Oil skimmer with oscillatable circular loop

Claim 2

In an apparatus for skimming oil or the like floating on the surface of a liquid, a base, an endless substantially rigid loop of uniform cross section generally circular, said loop lying in a single plane, driving means gripping said loop at one point only, said driving means rotating said loop in its own plane, said loop depending downwardly from said gripping point, and said driving means permitting oscillation of said loop about an axis substantially tangential to said loop at said gripping point.

Claim 3

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises two rolls each having a generally circular periphery, said peripheries approaching closely to a mutually tangential position, a first of said rolls having an annular surface concavely arcuate in section and arranged to embrace the upper surface of said loop on one side, and a second of said rolls having an annular surface concavely arcuate in section and arranged to embrace the lower surface of said loop on the opposite side.

Claim 4

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 2, including a third roll at the level of said first roll embracing the upper surface of said loop at the opposite side, and a fourth roll at the level of said second roll embracing the lower surface of said loop at said one side.

Claim 5

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 2, wherein said driving means includes power means drivingly connected directly with said roll embracing the lower side of said loop only.

Claim 6

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said loop is of a specific gravity lighter than water.

Claim 7

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said loop is generally circular in plan.

Claim 8

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said loop has a curve suddenly diverging radially at one or more points, whereby to cause said loop to swing sharply at its lower side when said diverging curve passes through said driving means.

Claim 9

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said loop in plan is longer than it is wide, whereby said loop will oscillate in its own plane as it is rotated by said driving means.

Claim 10

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, including a second endless substantially rigid loop of uniform cross section generally circular, a pair of spaced-parallel drive shafts generally vertical, a plurality of rolls mounted on said shafts and providing pairs of coacting arcuately concave annular surfaces, each pair of surfaces engaging a different one of said loops, each pair engaging its associated loop in diagonally opposed quadrants, one above and one below the center of the section of its associated loop, and said driving means drivingly connected with at least one roll of each pair.

Claim 11

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein means is provided for collecting and diverting skimmed material adhering to said loop and being squeezed away from said loop while passing through said driving means.

Claim 12

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, comprising two parallel vertically extending shafts, means for rotating at least one of said shafts, first and second rolls mounted on one of said shafts, a third roll mounted on the other of said shafts, said first roll having an annular surface concavely arcuate in section and directed upwardly and outwardly and engaging the undersurface of said loop on one side, said second roll having an annular surface concavely arcuate in section and diRected downwardly and outwardly and engaging the upper surface of said loop on said one side, said third roll having an annular surface concavely arcuate in section and directed downwardly and outwardly and engaging the upper surface of said loop opposite said one side and at approximately the same level as said arcuate surface of said second roll, said third roll having a cylindrical portion extending, in driving position of said rolls, downwardly below said arcuate portion of said third roll to a point below the center of said loop, said cylindrical portion then lying closely adjacent said loop, and said third roll having a mounting on said other shaft permitting movement of said third roll upwardly on said other shaft sufficiently to permit said loop to be removed generally horizontally beneath said cylindrical portion.

Claim 13

An apparatus for skimming oil or the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said loop has a covering of brushlike material.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said brushlike material comprises a plurality of star-shape washers assembled on a generally cylindrical core.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said driving means comprises rolls having a covering of brushlike material drivingly engaging said loop.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 12, including paddle means engaging said brushlike material at a point above said liquid, and said paddle means rotatable in a direction at right angles to said loop to remove material collected on said loop.