Abstract A skimmer for removing floating matter from a body of liquid, such as skimming oil spills from water, comprises a floating annular body having gently downwardly centrally inclined upper surfaces that terminate radially inwardly adjacent an annular weir. Oil is drawn over the inclined surfaces and flows over the weir and collects in a central sump. The weir is raised by an annular float disposed in the sump when the overflow in the sump is too great to be removed by a centrally positioned pump. A ballast chamber makes possible a rough adjustment of the draft of the skimmer. Peripherally spaced marginal floats disposed in upright casings that extend above and below the water line are vertically adjustable to trim the floating skimmer and to make possible a fine adjustment of the draft.
A skimmer for removing floating material from the surface of a body of liquid, comprising an annular float adapted to float on the surface of said body of liquid, an upper surface of said float that declines from the periphery of said float to a well centrally located within said float, upright sleeves extending above said surface and peripherally spaced around said float and open at both ends, auxiliary floats within said sleeves and means for selectively individually adjusting said auxiliary floats vertically relative to said float, a pump in said well for evacuating skimmed material from the skimmer, power means for driving the pump, and conduit means for conveying skimmEd material from the pump to a location remote from the skimmer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A skimmer for removing floating material from the surface of a body of liquid, comprising an annular float adapted to float on the surface of said body of liquid, an upper surface of said float that declines from the periphery of said float to a well centrally located within said float, upright sleeves extending above said surface and peripherally spaced around said float and open at both ends, auxiliary floats within said sleeves and means for selectively individually adjusting said auxiliary floats vertically relative to said float, a pump in said well for evacuating skimmed material from the skimmer, power means for driving the pump, and conduit means for conveying skimmEd material from the pump to a location remote from the skimmer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A skimmer as claimed in claim 1, and an annular weir disposed in said well adjacent the inner edge of said upper surface on said float for regulating the flow of material into said well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A skimmer as claimed in claim 2, and means mounting said weir for vertical movement relative to said upper surface of said float.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A skimmer as claimed in claim 3, and annular flexible means sealing between said weir and said upper surface of said float.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A skimmer as claimed in claim 3, and a float in said well connected to said weir for raising said weir when an excessive amount of liquid occupies said well.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A skimmer as claimed in claim 5, said weir float being annular and being disposed adjacent the outer periphery of said well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A skimmer as claimed in claim 1, said float having a ballast chamber, and valve means for selectively admitting water from outside said skimmer into said ballast chamber or for directing water from said ballast chamber into said well.