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Skimmer for oil spills

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6909309
;

A skimmer for removing oil spilled on the surface of a body of water has a hull which is submersible in the water and a coupler on the nose of the hull for coupling the skimmer to a towing vehicle. A surge tank is located within the hull for receiving oil and water skimmed from the surface. A funnel positioned on top of the skimmer and extending though the hull has an inlet positioned in the spilled oil and an outlet extending into the surge tank. The inlet consists of a pivotable head that is held level with the surface of the liquid by an attached float. A conveyor within the funnel controls the flow of oil and water into the surge tank. A sensor at the funnel inlet controls a hydraulic jack located between the funnel and the hull to position the inlet in the oil on the water's surface. A conduit between the surge tank and a conduit coupler on the rear of the hull is used for pumping oil out of the surge tank and into an outside conduit. A pair of doors are hinged to the inlet end for either closing the funnel or for opening outward in a spread position to gather and channel the oil into the funnel. The doors can be joined to the ends of a floating fence so that oil confined within the fence is directed into the funnel as the skimmer and fence are pulled through the oil spill. 16 claims.

Assignee:
EDB-84-089794
Patent Number(s):
US 4145290
OSTI ID:
6909309
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Skimmer for oil spills
Patent · Mon Mar 19 23:00:00 EST 1979 · OSTI ID:7149966
Floating oil skimmer
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Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CLEANING
CONTAINERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DOORS
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORS
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
OIL SPILLS
OPENINGS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
SKIMMERS
TANKS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WATER