US3753497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pollution skimmer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-10
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Granted: 1973-08-21
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Expires: 1991-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A skimmer for removing supernatant matter such as oil from a liquid such as water is disclosed having a base portion containing a centrally located drain and a plurality of troughs extending outwardly laterally from the drain but somewhat skewed relative to radii from the drain to aid in the formation of a vortex within the drain. The base portion is supported by a like plurality of laterally extending wings each having a density less than that of the liquid and each independently adjustably affixed to the base portion so that the elevation of the base portion relative to the liquid surface may be varied. A drain tube is connected to the lower end of the drain and after passing through a pump discharges the matter which is entering the drain into a surface material receptacle which may be a multiple outlet container for separating immiscible liquids. A V-shaped weir partially surrounding the base and wings and mechanically connected thereto may be provided for use if the skimmer in flowing liquids and the skimmer, weir and pump may all be mechanically interconnected so as to float as a unit.
Inventors
- 👤 B Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:46
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; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
A device for removing floating contaminants from the surface of a body of liquid comprising: a solid base portion having an outer periphery and a centrally disposed drain to which a drain tube may be attached: a plurality of laterally extending divergent fluid conducting troughs constructed and arranged within the thickness of said base with a first end located adjacent to and communicating with said drain and a second end located at the outer periphery of said base, said solid base portion thickness providing a pair of side walls and a bottom wall for each trough with each trough being somewhat skewed relative to radii from said centrally disposed drain to impart a somewhat tangential direction to a liquid flow through the troughs to thereby aid in the formation of a vortex in the said drain: a plurality of laterally extending divergent longitudinal winglike members constructed and arranged to float on a body of liquid, each said member having a first end and a second end, said first ends arranged around said base portion and adjustably pivotably connected thereto, said second ends extending beyond said base portion outer periphery and comprising float means for buoyantly supporting the device in a liquid, there being a like plurality of troughs and wing-like members with the space between adjacent float means disposed in general alignment with a corresponding trough, each wing-like member being adjustable about its pivot to allow the base portion to be supported in a body of liquid with the trough bottom walls somewhat below the surface of the liquid whereby surface material may flow inwardly between adjacent float means through said troughs and into said drain; a drain tube attached at one end to said drain; and a surface material receptacle remote from said drain, said drain tube other end positioned to allow discharge of surface materials into said receptacle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
310 words
A device for removing floating contaminants from the surface of a body of liquid comprising: a solid base portion having an outer periphery and a centrally disposed drain to which a drain tube may be attached: a plurality of laterally extending divergent fluid conducting troughs constructed and arranged within the thickness of said base with a first end located adjacent to and communicating with said drain and a second end located at the outer periphery of said base, said solid base portion thickness providing a pair of side walls and a bottom wall for each trough with each trough being somewhat skewed relative to radii from said centrally disposed drain to impart a somewhat tangential direction to a liquid flow through the troughs to thereby aid in the formation of a vortex in the said drain: a plurality of laterally extending divergent longitudinal winglike members constructed and arranged to float on a body of liquid, each said member having a first end and a second end, said first ends arranged around said base portion and adjustably pivotably connected thereto, said second ends extending beyond said base portion outer periphery and comprising float means for buoyantly supporting the device in a liquid, there being a like plurality of troughs and wing-like members with the space between adjacent float means disposed in general alignment with a corresponding trough, each wing-like member being adjustable about its pivot to allow the base portion to be supported in a body of liquid with the trough bottom walls somewhat below the surface of the liquid whereby surface material may flow inwardly between adjacent float means through said troughs and into said drain; a drain tube attached at one end to said drain; and a surface material receptacle remote from said drain, said drain tube other end positioned to allow discharge of surface materials into said receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said drain tube other end is positioned below said liquid surface so that surface materials flow from said liquid surface through said drain tube and into said receptacle by siphonage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising means in circuit with said drain tube for pumping said surface materials through said draIn tube whereby said drain tube other end need not necessarily be below said liquid surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises a container for separating immiscible liquids having different densities, said container having an inlet adapted to be connected to said drain tube other end and having a plurality of outlets at different elevations, a given outlet providing a drain for a given one of said liquids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a baffle partially surrounding said base and said wing-like members for channeling flowing liquid and contaminants toward said drain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 3 further comprising a baffle partially surrounding said base and said wing-like members for channeling flowing liquid and contaminants toward said drain; said baffle, said base and attached wing-like members, and said pumping means being mechanically interconnected so as to float on said liquid as a single unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |