US3886750A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil containment apparatus
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-24
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1992-04-24
Abstract
Abstract Oil containment apparatus for use in water experiencing high current velocity which includes a barrier and means upstream of the barrier defining therewith a capture area where the flow velocity is locally reduced. Oil or other floating pollutant liquid enters the capture area and accumulates therein because of the inability of the low current velocity to remove the oil. Oil thus collected may be skimmed or otherwise removed from the capture area.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray R Ayers
- 👤 Errol V Seymour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:42
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/06; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for controlling a spill of floating liquid pollutant on a water surface experiencing a relative current velocity therepast comprising: spaced apart buoyant float means defining therebetween a capture area; means defining a path of water movement generally horizontally into the capture area and generally downwardly out of the capture area; and flow restriction means in the inlet to the capture area; flow restriction means in the outlet from the capture area for reducing the flow velocity in the capture area below the relative current velocity, the outlet flow restriction being effectively greater than the inlet flow restriction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for controlling a spill of floating liquid pollutant on a water surface experiencing a relative current velocity therepast comprising: spaced apart buoyant float means defining therebetween a capture area; means defining a path of water movement generally horizontally into the capture area and generally downwardly out of the capture area; and flow restriction means in the inlet to the capture area; flow restriction means in the outlet from the capture area for reducing the flow velocity in the capture area below the relative current velocity, the outlet flow restriction being effectively greater than the inlet flow restriction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for controlling a spill of floating liquid pollutant on a water surface experiencing a relative current velocity therepast comprising: spaced apart buoyant float means defining therebetween a capture area; means defining a path of water movement generally horizontally into the capture area and generally downwardly out of the capture area; and flow restriction means in the inlet to the capture area; flow restriction means in the outlet from the capture area for reducing the flow velocity in the capture area below the relative current velocity, the outlet flow restriction being effectively greater than the inlet flow restriction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for controlling a spill of floating liquid pollutant on a water surface experiencing a relative current velocity therepast comprising: spaced apart buoyant float means defining therebetween a capture area; means defining a path of water movement generally horizontally into the capture area and generally downwardly out of the capture area; and flow restriction means in the inlet to the capture area; flow restriction means in the outlet from the capture area for reducing the flow velocity in the capture area below the relative current velocity, the outlet flow restriction being effectively greater than the inlet flow restriction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the path defining means includes a skirt depending from adjacent a downstream portion of the float means toward the bottom of the capture area, that part of the skirt adjacent the float being impervious.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the path defining means further comprises a foraminous part of the skirt extending from the impervious part of the skirt in an upstream direction, the foraminous part comprisIng the outlet flow restriction means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the spaced apart float means define a boom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a tension element connecting an upstream portion of the float means and the upstream end of the foraminous part for positioning the foraminous part relative to an upstream portion of the float means to form a boom arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the path defining means includes a foraminous member extending between upstream and downstream portions of the float means, the foraminous member comprising the outlet flow restriction means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet flow restriction means comprises a foraminous member extending from adjacent an upstream portion of the float means toward the bottom of the capture area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an upstream portion of the float means comprises a pervious float, the pervious float comprising the inlet flow restriction means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
Method for controlling a spill of a floating liquid pollutant on a water surface experiencing a relative current velocity therepast comprising: providing spaced apart buoyant float means defining therebetween a capture area; defining a path of water movement generally horizontally into the capture area and generally downwardly out of the capture area; and restricting the path of water movement at the inlet to the capture area and at the outlet to the capture area, the outlet flow restriction being effectively greater than the inlet flow restriction to reduce the flow velocity in the capture area below the relative current velocity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
Method for controlling a spill of a floating liquid pollutant on a water surface experiencing a relative current velocity therepast comprising: providing spaced apart buoyant float means defining therebetween a capture area; defining a path of water movement generally horizontally into the capture area and generally downwardly out of the capture area; and restricting the path of water movement at the inlet to the capture area and at the outlet to the capture area, the outlet flow restriction being effectively greater than the inlet flow restriction to reduce the flow velocity in the capture area below the relative current velocity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the path is defined by including a skirt depending from adjacent a downstream portion of the float means toward the bottom of the capture area, that part of the skirt adjacent the float being impervious.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the path is defined by including a foraminous part of the skirt extending from the impervious part of the skirt in an upstream direction, the foraminous part also contributing to the flow restriction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a tension element connecting an upstream portion of the float means and an upstream end of the foraminous part and thereby positioning the foraminous part relative to the upstream float means to form a boom arrangement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the flow is restricted by a foraminous member extending from adjacent an upstream portion of the float means toward the bottom of the capture area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the flow is restricted by a pervious upstream float.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |