SEA-SURFACE OIL EXTRACTOR

• US 3,722,688 A
• Filed: 05/13/1971
• Issued: 03/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robin F. Wirsching
• Original Assignee: Robin F. Wirsching
• Inventors: Wirsching, Robin F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Reuben
• Assistant Examiner(s): Granger, T.
• Application Number:
  US05/142,940
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 210/83,242,DIG.21
• US Class Current: 210/242.3
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 15/107 Whirling means forming a vortex in the water; cyclones
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/204 Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/923 using mechanical means, e.g. skimmers, pump

Abstract

An apparatus for extracting oil or the like from the surface of the sea. A centrally disposed ballast chamber is surrounded by a sump compartment into which liquids are deposited over the lips of a plurality of independently floating and an articulated weir member. The latter is provided with a substantially universal connection to the ballast chamber. A flexible skirt member forms an external wall portion of the sump compartment and is connected to the lips of the weir member. In this manner a pressure differential across the skirt member is communicated to an individual segment of the weir member in order to vary the elevation of the weir member in a self-compensating manner. Means are provided to pump liquids out of a submerged exit port in the sump compartment and for imparting direction to these pumped liquids in order to provide controlled propulsion for the skimming apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water comprising:

a. a ballast chamber, b. an open-topped sump compartment exterior to and encircling said ballast chamber, c. a flexible weir member having an upper edge and a lower edge encircling said sump compartment, said upper edge constructed and arranged so that a plurality of float members connected thereto provide articulation with respect to the surface of said body of water, said lower edge of said flexible weir member being connected to a lower edge of said sump compartment, d. means provided in said sump compartment comprising an inlet to a pump means for removing the surface layer of liquid collected in said sump compartment, e. and means in fluid communication with the lower region of said sump compartment for removing additional liquid therefrom.

2. An apparatus for skimming the surface of a body of water as defined in claim 1, wherein oil and water pass over said upper edge of said flexible weir member and said apparatus includes a secondary skimmer means located within said sump compartment to separate oil from water in said sump compartment.

3. An apparatus for skimming the surface of a body of water as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper edge of said flexible weir member is interconnected by means of a plurality of arm members to substantially universal joint connections on said ballast chamber, and said float members are connected to respective ones of said arm members.

4. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 1 including means for preventing floating debris from entering said sump compartment.

5. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for preventing floating debris from entering said sump compartment is a screen extended around the outer periphery of said skimmer apparatus.

6. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 5 wherein said screen is attached to at least one of said arm members.

7. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 5 wherein said screen is cantilevered from atop said sump compartment to extend outboard of said upper edge of said weir.