Apparatus and method for collection of oil from surface of the sea

Claim 1

Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water which is subject to waves of substantial amplitude comprising scoop means having horizontally spaced-apart, upright side wall means disposed at an angle to each other so as to define a forward open end of enlarged horizontal dimension, and an open apex end of reduced horizontal dimension; the vertical dimension of said side wall means being of substantial magnitude so as to exceed the amplitude of normal waves and thereby prevent loss of oil in a lateral direction, and said scoop means having top and bottom walls which are also angularly disposed with respect to one another, said top and bottom walls being joined at their respective edges to said side wall means to prevent loss of oil in upwards or downward direction, a receiving compartment with an inlet end located on the opposite side of said open apex end from said scoop means and in fluid communication therewith for storing a quantity of oil and water passing through said open apex end, adjustable buoyancy means for supporting said scoop means forward open end at the surface of the body of water, an adjustable weir located at said inlet end of said receiving compartment and mounted for vertical movement with respect to said open apex end, and said receiving compartment for separating oil from water collected by said scoop means and communicated to said receiving compartment, and pumping means connected between said receiving compartment and said scoop means for pumping an oil and water mixture from said compartment to said scoop means so that the mixture will re-enter the open apex end of said scoop means so as to further skim off the oil layer.

Claim 5

An apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water subject to waves of substantial amplitude comprising: a. a hollow truncated scoop means having an inlet end of enlarged horizontal dimension for substantially entrapping an entire wave, and sidewalls converging toward an outlet end of said scoop means of reduced horizontal dimension for permitting the passage therethrough of an oil and water mixture, said scoop means preventing loss therefrom of oil on the surface of the water; b. compartment means located adjacent said outlet end of said scoop means and in fluid communication therewith for permitting a quantity of oil and water passing through said outlet end to enter and be stored within said compartment means; c. pumping means with an inlet end operatively connected to said compartment means and an outlet end within said scoop means for pumping an oil and water mixture from said compartment means to said scoop means so that the mixture will re-enter said outlet end of said scoop means; and d. adjustable weir means located between said outlet end of said scoop means and said compartment for skimming off a layer of oil from the surface of the water collected by said scoop means.

Claim 6

An apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water subject to waves of substantial amplitude comprising: a. a hollow truncated scoop means having an inlet end of enlarged horizontal dimension for substantially entrapping an entire wave, and sidewalls converging toward an outlet end of said scoop means of reduced horizontal dimension for permitting the passage therethrough of an oil and water mixture, said scoop means preventing loss therefrom of oil on the surface of the water; b. compartment means located adjacent said outlet end of said scoop means and in fluid communication therewith for permitting a quantity of oil and water passing through said outlet end to enter and be stored within said compartment means; c. pumping means with an inlet end operatively connected to said compartment means and an outlet end within said scoop means for pumping an oil and water mixture from said compartment means to said scoop means so that the mixture will re-enter said outlet end of said scoop means; and d. adjustable weir means located between said outlet end of said scoop means and said compartment for skimming off a layer of oil from the surface of the water collected by said scoop means.