US3885418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an oil slick on a water surface
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-17
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-10-17
Abstract
Abstract An oil slick detector comprising a spinner located in a shroud surrounding the spinner and providing a radial gap between the spinner and the shroud, the spinner being driven at a constant speed by a motor, any changes in torque on the motor resulting in changes in the drive current of said motor, the free end of said spinner and shroud being positioned in the water surface such that the water and any oil on the water will enter the radial gap between the spinner and shroud, the torque on the motor being higher in value if oil is present than that torque on the motor if only water is present, said difference in torque resulting in a measurable change in the motor drive current. In a preferred embodiment, the spinner is provided with a spiral groove in its outer surface to encourage the flow of coil and water in the radial gap. By running the spinner first in a forward direction to move oil and water up the spinner and thereafter running the spinner in a reverse direction to move the oil and water off of the spinner, and by measuring the average motor current during the forward and reverse runs, a measurement related to the thickness of the oil slick is obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony R Kriebel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N11/00; G01N11/10; G01N11/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for sensing the presence of an oil slick on the surface of a body of water comprising a cylindrical spinner; a hollow cylindrical shroud partially enveloping said spinner and providing a radial gap between the inner surface thereof and the surface of the spinner, said shroud having an opening therein adjacent said spinner to permit the passage of water and oil to the spinner, said shroud and spinner adapted to be positioned such that the opening in said shroud and said spinner are partially submerged in the surface of the water; a drive motor for spinning said spinner in said shroud, the torque on said motor being of one value with the water surface free of oil and being of a different value with an oil slick present on the water surface, and means for detecting the difference in the torque on said motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for sensing the presence of an oil slick on the surface of a body of water comprising a cylindrical spinner; a hollow cylindrical shroud partially enveloping said spinner and providing a radial gap between the inner surface thereof and the surface of the spinner, said shroud having an opening therein adjacent said spinner to permit the passage of water and oil to the spinner, said shroud and spinner adapted to be positioned such that the opening in said shroud and said spinner are partially submerged in the surface of the water; a drive motor for spinning said spinner in said shroud, the torque on said motor being of one value with the water surface free of oil and being of a different value with an oil slick present on the water surface, and means for detecting the difference in the torque on said motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a float adapted to float on the surface of the water, said detector being mounted on said float and extending toward the water surface with the opening in said shroud and said spinner partially submerged in the water surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said detector is mounted on said float such that said detector extends into the water surface with the axis of said spinner at an angle to the surface of the water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said spinner is provided with a spiral groove in its surface, said groove extending up the spinner surface from the end submerged in the water surface, said groove aiding the movement of water and oil up the spinner surface during rotation of the spinner in the forward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including means for driving said drive motor and spinner in a forward direction to move said water and oil up the spinner surface via said groove, and means for thereafter driving said drive motor and spinner in a reverse direction to move said water and oil down off the spinner via said groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for detecting the difference in the torque on said motor comprises means for detecting the driving current through said motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said shroud includes a guide wall extending tangentially outwardly therefrom for guiding water and oil onto the spinner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spinner is provided with a spiral groove in its surface, said groove extending up the spinner surface from the submerged in the water surface, said groove aiding the movement of water and oil up the spinner surface during rotation of the spinner in the forward direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including means for driving said drive motor and spinner in a forward direction to move said water and oil up the spinner surface via said groove; and means for thereafter driving said drive motor and spinner in a reverse direction to move said water and oil down off the spinner via said groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for detecting the difference in the torque on said motor comprises means for detecting the level of the driving current through said motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for detecting the difference in the torque on said motor comprises means for detecting the driving current through said motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shroud includes a guide wall extending tangentially outwardly therefrom for guiding water and oil onto the spinner.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
133 words
The method for sensing the presence of an oil slick on the surface of a body of water comprising the steps of positioning a cylindrical spinner within a hollow cylindrical shroud enveloping said spinneR whereby a radial gap is formed between the inner surface of the shroud and the surface of the spinner, said spinner being located adjacent an opening in said shroud, said shroud and spinner being positioned such that the opening and said spinner are partially submerged in the surface of the water; driving said spinner with a drive motor, the torque on said motor being of one value with the water surface free of oil and being of a different value with an oil slick present on the water surface, and detecting the difference in the torque on said motor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
133 words
The method for sensing the presence of an oil slick on the surface of a body of water comprising the steps of positioning a cylindrical spinner within a hollow cylindrical shroud enveloping said spinneR whereby a radial gap is formed between the inner surface of the shroud and the surface of the spinner, said spinner being located adjacent an opening in said shroud, said shroud and spinner being positioned such that the opening and said spinner are partially submerged in the surface of the water; driving said spinner with a drive motor, the torque on said motor being of one value with the water surface free of oil and being of a different value with an oil slick present on the water surface, and detecting the difference in the torque on said motor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as claimed in claim 13 including the step of floating said detector on the surface of the water, said detector floating with the opening in said shroud and said spinner partially submerged in the water surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said detector floats on the water surface such that said detector extends into the water surface with the axis of said spinner at an angle to the surface of the water.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said step of detecting the difference in the torque on said motor comprises the step of detecting the level of the driving current through said motor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein a spiral groove is provided in the spinner surface extending from the end submerged in the water surface, said groove aiding the movement of water and oil up the spinner surface during rotation of the spinner.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as claimed in claim 17 including the steps of driving said motor and spinner in a forward direction to move said water and oil up the spinner surface via said groove, and thereafter driving said drive motor and spinner in a reverse direction to move said water and oil down off the spinner via said groove.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1020467B
Cited
FR1294950A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |