| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 405063000 | Floating barrier | 76 |
| 20080267710 | FLOATING BARRIER UNITS - A number of individual barrier units form a floating barrier wall each comprising a housing formed in the general shape of a highway barrier having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls, and, opposed side walls interconnected to form a hollow interior which is preferably partially or completely filled with a foam material. A ballast weight is secured to each barrier unit, either inside or outside of the hollow interior, to maintain them in an upright position in the water. Cables, couplers and/or other connectors are employed to mount adjacent barrier units end-to-end to form a barrier wall which can encircle a vessel or otherwise isolate an area within a seaport or other body of water to provide security. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267711 | Retainer Assembly for Absorbent Materials - The present invention is directed to a retainer assembly for anchoring environmental containment and remediation materials in a desired location. The retainer assembly includes a buoyant retainer structure and an anchor assembly attached thereto. The anchor assembly defines the limits of motion of the retainer in three dimensions with respect to a selected anchor point and permits the anchor assembly to float within these limits. The anchor assembly also includes an attachment mechanism to secure the remediation materials to the retainer structure. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080279633 | Retainer Assembly for Absorbent Materials - The present invention is directed to a retainer assembly for anchoring environmental containment and remediation materials in a desired location. The retainer assembly includes a buoyant retainer structure and an anchor assembly attached thereto. The anchor assembly defines the limits of motion of the retainer in three dimensions with respect to a selected anchor point and permits the anchor assembly to float within these limits. The anchor assembly also includes an attachment mechanism to secure the remediation materials to the retainer structure. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080304911 | Spill boom - An improved spill boom having an elongated tubular main body filled with water, sand or the like through a filling port, and having an elongated base seal member attached beneath the tubular main body. The base seal member is formed of a flexible, relatively soft polymer material such that the underside surface of the base seal member self-conforms to the surface configuration of the ground or other substrate upon which the spill boom is disposed. Short segments at the ends of the base seal member are not connected to the tubular main body, such that a connector sleeve member can be disposed between the base seal member ends and the ends of the tubular main bodies of two adjoining booms, the connector sleeve member receiving the ends of the tubular main bodies in an abutting manner. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090080978 | Movable agricultural reservoir cover with hatch, and a method for liquefying a content of an agricultural reservoir - A reservoir is covered by an impermeable flexible floating membrane cover through which is mounted a hatchway. The cover is movable as a raft over the content of the reservoir for positioning the hatchway at one location or another. In use, a pumping and agitating device is introduced inside the reservoir through the hatchway and operated at one location, and then at another location for pumping, mixing and liquify the entire content of the reservoir without aerating the content of the reservoir. The fertilizing properties of livestock manure in storage inside the reservoir are thereby preserved. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090311047 | Containment Boom and Standoff - A Containment Boom and Standoff has two embodiments, a Dual Plank Assembly and a Dual Pole Assembly. The Dual Plank Assembly is a pair of buoyant planks covered and connected with waterproof and oil impermeable material with sealed poles inside the buoyant planks and mechanical connectors on both ends of both sealed poles. The assembly has sufficient buoyancy during deployment in water so the top of the assembly will float high enough in water to block the passage of a floating oil spill over the top and low enough to prevent oil from going underneath. Structure positioning magnets attach the assembly to an aquatic structure to provide a localized containment boom that is efficient to use as a containment boom and/or a standoff. When only a standoff function is desired, a Dual Pole Assembly (the Dual Plank Assembly without the buoyant plank and without the protective cover) may be deployed. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100028082 | BARRIER SYSTEM FOR A BODY OF FLUID AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - A float member configured to float on and cover a fluid surface. The float member includes an elongated body having a top portion and a bottom portion defining a central longitudinal axis and a periphery portion. The periphery may have a substantially flat surface. The top portion extends upwardly from the periphery and the bottom portion extends downwardly from the periphery. A width of the body is substantially greater than a height of the body. In various aspects of the invention, the float member is configured to modify a transfer of evaporated fluid or energy therethrough. A method of forming a barrier using the float members and a system of for adjusting an evaporation rate of a fluid are further disclosed. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100143038 | Ocean Oil Spill and Contaminated Sea Ice Containment, Separation and Removal System - A method for containing and cleaning up oil or other contaminants from an area of water containing mixture of ice and water is disclosed. A net having at least one folded extension is deployed into an area of water and ice to encircle at least a portion of the contaminant spill. The ends of the net are attached to each other in contaminant resistant way to contain the contaminant in the net. The folded extension is deployed to an unfolded configuration. The net is the then pursed up using the extension to control the contaminant in the net. The contaminant is pumped out of the net as needed to allow the net to continue to be pursed up to a smaller and smaller area. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20110097153 | FLOATING STANDOFF ASSEMBLY - A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members. The system also may include one or more tension members attached diagonally between adjacent compression members to keep the system in the deployed configuration. The standoff system can be a separate, free-standing structure placed between a ship and a boom or it can be integrated with a containment boom. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110110721 | Local Containment Boom and Standoff (Enviro Boom) - A Local Containment Boom and Standoff or Enviro Boom® is described in three embodiments all of which are immediately deployable: Boom Arms, a Dual Pole Standoff, and Dual Chamber Boom Arms. The Boom Arms comprise buoyant material covered with impermeable material with rigid sealed poles inside the Boom Arms. The Dual Chamber Boom Arms have an upper chamber for flotation material and lower chamber for water ballast. Both types of Boom Arms sit partially submerged to block oil from passing both over and under the Boom Arm. Boom Arms are immediately deployable for booming operations, pre-booming operations and quick response spill containment. Structure positioning magnets attach the Boom Arms, Dual Pole Standoffs or Dual Chamber Boom Arms to an aquatic structure. The Dual Pole Standoff comprises sealed poles with structure positioning magnets to stand off other booms, including traditional booms, from an aquatic structure. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110116869 | Crouse Oil Spill Response System - This invention relates to oil spill response. This invention is several independent inventions making up a system. Each part of the system can be used by itself, with each other, and or with any other oil spill response equipment or system. This provides particular methods of crating barriers between the oil and areas to be protected, a method of gaining access to environmentally sensitive areas for spill clean up and response, a particular method of suctioning the spilled oil or pollutants, particular equipment used to suction oil from the water surface, and a way to create efficiency in the clean up and response operations. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110188934 | Device For Concentration Of Material On A Water Surface And Use Of The Device - A device for concentration of material on a water surface, wherein the device forms a front opening and is provided with buoyancy bodies and guide elements structured for guiding the material towards a collection portion, wherein the device is structured for admitting water through the device in the flow direction of the water, and wherein the device, in a portion thereof, is provided with at least two consecutive guide elements in the flow direction of the water. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110274494 | Boom Mooring System - A boom mooring system for anchoring containment booms over extended periods and in varying sea conditions. The system generally includes a buoy having a frame, a buoyancy member mounted thereto, connecting plates located on first and second ends of the frame for connecting containment booms, and an anchor secured to the frame for mooring the buoy. The frame evenly distributes stresses caused from securely anchoring the containment boom in a dynamic sea environment. The anchor may be secured to the frame in various manners, such as via a pipe movably extending through the frame or an elongated member, such as a rope, cable, etc. secured to the frame or pin of the frame. Various signaling devices may extend from the buoy, such as lights, flags, etc. to designate presence of the buoys and containment boom and/or to designate openings in the containment boom to allow passage of spill response vessels. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110274495 | Emergency disaster temporary rapid deployment oil spill reclamation pyramid or pyramid with chute and flotation collar - The Emergency Disaster Temporary Rapid Deployment Oil Spill Reclamation Pyramid and Pyramid with Chute and Flotation Collar is a totally new concept to the offshore oil industry. Nothing of this unique, new concept has ever been conceived, manufactured or deployed in the history of the offshore oil drilling industry. It is a revolutionary concept that will have a dramatic impact on the problems with the environment, the fish and wildlife, the local and national economy, and the health and welfare of the citizens of the United States from the time of this application into the future. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110280660 | CHEMICAL SORBENT ARTICLE - A chemical sorbent article comprising a nonwoven containing a plurality of thermoplastic nanofibers and a textile, where the textile at least partially surrounds the non-woven. Also an oil boom fence containing a nonwoven comprising a plurality of thermoplastic nanofibers, a weight, a buoyancy article, and a fabric. The fabric at least partially surrounds the nonwoven, the weight, and the buoyancy article and the weight and buoyancy article are separated by the nonwoven. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110293373 | Oil containment barrier boom for shorelines/marshes/wetland - This new design/system addresses the problems encountered in the worst recorded oil eruption/spill caused by drilling for oil/gas in the deep depths of the ocean as displayed and witnessed in the Horizon incident. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293374 | OIL-ABSORBENT POLYURETHANE SPONGES WITH GOOD MECHANICAL PROPERTIES - The present invention relates to a method for adsorbing and/or absorbing oil, by bringing oil into contact with a polyurethane sponge with excellent mechanical properties. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110299931 | Containment Boom - A containment boom | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110305517 | VERTICAL BARRIER FENCING FOR CONTAINING CONTAMINATED MATERIALS, AND USE THEREOF - A system for separating contaminated materials from clean natural waterways and environmentally safe areas that thrive in wildlife breeding grounds, wetlands, marsh grass, natural vegetation, and wildlife habitats. The invention provides an effective and relatively inexpensive apparatus and process for hazardous material containment along shorelines, rivers, and estuaries (for maximum protection against contamination). Vertical erected fiber mesh filter fabric which allows clean water molecules to pass through but does not allow heavier/larger contaminated molecules to enter into uncontaminated areas, either from surface areas or subsurface areas. A floating boom acts as an oscillating scrub brush as tidal waters increase (rise) as well as an absorbent pad for the contaminated materials. One-way tidal doors allow juvenile sea life to naturally migrate to deeper safe havens with normal daily tidal changes. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110318107 | Apparatus and method for undersea oil leakage containment - Apparatus and method for containing and recovering undersea oil or gas well leakage by reason of the leaked fluid being lighter than sea water may include a canopy, or a series of interconnected canopies, which, when placed over a leak site, allow leaked fluid to be captured and displace sea water with the canopy or series of canopies having an arrangement, such as one or more conduits, for flow of leaked fluid upward from a respective canopy to the surface. With a system with multiple canopies in a series with exit arrangements for leaked fluid from a lower canopy to a next upper canopy, the series can readily extend from the surface to a great depth and allow transfer of volumes of the leaked fluid that are not limited by the capacity of canopies or conduits at deep locations. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120003045 | FLOATING OIL CONTAINMENT AND ABSORBENT BARRIER SYSTEM - A floating oil containment system including a series of containment sections each having a boom portion and a collection curtain extending downwardly therefrom. The containment sections are connectable in series by fasteners inserted along their edges to form a floating oil containment system of a desired size and/or configuration. The collection curtain further generally is formed from an oil and/or chemical absorbent material that will absorb the oil or chemical materials, whereupon the containment section or collection curtain thereof can be removed and replaced for continued remediation of the spill site. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120020732 | Method and apparatus for absorptive boom - Method and apparatus for a low floating boom curtain constructed of absorptive material made for use in waters polluted by oil, fuel, diesel fuel, chemicals such as dispersants or other petroleum based contaminants or the like wherein the boom curtain is comprised of an upper and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is the buoyant portion and the lower portion is a skirt portion, wherein the skirt portion has a weighted portion on the bottom of the skirt portion so that together they form an absorptive boom curtain for removing oil from oil containing waters. The upper portion, which provides the main flotation for the device, has an internal float/foam member which provides sufficient flotation and which foam member is wrapped in a single or double layer of absorptive material and wherein the entire device is made of and or covered by absorptive material. The boom curtain has a strap running longitudinally along it for interconnecting the individual curtain units wherein the strap may also have attachment rings and interconnecting rings for connecting individual units of the device so as to form a longer string of boom. The weighted portion may be weighted by any suitable material, however, it is believed that sand will be the weight of choice since it is also readily available. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020733 | Stationary Boom Support System - A containment boom system for use in a liquid body includes a base support structure and a containment boom. An elongated rod has a proximal end and a spaced apart distal end. The proximal end is hingedly attached to the base support structure and extends laterally therefrom. A buoy is coupled to the containment boom and is coupled to the distal end of the elongated rod. The buoy has sufficient buoyancy so as to remain floating on the liquid body while supporting the elongated rod. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120027518 | Containment Boom - A containment boom for floating substances, including a long section of linear low density polyethylene folded over and heat sealed to form (i) a top sleeve along the length of the long section, (ii) a second sleeve along the length of the long section adjacent to and beneath the top sleeve, (iii) a bottom sleeve, and (iv) a skirt along the length of the long section extending downwardly from the second sleeve to the bottom sleeve. The second sleeve has a plurality of separate watertight pockets defined along its length by vertical seals extending between the top sleeve and the skirt. First and second rigid connectors extend from the top sleeve to the bottom sleeve at the longitudinal ends of the long section. Cables are in the top and bottom sleeves, with the cables at one end being secured to the first connector, and the cables at the other end being secured to the second connector. A plurality of closed cell foam segments are each tapered to a narrow edge at both longitudinal ends, and are disposed in each of the second sleeve pockets. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120034031 | DEVICE FOR STORING A FLOATING OIL BOOM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A storage device for retaining an extended length of floating oil boom therein and a method of using the same. The storage device is made from a sheet of material that is foldable to define and surround an interior cavity in which the oil boom is received. A closure mechanism is engaged to secure the folded storage device about the oil boom. A lifting mechanism on the storage device is engaged with a cable extending from a suspension assembly mounted on a vessel for use on a large body of water. The suspension assembly maintains the storage boom adjacent a side wall of the vessel and a distance above the surface of the water until the oil boom retained therein is needed in an emergency. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120039669 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR APPLYING A DISPERSANT OR OTHER SUBSTANCES TO A WATER SURFACE - The present invention relates to a method for applying a dispersant or other substances to a water surface. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the present invention. Significant for the method according to the present invention is in that a nozzle hose system is used, said system comprising a hose ( | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120087730 | SORBENT BOOM - A panel-shaped sorbent boom for the removal of oil and other chemicals from water. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087731 | OIL RETENTION BOOMS - 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. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120207544 | Apparatus for Continuously Collecting Viscous Material - A reclamation system and method using at least one, and in some cases several, buoyant cylinders for removing viscous material, e.g., oil and oil-based products, from a body of water is disclosed. The system and method use the natural tendency of such material to adhere to a surface as it is rotated through the body of water and then actively remove the material for transfer into a collection receptacle. Numerous cylinders can be aligned side-by-side and configured to contain as well as remove viscous material along the surface of a body of water. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120224922 | Hull Band to Prevent Contamination Transfer - A Hull Band to prevent contamination transfer. The device can protect a ship hull from contamination from a floating oil spill or to protect the environment from contamination transfer from inside a vessel such as contamination leaking from a garbage truck. Band pleats fit the hull band to an individual hull shape; vertical strips of material to add stiffness to the hull band; weighted hems add tension to the hull band to keep it in place; horizontal securing devices hold the hull band in place; grommets or shackles secure the hull band panels to attach lines for belaying the hull band to cleats or rails. Options include waterproof band panels, and securing of the hull panel with magnet strips and/or double sided tape. The Hull Band can be disposable or designed for repetitive cleaning and use. The Hull Band may also protect complimentary tools such as oil containment booms. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120263536 | FLOATING STANDOFF ASSEMBLY - A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120328367 | OIL CONTAINMENT SYSTEM - An oil containment system, an oil separator sock, and a method of containing oil, in which the oil separator sock includes a plurality of cable ties attached between a plurality of segments of the separator sock; in which the separator sock is anchored to a plurality of anchor pylons around a wellhead of an oil well at a height that allows escaping oil from the oil well to enter the separator sock and submersibles to work on a pipeline to affect a seal, in which the segments have flexibility on the cable ties to reduce stress, and in which the cable ties attached to the segments form a continuous attachment from anchor pylons at the wellhead to the inner ring of a compass leveler anchor or anchor attachments located in a pumping well on a pumping barge. The system that may be transported by air, land, or sea for a more rapid deployment. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130108368 | MARINE BARRIER GATE | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130108369 | SAFEGUARDING ARRANGEMENT FOR COLLECTING A FLUID ESCAPING INTO A BODY OF WATER | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130129421 | OIL CONTAINMENT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A containment machine for containing a contaminant in a body of water includes a set of buoy assemblies arrangeable in the body of water to form the end of a containment barrier for continuing the flow of contaminant in the body of water, cables being extendable from the respective buoy assemblies for holding barrier structure such as a set of truss/curtain assemblies which are connectable to form the containment barrier, a buoy sectional computer control unit in each of said buoy assemblies for receiving signals relating to the location of the respective barrier structure, the tension in the cables and the like, and for transmitting signals to a containment machine central computer control unit. The buoy sectional computer control unit also receives signals from a containment machine central computer control unit to establish set points for adjustment signals sent to the items under its control. Barges for each buoy assembly hold the barrier structure and other equipment for employment in the containment barrier, and a similar computer network exists including a barrier machine central computer control unit and barge sectional computer control units. A process for using the containment machine is also included. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130202357 | CONTROLLED IN-SITU BURNING OF OIL USING WICKING MATERIAL - In a water environment in conjunction with one or more types of oil, a method of in-situ burning including placing a fire resistant sorbent material in contact with the oil and allowing the oil to wick into the sorbent material. The method further includes burning the oil using the sorbent material as a wick. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20140099166 | Floatation Spar for an Oil Containment Boom - A floatation spar for an oil containment boom having a vertically suspended oil containment curtain is provided. The floatation spar includes a buoyant body having an attachment surface and a retainer strip having a plurality of surface penetrating fasteners projecting from and spaced along an inwardly facing side of the retainer strip. The retainer strip is secured to the attachment surface with the containment curtain sandwiched between the retainer strip and the attachment surface by the fasteners penetrating through the attachment surface and into the body. The body is elongated and hollow at its lower end and includes apertures at the lower end into the interior thereof, the body is weighted at the lower end and includes a buoyant material at its upper end, wherein when the body is dropped onto a body of water, it will self-right and float in a generally vertical orientation. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140219723 | FLOATING STANDOFF COLLECTION BASIN - A collection basin for use adjacent a vessel or structure in open water for collecting material from the vessel or structure to prevent its dissemination in the water. The collection basin includes a floating boom spaced from the vessel, and a tension cable to deploy the basin. At respective ends, flaps are formed to prevent escape of the captured material out of the ends of the basin. The flaps are formed with connection means such as flexible magnets that attach to the ferrous material of the vessel or structure to provide a fluid seal and maintain the basin in place. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20150063911 | Method and System for Oil Release Management with Booms - In one embodiment, a method for managing a hydrocarbon (e.g., oil) release with one or more booms is described. The method comprises: deploying one or more booms to a location in a body of water, wherein each of the booms has a floating section that is partially disposed in the body of water and extends out of the body of water, a skirt and ballast section beneath the floating section, and an anchor section that secures the boom at a relatively fixed location, wherein at least one of the one or more booms has a boom monitoring section that includes a measurement component. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150086270 | RAPID-DEPLOYMENT OIL SPILL CONTAINMENT BOOM AND METHOD OF DEPLOYMENT - A rapid-deployment system for containing oil spills and similar water contaminations comprises a pre-manufactured sleeve having air-inflatable or gas-inflatable compartments and water inflatable compartments. In some embodiments uninflated sleeve is stored as a reel of sleeve material, and the deployment system, optionally mounted in a small boat, comprises a machine for inflating the air and water compartments at the site of a spill. In some embodiments, air and/or water compartments may be self-inflating. The system is relatively inexpensive, light, and not bulky, so may easily be stored at potential spill sites (including vessels), and may be used to rapidly manufacture a floating oil boom around a spill, thereby containing the spill before it has a chance to spread. A variety of boom configurations which are efficient in blocking movement of oil even in turbulent water, and which are stable under conditions of wind and wave, are presented. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150125211 | BOOM AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME - Strong fabrics can be used to fabricate booms that can be moved or gathered without the use of ropes or nettings. Methods are provided that can simplify the fabrication of these booms and provide a means of attaching booms to each other or to another structure or device. Materials that pass the criteria for NSF/ANSI Standard 61 and/or the criteria for SW-846 can be used to fabricate the sleeve for a boom. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150125212 | FLOATING LAKE SYSTEM AND METHODS OF TREATING WATER WITHIN A FLOATING LAKE - The present invention relates to floating lakes and to the treatment of the water in such lakes. The present invention further relates to large floating lakes that can be installed within a natural or artificial water body to improve water conditions that are unsuitable for recreational uses. The floating lake can be provided with a chemical application system; a filtration system including a mobile suctioning device and filters; a skimmer system, and optionally a coordination system. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150376853 | Stationary Boom Support System - A containment boom system for remediating an oil spill in a body of water includes a base support structure and a containment boom. An elongated rod has a proximal end and a spaced apart distal end. The proximal end is hingedly attached to the base support structure and extends laterally therefrom. A buoy is coupled to the distal end of the elongated rod. The buoy has sufficient buoyancy so as to remain floating on the liquid body while supporting the elongated rod. A reclamation loop is disposed in the water, a first portion of which is disposed in the oil spill and a second portion is disposed the water on the opposite side of the containment boom from the oil spill. The reclamation loop is continuously driven through a reclamation station, which removes oil therefrom. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160017559 | FLOATING BARRIER - The invention concerns one or more floating barriers for use together with a conventional floating barrier for use in collecting oil on a water surface. The floating barriers are of the kind where the submerged part is partially penetrable for water and oil, thereby providing an impeding but not blocking effect on a passing flow of water. The function of the floating barriers is based on the fact that by disposition upstream relative to the conventional floating barrier and together with the latter they will constitute a total system which can be moved through an oil-contaminated body of water with substantially greater speed than a conventional floating barrier, without leaking oil behind the floating barrier system. The invention particularly concerns conditions of the geometry, spacing and draught of the water-penetrable liquid barriers. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160017560 | CONTRACTION AND CONFINEMENT OF OIL SLICKS ON WATER, INCLUDING WATER WHERE ICE IS PRESENT, USING NON-IONIC SURFACTANTS - Methods for reducing the size of an oil slick on a water surface or on a water surface when ice is present are described. Spreading of oil can be reversed by reducing the surface tension of the seawater, for example, by using a low concentration of at least one water-soluble surfactant, such as a non-ionic surfactant. A controlled amount of the surfactant or surfactant mixture may be discharged over time at the inner-wall of a spill control boom surrounding the oil spill, or within the vicinity of the oil spill in the absence of control booms using a soaker hose or a floating polyethylene or polypropylene hose impregnated with surfactant, whereby the confinement and contraction of the oil slick is maintained by compensating for dissolved surfactant and surfactant moving away from the oil slick. Water-soluble surfactants are typically solids or gels at low temperatures when no organic co-solvent is added to the surfactant. The solid or gel form is advantageous for generating slow, but continuous release of surfactant, and thus there is no need for an organic co-solvent. This is not the situation for oil-soluble surfactants, which require an organic co-solvent to be successfully applied at low temperatures. Mixing oil-soluble surfactants with water-soluble surfactants may overcome the problem of dispersing oil-soluble surfactant without an organic co-solvent at low temperatures. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160194060 | MARINE LIFTING VESSEL | 07-07-2016 |
| 405064000 | Submergible | 7 |
| 20110274496 | UNDERSEA LEAK REMEDIATION DEVICE AND METHOD - The present invention pertains to a rapidly deployable, low cost, submersible leak remediation device for capturing lighter specific gravity materials leaking from a submerged leak location in a heavier specific gravity fluid. The device features: an anchor unit; a collection shroud capable of being anchored in place in proximity over the submerged leak location to permit the materials to flow upward into the collection shroud interior space, through a riser conduit and into a floating surface collection hub in fluid communication with the collection shroud. Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a shroud system that can be employed to capture materials leaking from a side rupture of a substantially vertical pipeline and direct such materials, through a conduit, to the surface collection hub. A method of deployment and use of these embodiments to collect such leaking materials from subsea locations is also disclosed. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110293375 | Deepwater Oil Containment Methods and Structures, Underwater Oil Containment Bubbles, Domes, Tents, Bags and Other Flexible Structures - Large-volume oil containment bubbles, domes, tents, silos and other flexible structures are provided, especially using an oil-impermeable, water-permeable material such as uncoated nylon. A relatively light-weight flexible structure can be arrayed at sea surface, and dispatched downwards to deepwater such as by adding weighting pellets in hollow region(s). | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293376 | Tenting-Over a Deepwater Oil Discharge, Tents for Deepwater Oil Containment and Off-the-Shelf Quick-Response Kits - Large-volume oil containment tents and other flexible structures are provided, especially using an oil-impermeable, water-permeable material. A relatively light-weight flexible structure can be arrayed at sea surface, and dispatched downwards to deepwater such as by adding weighting pellets in hollow region(s). An off-the-shelf oil containment product for tenting-over a deepwater, high-pressure oil emergency is provided. When a deepwater oil emergency occurs, the off-the-shelf, relatively light-weight containment product can be transported immediately to the surface coordinates above the emergency, and deployed rapidly by emergency responders who have been able to previously practice using the containment product. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293377 | Collapsible High-Volume Oil Containment Device, and Deepwater Oil Containment Methods - High-volume, collapsible oil containment devices are provided. The high volume collapsible oil containment devices are useable to mitigate seabed deepwater oil emergencies. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110318108 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTAINING AN OIL SPILL CAUSED BY A SUBSEA BLOWOUT - A method and apparatus are described for containing an oil spill caused by a subsea blowout. In one embodiment, a blowout preventer (BOP) stack, located on a floor of an ocean, may be circumvented with a wall of a cylindrical containment assembly. At least one mud flap, located on the wall, may be activated to control the depth of the cylindrical containment assembly below the ocean floor. In another embodiment, the BOP stack may be circumvented with a hollow wall of a cylindrical containment assembly. The cylindrical containment assembly may be reinforced by filling the hollow wall with cement. A valve assembly may be positioned on a top perimeter of the reinforced wall. The valve assembly may comprise a hollow cavity. The valve assembly may be reinforced by filling the hollow cavity with cement. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120121335 | DEEPWATER CONTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH SURFACE SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A subsea oil containment system, comprising a subsea collector located near a bottom of a body of water; a surface collector located near a surface of the body of water; and a riser connected to the subsea collector at a first end and extending to a second end located near the surface collector. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20140023439 | CONTAINMENT UNIT AND METHOD OF USING SAME - The present invention generally relates to containment and control of an oil spill caused by a damaged or broken riser in deepwater. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reusable unit that will contain oil spills to a specific location and will also allow oil to be harvested as it flows to the top of the unit while minimizing or even eliminating any environmental clean-up cost. The unit of the present invention is dropped over a damaged or broken riser in a closed positin, the unit is released and stabilized in sections until the surface is reached and the containment unit is completely erected. | 01-23-2014 |
| 405065000 | With means to seal space between barrier and fixed structure | 3 |
| 20120027519 | Method and a device for sealing and/or securing a borehole - The invention relates to a method and a device for sealing a borehole from which oil discharges uncontrolled. Thereby, a hull is filled with cement and the cement mass is lowered around a cone-shaped pipe so that the cone-shaped pipe is simultaneously fixated and also sealed. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120057935 | Multi-Purpose Rotational Barrier Unit - The instant invention describes a multi-purpose rotational barrier unit and a system of interconnected barrier units which function in multiple environments, including aquatic environments and land-based environments. The multi-purpose rotational barrier unit has a design configuration which provides hydro-dynamic stability in strong currents and high waves and resists roll over. The multi-purpose rotational barrier unit comprises a plurality of equally sized walls interconnected to form side walls and a bottom wall. Connected to the side walls and the bottom wall are two opposing end walls which define a hollow interior portion. The opposing end walls contain one or more rotation members which are constructed and arranged to provide the barrier unit rotational movement which is independent from the movement of other barrier units directly attached to its opposing walls or units which may indirectly be attached as part of a larger barrier wall system. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20130195555 | DEVICE FOR CAPTURING AND CONDUCTING AWAY LIQUIDS AND/OR GASES ESCAPING FROM A BED OF A BODY OF WATER - Capturing and conducting away fluids or gases escaping from a bed of water. Modules of identical design forming a hose system. Each module has a hose wall made of a flexible woven fabric. A flange is arranged at the open ends of each module surrounding the opening. Each module has stabilizing rings around the periphery, arranged in the longitudinal direction of the module at a distance (a) from each other, which is smaller than the diameter (D) of the module. A pressure equalization opening is formed in each module forming a hose section, each module has connectors for fastening buoyant/ballast bodies and the individual modules are joined, forming a hose system such that connectors for fastening buoyant/ballast bodies are located where two modules meet. At least one pressure equalization opening is located at the lower, open end of the hose system facing the bed of the body of water. | 08-01-2013 |
| 405066000 | With barrier storage or deployment feature | 15 |
| 20120009017 | OIL SPILL RECLAMATION SYSTEM - An oil spill reclamation system utilizes an elastomeric foam functionalized to exhibit both oleophilic and hydrophobic properties. The foam material is contained in permeable pods connected to each other in a chain to form a boom strung in a closed loop around the oil spill. As each pod is brought into contact with the spilled oil, the foam material absorbs it to saturation. The pods are linked through an inflated flexible hose that ensures their buoyancy. The chain of pods is continuously processed in one or more barges that include equipment to press the absorbed oil out of each pod and a conveyor system for retrieving the pods from the water, pulling them through the press, and returning them to the water in a continuous cycle of operation. Positioning buoys with vertical rollers are used to retain the general shape of the containment loop defined by the continuous boom. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120163915 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTAINING AND RECOVERING FROM OIL SPILLS - A novel holder/dispenser for film-form polyethylene sorbent is a serially linked chain of holders to deploy sorbent material having a high affinity for oil for rapid early containment of an expanding oil spill on open water. Following containment and cleanup of the spill, the extended sorbent film is readily reeled in for incineration or for recovery and reuse of oil therefrom. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20130064605 | MARINE ROPEWAY - An apparatus is provided for moving a floating or submerged marine structure. Embodiments include a track fixedly mounted near or under the waterline surface, extending from a first point to a second point for defining a path of motion of the marine structure. A riser cable has a first end movably attached to the track between the first and second points, and a second end fixedly attached to the marine structure. A trolley is attached to the first end of the riser cable between the first end and the track, and has a roller for engaging the track for distributing environmental forces of the marine structure to the track. A drive unit is attached to the marine structure (or to the trolley) for moving the marine structure (or the trolley) such that the marine structure or one end of the marine structure moves along the path of the track. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130084134 | OIL RECOVERY SYSTEM - The oil recovery system minimizes environmental contamination and oil leakage into the ocean in the event of a rupture of the hull of an oil tanker. The oil recovery system includes at least one buoyant reservoir for receiving recovered oil, which is deployed into the ocean upon detection of a breach or rupture in the hull of the oil tanker. At least one conduit is in fluid communication between at least one oil tank housed within the oil tanker and the at least one buoyant reservoir. Upon detection of an oil spill from the oil tanker, the at least one buoyant reservoir is released from the hull of the oil tanker into the water and oil from the at least one oil tank is routed to the at least one buoyant reservoir to minimize the size of the oil spill. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130129422 | Apparatus for retrieving oil-containment booms - A pair of elongated arms is pivotally mounted on a gunwale of a flotation vessel and is designed to retrieve and deploy an oil containment boom for inspection or repairs. Each arm is independently connected to an electrical winch assembly mounted on the flotation vessel. A remote control operates lowering and raising of the arms when retrieving and deploying the boom. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130343820 | OIL FENCE AND METHOD FOR STORING SAME - The present invention relates to an oil fence and to a method for storing same. The oil fence includes: a vertical support part on which an air chamber, a water chamber, and a ballast are successively disposed in the lengthwise direction thereof; a curtain part connected between the vertical support parts disposed parallel to and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the widthwise direction thereof; and attenuation bags disposed on the upper and lower portions of the curtain part. Thus, the oil fence may prevent seawater containing oil from overflowing in spite of high waves. Also, the oil fence may stably float on the sea in spite of poor weather conditions and high waves and may be easily stored and unfolded. | 12-26-2013 |
| 405068000 | Inflatable or deflatable | 9 |
| 20090169304 | INFLATABLE ROPE - An inflatable rope comprises three layers, a bladder, a sheath, and a perforated bag to keep the inflatable rope in a compressed form. The compressed form can be hurled through the air at great distance to a person overboard. The inflatable rope can be inflated to a size that eases the ability of the person, who has lost dexterity in frigid water, to hold on to it for rescuing. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20100150655 | INFLATABLE BOOM - An inflatable boom ( | 06-17-2010 |
| 20110038671 | TIDAL RESPONSIVE BARRIER - A tidal barrier is provided that may be selectively deployed in response to tidal changes. The tidal barrier includes a net having a tensile membrane with an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower edge has a plurality of anchor points for affixing the lower edge to a seabed below a body of water. The tidal barrier further includes a bladder affixed to the upper edge and having a valve for selectively inflating and deflating the bladder. The bladder has a sufficient volume to cause the upper edge of the membrane to rise to a surface of the body of water when the volume is inflated with a gas. A pump is disposed in proximity to the tensile membrane and is in fluid communication with the valve of the bladder. The pump has a controller for selectively prompting the pump to inflate and deflate the bladder with the gas. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110318109 | ONBOARD OIL CONTAINMENT SYSTEM - An oil containment system aboard a vessel which includes a pneumatic system to provide power to a winch and reel assembly containing boom whereby the pneumatic supply is capable of simultaneously powering the winch-reel assembly for boom deployment through inflatable gas fed to a pneumatic motor while also inflating the boom. The inflation of the boom is accomplished by diverting, all or any portion thereof, the inflatable gas from a pneumatic supply through a hose that runs concurrently on the outside of the boom wherein appropriate rates of inflatable gas pressure are allowed to flow through the hose to feed through a valve and hose assembly that connects the inflatable gas supply of the hose to the inflatable gas containment system of the boom. The pneumatic supply originates from a single pneumatic system powering both the winch and reel assembly as well as associated brake and feeding inflatable gas pressure to the inflation hose running concurrently with the boom. The system may be manufactured in a form such that it is compact enough to be installed in, or rapidly transported to, any area or place or vessel where there is likelihood of a discharge of floating material, such as hydrocarbons, floating on a liquid surface. The present invention may also be operated through the use of pneumatic control without the benefit of electric power making it particularly useful for applications in remote areas or during a disaster when electrical power is not readily available. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20130115002 | UNDERWATER OIL AND GAS COLLECTION SYSTEM - A device for collection of oil and gas from an underwater source comprising a balloon-like structure ( | 05-09-2013 |
| 20140064853 | Buoyant Containment and/or Filtration - Embodiments disclosed here include a containment system which may include a segmented buoyant rim. Certain embodiments also include an inflatable rim with at least one inflation/deflation valve in the rim segments and ballast in the rim segments. Additionally, certain embodiments include material connected to the rim segments, to enclose a void created in the rim and to hang below the buoyant rim. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20160160465 | ONBOARD OIL CONTAINMENT SYSTEM - An oil containment system aboard a vessel which includes a pneumatic system to provide power to a winch and reel assembly containing boom whereby the pneumatic supply is capable of simultaneously powering the winch-reel assembly for boom deployment through inflatable gas fed to a pneumatic motor while also inflating the boom. The inflation of the boom is accomplished by diverting, all or any portion thereof, the inflatable gas from a pneumatic supply through a hose that runs concurrently on the outside of the boom wherein appropriate rates of inflatable gas pressure are allowed to flow through the hose to feed through a valve and hose assembly that connects the inflatable gas supply of the hose to the inflatable gas containment system of the boom. The pneumatic supply originates from a single pneumatic system powering both the winch and reel assembly as well as associated brake and feeding inflatable gas pressure to the inflation hose running concurrently with the boom. The system may be manufactured in a form such that it is compact enough to be installed in, or rapidly transported to, any area or place or vessel where there is likelihood of a discharge of floating material, such as hydrocarbons, floating on a liquid surface. The present invention may also be operated through the use of pneumatic control without the benefit of electric power making it particularly useful for applications in remote areas or during a disaster when electrical power is not readily available. | 06-09-2016 |
| 405069000 | Self-inflating | 2 |
| 20160138237 | Spill Containment Generation - The instant application discloses, among other things, a foam-based boom to provide for a spill containment on either water or land. In one embodiment, an expanding foam, such as polyurethane, may be used form a cylindrical or other shaped boom, providing strength, flexible boom shape and size, and easy deployment. Multiple types of foams may be used together; for example, a water absorbing foam may be used in conjunction with a waterproof foam, to allow for a boom to extend both underwater and above water. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20170233967 | SPILL CONTAINMENT BOOM | 08-17-2017 |
| 405070000 | Having joint detail | 5 |
| 20090123233 | Magnetic connector for spill boom - A magnetic connector assembly for attaching spill boom to an otherwise featureless coated steel surface comprises a flexible plate having a front side and a back side, at least one magnet mounted to the plate to assert a magnetic field over the back side of the plate, and a connector for the boom mounted to the front side of the plate. The at least one magnet is sized to retain the magnetic connector assembly in a fixed position on a vertically positioned ferromagnetic wall with a force requiring at least 5 pounds to break. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20110286798 | MODULAR FLOATING STRUCTURES WITH ANTI POLLUTION BARRIER - Disclosed herein are embodiments of floating structures, with one embodiment comprising floating, modular, parallelepipedic blocks whose vertical edges are provided with lugs in which connecting elements are inserted in order to assemble said blocks. The connecting elements entail a support key, which at its upper part bears stanchion extending above upper surface of the floating structure, said stanchion being provided with an eyelet capable of constituting a point of attachment for net. One or more anchoring points are situated below and to the interior of said floating structure. Also disclosed are applications of the floating structures, including as anti-pollution barriers. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20160160464 | PATCH SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OIL BOOM - An apparatus, system, and method for repairing or reinforcing a damaged oil containment boom. The apparatus includes two end connectors and a curtain attached between the two end connectors. The end connectors are attached to a damaged, existing boom via a vertically extending slot formed in each of the end connectors. After attachment, a tight seal is formed between the curtain and the damaged boom. The method for reinforcing a boom includes engaging the two end connectors to an existing boom while stretching the curtain over the damaged boom section in an overlapping relationship. Finally, the connectors are locked into place via a lock-pin mechanism. This invention creates a tight seal over the damaged area, creating a “patch” to keep out oil contaminants from the protected area. The disclosed invention can be used to repair, patch, or reinforce an existing oil containment boom. | 06-09-2016 |
| 405071000 | Having hinged joint between rigid sections | 2 |
| 20130279985 | Oil Boom - Oil boom for preventing dissemination of oil on an aqueous surface, comprising plate elements which by means of hinges at each side edge are arranged to be joined to a continuous wall. The are arranged to exert an angle-increasing between adjacent plate elements while an adjustable angle delimiting device is connected to every second hinge and is so arranged that the angle between the plate elements only can increase to a certain maximum angle. The plate elements are typically made in a lightweight polymer material having ballast at their lower edge. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20160002975 | Boat Security Gate and Barrier System - A security barrier system for controlling boat access to a protected area includes a barrier having an opening through it for boat passage. The barrier may be a fixed structure such as an earthen berm, or may be a floating barrier. A pair of spaced-apart support members, fixed in the waterbottom, are on either side of the opening. A gate is connected to one of the support members and spans the opening. A remotely operable latch means locks the gate closed, preventing passage. In one embodiment, a boat remotely unlocks the gate and pushes the gate open, then flex members return the gate to a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, particularly for locations with significant water level changes, the gate moves vertically on floats in response to water level, and a remotely operable system both unlocks/locks the gate and moves it between closed and open positions. | 01-07-2016 |
