US3684095A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Barge based skimming system for oil slicks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-08
•
Granted: 1972-08-15
•
Expires: 1990-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A barge based skimming system for oil slicks and method for use thereof wherein the oil phase is concentrated relative to the water phase prior to its introduction into a final separating compartment wherein the oil is reclaimed in a conventional manner. A barge mounted wave reflector and boom arrangement diverts oil and water into open bottom chutes positioned on either side of a barge. The wave action is damped at the upstream end of the chutes and a skimming operation is performed downstream thereof to divert floating oil upwardly onto a shelflike structure while allowing the underlying water to continue its passage through the open bottom chute. The shelf structure then directs the oil to a relatively quiescent area defined by a separating container at the rear of the barge where a second separating operation is conducted and the oil reclaimed.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray R Ayers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:42
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/048; E02B15/08; E02B15/0842; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water, comprising: a vessel with a bow, stern, and sidewalls adapted to float on the surface of a body of water; a compartment at the stern of said vessel; skimming means in the compartment, whereby oil may be separated from oil-water mixtures received in the compartment; outrigger structure supported by the vessel, spaced from the sidewalls, and projecting above and below the surface of the body of water, whereby a chute is defined with an end in communication with the compartment; damping means in the chute for damping the vertical movement of oil and water therein; skimming means in the chute, whereby the oil-water mixtures are separated from the body of water; and a shallow shelf bridging the chute above the lower level thereof and extending from the chute to the compartment for communicating the oil-water mixtures to the compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water, comprising: a vessel with a bow, stern, and sidewalls adapted to float on the surface of a body of water; a compartment at the stern of said vessel; skimming means in the compartment, whereby oil may be separated from oil-water mixtures received in the compartment; outrigger structure supported by the vessel, spaced from the sidewalls, and projecting above and below the surface of the body of water, whereby a chute is defined with an end in communication with the compartment; damping means in the chute for damping the vertical movement of oil and water therein; skimming means in the chute, whereby the oil-water mixtures are separated from the body of water; and a shallow shelf bridging the chute above the lower level thereof and extending from the chute to the compartment for communicating the oil-water mixtures to the compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said damping and skimming means comprise flap elements pivoted adjacent one end thereof to said outrigger structure and substantially bridging said chute, and means for biasing the free ends of said flaps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the free end of one of said flaps is biased toward the oil-water interface in the chute and the upper surface of the other end thereof is in fluid flow communication with said compartment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the other of said flaps is pivotally mounted at the upstream end of said chute and the free ends of said flaps are oriented downstream.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1573085A
Cited
US3369664A
Cited
FR1528855A
Cited
US3523611A
Cited
US3556301A
Cited
US3557960A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |