APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING OIL OR THE LIKE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE SEA

• US 3,722,689 A
• Filed: 05/13/1971
• Issued: 03/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur L. Markel, Robin F. Wirsching
• Original Assignee: Arthur L. Markel, Robin F. Wirsching
• Inventors: Markel, Arthur L., Wirsching, Robin F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zaharna, Samih N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Granger, T. A.
• Application Number:
  US05/143,105
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 210/242,83,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

Apparatus for extracting oil or the like from the surface of the sea. A centrally disposed ballast chamber is surrounded by a sump compartment which is sufficiently large so as to obtain deceleration of flow of the liquids which pass over an articulated weir member. The latter is connected to arm members which are provided with a substantially universal connection to the ballast chamber. A flexible skirt member forms an exterior wall portion of the sump compartment and is connected to the lips which constitutes an upper edge of the outer weir member. In this manner a pressure differential across the skirt member is communicated to an individual weir segment member in order to vary its elevation in a self-compensating manner. In a preferred form of the invention, the float members form vanes so arranged as to impart a vortex or circular swirl to the fluids passing over the outer weir. An inner weir means is used to collect oil floating on the surface within the sump which has accumulated adjacent the wall of the centrally disposed ballast chamber.

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 being 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. means in fluid communication with the lower region of said sump compartment for removing additional liquid therefrom, and f. said float members being constructed and arranged as flow guiding vanes which direct the flow of liquids over said upper weir edge into said sump in a spiral direction corresponding to the whorls of fluid around a vortex.

2. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 1 wherein said float members are attached to arm members with said arm members having a substantially universal connection to said ballast chamber.

3. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 1 including an inner weir member surrounding said central ballast chamber.

4. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 1 including means for establishing a swirl chamber within said central ballast chamber.

5. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 4 including an inner weir member contained within said ballast chamber.

6. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 1 wherein said ballast chamber is provided with conduit means for directing liquids received in said sump compartment inwardly toward the center of said ballast chamber.

7. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 1 wherein said ballast chamber is provided with an inner surface a portion of which is conical in cross section to define an inner swirl chamber to facilitate the separation of oil from water.

8. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 7 including an inner weir member contained within said central ballast chamber.

9. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 1 wherein said ballast chamber is provided with an outer wall which serves as an inner wall for said sump compartment, said wall of said ballast chamber being provided with a plurality of conduit means for directing liquids received in said sump compartment inwardly toward the center of said ballast chamber, and means for venting said conduit means.

10. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 9 wherein said ballast chamber is provided with an inner surface a portion of which is conical in cross section to define an inner swirl chamber to facilitate the separation of oil from water.

11. An apparatus for skimming the surface layer of a body of water as defined in claim 10 including an inner weir member contained within said central ballast chamber.