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Patent US4316804A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4316804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for the continuous cleaning of underwater beds
Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
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Filing: 1980-06-27
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Granted: 1982-02-23
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Expires: 2000-06-27
Abstract
Abstract The system comprises a flexible line provided with means for collecting products scattered at the water bottom by circulating the flexible line in contact with these products. On the rising portion of the path followed by the flexible line, the collecting means are passed through a tubular casing for simultaneously protecting the surrounding water against pollution from products released, while hoisting the products to the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian Bocard
- 👤 Jacques Delacour
- 👤 Philippe Renault
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:45
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B3/00; E02B3/02; E02B3/023; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of continuously hoisting up heavy viscous products from the water bottom to the surface, comprising circulating through the water from the surface a flexible line having collecting means for collecting said products by having the products superficially retained thereon, passing said line through a path having a downward portion bringing said collecting means into contact with the products on the water bottom, and a rising portion of the path for hoisting the products up to the water surface, wherein along said rising portion of the path the collecting means is passed through a tubular casing for protecting the surrounding water above the bottom against pollution by preventing said products from being disengaged from the flexible line, while hoisting the products to the surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of continuously hoisting up heavy viscous products from the water bottom to the surface, comprising circulating through the water from the surface a flexible line having collecting means for collecting said products by having the products superficially retained thereon, passing said line through a path having a downward portion bringing said collecting means into contact with the products on the water bottom, and a rising portion of the path for hoisting the products up to the water surface, wherein along said rising portion of the path the collecting means is passed through a tubular casing for protecting the surrounding water above the bottom against pollution by preventing said products from being disengaged from the flexible line, while hoisting the products to the surface.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for continuously hoisting up heavy viscous products from the water bottom to the surface, comprising a flexible line provided with collecting means for collecting the products, said collecting means adapted for having said products superficially retained thereon upon contact, circulating means for circulating said flexible line through the water along a path comprising a downward portion for bringing said collecting means into contact with the products on the water bottom, and a rising portion for hoisting these products to the surface, means for recovering the products at the water surface, and a tubular casing located along said rising portion of the underwater path of the flexible line, said tubular casing surrounding the flexible line for protecting the adjacent water body against pollution, while allowing hoisting of the products to the surface therethrough.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for continuously hoisting up heavy viscous products from the water bottom to the surface, comprising a flexible line provided with collecting means for collecting the products, said collecting means adapted for having said products superficially retained thereon upon contact, circulating means for circulating said flexible line through the water along a path comprising a downward portion for bringing said collecting means into contact with the products on the water bottom, and a rising portion for hoisting these products to the surface, means for recovering the products at the water surface, and a tubular casing located along said rising portion of the underwater path of the flexible line, said tubular casing surrounding the flexible line for protecting the adjacent water body against pollution, while allowing hoisting of the products to the surface therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system according to claim 2, adapted for hoisting polluting viscous products to the water surface, said system comprising at the surface traction means for circulating said flexible line along a closed loop, means for continuously wringing or squeezing the products carried along by this line, said system further comprising a second tubular casing which surrounds said flexible line along said downward portion of it path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein said collecting means for collecting the products are hairs or strips surrounding said flexible line, said line having secured thereto a plurality of flue brushes means located in space relationship along this flexible line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein said tubular casings are supported from the water surface by two separate floating supports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein said two floating supports are connected by a flexible tubular guide wherethrough the flexible line passes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein said tubular casings are vertical tubular pipes provided with weighting means at their lower end.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of continuously hoisting up heavy viscous products, deposited or scattered at the water bottom, to the water surface, comprising the sequential steps of: (a) passing a flexible line, having collecting means, in contact with said heavy viscous products on the water bottom for collecting said heavy viscous products, said collecting means adapted for having said heavy viscous products superficially retained thereon and not absorbed thereby; (b) raising said flexible line, having said heavy viscous products attached thereon, through tubular protecting means to the surface of the water for preventing the heavy viscous products from becoming disengaged from said flexible line; (c) removing the collected heavy viscous products from said flexible line at the surface; and (d) lowering said flexible line, having the collected heavy viscous products removed therefrom, downwardly to the water bottom through tubular protecting means for preventing any remaining heavy viscous products retained thereon from becoming disengaged therefrom and polluting the water, to thereby continuously repeat steps (a) through (d).
Claim 11
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of continuously hoisting up heavy viscous products, deposited or scattered at the water bottom, to the water surface, comprising the sequential steps of: (a) passing a flexible line, having collecting means, in contact with said heavy viscous products on the water bottom for collecting said heavy viscous products, said collecting means adapted for having said heavy viscous products superficially retained thereon and not absorbed thereby; (b) raising said flexible line, having said heavy viscous products attached thereon, through tubular protecting means to the surface of the water for preventing the heavy viscous products from becoming disengaged from said flexible line; (c) removing the collected heavy viscous products from said flexible line at the surface; and (d) lowering said flexible line, having the collected heavy viscous products removed therefrom, downwardly to the water bottom through tubular protecting means for preventing any remaining heavy viscous products retained thereon from becoming disengaged therefrom and polluting the water, to thereby continuously repeat steps (a) through (d).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for continuously hoisting up heavy viscous products, deposited or scattered at the water bottom, to the water surface, comprising: a flexible line having collecting means adapted for having said heavy viscous products superficially retained thereon upon contact; circulating means associated with said flexible line for continuously circulating said flexible line between the water surface and the water bottom; first protecting tubular means adapted for having said flexible line passed upwardly therethrough from the water bottom to the water surface and for preventing heavy viscous products attached to the flexible line being passed therethrough from being disengaged therefrom to pollute the surrounding water; recovery means located on the water surface and arranged for having said flexible line passed therethrough for removing and collecting collected heavy viscous products from said flexible line; and second protecting tubular means adapted for having said flexible line passed downwardly therethrough from the water surface, after having collected heavy viscous products removed therefrom, to the water bottom and for preventing any remaining heavy viscous products retained on the flexible line from being disengaged therefrom to pollute the surrounding water.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for continuously hoisting up heavy viscous products, deposited or scattered at the water bottom, to the water surface, comprising: a flexible line having collecting means adapted for having said heavy viscous products superficially retained thereon upon contact; circulating means associated with said flexible line for continuously circulating said flexible line between the water surface and the water bottom; first protecting tubular means adapted for having said flexible line passed upwardly therethrough from the water bottom to the water surface and for preventing heavy viscous products attached to the flexible line being passed therethrough from being disengaged therefrom to pollute the surrounding water; recovery means located on the water surface and arranged for having said flexible line passed therethrough for removing and collecting collected heavy viscous products from said flexible line; and second protecting tubular means adapted for having said flexible line passed downwardly therethrough from the water surface, after having collected heavy viscous products removed therefrom, to the water bottom and for preventing any remaining heavy viscous products retained on the flexible line from being disengaged therefrom to pollute the surrounding water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 or 8 wherein said collecting means on said flexible line comprises hairs for collecting said heavy viscous products.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 1 or 8 wherein said collecting means on said flexible line comprises a plurality of plastic strips surrounding said flexible line for collecting said heavy viscous products.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 or 8 wherein said collecting means on said flexible line comprises a helical wrapping of a continuous band of looped carpet for collecting said heavy viscous products.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 or 8 wherein said collecting means on said flexible line comprises a helical wrapping of a continuous band of synthetic grass for collecting said heavy viscous products.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 2 or 9 wherein said collecting means comprises a helical wrapping of a continuous band of synthetic grass.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 2 or 9 wherein said collecting means comprises a helical wrapping of a continuous band of looped carpet.
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) | 1985-02-22 | 1985-08-24 | 1986-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-02-22 | 1989-08-24 | 1990-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-02-22 | 1993-08-24 | 1994-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |