OIL RETENTION BOOMS

• US 20120087731A1
• Filed: 08/26/2011
• Published: 04/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Packham, Andrew Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/219,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20120087731A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/63
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 15/0814 with underwater curtains
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1833 Oil in water water in oil G01N33/2847
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/204 Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills

Abstract

A boom for retaining oil on the surface of a body of water is provided. The boom comprising a sensor for detecting the oil and electronic circuitry coupled with the sensor.

Claims

1. A boom for retaining oil on the surface of a body of water, the boom comprising a sensor for detecting the oil and electronic circuitry coupled with the sensor.

2. The boom according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an array of detecting transducers.

3. The boom according to claim 2, wherein the transducers are mounted at an external surface of the boom and the electronic circuitry is carried separately on the boom.

4. The boom according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to process signals from the transducers.

5. The boom according to claim 4, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a data transmitter configured to transmit data resulting from processing the signals.

6. The boom according to claim 5, wherein the data transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter.

7. The boom according to claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of sensors spaced apart along the boom.

8. The boom according to claim 1, wherein the sensors and electronic circuitry are configured to sense at least one of depth, location and presence of the oil.

9. The boom according to claim 1, comprising a curtain for suspension below the boom, the curtain comprising a plurality of transducers for detecting oil, wherein the transducers are coupled with the electronic circuitry.

10. A method of monitoring oil on the surface of a body of water, the method comprising providing an oil retention boom, the oil retention boom comprising a sensor for detecting the oil.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises an array of detecting transducers.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transducers are mounted at an external surface of the boom and the electronic circuitry is carried separately on the boom.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the electronic circuitry processes signals from the transducers.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a data transmitter that transmits data resulting from processing the signals.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the data transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein there is a plurality of sensors spaced apart along the boom.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sensors and electronic circuitry sense at least one of depth, location and presence of the oil.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the boom carries a curtain suspended below it, the curtain being provided with a plurality of transducers for detecting oil, wherein the transducers are coupled with the electronic circuitry.