US4112689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil boom
Assignee: BP PLC
•
Filing: 1977-08-02
•
Granted: 1978-09-12
•
Expires: 1997-08-02
Abstract
Abstract The air/water figure of eight cross-section boom has an additional water chamber along side the original. The extra water boom has some buoyancy due to internal small air tube and thus forms a weir. Surface oil and water collects between the two water tubes and is recovered.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Guthrie Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:08
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/08; E02B15/0857; E02B15/0878; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A barrier for the containment and recovery of oil spilt on water comprising at least one elongated, flexible buoyant chamber, at least one elongated, flexible ballast water chamber and at least one further flexible water chamber of greater buoyancy than the ballast chamber, the buoyant chamber and the further water chamber each being joined to the ballast water chamber in side by side relationship and the chambers being so positioned relative to one another that when in use on water the buoyant chamber and the ballast water chamber together form a barrier for oil spilt on water and the further water chamber defines a weir between itself and the other chambers, said weir being provided with means to remove oil and water therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A barrier for the containment and recovery of oil spilt on water comprising at least one elongated, flexible buoyant chamber, at least one elongated, flexible ballast water chamber and at least one further flexible water chamber of greater buoyancy than the ballast chamber, the buoyant chamber and the further water chamber each being joined to the ballast water chamber in side by side relationship and the chambers being so positioned relative to one another that when in use on water the buoyant chamber and the ballast water chamber together form a barrier for oil spilt on water and the further water chamber defines a weir between itself and the other chambers, said weir being provided with means to remove oil and water therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A barrier accoding to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the buoyant chamber to that of the ballast water chamber is in the range 1:4 to 4:1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A barrier according to claim 1 comprising a pilot air tube associated with the air chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the further water chamber has provided within it a relatively small flexible tube which can be inflated to impart a desired degree of extra buoyancy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A barrier according to claim 4 wherein the relatively small flexible tube is internally attached to the further water chamber along a line which in operation will be the upper surface of the further water chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the further water chamber to that of the ballast water chamber is in the range 1:4 to 1:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the removal means comprises a series of drain holes in the weir through which an oil water mixture can flow to a collection vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A barrier according to claim 7 wherein the drain holes are provided along the join of the further water chamber with the ballast water chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A barrier according to claim 8 wherein the drain holes are connected to a drain hose through which the oil/water mixture can be passed to storage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A barrier according to claim 9 wherein the drain hose is positioned within the further water chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A barrier according to claim 10 wherein a pump is provided positively to pump oil and water out of the barrier through drain hose.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3221884A
Cited
US3533240A
Cited
US3476246A
Cited
US3503214A
Cited
US3567019A
Cited
US3631984A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-11 | 1982-03-13 | 1982-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-11 | 1986-03-13 | 1986-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-11 | 1990-03-13 | 1990-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |