US3741391A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for eliminating oil slicks from large bodies of water
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-13
•
Granted: 1973-06-26
•
Expires: 1991-01-13
Abstract
Abstract Water contaminated with an oil slick is drawn into and confined within a large tub shaped vessel so that the lighter contaminating liquid can be drawn off at the top while the water is pumped away from a lower level.
Inventors
- 👤 F Donsbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:49
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/10; E02B15/106; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/901; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
Apparatus for removing oil slicks from an open body of water comprising a large tub means for confining a large body of water contaminated by an oil slick, said tub means terminating at the top in a peripherally extending upper edge means, flotation means for supporting said tub means with said upper edge substantially at the surface of a body of water to admit oil slick into the interior of the tub means, first pumping means including first inlet means in communication with the bottom of the interior of the tub means for drawing water and oil slick into the interior of the tub means over said upper edge means and for removing water from tHe tub means and including a second inlet means in communication with said large body of water, and second pumping means including second inlet means in communication with the interior of the tub means for removing oil slick from the interior of the tub means, float valve means to control the level of water in said tub means said float valve means being connected with said first and second inlet means to alternatively close one of said inlet means and open the other of the respective inlet means in response to the level of the liquid in said tub means, whereby said first pumping means will alternatively withdraw water from the interior of said tub means or from said body of water, and float means to position the level of said second inlet means independently of said valve means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
Apparatus for removing oil slicks from an open body of water comprising a large tub means for confining a large body of water contaminated by an oil slick, said tub means terminating at the top in a peripherally extending upper edge means, flotation means for supporting said tub means with said upper edge substantially at the surface of a body of water to admit oil slick into the interior of the tub means, first pumping means including first inlet means in communication with the bottom of the interior of the tub means for drawing water and oil slick into the interior of the tub means over said upper edge means and for removing water from tHe tub means and including a second inlet means in communication with said large body of water, and second pumping means including second inlet means in communication with the interior of the tub means for removing oil slick from the interior of the tub means, float valve means to control the level of water in said tub means said float valve means being connected with said first and second inlet means to alternatively close one of said inlet means and open the other of the respective inlet means in response to the level of the liquid in said tub means, whereby said first pumping means will alternatively withdraw water from the interior of said tub means or from said body of water, and float means to position the level of said second inlet means independently of said valve means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve means includes a first opening in communication with the interior of the tub means and a second inlet opening in communication with the body of water exteriorly and below the bottom of the tub means, and means for selectively closing one of said two openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve means includes float means responsive to the level of water confined within the tub means to control the selective closing of said openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein said tub means comprises a vessel having a bottom wall and an open top, said bottom wall being provided with an opening, and said first inlet means includes a vertically disposed sleeve connected at the upper end with said opening and the lower end being disposed in the open body of water, a pair of valve bodies connected with each other to alternatively close the respective opposite ends of the sleeve, conduit means for a pump means and connected with said sleeve medially of the opposite ends thereof, and float means disposed within said vessel and connected with said pair of valve bodies to control said valve bodies in response to the level of water in the vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention as defined in claim 4, wherein said pair of valve bodies and said float means are connected by a rod extending vertically through said sleeve into the vessel, one of said valve bodies being arranged above the upper end of the sleeve, the other of said valve bodies being arranged below the lower end of the sleeve, the distance between said valve bodies being greater than the length of the sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said tub means includes a vessel having a generally upstanding wall terminating in a generally horizontal upper peripheral margin and said upper edge means comprises a buoyant rim means arranged for relative vertical and angular movement with respect to the margin of the tub means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said buoyant rim means is composed of elastomeric material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said buoyant rim means includes vertically slotted guideway means engageable with the peripheral margin of the vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said buoyant rim means includes expansible and contractable bellows means connected between the rim means and the peripheral margin of the vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said buoyant rim means includes means for heating the rim means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said buoyant rim means comprises a strip of flexible material surround-said tub means, one edge of the strip being attached to the peripheral wall of the vessel, the other edge of said strip extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to said one edge, said strip being yieldable in response to the relative accumulation of liquid within the tub means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said buoyant rim means is substantially hollow and includes means for introducing a fluid into the interior thereof.
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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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |