US3734294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pollutant recovery system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-15
•
Granted: 1973-05-22
•
Expires: 1991-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A system is described for removing a pollutant from the surface of water wherein the pollutant is confined to a recovery area and is directed to a recovery station by a plurality of linked booms. A particulate, floatable sorbent material is continuously distributed over the pollutant confined in the recovery area as it moves to the recovery station. The sorbent material is distributed in sufficient quantity to adsorb substantially all of the pollutant prior to its arrival at the recovery station. At the recovery station, recovery means are employed for removing the sorbent material and the adsorbed pollutant from the water surface.
Inventors
- 👤 J Zerbe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:22
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/06; E02B15/041; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for removing a pollutant from the surface of water, comprising, a plurality of linked booms for positioning down-wind or down-current to confine the pollutant to a recovery area, said booms being arranged in a configuration which directs the pollutant to a recovery station, distributing means positioned a substantial distance from said recovery station for continuously distributing a particulate floatable sorbent material over the pollutant confined in the recovery area as it moves to the recovery station, said distributing means adapted to provide sorbent material in sufficient quantity to adsorb substantially all of the pollutant prior to its arrival at the recovery station, and recovery means at the recovery station for continuously removing the sorbent material and the adsorbed pollutant from the water surface, said recovering means including a rotatable support and a plurality of scoops mounted thereon, said scoops each having at least a part of a porosity to allow water to pass out of said scoops while retaining said sorbent material and adsorbed pollutant, and sorbent removal means for removing said sorbent material and adsorbed pollutant from said scoops.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for removing a pollutant from the surface of water, comprising, a plurality of linked booms for positioning down-wind or down-current to confine the pollutant to a recovery area, said booms being arranged in a configuration which directs the pollutant to a recovery station, distributing means positioned a substantial distance from said recovery station for continuously distributing a particulate floatable sorbent material over the pollutant confined in the recovery area as it moves to the recovery station, said distributing means adapted to provide sorbent material in sufficient quantity to adsorb substantially all of the pollutant prior to its arrival at the recovery station, and recovery means at the recovery station for continuously removing the sorbent material and the adsorbed pollutant from the water surface, said recovering means including a rotatable support and a plurality of scoops mounted thereon, said scoops each having at least a part of a porosity to allow water to pass out of said scoops while retaining said sorbent material and adsorbed pollutant, and sorbent removal means for removing said sorbent material and adsorbed pollutant from said scoops.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said scoops are rigidly mounted to said support so that they tip at the top of the rotational path, and wherein said sorbent removal means include a collection tray positioned to receive the contents of said scoops as they tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein said sorbent removal means further include means for spraying hot water on said scoops as they tip above said collection tray to facilitate discharge of the contents of said scoops.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein means are provided for transferring material from said collection tray to a storage vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said recovery means include a floatable base, and wherein said support is mounted on said floatable base.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 5 including hinged means coupling said floatable base to at least one of said linked booms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said distributing means include at least one flexible duct having a discharge end, and means for supplying air entrained particulate, floatable, sorbent material to said duct to be discharged therefrom at the recovery area from said discharge end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said distributing means include a floatable support for said discharge end for said flexible duct.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said distributing means include means for moving said floatable support repetitively to vary the direction in which entrained sorbent material is discharged from said duct.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said moving means include means comprising a tether for securing said floatable support to at least one of said linked booms, propelling means on said floatable support oriented to maintain tension in said tether, and means for varying the direction of said propelling means to cause said floatable support to reciprocate in its motion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |