US3966613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for spilling retrieval
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-22
•
Granted: 1976-06-29
•
Expires: 1995-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A catamaran with pivotal fore and aft gates defining a well. When moved through a floating liquid spilling with the fore gate open the well collects spilling. The collected spilling may be pumped directly into a tank. Also, the catamaran is equipped with means to deploy a collapsible, floatable retrieval sheet over and into the well to confine the collected spilling, the aft gate being then opened to set the sheet adrift. A peripheral barrier of air bubbles concentrates the oil toward the center of the well.
Inventors
- 👤 William P. Kirk
- 👤 Dwight W. Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:09
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/046; B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/32; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
Apparatus for retrieving a liquid spilling floating on water, comprising in combination, a catamaran having spaced parallel hulls, and bow and stern gates extending between the hulls and forming therewith a well, the walls of the well extending a substantial distance below the surface of the spilling, the bottom of the well having an opening, each of the gates being supported by the hulls for independent pivotal movement, the stern gate being mounted for movement to a position above the water line defined by the buoyancy of the catamaran.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus for retrieving a liquid spilling floating on water, comprising in combination, a catamaran having spaced parallel hulls, and bow and stern gates extending between the hulls and forming therewith a well, the walls of the well extending a substantial distance below the surface of the spilling, the bottom of the well having an opening, each of the gates being supported by the hulls for independent pivotal movement, the stern gate being mounted for movement to a position above the water line defined by the buoyancy of the catamaran.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, having a deck extending between the hulls and adjacent the well, and a crane having means to deliver sheet-like retrieval means on the deck over and into the well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the crane is adapted to hold a sheet-like retrieval means in spread configuration over the well, and having hook means supported adjacent the sides of the well in position to receive, hold and release the retrieval means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, having cam means on the walls of the hull, and means to lower the hook means to the cam means to cause the cam means to engage and release the retrieval means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, having an air pump, and bubble barrier means extending along a plurality of sides of the well and below said surface to release a curtain of air bubbles into the well.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the bubble barrier means include a portion extending along at least one of the gates below said surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the bubble barrier means extend around substantially the entire perimeter of the well.
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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) | 1979-06-29 | 1979-12-29 | 1980-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-29 | 1983-12-29 | 1984-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-29 | 1987-12-29 | 1988-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |