US3710943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable displacement fence for oil spill containment and recovery
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-05
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1990-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A flexible, inflatable, elongated barrier useful for the containment, separation and recovery of oil spilt on water is constructed in the form of a tunnel inside of which there is a continuous passage for oil that enters the barrier beneath the waters surface on the upstream side and leaves the barrier on either end of the tunnel. The barrier is weighted at the bottom by suitable ballast means and buoyed at the top by long, continuous air chambers. Lengthwise cables are attached along the top and bottom of the barrier for towing and control purposes. The barrier can be submerged during emergency conditions and is constructed for roll-up on a reel either as a continuous single element of multiplicity of sections.
Inventors
- 👤 W Davidson
- 👤 H Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:59
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/06; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
An inflatable, flexible, elongated barrier for the collection and removal of floating liquids, such as oil, from the surface of a body of water comprising: a. a first elongate, flexible, sheet, said sheet being folded upon itself along its long axis whereby an elongate tunnel is formed by said folded sheet and the elongate edges of said folded sheet are spaced apart to define an elongate inlet in communication with said tunnel; b. a second elongate, flexible, sheet loosely arranged and horizontally disposed within said tunnel and constructed and arranged therein whereby a closed first air chamber is defined within said tunnel continuously along its elongate dimension and a second elongate collection chamber with open ends is defined between said elongate sheet and said spaced apart elongate edges, whereby said loosely arranged second elongate sheet provides variable volume to said first air chamber responsive to wave action on the surface of said body of water; c. a third elongate flexible perforate sheet connecting said spaced apart elongate edges whereby oil and water may enter said elongate collection chamber when said spaced apart elongate edges are arranged below the surface of said body of water; d. means for inflating said first closed air chamber; e. cable means attached to said first closed air chamber and to said elongate collection chamber; f. ballast means attached to at least one of saiD elongate edges of said tunnel whereby said elongate edges are maintained below the surface of said body of water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
An inflatable, flexible, elongated barrier for the collection and removal of floating liquids, such as oil, from the surface of a body of water comprising: a. a first elongate, flexible, sheet, said sheet being folded upon itself along its long axis whereby an elongate tunnel is formed by said folded sheet and the elongate edges of said folded sheet are spaced apart to define an elongate inlet in communication with said tunnel; b. a second elongate, flexible, sheet loosely arranged and horizontally disposed within said tunnel and constructed and arranged therein whereby a closed first air chamber is defined within said tunnel continuously along its elongate dimension and a second elongate collection chamber with open ends is defined between said elongate sheet and said spaced apart elongate edges, whereby said loosely arranged second elongate sheet provides variable volume to said first air chamber responsive to wave action on the surface of said body of water; c. a third elongate flexible perforate sheet connecting said spaced apart elongate edges whereby oil and water may enter said elongate collection chamber when said spaced apart elongate edges are arranged below the surface of said body of water; d. means for inflating said first closed air chamber; e. cable means attached to said first closed air chamber and to said elongate collection chamber; f. ballast means attached to at least one of saiD elongate edges of said tunnel whereby said elongate edges are maintained below the surface of said body of water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said perforate sheet is arranged continuously enveloping the exterior of said barrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first elongate flexible sheet comprises two or more flexible sheets bonded together to form one or more inflatable gas chambers between said sheets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 comprising two barriers constructed and arranged whereby said elongate inlets are in parallel relationship below the surface of said body of water.
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) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |