US4140424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Barrier for oil spilt on water
Assignee: Vikoma International Ltd
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Filing: 1975-12-08
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Granted: 1979-02-20
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Expires: 1995-12-08
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable barrier for oil spilt on water consists of an air chamber and a water chamber which when inflated give a figure-of-eight cross-section, and in order to facilitate laying there is a pilot air tube attached to the air chamber preferably 1/500 the cross-sectional area of the air chamber. The pilot air tube is quickly inflated and prevents sinking or twisting of the barrier prior to inflation of the air and water chambers.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie Bretherick
- 👤 Denis H. Desty
- 👤 Michael G. Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:05
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/08; E02B15/0857; E02B15/0878; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An inflatable barrier for oil spilt on water to be deployed from a floatable container, comprising: an elongate air chamber, a pilot air tube fixed along the length of said air chamber in side by side relationship and having a cross-sectional area when inflated of less than about one twentieth the cross-sectional area of the air chamber when inflated, a compressed air source coupled to said pilot air tube for quickly inflating the entire length of said pilot air tube during or prior to deployment of the barrier, an elongate water chamber joined to said air chamber in side by side relationship, the walls of said chambers and said pilot air tube being formed of flexible material, air inflating means for inflating said air chamber with air, and water inflating means for inflating said water chamber with water, said inflated pilot air tube preventing twisting, kinking, and sinking of the barrier during deployment at sea prior to activation of said air inflating means and said water inflating means, said inflated air chamber and said inflated water chamber coacting to establish a floatation level in the water with a portion of said barrier above and a portion below the surface of the water, so that said inflated air chamber impedes the passage of floating oil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
An inflatable barrier for oil spilt on water to be deployed from a floatable container, comprising: an elongate air chamber, a pilot air tube fixed along the length of said air chamber in side by side relationship and having a cross-sectional area when inflated of less than about one twentieth the cross-sectional area of the air chamber when inflated, a compressed air source coupled to said pilot air tube for quickly inflating the entire length of said pilot air tube during or prior to deployment of the barrier, an elongate water chamber joined to said air chamber in side by side relationship, the walls of said chambers and said pilot air tube being formed of flexible material, air inflating means for inflating said air chamber with air, and water inflating means for inflating said water chamber with water, said inflated pilot air tube preventing twisting, kinking, and sinking of the barrier during deployment at sea prior to activation of said air inflating means and said water inflating means, said inflated air chamber and said inflated water chamber coacting to establish a floatation level in the water with a portion of said barrier above and a portion below the surface of the water, so that said inflated air chamber impedes the passage of floating oil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An inflatable barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said air chamber and said water chamber are joined together in side by side relationship along said jointure line to form a barrier having a figure eight cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflatable barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said air and water chambers extend substantially along the entire length of the barrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflatable barrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said pilot air tube extends continuously along the entire length of said air chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
An inflatable barrier as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said compressed air source for quickly inflating said pilot air tube is a bottle containing compressed air, said air inflating means for said air chamber is a blower driven by an engine, and said water inflating means for said water chamber is a marine propeller driven by said engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
An inflatable barrier as claimed in claim 1, which is laid flat in a zig-zag fashion in the floatable container prior to deployment in the water, wherein: said compressed air source is a compressed air bottle; said air inflating means includes a blower driven by an internal combustion engine; said water inflating means includes a marine propeller driven by said internal combustion engine; and the floatable container includes a fuel tank for said internal combustion engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the cross-sectional area of said pilot air tube when inflated is less than about one eightieth that of said air chamber when inflated.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of deploying an inflatable barrier for oil spilt on water which barrier includes an elongate air chamber, a pilot air tube fixed along the length of the said air chamber in side by side relationship and having a cross-sectional area when inflated of less than about one twentieth the cross-sectional area of the air chamber when inflated, an elongate water chamber joined to the air chamber in side by side relationship, the walls of the chambers and the pilot air tube being formed of flexible material, including the steps of: (a) inflating the pilot air tube before or during the laying of the uninflated air and water chambers of the barrier on the surface of the water to prevent twisting, kinking, and sinking of the uninflated air chambers; (b) inflating the elongate air chamber with air and the water chamber with water; and (c) maintaining inflation pressures in the air and water chambers so that the barrier floats and the inflated air chamber impedes the passage of floating oil.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of deploying an inflatable barrier for oil spilt on water which barrier includes an elongate air chamber, a pilot air tube fixed along the length of the said air chamber in side by side relationship and having a cross-sectional area when inflated of less than about one twentieth the cross-sectional area of the air chamber when inflated, an elongate water chamber joined to the air chamber in side by side relationship, the walls of the chambers and the pilot air tube being formed of flexible material, including the steps of: (a) inflating the pilot air tube before or during the laying of the uninflated air and water chambers of the barrier on the surface of the water to prevent twisting, kinking, and sinking of the uninflated air chambers; (b) inflating the elongate air chamber with air and the water chamber with water; and (c) maintaining inflation pressures in the air and water chambers so that the barrier floats and the inflated air chamber impedes the passage of floating oil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1982-02-19 | 1982-08-21 | 1983-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-19 | 1986-08-21 | 1987-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-19 | 1990-08-21 | 1991-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |