US4157016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic beach cleaner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-15
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Granted: 1979-06-05
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Expires: 1997-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and machine are disclosed herein for cleaning and restoring sand beaches which have become contaminated by oil spills. The machine travels on the beach and sprays liquid nitrogen onto the contaminated area, thereby solidifying the oil and sand mixture so that the mixture can be separated from the underlying uncontaminated sand and be efficiently removed from the beach and transported to a remote site for disposal or further treatment.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F. Wendt
- 👤 Jan R. Acker
- 👤 Norman R. Braton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:48
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01H; E01H12/00; E01H12/006; E01H1/00; E01H1/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A cryogenic beach cleaning machine for cleaning a sandy beach which has been contaminated by oil from an oil spill mixing with the beach sand, which comprises: means for moving said machine along said beach; means for contacting at least a portion of the contaminated area with a liquid cryogen so as to solidify the mixture in the contacted area extending forwardly from said machine; and means for separating the solidified mixture from the remainder of the beach extending forwardly from said machine, said separation means positioned in trailing relation to said contacting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cryogenic beach cleaning machine for cleaning a sandy beach which has been contaminated by oil from an oil spill mixing with the beach sand, which comprises: means for moving said machine along said beach; means for contacting at least a portion of the contaminated area with a liquid cryogen so as to solidify the mixture in the contacted area extending forwardly from said machine; and means for separating the solidified mixture from the remainder of the beach extending forwardly from said machine, said separation means positioned in trailing relation to said contacting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cryogenic beach cleaning machine as in claim 1 further comprising means for conveying the separated material from the separation means to a discharge point for collection and removal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A cryogenic beach cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising: means defining a liquid cryogen reservoir for storage of the liquid cryogen; and conduit means connected to said contacting means and said reservoir for directing the liquid cryogen from said reservoir to said contacting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cryogenic beach cleaner as in claim 3, wherein said contacting means is spray means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A cryogenic beach cleaner as in claim 4, wherein said contacting means includes a frame which extends laterally outwardly of said cleaner and forwardly thereof and wherein said spray means is positioned at the forward end of said frame, so that said frame is wider than said vehicle and extends forwardly thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
224 words
A cryogenic beach cleaning machine for cleaning a sandy beach which has been contaminated by oil from an oil spill mixing with the beach sand, which comprises: means for moving said machine along said beach; means for contacting at least a portion of the contaminated area with a liquid cryogen so as to solidify the mixture in the contacted areas; means for separating the solidified mixture from the remainder of the beach, said separation means positioned in trailing relation to said contacting means; means defining a liquid cryogen reservoir for storage of the liquid cryogen; conduit means connected to said contacting means and said reservoir for directing the liquid cryogen from said reservoir to said contacting means; and wherein said contacting means includes a frame which extends laterally outwardly of said cleaner and forwardly thereof and spray means is positioned at the forward end of said frame, so that said frame is wider than said vehicle and extends forwardly thereof; and said separating means includes means defining a scoop carried on said cleaner and extending forwardly of the cleaner, said scoop having a wide-mouth inlet portion for receiving solidified contaminated material, said mouth being positioned forwardly of said cleaner and rearwardly of said cryogenic spray means so that when said cleaner is moving forwardly said mouth is in trailing relation to the spray means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
224 words
A cryogenic beach cleaning machine for cleaning a sandy beach which has been contaminated by oil from an oil spill mixing with the beach sand, which comprises: means for moving said machine along said beach; means for contacting at least a portion of the contaminated area with a liquid cryogen so as to solidify the mixture in the contacted areas; means for separating the solidified mixture from the remainder of the beach, said separation means positioned in trailing relation to said contacting means; means defining a liquid cryogen reservoir for storage of the liquid cryogen; conduit means connected to said contacting means and said reservoir for directing the liquid cryogen from said reservoir to said contacting means; and wherein said contacting means includes a frame which extends laterally outwardly of said cleaner and forwardly thereof and spray means is positioned at the forward end of said frame, so that said frame is wider than said vehicle and extends forwardly thereof; and said separating means includes means defining a scoop carried on said cleaner and extending forwardly of the cleaner, said scoop having a wide-mouth inlet portion for receiving solidified contaminated material, said mouth being positioned forwardly of said cleaner and rearwardly of said cryogenic spray means so that when said cleaner is moving forwardly said mouth is in trailing relation to the spray means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cryogenic beach cleaner as in claim 6, wherein the mouth of said scoop is narrower than the width of said cryogenic frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cryogenic beach cleaner as in claim 7 further comprising: discharge chute means at the rearward end of the cleaner for discharging the separated solidified mixture; and conveyor means for moving said material from said scoop to said discharge chute.
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) | 1982-06-04 | 1982-12-04 | 1983-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-06-04 | 1986-12-04 | 1987-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-06-04 | 1990-12-04 | 1991-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |