance forming discrete horizontal strata, comprising: means for locally whirling said liquid close to said surface about a substantially vertical axis to generate a whirlpool producing in said surface a depression of downwardly tapering closed bottom cup-shaped outline into which said overfloating substance is centripetally drawn from the environment of said layer and accumulates in extra thickness compared therewith, said whirling means being positioned outside said depression at A distance from said cup-shaped outline thereof; surrounding means for said whirling means, said surrounding means including a top and a bottom portion; buoyancy means for supporting said surrounding means, the surrounding means and buoyancy means being constructed and arranged whereby the top portion of said surrounding means is maintained submerged below the surface of the deep body of liquid when said buoyancy means are floating in said body of liquid, allowing said immiscible substance on the surface of the deep body of water to move towards said generated whirlpool; and means separate and distinct from said whirling means, for discriminatingly extracting from said depression said immiscible substance as it accumulates therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said whirling means comprises vortex generating, fluid injector means discharging into said body of liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said fluid injector means comprises at least one fluid-injecting nozzle pointing in a direction having a tangential component with respect to said vertical axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising means for promoting a forced recirculation of liquid in the vicinity but outside of said depression.
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) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |