Modular element for absorbing oily substances from surfaces of water bodies and purification system using such elements

Claim 1

A system for absorbing an oily substance from the surface of a body of water, the oily substance located between two platforms, the system comprising: A) a rope extending between two return devices, each return device mounted on a different one of the platforms, at least one of the platforms being movable for allowing transverse movement of the rope across the oily substance; B) a plurality of modular elements arranged lengthwise along the rope, each modular element having ends, each modular element comprising: i) a fusiform bundle of oil absorbent elements arranged parallel to the direction of the rope, each oil absorbent element having two ends, one of said ends being fastened to a first bushing, the other of said ends being fastened to a second bushing, each oil absorbent element comprising an oil absorbent material for absorbing the oily substance, each oil absorbent element having a contracted configuration, and an expanded configuration following absorption of the oily substance, the volume of each oil absorbent element in the expanded configuration being larger than the volume in the contracted configuration; ii) said first bushing fixedly attaching one end of each modular element to the rope for preventing longitudinal movement relative thereto; and iii) said second bushing slidably attaching the other end of each modular element to the rope for enabling longitudinal movement relative thereto in response to expansion and contraction of the oil absorbent elements; C) means for floating the rope, said means for floating being interposed between said first and second bushings of each modular element.

Claim 2

A system for absorbing an oily substance from the surface of a body of water, the oily substance located between two platforms, the system comprising: A) a rope extending between two return devices, each return device mounted on a different one of the platforms, at least one of the platforms being movable for allowing transverse movement of the rope across the oily substance; B) a plurality of modular elements arranged lengthwise along the rope, each modular element having ends, each modular element comprising: i) a fusiform bundle of oil absorbent elements arranged parallel to the direction of the rope, each oil absorbent element having two ends, one of said ends being fastened to a first bushing, the other of said ends being fastened to a second bushing, each oil absorbent element comprising an oil absorbent material for absorbing the oily substance, each oil absorbent element having a contracted configuration, and an expanded configuration following absorption of the oily substance, the volume of each oil absorbent element in the expanded configuration being larger than the volume in the contracted configuration; ii) said first bushing fixedly attaching one end of each modular element to the rope for preventing longitudinal movement relative thereto; and iii) said second bushing slidably attaching the other end of each modular element to the rope for enabling longitudinal movement relative thereto in response to expansion and contraction of the oil absorbent elements; C) means for floating the rope, said means for floating being interposed between said first and second bushings of each modular element.