US4906366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Skimmer system
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
•
Filing: 1988-12-21
•
Granted: 1990-03-06
•
Expires: 2008-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A skimmer system comprising a skimmer device for collecting a surface contaminant layer from a liquid component, pumping means for transferring the surface contaminant layer from the skimmer device to a remote location, and positioning means for maneuvering the skimmer device about the surface contaminant layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Odis A. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:42
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/10; E02B15/106; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A skimmer system, comprising: a skimmer device for collecting a surface contaminant layer from a liquid; pumping means for transferring the surface contaminant layer from the skimmer device to a remote location; and positioning means for maneuvering the skimmer device about the surface contaminant layer; the skimmer device comprising a buoyant support base having a plurality of pontoon members, a frame rigidly connected to the pontoon members, a funnel connected to the frame and disposed between the pontoon members, and means for adjusting the funnel in the vertical direction; and wherein each pontoon member comprises a central nipple having a first end and a second end, a first tee and a second tee each having a first, a second and a third end, a first outer nipple and a second outer nipple each having a first and a second end, and a first pipe cap and a second pipe cap, the first end of the center nipple coaxially connected to the first end of the first tee, the second end of the center nipple coaxially connected to the first end of the second tee, the second end of the first tee coaxially connected to the first end of the first outer nipple, the second end of the second tee coaxially connected to the first end of the second outer nipple, the second end of the first outer nipple coaxially connected to the first pipe cap, and the second end of the second outer nipple coaxially connected to the second pipe cap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A skimmer system, comprising: a skimmer device for collecting a surface contaminant layer from a liquid; pumping means for transferring the surface contaminant layer from the skimmer device to a remote location; and positioning means for maneuvering the skimmer device about the surface contaminant layer; the skimmer device comprising a buoyant support base having a plurality of pontoon members, a frame rigidly connected to the pontoon members, a funnel connected to the frame and disposed between the pontoon members, and means for adjusting the funnel in the vertical direction; and wherein each pontoon member comprises a central nipple having a first end and a second end, a first tee and a second tee each having a first, a second and a third end, a first outer nipple and a second outer nipple each having a first and a second end, and a first pipe cap and a second pipe cap, the first end of the center nipple coaxially connected to the first end of the first tee, the second end of the center nipple coaxially connected to the first end of the second tee, the second end of the first tee coaxially connected to the first end of the first outer nipple, the second end of the second tee coaxially connected to the first end of the second outer nipple, the second end of the first outer nipple coaxially connected to the first pipe cap, and the second end of the second outer nipple coaxially connected to the second pipe cap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises at least one slant member having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the third end of a tee the second end connected to a cross brace.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for adjusting the funnel is a plurality of bolts penetrating the frame and the funnel, said bolts being secured to the frame and the funnel by nuts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus of claim 3 wherein the positioning means comprises a tether attached to the skimmer device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a flexible hose having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the funnel and the second end connected to the pumping means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus of claim 5 wherein the pumping means comprises a positive displacement pump.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE304705C
Cited
US360593A
Cited
US1450545A
Cited
US3438205A
Cited
US3534859A
Cited
US3578171A
Cited
BE748737A
Cited
US3759390A
Cited
US3642140A
Cited
US3707232A
Cited
US3722687A
Cited
US3876540A
Cited
US3901811A
Cited
US3922225A
Cited
US4032449A
Cited
US4257889A
Cited
US4301008A
Cited
US4208287A
Cited
US4378921A
Cited
US4431536A
Cited
US4512883A
Cited
CA1230561A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |