CA1067709A - Means and method for sweeping material floating on water using vibrational energy - Google Patents
Means and method for sweeping material floating on water using vibrational energyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1067709A CA1067709A CA287,447A CA287447A CA1067709A CA 1067709 A CA1067709 A CA 1067709A CA 287447 A CA287447 A CA 287447A CA 1067709 A CA1067709 A CA 1067709A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water surface
- water
- vibrational energy
- zone
- sound producing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B15/00—Cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water; Apparatus therefor
- E02B15/04—Devices for cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water from oil or like floating materials by separating or removing these materials
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/20—Controlling water pollution; Waste water treatment
- Y02A20/204—Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)
Abstract
MEANS AND METHOD FOR SWEEPING
MATERIAL FLOATING ON WATER
USING VIBRATIONAL ENERGY
Abstract of the Disclosure An apparatus for sweeping contaminating material such as oil along the surface of a body of water uses acoustic waves as a propelling force. The vibrational waves are produced by a device supported below the water surface and aimed upwardly towards a peripheral edge of the oil spill. Vibrational waves generated when the device is activated strike the air above the water surface and as a result are compacted into a flattened and horizontally elongated zone of vibrational energy which exerts a driving force on the oil spill edge. A method of employing sound as a sweeping force.
MATERIAL FLOATING ON WATER
USING VIBRATIONAL ENERGY
Abstract of the Disclosure An apparatus for sweeping contaminating material such as oil along the surface of a body of water uses acoustic waves as a propelling force. The vibrational waves are produced by a device supported below the water surface and aimed upwardly towards a peripheral edge of the oil spill. Vibrational waves generated when the device is activated strike the air above the water surface and as a result are compacted into a flattened and horizontally elongated zone of vibrational energy which exerts a driving force on the oil spill edge. A method of employing sound as a sweeping force.
Description
'` 10~>7709 This invention relates to apparatus and a method for containing and gathering up material contaminating the surface of a body of water. When oil or the like is spilled into a harbour or other body of water, the most immediate problem is to contain the oil so that it will not spread to such an extent that it is not practical or worthwhile to even try and remove the spillage. Sometimes a floating boom is used in an attempt to stop the spread of water-borne contaminants but the shear physical task of assembling a lengthly boom as-is normally required, and of the maneuvering - the boom into a position where it might be affective, results in a delay which can render the whole exercise futile. Furthermore, a boom can only be successfully em-ployed when water conditions are ideal which seldom is the case. Generally speaking, the present invention contemplates the use of acoustical energy to provide, in effect, a huge broom which can be wielded to sweep floating oil or the like into a confined area from where it can more readily be picked up by other means.
More specifically, apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sound producing device having -a member capable of transmitting a shaped and intensified ray of vibrational energy, support means for supporting the device with at least the member disposed below the water surface in a position to direct the ray upwardly towards the floating material at a selected grazing angle relative to the water surface, and means for activating the sound producing device to generate the ray and produce at the water surface incidental to said ray reacting with air thereabove a horizontally elongated and vertically flattened .. . . .... . , , ~.. .. . .
~.067709 zone of vibrational energy capable of exerting a propelling force on the floating material. ~ -In drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a schematic view showing one embodi~
ment of the present invention in a typical position of use, Figure 2 is longitudinal and schematic section showing apparatus of this embodiment taken on lines 2-2 of ,, ' Figure 1, ''-Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of another "' ' embodiment of the present invention, ' Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a schematic side elevation of still ' another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown by way of example one use of the present invention. ~ , The,numeral 10 represents a river channel which is navigated ', by ships 11 and the vessel illustrated in Figure 1 is assumed to be moving upstream or against the river current. An oil spill in such a river channel presents a major clean up problem since it spreads so quickly but downstream movement ,~
of oil or other contaminating materials such as wood chips ~
and the like, can be halted by use of the present invention ;' ~ ', a number of which may be arranged as shown schematically in ';~ ,, ', Figure 1. '';
The numeral 20 indicated generally a sonic sweeping apparatus a suitable number of which are shown in Figure 1 ' ' supported below the water surface by means generally indic- ' ' '-.: .
More specifically, apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sound producing device having -a member capable of transmitting a shaped and intensified ray of vibrational energy, support means for supporting the device with at least the member disposed below the water surface in a position to direct the ray upwardly towards the floating material at a selected grazing angle relative to the water surface, and means for activating the sound producing device to generate the ray and produce at the water surface incidental to said ray reacting with air thereabove a horizontally elongated and vertically flattened .. . . .... . , , ~.. .. . .
~.067709 zone of vibrational energy capable of exerting a propelling force on the floating material. ~ -In drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a schematic view showing one embodi~
ment of the present invention in a typical position of use, Figure 2 is longitudinal and schematic section showing apparatus of this embodiment taken on lines 2-2 of ,, ' Figure 1, ''-Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of another "' ' embodiment of the present invention, ' Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a schematic side elevation of still ' another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown by way of example one use of the present invention. ~ , The,numeral 10 represents a river channel which is navigated ', by ships 11 and the vessel illustrated in Figure 1 is assumed to be moving upstream or against the river current. An oil spill in such a river channel presents a major clean up problem since it spreads so quickly but downstream movement ,~
of oil or other contaminating materials such as wood chips ~
and the like, can be halted by use of the present invention ;' ~ ', a number of which may be arranged as shown schematically in ';~ ,, ', Figure 1. '';
The numeral 20 indicated generally a sonic sweeping apparatus a suitable number of which are shown in Figure 1 ' ' supported below the water surface by means generally indic- ' ' '-.: .
-2-, :~ : . :
ated at 22. The support means 22 for this embodiment is an anchor assembly formed of cables 23 and 24, the ends of the latter cables being suitably anchored as at 25 on land bordering the channel. Anchor cables 26 hold the cables 23, and therefor the apparatuses 20, a suitable distance below surface 28 of the channel so that ships and floating debris can pass without inteference.
Referring now to schematic Figure 2, each apparatus 20 is shown to comprise a hollow vessel 30 which is provided with laterally projecting lugs 31 to which the cables 23 are attached. The vessel 30, which has a plastic dome 32, is supported by the cables with the dome facing upstream.
Horizontal stabilizers 33 are provided on the hollow vessel, the stabilizers each being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal axis of the vessel so that the river current acts to hold the apparatus tilted upwardly. Preferably, the vessel 30 is filled with silicone oil which has not been indicated or enumerated in the schematic Figure 2.
Suitably mounted within the vessel 30 is a sound producing device 36 which comprises a body 37 and a member 38 capable of transmitting vibrational energy to a fluid medium such as water. Preferably, the member 38 used in this embodiment of the invention is a transducer consisting of a polarized ceramic dish having a concave face 39 from which acoustical waves are emitted when the ceramic material is energized electrically. For this purpose, a suitable electric circuit 40 connects the member or transducer 38 to a source of high frequency alternating current (not shown) on land near the channel 10, some of the wires of the circuit being carried by the cables 23. Thus, the focused
ated at 22. The support means 22 for this embodiment is an anchor assembly formed of cables 23 and 24, the ends of the latter cables being suitably anchored as at 25 on land bordering the channel. Anchor cables 26 hold the cables 23, and therefor the apparatuses 20, a suitable distance below surface 28 of the channel so that ships and floating debris can pass without inteference.
Referring now to schematic Figure 2, each apparatus 20 is shown to comprise a hollow vessel 30 which is provided with laterally projecting lugs 31 to which the cables 23 are attached. The vessel 30, which has a plastic dome 32, is supported by the cables with the dome facing upstream.
Horizontal stabilizers 33 are provided on the hollow vessel, the stabilizers each being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal axis of the vessel so that the river current acts to hold the apparatus tilted upwardly. Preferably, the vessel 30 is filled with silicone oil which has not been indicated or enumerated in the schematic Figure 2.
Suitably mounted within the vessel 30 is a sound producing device 36 which comprises a body 37 and a member 38 capable of transmitting vibrational energy to a fluid medium such as water. Preferably, the member 38 used in this embodiment of the invention is a transducer consisting of a polarized ceramic dish having a concave face 39 from which acoustical waves are emitted when the ceramic material is energized electrically. For this purpose, a suitable electric circuit 40 connects the member or transducer 38 to a source of high frequency alternating current (not shown) on land near the channel 10, some of the wires of the circuit being carried by the cables 23. Thus, the focused
-3-- .
10677~9 transducer 38 can be energized to produce vibratory waves which are directed forwardly of the vessel 30 through the dome 32. These waves are concentrated or shaped as well as intensified by the transducer to form a ray of acoustical energy. The wave frequency may be in either the sonic or ultrasonic range.
Transducer 38 is mounted within the vessel 30 by means generally indicated at 43. This mounting means 43 includes a V-shaped yoke 45 which carries opposing pivot pins 46, the device 36 being supported by the pins to rock about the transverse and substantially horizontal axis of the pins. The yoke 45 can swing about the vertically dis-posed axis of a pivot pin 47 which secures the yoke to a suitable part within the hollow vessel.
lS A drive mechanism generally indicated at 50 serves to rock the device 36 about the horizontal and vertical axis of the pins 46 and 47. The mechanism 50 is shown to comprise an electric motor 52 which drives a shaft 53 through a reduction (not shown), the shaft being fitted with a pinion 54. A self-contained displacement pump 55 is positioned alongside the shaft 53 and a driven shaft 56 of this pump carries a gear 57 which meshes with the pinion 54. The outlet from the pump 55 is connected by a conduit 59 to a cylinder 60 fitted with the piston 61 having a rod 62. A pin 64 pivotally connects the piston rod to one end of crank 65 which has its opposite end (not shown) suitably secured to the body 37. Both pivot pins 46 are fitted with springs 67 which bias the device 36 so that normally the piston 61 is urged towards the conduit end of the cylinder 60.
,;
~ ~067709 The mechanism 50 also includes separate a drive train between the electric motor and the member 45. This train comprises a worm 70 which is fitted to the shaft 53.
A gear 72 is rotatably mounted on an interior part of the vessel 30 to engage this worm. Worm gear 72 is fitted with a crank 73. The member 45 and the crank 73 are pivotally connected together by a rod 74 and pins 75.
The motor 52 is connected into an electric circuit 76 which extends out of the hollow vessel 30 and along the cables 23 to a suitable source of low frequency electric power on land. Thus, the motor 52 can be driven while high frequency current is delivered separately to the transducer 38. Rotation of the electric motor 52 causes similar move-ment of the pump 55 whereby pulsating hydraulic pressure is delivered to the cylinder 60. This causes the piston rod 62to extend against the pressure applied by the springs 67 and later to retract under spring pressure. The transducer 38, as a result, is rocked about the horizontal axis of the pivot pins 46. At the same time, rotation of the shaft 53 results in the transducer 38 being swung back and forth about the pivot pin 47.
In operation, the device 36 is electrically energized so that the transducer 38 produces acoustical waves. Frequencies below ultrasonic are preferred since there is less attenuation when travelling through water.
The upwardly as a ray which reaches waves diverge from the centre of the transducer as a ray which reaches the surface of the water at a collective angle of incidence relative to the water surface, which angle is commonly referred to as the grazing angle. At the surface, the acoustic waves :
10677~9 encounter the air above the water surface and the air, of course, has an impedance factor much greater than that of water. This results in a zone of vibrational energy being developed which is directed forwardly to act upon the contaminating layer of oil which then becomes a sound channel or wave guide for the energy. The zone is very narrow vertically, or not much thicker than the oil layer itself. On the other hand, the zone is greatly elongated horizontally due to the normal propagation of the sound -waves and the fact that the vibrational energy is trapped between the air and water surfaces. This creates a thin and fanned-out zone of vibrational energy which is largely confined to the oil layer and is further intensified as a result of being flattened so as to serve as a horizontally directed propelling force. The resultant force is applied in such a way that the zone of vibrational energy becomes a sonic or dynamic barrier for the oil or other contaminating substances. The oil being carried downstream encounters :;
this sonic barrier which extends from bank-to- bank between the several apparatuses 20 and, as a result, is brought to a halt. In other words, a sweeping action results since the water continuous its downstream flow.
The oil starts to accumulate at the sonic barrier almost as if it had encountered a solid boom and eventually this steadily increasing accumulation must be removed as well be explained latter.
If the water surface is quite smooth, the sonic sweeping apparatus 20 will operate effectively as described above without the transducer being oscillated within the vessel 30. The water surface, however, is often roughened , by the wind and the action of passing boats so that it is best if the transducer 38 is oscillated about the horizontal axis provided by the pins 46. The motor 52 is run contin-ously when the water is rough and, through the mechanism S0, the sound producing device is caused to rock back and forth ;;
on the pins 46 whereby to continuously vary the grazing angle. This rocking motion provides the sonic barrier with a fore and aft sweeping action simulating that of a broom being used on a floor. As a result, the oil is brushed or stroked along the water surface which helps to sweep up or provide a herding action with regard to any small patches of oil which might otherwise escape past the sonic barrier because of the roughened surface of the water.
The transducer 38 is also oscillated about the axis provided by the pivot pin 47 and this provides a hori-zontal sweeping action which further improves the effective-ness of the sonic barrier. The sideways sweep imparted to the barrier also helps to gather up stray patches of oil and add then to the accumulation. In addition, the horizontal sweeping action increases the effective width of the zone of vibration energy provided by each sonic sweeping apparatus .
20 so that fewer such devices need by used in the arrange-ment shown in Figure 1.
;~ Preferably, the oil accumulated at the sound ~; 25 barrier is picked up by the method and apparatus for ultra-sonically removing contaminants from water as described in United States Patent No. 4,032,438 which was granted on June 28, 1977 to this applicant.
There are other pieces of equipment which can be used to remove the oil gathered at the sonic barrier and one ' 7709 :
. ~ .
is a conventional weir-type oil skimmer which executes a skimming action as the name implies. Other equipment presently available will slurp the oil up off the water surface but both the oil skimmer and the oil slurp are effective only when the contaminating material is concen-trated within a relatively small area as accomplished by use of the present invention.
The sonic sweeping apparatus 20 has been described as being equipped with an electrically energized transducer but it will be noted that other sources of vibrational energy might be employed as well. For example, a hydro-dynamic oscillator of conventional design has a sound producing transducer and associated parts which prod~ce the sound waves required for a sonic barrier used to sweep ~ ;
contaminating material floating on the surface of a body of water. An array of transducers may be carried by the support means 22 so as to collectively provide the zone of vibrational energy. The transducers need not be dished but can be flat and associated with lenses wave guides, re-flectors and the like to concentrate or intensify theacoustic waves. Some horns which have a diaphragm or transducer operated by fluid pressure will also serve the intended purpose. Only the wave emitting member of the sound producing device need be submerged below the surface of the water.
Figure 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this instance, an array of three sound producing devices 80 are used. These devices are .. . . . . .
~067709 construc~ed as previously described and are supported by means generally indicated at 82 and comprising a surface vessel 83 fitted with a forwardly-projecting boom 84. The devices are suitably mounted on the forward end of the boom and a mounting means 85 secures the opposite end of the boom to the bow of the boat. The vessel 83 is self propelled and has the usual steering apparatus and so on as will the sources of power for operating the devices 80 and the boom 84.
Referring now to Figure 4 the mounting means generally indicated at 85 will be seen to comprise an annular base 90 which is mounted on the boat 83 concentric with a vertical opening 91 extending through the hull at the bow.
Blocks 92 mounted on this base carry opposing spindles 93 on which a housing 94 is rockingly mounted. A shaft 95 is journalled in the housing to depend through the opening 91 and the opposite or inner end of the boom 84 is fixedly secured to the lowermost end of the shaft. This arrangement allows the boom and therefore the sound producing devices to be swung about the horizontal axis provided by the spindles 93 and the vertical axis provided by the shaft 95.
The housing 94 encloses a drive mechanism generally indicated at 97 for oscillating the boom 84 and therefore the devices 80 about the aforementioned horizontal and vertical axes. Mechanism 97 comprises a motor 98 which drives a shaft 99 through a magnetic clutch 100. A worm 101 on the shaft 99 meshes with a gear 102 non-rotatably secured 7 to one of the spindles 93. Motor 98 is included in a circuit 103 (Figure 4 only) leading to a source of power (not shown) aboard the boat and controlled by the boat operator. When : ~ .
_g_ ~ :
. ~
1067709 ,", , , the motor 98 is energized, the boom 84 is oscillated at a suitably slow speed in a substantially vertical plane and the extent of swing is determined by limit switch means ;~
105.
The drive mechanism 97 includes another electric -~
motor 110 mounted within the housing drives a shaft 111 through a magnetic clutch 112. This shaft 111 carries a worm 114 engaging a gear 115 which is secured to the shaft .: .. .
95. Motor 110 has a circuit 117 (Figure 4) connecting it to a source of power (not shown) aboard the surface vessel 83.
The boom 84 is slowly oscillated about the axis of the shaft 95 when the motor 110 is run and the extent of swing is controlled by other limit switch means 118, see Figure 4.
The sound producing devices 80 are included in a lS circuit 120 part of which is carried within the boom 84 to the bore of the shaft 95. From the shaft 95, the circuit 120 extends out the top of the housing 94 thence to a A.C.
motor generator 121 carried aboard the boat 83. The boat operator, of course, can control the power to the devices 80 - 20 as well as to the motors 98 and 110.
The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 is particularly well suited for sweeping up an oil spill in a harbor or elsewhere. For this purpose, the -vessel 83 is moved slowly forward with the devices 80 acti-vated and angled upwardly to ensure an appropriate grazing angle. The acoustic waves reach the water surface and react with the air to provide a horizontally elongated and vertically flattened zone of vibrational energy which propels the oil ahead of the boat. The devices 80 are oscillated when : ' ' ':~
required by swinging the boom up and down as well as from side to side so that a thorough sweeping action is assured.
The boat 83 is maneuvered around the oil spill to gather the contaminating material into a pool which can be picked up by one of the collectors previously described. For example, the oil can be herded directly into a weir-type oil skimmer.
Figure 5 shows still another embodiment of the invention wherein a submersible vessel 130 is used to perform the sweeping operation. Vessel 130 carries a boom 132 on which an array of sound producing devices 133 are mounted. The boom 132 is attached to the submarine by mounting means 134 which is the same as the means 85 except that it is inverted on the vessel. Otherwise the construction of this embodiment of the invention is similar to the previously described lS embodiment and therefore further detailed description is not considered necessary.
The invention shown in Figure 5 operates in the same manner as the embodiment shown in Figure 3 and 4 except, of course, that the vessel 130 is submerged along with the `
boom 132 and the sound producing devices 133. Use of the submarine will allow an accumulation of oil to be swept up from the surface of a body of water or even from beneath a 7 : . .
layer of ice as illustrated in Figure 5.
.' , :
--11-- ; ~ .
~ ~ .
10677~9 transducer 38 can be energized to produce vibratory waves which are directed forwardly of the vessel 30 through the dome 32. These waves are concentrated or shaped as well as intensified by the transducer to form a ray of acoustical energy. The wave frequency may be in either the sonic or ultrasonic range.
Transducer 38 is mounted within the vessel 30 by means generally indicated at 43. This mounting means 43 includes a V-shaped yoke 45 which carries opposing pivot pins 46, the device 36 being supported by the pins to rock about the transverse and substantially horizontal axis of the pins. The yoke 45 can swing about the vertically dis-posed axis of a pivot pin 47 which secures the yoke to a suitable part within the hollow vessel.
lS A drive mechanism generally indicated at 50 serves to rock the device 36 about the horizontal and vertical axis of the pins 46 and 47. The mechanism 50 is shown to comprise an electric motor 52 which drives a shaft 53 through a reduction (not shown), the shaft being fitted with a pinion 54. A self-contained displacement pump 55 is positioned alongside the shaft 53 and a driven shaft 56 of this pump carries a gear 57 which meshes with the pinion 54. The outlet from the pump 55 is connected by a conduit 59 to a cylinder 60 fitted with the piston 61 having a rod 62. A pin 64 pivotally connects the piston rod to one end of crank 65 which has its opposite end (not shown) suitably secured to the body 37. Both pivot pins 46 are fitted with springs 67 which bias the device 36 so that normally the piston 61 is urged towards the conduit end of the cylinder 60.
,;
~ ~067709 The mechanism 50 also includes separate a drive train between the electric motor and the member 45. This train comprises a worm 70 which is fitted to the shaft 53.
A gear 72 is rotatably mounted on an interior part of the vessel 30 to engage this worm. Worm gear 72 is fitted with a crank 73. The member 45 and the crank 73 are pivotally connected together by a rod 74 and pins 75.
The motor 52 is connected into an electric circuit 76 which extends out of the hollow vessel 30 and along the cables 23 to a suitable source of low frequency electric power on land. Thus, the motor 52 can be driven while high frequency current is delivered separately to the transducer 38. Rotation of the electric motor 52 causes similar move-ment of the pump 55 whereby pulsating hydraulic pressure is delivered to the cylinder 60. This causes the piston rod 62to extend against the pressure applied by the springs 67 and later to retract under spring pressure. The transducer 38, as a result, is rocked about the horizontal axis of the pivot pins 46. At the same time, rotation of the shaft 53 results in the transducer 38 being swung back and forth about the pivot pin 47.
In operation, the device 36 is electrically energized so that the transducer 38 produces acoustical waves. Frequencies below ultrasonic are preferred since there is less attenuation when travelling through water.
The upwardly as a ray which reaches waves diverge from the centre of the transducer as a ray which reaches the surface of the water at a collective angle of incidence relative to the water surface, which angle is commonly referred to as the grazing angle. At the surface, the acoustic waves :
10677~9 encounter the air above the water surface and the air, of course, has an impedance factor much greater than that of water. This results in a zone of vibrational energy being developed which is directed forwardly to act upon the contaminating layer of oil which then becomes a sound channel or wave guide for the energy. The zone is very narrow vertically, or not much thicker than the oil layer itself. On the other hand, the zone is greatly elongated horizontally due to the normal propagation of the sound -waves and the fact that the vibrational energy is trapped between the air and water surfaces. This creates a thin and fanned-out zone of vibrational energy which is largely confined to the oil layer and is further intensified as a result of being flattened so as to serve as a horizontally directed propelling force. The resultant force is applied in such a way that the zone of vibrational energy becomes a sonic or dynamic barrier for the oil or other contaminating substances. The oil being carried downstream encounters :;
this sonic barrier which extends from bank-to- bank between the several apparatuses 20 and, as a result, is brought to a halt. In other words, a sweeping action results since the water continuous its downstream flow.
The oil starts to accumulate at the sonic barrier almost as if it had encountered a solid boom and eventually this steadily increasing accumulation must be removed as well be explained latter.
If the water surface is quite smooth, the sonic sweeping apparatus 20 will operate effectively as described above without the transducer being oscillated within the vessel 30. The water surface, however, is often roughened , by the wind and the action of passing boats so that it is best if the transducer 38 is oscillated about the horizontal axis provided by the pins 46. The motor 52 is run contin-ously when the water is rough and, through the mechanism S0, the sound producing device is caused to rock back and forth ;;
on the pins 46 whereby to continuously vary the grazing angle. This rocking motion provides the sonic barrier with a fore and aft sweeping action simulating that of a broom being used on a floor. As a result, the oil is brushed or stroked along the water surface which helps to sweep up or provide a herding action with regard to any small patches of oil which might otherwise escape past the sonic barrier because of the roughened surface of the water.
The transducer 38 is also oscillated about the axis provided by the pivot pin 47 and this provides a hori-zontal sweeping action which further improves the effective-ness of the sonic barrier. The sideways sweep imparted to the barrier also helps to gather up stray patches of oil and add then to the accumulation. In addition, the horizontal sweeping action increases the effective width of the zone of vibration energy provided by each sonic sweeping apparatus .
20 so that fewer such devices need by used in the arrange-ment shown in Figure 1.
;~ Preferably, the oil accumulated at the sound ~; 25 barrier is picked up by the method and apparatus for ultra-sonically removing contaminants from water as described in United States Patent No. 4,032,438 which was granted on June 28, 1977 to this applicant.
There are other pieces of equipment which can be used to remove the oil gathered at the sonic barrier and one ' 7709 :
. ~ .
is a conventional weir-type oil skimmer which executes a skimming action as the name implies. Other equipment presently available will slurp the oil up off the water surface but both the oil skimmer and the oil slurp are effective only when the contaminating material is concen-trated within a relatively small area as accomplished by use of the present invention.
The sonic sweeping apparatus 20 has been described as being equipped with an electrically energized transducer but it will be noted that other sources of vibrational energy might be employed as well. For example, a hydro-dynamic oscillator of conventional design has a sound producing transducer and associated parts which prod~ce the sound waves required for a sonic barrier used to sweep ~ ;
contaminating material floating on the surface of a body of water. An array of transducers may be carried by the support means 22 so as to collectively provide the zone of vibrational energy. The transducers need not be dished but can be flat and associated with lenses wave guides, re-flectors and the like to concentrate or intensify theacoustic waves. Some horns which have a diaphragm or transducer operated by fluid pressure will also serve the intended purpose. Only the wave emitting member of the sound producing device need be submerged below the surface of the water.
Figure 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this instance, an array of three sound producing devices 80 are used. These devices are .. . . . . .
~067709 construc~ed as previously described and are supported by means generally indicated at 82 and comprising a surface vessel 83 fitted with a forwardly-projecting boom 84. The devices are suitably mounted on the forward end of the boom and a mounting means 85 secures the opposite end of the boom to the bow of the boat. The vessel 83 is self propelled and has the usual steering apparatus and so on as will the sources of power for operating the devices 80 and the boom 84.
Referring now to Figure 4 the mounting means generally indicated at 85 will be seen to comprise an annular base 90 which is mounted on the boat 83 concentric with a vertical opening 91 extending through the hull at the bow.
Blocks 92 mounted on this base carry opposing spindles 93 on which a housing 94 is rockingly mounted. A shaft 95 is journalled in the housing to depend through the opening 91 and the opposite or inner end of the boom 84 is fixedly secured to the lowermost end of the shaft. This arrangement allows the boom and therefore the sound producing devices to be swung about the horizontal axis provided by the spindles 93 and the vertical axis provided by the shaft 95.
The housing 94 encloses a drive mechanism generally indicated at 97 for oscillating the boom 84 and therefore the devices 80 about the aforementioned horizontal and vertical axes. Mechanism 97 comprises a motor 98 which drives a shaft 99 through a magnetic clutch 100. A worm 101 on the shaft 99 meshes with a gear 102 non-rotatably secured 7 to one of the spindles 93. Motor 98 is included in a circuit 103 (Figure 4 only) leading to a source of power (not shown) aboard the boat and controlled by the boat operator. When : ~ .
_g_ ~ :
. ~
1067709 ,", , , the motor 98 is energized, the boom 84 is oscillated at a suitably slow speed in a substantially vertical plane and the extent of swing is determined by limit switch means ;~
105.
The drive mechanism 97 includes another electric -~
motor 110 mounted within the housing drives a shaft 111 through a magnetic clutch 112. This shaft 111 carries a worm 114 engaging a gear 115 which is secured to the shaft .: .. .
95. Motor 110 has a circuit 117 (Figure 4) connecting it to a source of power (not shown) aboard the surface vessel 83.
The boom 84 is slowly oscillated about the axis of the shaft 95 when the motor 110 is run and the extent of swing is controlled by other limit switch means 118, see Figure 4.
The sound producing devices 80 are included in a lS circuit 120 part of which is carried within the boom 84 to the bore of the shaft 95. From the shaft 95, the circuit 120 extends out the top of the housing 94 thence to a A.C.
motor generator 121 carried aboard the boat 83. The boat operator, of course, can control the power to the devices 80 - 20 as well as to the motors 98 and 110.
The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 is particularly well suited for sweeping up an oil spill in a harbor or elsewhere. For this purpose, the -vessel 83 is moved slowly forward with the devices 80 acti-vated and angled upwardly to ensure an appropriate grazing angle. The acoustic waves reach the water surface and react with the air to provide a horizontally elongated and vertically flattened zone of vibrational energy which propels the oil ahead of the boat. The devices 80 are oscillated when : ' ' ':~
required by swinging the boom up and down as well as from side to side so that a thorough sweeping action is assured.
The boat 83 is maneuvered around the oil spill to gather the contaminating material into a pool which can be picked up by one of the collectors previously described. For example, the oil can be herded directly into a weir-type oil skimmer.
Figure 5 shows still another embodiment of the invention wherein a submersible vessel 130 is used to perform the sweeping operation. Vessel 130 carries a boom 132 on which an array of sound producing devices 133 are mounted. The boom 132 is attached to the submarine by mounting means 134 which is the same as the means 85 except that it is inverted on the vessel. Otherwise the construction of this embodiment of the invention is similar to the previously described lS embodiment and therefore further detailed description is not considered necessary.
The invention shown in Figure 5 operates in the same manner as the embodiment shown in Figure 3 and 4 except, of course, that the vessel 130 is submerged along with the `
boom 132 and the sound producing devices 133. Use of the submarine will allow an accumulation of oil to be swept up from the surface of a body of water or even from beneath a 7 : . .
layer of ice as illustrated in Figure 5.
.' , :
--11-- ; ~ .
~ ~ .
Claims (11)
1. Apparatus from sweeping material floating on the surface of a body of water, comprising:
a sound producing device having a member capable of transmitting a shaped and intensified ray of vibrational energy, support means for supporting the device with at least the member disposed below the water surface in a position to direct the ray upwardly towards the floating material at a selected grazing angle relative to the water surface, and means for activating the sound producing device to generate the ray and produce at the water surface incidental to said ray reacting with air thereabove a horizontally elongated and vertically flattened zone of vibrational energy capable of exerting a propelling force on the floating material.
a sound producing device having a member capable of transmitting a shaped and intensified ray of vibrational energy, support means for supporting the device with at least the member disposed below the water surface in a position to direct the ray upwardly towards the floating material at a selected grazing angle relative to the water surface, and means for activating the sound producing device to generate the ray and produce at the water surface incidental to said ray reacting with air thereabove a horizontally elongated and vertically flattened zone of vibrational energy capable of exerting a propelling force on the floating material.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and in-cluding mounting means securing the member to a part of said support means for swinging movement about a substantially horizontal axis normal to the selected grazing angle, and a drive mechanism for oscillating the member about the hori-zontal axis to shift the zone back and forth on the water surface and sweep the floating material forwardly.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which said mounting means also mounts the member for swinging movement about a substantially vertical axis, and a drive train associated with said drive mechanism for oscillating the member about the vertical axis to swing the zone across the water surface and thereby widen the area swept.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which said support means comprises an anchoring assembly holding the member stationary in a relatively moving body of water.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which said support means comprises a vessel and a boom projecting from the vessel to support the member below the water surface, and means for moving the vessel to advance the zone and move the floating material along the water surface.
6. Apparatus for sweeping material floating on the surface of the body of water comprising:
a sound producing device for transmitting vibrational energy throughout the sonic and ultrasonic ranges to a fluid medium, a vessel carrying a boom for supporting the device below the water surface in a position to direct vibrational energy emanating therefrom upwardly towards the floating material at a selected grazing` angle relative to the water surface, mounting means securing the boom to the vessel for swinging movement about a substantially horizontal axis normal to the selected grazing angle, a drive mechanism for oscillating the boom about the horizontal axis, means connecting the sound producing device to a source of electrical energy whereby to activate the member and generate vibrational energy producing at the water surface a horizontally elongated and vertically flattened zone of vibrational energy acting on the floating material, and means for moving the vessel to sweep the floating material along the water surface.
a sound producing device for transmitting vibrational energy throughout the sonic and ultrasonic ranges to a fluid medium, a vessel carrying a boom for supporting the device below the water surface in a position to direct vibrational energy emanating therefrom upwardly towards the floating material at a selected grazing` angle relative to the water surface, mounting means securing the boom to the vessel for swinging movement about a substantially horizontal axis normal to the selected grazing angle, a drive mechanism for oscillating the boom about the horizontal axis, means connecting the sound producing device to a source of electrical energy whereby to activate the member and generate vibrational energy producing at the water surface a horizontally elongated and vertically flattened zone of vibrational energy acting on the floating material, and means for moving the vessel to sweep the floating material along the water surface.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which said mounting means also mounts the device for swinging movement about a substantially vertical axis, and a drive train associated with said drive mechanism for oscillating the boom about the vertical axis.
8. A method of sweeping material floating on the surface of a body of water using vibrational energy com-prising the steps of;
submerging a sound producing device below the water surface, directing the sound producing device upwardly towards the water surface, and energizing the device to generate a ray of vibra-tional energy capable of reacting with air above the water surface to create a vertically flattened and horizontally elongated zone of vibrational energy serving to propel the floating material along said water surface.
submerging a sound producing device below the water surface, directing the sound producing device upwardly towards the water surface, and energizing the device to generate a ray of vibra-tional energy capable of reacting with air above the water surface to create a vertically flattened and horizontally elongated zone of vibrational energy serving to propel the floating material along said water surface.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, and in-cluding the additional step of advancing the sound producing device through the water to move the zone forward and sweep the floating material to a selected area.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, and in-cluding the further step of oscillating the sound producing device to shift the zone and propel the floating material forward with a series of intermittently applied strokes.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, and in-cluding the further step of oscillating the sound producing device to swing the zone across the water surface.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA287,447A CA1067709A (en) | 1977-09-26 | 1977-09-26 | Means and method for sweeping material floating on water using vibrational energy |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA287,447A CA1067709A (en) | 1977-09-26 | 1977-09-26 | Means and method for sweeping material floating on water using vibrational energy |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1067709A true CA1067709A (en) | 1979-12-11 |
Family
ID=4109618
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA287,447A Expired CA1067709A (en) | 1977-09-26 | 1977-09-26 | Means and method for sweeping material floating on water using vibrational energy |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1067709A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5444323A (en) * | 1992-10-27 | 1995-08-22 | Brazil; Harry | Acoustic broom |
-
1977
- 1977-09-26 CA CA287,447A patent/CA1067709A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5444323A (en) * | 1992-10-27 | 1995-08-22 | Brazil; Harry | Acoustic broom |
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