Skimming and separation device

• US 10,640,942 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2016
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Surfcleaner AB
• Original Assignee: Surfcleaner AB
• Inventors: Lundback, Stig
• Primary Examiner(s): Upton, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US15/780,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20180355571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 210122, 2102421, 2102423, 210776, 210923
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/2433 Discharge mechanisms for floating particles
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 15/045 Separating means for recovering oil floating on a surface of open water E02B15/048 takes precedence; separation in general B01D
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 15/106 Overflow skimmers with suction heads; suction heads

Abstract

A skimming and separation device comprising an outer casing (1) provided with constructions to directly or indirectly fasten all parts, defining an open container (2), and a floater (3) configured to create the skimming function of the device, the floater is attached at its lower side to an essentially vertically arranged bellow (4) allowing the floater to adapt flow into a substantially circum volume and allowing the floater to move from an upper position with essentially no flow into the container (2) to a lower position allowing flow of water and debris follow the contours of the floater (3) in a downward direction into the device. A power device (8) is provided and includes a propeller to achieve in-flow and outflow of the device. The device further comprises a bypass member (B) being in fluid communication to an under pressure source via a suction tube (12), such that, during operation, an essentially continuously under pressure suction force is available at the bypass member. The bypass member and a guiding unit arranged in the device are both structured to continuously subject debris and floating pollutions to be accumulated on an upper surface in the skimming and separation device and to be subject to the suction force such that the debris and floating pollutions will enter the suction tube (12) directly and to facilitate a continuous flow pollutants to a tank.

Claims

1. A skimming and separation device comprising

an outer casing provided with constructions to directly or indirectly fasten all parts, defining an open container,

a floater configured to create the skimming function of the device,

a vertically arranged bellow extending between the outer casing and the floater, wherein the floater is attached at its lower side to the vertically arranged bellow allowing the floater to adapt flow into a substantially circum volume and allowing the floater to move from an upper position with essentially no flow into the container to a lower position allowing flow of water and debris follow the contours of the floater in a downward direction into the device,

a power device with a propeller, wherein said power device is configured to be controlled by a control signal from a control box such that various kinds of flows and pressures may be generated to control the in-flow and outflow of the device, and wherein the power device is fastened to the outer casing,

a bypass member being in fluid communication to an under pressure source via a suction tube, such that, during operation, an essentially continuously under pressure suction force is available at the bypass member, wherein said bypass member is structured to continuously subject debris and floating pollutions accumulated on an upper surface in the skimming and separation device to said suction force such that the debris and floating pollutions will enter the suction tube directly and to facilitate a continuous flow of debris and floating pollutions to a tank, and

a guiding unit structured to be horizontally arranged along said floater, and wherein said guiding unit is provided with inwardly directed guiding fingers structured to guide solid debris directly to a discharge zone subjected to under pressure by said suction tube.

2. The skimming and separating device according to claim 1, wherein

said outer casing is at least partly open upwards to atmospheric pressure inside said floater.

3. The skimming and separating device according to claim 1, wherein said bypass member comprises a regulator arranged to maintain a predetermined constant under pressure to increase the height of the collating volume of the skimming and separation device above an inlet level.

4. The skimming and separating device according to claim 1, wherein said bypass member comprises a suction nozzle having a funnel structure.

5. The skimming and separating device according to claim 1, wherein said guiding fingers are essentially rigid.

6. The skimming and separating device according to claim 1, wherein said guiding fingers comprise a bendable zone close to an outer ring of the guiding unit, such that said guiding fingers is upwardly and/or downwardly bendable.

7. A skimming and separation device comprising

an outer casing provided with constructions to directly or indirectly fasten all parts, defining an open container,

a floater configured to create the skimming function of the device, the floater is attached at its lower side to an essentially vertically arranged bellow allowing the floater to adapt flow into a substantially circum volume and allowing the floater to move from an upper position with essentially no flow into the container to a lower position allowing flow of water and debris follow the contours of the floater in a downward direction into the device,

a power device with a propeller, wherein said power device is configured to be controlled by a control signal from a control box such that various kinds of flows and pressures may be generated to control the in-flow and outflow of the device, and

a guiding unit structured to be horizontally arranged along said floater, and wherein said guiding unit is provided with inwardly directed guiding fingers structured to guide solid debris directly to a discharge zone on an upper liquid surface in the skimming and separation device.

8. The skimming and separating device according to claim 7, wherein said guiding fingers are essentially rigid.

9. The skimming and separating device according to claim 7, wherein said guiding fingers comprise a bendable zone close to an outer ring of the guiding unit, such that said guiding fingers is upwardly and/or downwardly bendable.

10. The skimming and separating device according to claim 7, wherein a lid is provided and adapted to cooperate with an upper surface of the floater such that, during a collecting phase, an air gap between the floater and the lower surface of the lid is present, and that during an emptying phase the upper surface of the floater and the lower surface of the lid are in direct contact with each other, and that said lid is in flow communication to a pollution collecting member, preferably a collecting filtering sack.