US3701430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil skimmer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-16
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1991-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A structure to be used in conjunction with a barge for skimming oil spilled on the surface of harbor waters, lakes and the like comprising one or two outriggers which can be partially positioned just below the surface of the oil and which have harvesting booms that converge at the rear joining a collector sump from which the oil and water can be pumped into the barge. The system may also include a means for separating the oil from the water and also for separating out large particles of debris which are frequently found floating in these waters. For use in situations where the body of water has a light-swell condition, the outriggers include flexible leading ends which will follow the contour of the water surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph L Tuttle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:53
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/048; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
An oil skimming apparatus, the combination comprising: a barge, said barge have an holding tank; at least one outrigger means movably mounted along a side of said barge, said outrigger means comprising a pair of longitudinal flat booms having their major longitudinal dimension oriented alongside and in substantially the same direction as the sides of said barge, the minor transverse dimension of each said boom being oriented substantially vertically to the surface of the body of water in which said barge is situated, a substantially flat bottom plate joining said booms in spaced apart relationship, said bottom plate having a wide end and a narrow end, the wide end thereof being situated near the bow of said barge whereby said booms converge toward one another near the stern thereof, an enlarged sump portion formed in said bottom plate at the sternmost end thereof between said booms; mounting means for movably affixing each said outrigger to said barge, said mounting means including means for vertically positioning each said outrigger with respect to said surface, and pivotal means for pivotally lifting said outrigger up and away from said surface, said mounting means further including supporting means coupled to said outrigger means for supporting said outrigger means in an upraised position or in a lowered position whereby said bottom plate may be substantially parallel to said liquid level; and pump means mounted upon said barge, said pump means having an intake conduit positioned in said sump, said pump means having an outlet thereof communicating with said holding tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
An oil skimming apparatus, the combination comprising: a barge, said barge have an holding tank; at least one outrigger means movably mounted along a side of said barge, said outrigger means comprising a pair of longitudinal flat booms having their major longitudinal dimension oriented alongside and in substantially the same direction as the sides of said barge, the minor transverse dimension of each said boom being oriented substantially vertically to the surface of the body of water in which said barge is situated, a substantially flat bottom plate joining said booms in spaced apart relationship, said bottom plate having a wide end and a narrow end, the wide end thereof being situated near the bow of said barge whereby said booms converge toward one another near the stern thereof, an enlarged sump portion formed in said bottom plate at the sternmost end thereof between said booms; mounting means for movably affixing each said outrigger to said barge, said mounting means including means for vertically positioning each said outrigger with respect to said surface, and pivotal means for pivotally lifting said outrigger up and away from said surface, said mounting means further including supporting means coupled to said outrigger means for supporting said outrigger means in an upraised position or in a lowered position whereby said bottom plate may be substantially parallel to said liquid level; and pump means mounted upon said barge, said pump means having an intake conduit positioned in said sump, said pump means having an outlet thereof communicating with said holding tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
144 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a plurality of substantially vertically oriented guide rails affixed to the side of said barge, a plurality of roller means affixed to the inboard side of said outrigger, said roller means each engaging each of said guide rails, positioning means affixed to the inboard sides of said outrigger and to said barge for vertically adjusting the position of the inboard edge of said outrigger with respect to said surface; and said supporting means including a plurality of lines affixed to the outboard edge of each said outrigger, each of said lines being coupled to adjusting means for adjusting the length thereof so as to support said outrigger whereby the bottom plate thereof may be positioned substantially parallel to said surface or whereby said outrigger may be pivotally moved to an upraised position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said pump means includes separator means for separating oil from water, said separator having a water outlet directed overboard, the aforesaid pump outlet being an oil outlet communicating with said holding tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 said outrigger means further includes a flexible leading edge member fastened to the bottom plate thereof, said leading edge extending forward of said outrigger means, bouyant means secured to the forwardmost edge of said flexible member, said bouyant means being spaced above the forwardmost edge whereby said edge will be positioned beneath the water when said bouyant means is floating thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 4, further including a rigid frame secured to the leading edge of said outrigger means and extending partially beneath said flexible member whereby downward movement of said flexible member is limited.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said sump is provided with a plurality of apertures in the bottom thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 further including means mounted upon said barge and secured to said outrigger for collecting floating debris, said means comprising a container situated on said barge, a net having one end secured to the outboard edge of said container, the other end of said net being removably secured to the outboard rail of said outrigger, said net being of sufficient length to be draped along the bottom of said outrigger, and means secured to the outboard end of said net for gathering in said net to dump the contents thereof into said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |