US3708983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for confining oil spills
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-16
•
Granted: 1973-01-09
•
Expires: 1991-02-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus comprising a series of air-retaining structural units connected together in a complete loop so that it will float while surrounding a vessel that may be leaking or spilling oil or some other lighter-than-water fluid. All units are hollow and provided with means for releasing the air so that they will submerge to any desired depth and means for resupplying air so that they can be again raised when needed.
Inventors
- 👤 W Brown
- 👤 E Gilbert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:45
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/08; E02B15/0814; E02B15/0835; E02B15/0857; E02B15/0864; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for preventing the spread of petroleum products on a water surface comprising: a series of elongated, hollow structural unit connected together to form an enclosure; a first inlet opening on each said unit, a valve means for each said opening, and an air line extending from said valve means and adapted for connection to a pressurized air source; a second inlet opening on a lower side of each said unit for allowing water to enter when air pressure within the unit is decreased; and means for controlling said valves simultaneously so that said apparatus can be submerged and then raised by the air pressure displacing the water, to a position surrounding an area on the water''s surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for preventing the spread of petroleum products on a water surface comprising: a series of elongated, hollow structural unit connected together to form an enclosure; a first inlet opening on each said unit, a valve means for each said opening, and an air line extending from said valve means and adapted for connection to a pressurized air source; a second inlet opening on a lower side of each said unit for allowing water to enter when air pressure within the unit is decreased; and means for controlling said valves simultaneously so that said apparatus can be submerged and then raised by the air pressure displacing the water, to a position surrounding an area on the water''s surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 including fin-like barrier members extending upwardly and downwardly from and axially along said structural units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said structural units are cylindrical in shape and fabricated from metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2 including joint means at the ends of said structural units for connecting them together in forming said enclosure, said joint means including overlapping flange members fixed to said barrier members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein at least one said flange member for each said joint means comprising a flexible plate member made at least partially of plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A protective, submersible enclosure for confining and preventing the spread of petroleum products released from a ship into the water around it, said apparatus comprising: an elongated closed loop enclosure including connected hollow structural units each said unit having axial barrier means extending above and below along its full length; passage means in said units for allowing water to flow into said structural units when at least a portion of each unit is immersed in the water while air is simultaneously released in order to submerge the enclosure; and means for forcing air into said hollow units for displacing the water and retaining air pressure therein sufficient to make said units buoyant and thereby cause said enclosure to rise to the surface around an oil slock or around a ship being loaded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A protective, submersible enclosure for confining and preventing the spread of petroleum products released from a ship into the water around it, said apparatus comprising: an elongated closed loop enclosure including connected hollow structural units each said unit having axial barrier means extending above and below along its full length; passage means in said units for allowing water to flow into said structural units when at least a portion of each unit is immersed in the water while air is simultaneously released in order to submerge the enclosure; and means for forcing air into said hollow units for displacing the water and retaining air pressure therein sufficient to make said units buoyant and thereby cause said enclosure to rise to the surface around an oil slock or around a ship being loaded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An appAratus according to claim 1 including means for attaching a plurality of said structural units to uprights adjacent a boat dock for guiding the vertical movements of the enclosure between submersion in the water and the surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 including means for attaching a plurality of said structural units to uprights adjacent a boat dock for guiding the vertical movements of the enclosure between submersion in the water and the surface thereof.
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) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |