US4428319A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sock skimmer deployment
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1979-04-23
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Granted: 1984-01-31
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Expires: 1999-04-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water including, an at least partially flexible, elongated chamber having an open, at least partially submerged front for receiving water and oil thereinto during relative movement between the chamber and the body of water; at least one cable for folding the chamber, the cable being slidably connected to at least one extremity of the chamber and fixedly connected to the other extremity of the chamber; and at least two inclinable ramps for launching and retrieving the chamber with a vessel of opportunity.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean L. Henning
- 👤 Lewis M. Clark, III
- 👤 John M. Ward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:47
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/32; E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/048; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water comprising, an at least partially flexible, elongated chamber having an open, at least partially submerged front for receiving the water and oil thereinto during relative movement between the chamber and the body of water; at least one inclinable ramp for launching and retrieving the chamber with a vessel; and at least one cable for unfolding the chamber laterally in the water, said cable being slidably connected to at least one extremity of the chamber and fixedly connected to the other extremity of the chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water comprising, an at least partially flexible, elongated chamber having an open, at least partially submerged front for receiving the water and oil thereinto during relative movement between the chamber and the body of water; at least one inclinable ramp for launching and retrieving the chamber with a vessel; and at least one cable for unfolding the chamber laterally in the water, said cable being slidably connected to at least one extremity of the chamber and fixedly connected to the other extremity of the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inclinable ramp comprises at least two segments united by a joint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the chamber resides in a folded position on one segment of the ramp and the other segment of the ramp is in an elevated position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including means for lowering the elevated segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including means for inclining the ramp and lowering the chamber into the water alongside the vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for inclining the ramp is a jack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for lowering the elevated segments is a hydraulic piston.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for launching, unfolding and towing a flexible, folded chamber, the chamber having a partially submergable, open, buoyant front for receiving water and oil thereinto during towing, comprising in combination the steps of, maintaining the folded chamber on an inclinable ramp onboard a vessel, inclining the ramp to slide the chamber into the water, aligning the chamber with the vessel to face the front of the chamber in the direction the vessel bow is pointed, securing the chamber alongside the vessel, towing the chamber with the vessel, and unfolding the chamber at the start of towing by releasing tension in cable means slidably connected to at least one extremity of the chamber and fixedly connected to the other extremity of the chamber.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for launching, unfolding and towing a flexible, folded chamber, the chamber having a partially submergable, open, buoyant front for receiving water and oil thereinto during towing, comprising in combination the steps of, maintaining the folded chamber on an inclinable ramp onboard a vessel, inclining the ramp to slide the chamber into the water, aligning the chamber with the vessel to face the front of the chamber in the direction the vessel bow is pointed, securing the chamber alongside the vessel, towing the chamber with the vessel, and unfolding the chamber at the start of towing by releasing tension in cable means slidably connected to at least one extremity of the chamber and fixedly connected to the other extremity of the chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the chamber is retrieved after folding the chamber by tensioning the cable means.
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) | 1987-01-30 | 1987-08-01 | 1988-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-30 | 1991-08-01 | 1992-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-30 | 1995-08-01 | 1996-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |