Oil and debris skimmer

Claim 1

An automatic oil and debris skimmer, comprising in combination a rectangular channel for directing the flow of contaminated water for separation of said floating oil and debris, a weir at the downstream end of said channel for maintaining a predetermined depth therein, a tray pivotally supported transversely relative to said channel and located adjacent to but upstream from said weir, said tray having an open end at the upstream side and said pivotal support being centrally located between said open end and the opposite end thereof, said tray also having a well adjacent to said opposite end for receiving said floating oil and debris when tipped about said pivotal support, means for mounting said tray in a normal attitude parallel to and beneath the surface of said contaminated water in said channel for skimming said floating oil and debris as said water flows toward said weir, a yoke pivotally attached to said tray adjacent to said open end, a reciprocating piston mounted above said channel and attached to said yoke for periodically raising said yoke to tip said tray about its pivotal support to wash said skimmed oil and debris into said well, a suction pipe extending into said well for removing said oil and debris, and a baffle between said tray and said weir for retaining any debris which may pass downstream of said tray.