WO2008099054A1

WO2008099054A1 - Oil boom

Info

Publication number: WO2008099054A1
Application number: PCT/FI2008/050052
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars Lundin
Original assignee: Lars Lundin
Priority date: 2007-02-12
Filing date: 2008-02-11
Publication date: 2008-08-21
Also published as: FI20070120A0; EP2118383A4; EP2118383A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an oil boom comprising two adjacent elongated floats (1) and between them an elongated and vertical separating wall (2). In accordance with the invention, the floats (1) are accordion-folded air-tight tubes provided with a spiral spring (3), the separating wall (2) is formed by a flexible cape which can be folded into compressed position and extended in the longitudinal direction, and the oil boom comprises a set of body frames (4) with support members (5) for the floats and a support structure (6) for the separating wall arranged to hold the separating wall in the vertical position in the middle between the floats and at a distance from both of them.

Description

OIL BOOM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an oil boom as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, oil booms comprise one float and a vertical separating wall integrated into the float, and they may vary in length. Typically, the float can be pumped, i.e. it is inflatable, and the booms are normally stored in rolls and opened and pumped to reach their operational position in water. The booms are difficult and slow in use. They are also extremely unstable, so they become easily overbalanced and let the oil through even if the waves were relatively low.

One known oil boom has been disclosed in patent publication US4068478. The inflatable tubular float has been made rigid with an internal spiral spring, while the separating wall extends downwards from the float. The boom can be compressed in the longitudinal direction by relieving the pressure and returned back mainly by the spiral spring. The float is relatively easy to use but extremely unstable, so it only works if the water is calm. Another weakness is the horizontal flexibility. It does not exhibit any kind of rigidity in the horizontal direction, so it cannot be kept in position or in alignment without support structures or good tightening at the ends.

Another oil boom representative of the prior art has been disclosed in patent publication US3786637. It comprises two flexible tubes which operate as floats with a relatively rigid separating wall secured and pressed between them. The separating wall has been de- signed to be so flexible that it bends along with the waves. Handling, such as assembling, using, disassembling and storing the boom is inconvenient, and the space required is large. Furthermore, the boom does not stand very rough cross-waves but instead is relatively unstable.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art referred to above. One specific objective of the invention is to disclose a new type of oil boom which does not take up much space during storage and transportation, which can be easily and quickly transported to the operating sites, which can be quickly assembled to the operational position even from the shore, which is stable and fully functional even if the waves were high, which needs as little external support as possible, and which can be gathered away after use.

SUMMZVRY OF THE INVENTION

As for the features characteristic of the oil boom in accordance with the invention, reference is made to them in claim 1.

The oil boom in accordance with the invention comprises two adjacent elongated floats and an elongated and vertical separating wall between them. In accordance with the invention, the floats are air-tight tubes provided with a spiral spring, compressing in an accordion-folding manner and expanding in the longitudinal direction, and the separating wall is formed by a flexible cape which can be folded and extended in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the oil boom comprises a set of body frames with support members for the floats and a support structure for the sepa- rating wall arranged to hold the separating wall in the vertical position and horizontally in the middle between and at a distance from both floats. In this manner, the spiral spring in the float operates as the body of the float, holding the float in shape, which is normally circular, on the cross-plane and keeping it elongated in the longitudinal direction when forces reducing its length are not applied.

Preferably, the support member of the float is formed by a ring surrounding the float, for example a relatively narrow flat bar iron ring, on which ring the float is supported.

In one embodiment of the invention, the construction forming the entire long oil boom comprises blocks, each having a float operated with its own spiral spring, the blocks being then connected together to form the oil boom. Preferably, each block comprises a body frame for example in the forward end of the block. In this case, the spiral spring and the separating wall are secured to the body frame in the front part of the block so that they are both able to expand to the opposite direction of the body frame in the longitudinal direction of the oil boom. The blocks are then connected together at the body frame, thus forming a continuous, long and air-tight float construction.

It is possible to use in the oil boom in accordance with the invention commercially available tubes which are sold as air-conditioning ducts and are known per se, wherein a spiral-shaped metal wire operates as the body of the tube and is surrounded by a flexible plas- tic cape, a PVC cape. When compressed, the length of one such unit is about 0.6 metres; however, when released it opens to a length of about 6 metres.

Since the oil boom in accordance with the invention opens merely by the force of the spiral spring, it is preferred that the float, i.e. preferably the forward end . of the entire row of floats used, comprises an opening and closing gap with a relatively large cross- section. In this way, air is able to flow freely into the float from the gap as the float opens due to the effect of the spiral springs.

Once the spirals have opened to their full length, the gap must naturally be closed in an air-tight manner, after which the float can be inflated completely with a pneumatic source connected to the float, so that the oil boom reaches the final rigidity required by the use.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the floats are connected to a vacuum source which can be used for deflating the floats. In this manner, the floats are compressed in the longitudinal direction to their storage length without having to pull them manually or mechanically with any pulling device.

The essential features of the structure and operation of the body frame include lightness, rigidity in the cross-direction of the oil boom and shortness in the longitudinal direction of the oil boom. In this manner, the oil boom can be compressed to a very short storage length and has good buoyant properties. Furthermore, the crosswise rigidity together with the two adjacent floats provide the entire boom stability and rigidity, facilitating the handling of the boom and holding it in position also in difficult conditions. Preferably, the body frame comprises between the support member of the float and the support structure of the separating wall an arm which determines the distance between the float and the separating wall. The length of the arm has been so adapted that the floats are positioned at a sufficient distance from the separating wall and therefore from each other, so that the oil boom remains stable also in high waves.

Preferably, the body frame comprises two identical halves with the support member of the float and the arm extending from it, the other end of the arm having a support which is vertical in the operating position. The body frame is assembled by screwing the two halves together so that the vertical supports are disposed opposite each other and by leaving the separating wall between the supports to be pressed by them. In this manner, the separating wall which is positioned in the middle between the body frames is kept in the vertical position. Naturally, it is possible to use in the separating wall additional structures known per se, such as weights at the lower edge or vertical reinforcements, for ensuring its operation and holding it in position. Also the material may vary, however within limits of being flexible enough to fold in a suitable manner between the floats when they are compressed to the storage position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oil boom comprises a storage cassette with two float tubes and between them a separating wall housing provided with openings required by the arms of the body frame.

In this manner, the used oil boom can be retracted into the cassette to a compressed position directly from the operating situation on the water surface, just by applying a suitable vacuum. In the cassettes, the oil booms take up for example about 1/10 of their operational length, so they are easily transported, stored and handled in varying operating conditions.

The oil boom in accordance with the invention provides considerable advantages compared to the prior art. Requiring only little space, it is easy to store, transport to the operating site and move into water. Furthermore, the boom opens by itself and automatically just by releasing the lock of the spirals in the floats, whereupon the boom directs itself to the desired destination on the water surface. Also, the boom is directionally extremely stable, i.e. it is not easily twisted by the wind, nor does it easily turn or become overbalanced even in high waves.

LIST OF FIGURES

In the following section, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 represents one oil boom in accordance with the invention as seen from the top,

Fig. 2 represents the oil boom of Fig. 1 as seen from the side, Fig. 3 represents the oil boom of Fig. 1 in the compressed position as seen from the side,

Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of the oil boom of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 shows a detail of the oil boom of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 represents one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 7 represents the embodiment of Fig. 6 in another operating position, Fig. 8 represents one application of the invention, Fig. 9 represents another application of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 presents the main features of one oil boom in accordance with the invention as seen from the top. The oil boom comprises, at a distance from each other, two adjacent floats 1 formed by spiral springs 3 which are surrounded by a plastic cape 14. Between the floats there is a vertical separating wall 2 parallel to the floats. The entire construction is supported by a set of body frames 4 disposed at a distance from each other for the entire length of the boom and holding the separating wall and the floats at a distance from each other.

Fig. 2 presents the boom of Fig. 1 as seen from the side and, as can be seen in the figure, the separating wall 2 extends in the vertical direction clearly above and below the floats 1. In this manner, as the float is floating on the water surface, the lower edge 15 of the separating wall is clearly below the water surface, and respectively the upper edge 16 of the separating wall is clearly above the water surface.

Fig. 3 presents the oil boom of Fig. 2 in the compressed position. It shows how the spiral springs 3 of the float 1 have been compressed, retracting the entire construction into a short assembly which occupies only a small portion of its operating length. At the same time, the body frames 4 have moved very close to each other to form a compact assembly with the compressed floats.

Fig. 4 and 5 show the boom of Fig. 1-3 in more detail. When using a spiral spring 3 of a circular cross- section and a plastic cape 14 surrounding it, the body frame 4 comprises two identical halves with round ring-shaped support members 5 on which the floats 1 are supported. Extending from the support members are arms 9 which comprise at the ends support structure 6 of the separating wall 2, i.e. straight supports 10. In this manner, the vertical supports 10 can be screwed together and opposite each other, leaving at the same time the separating wall between them to be pressed by them. The supports 10 thus form together, on both sides of the separating wall 2, a support structure 6 for the separating wall.

As seen specifically from Fig. 4, a sufficient length of the arms 9 keeping the floats 1 apart ensures the good stability of the boom. At the same time, a good flow channel is provided between the float 1 and the separating wall 2 for the oil received by the boom. In this manner, the oil which has flown in below the float cannot flow out below the boom, but instead flows to the desired direction directed by the separating wall.

Fig. 6 presents a storage cassette 11 used in conjunc- tion with the oil boom in accordance with the invention. It comprises a body structure on which are supported two float tubes 12 and between them a separating wall housing 13. The float tubes and the separating wall housing between them are provided with suit- able grooves or openings, so that the oil boom in accordance with the invention and its body frame can be compressed into compact position as the floats 1 and their support members 5 are pressed into the float tubes 12 while the separating wall 2 and its support structure 6 are folded into the separating wall housing 13. Also secured to the body structure of the storage cassette 11 is a pneumatic source 8 which preferably also operates as a vacuum source. It can thus be used for inflating the floats 1 to their final rigidity and, after the task has been finished, for deflating the floats to retract into the float tubes 12 of the storage cassette.

Fig. 7 shows how, during operation, the float tubes 12 and the separating wall housing 13 of the storage cas- sette 11 are empty, the floats 1 are pressurized and round and the separating wall 2 between them is straight and rigid for the entire length of the boom. Furthermore, Fig. 7 shows the guide cones 17 secured to the floats 1 in front of the first body frame 4 of the oil boom for assisting in floating the oil boom to the desired direction in water. Also a possibly remote-controlled guide sheet 18 drawn in the figure can be used. In this manner, the oil boom can be released just from the shore as a sufficiently long unit to ex- pand and float along the desired path for example to a specific position on the opposite shore.

Fig. 8 presents the use of the oil boom in accordance with the invention in conjunction with oil collection ships 19. Since the oil boom is extremely rigid it does not require the traditional rigid and long booms of the ships. It is sufficient that the storage cassette 11 is supported on the broadside of the ship near the oil collection gaps 20 and the oil boom is guided into water at an oblique angle by supporting it only at the end on the front part of the ship with a wire 21. In this manner, the ship can be driven forward while the oil is collected into the gaps 20.

Another embodiment of the invention in Fig. 9 also utilizes the rigidity and stability of the oil boom in accordance with the invention. If the wind 22 brings oil towards the shore 23, the oil booms in accordance with the invention can be anchored at the ends 24 to form a V-shape, and the suitable oil collecting ves- sels, such as for example skimmers 25, can be deployed near the shore whereto the booms direct the oil brought by the wind.

The invention is not limited merely to the examples referred to above; instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims .

Claims

1. An oil boom comprising two adjacent elongated floats (1) and between them an elongated and vertical separating wall (2) , cha ract e ri z ed in that the floats (1) are accordion-folded air-tight tubes provided with a spiral spring (3) , the separating wall (2) is formed by a flexible cape which can be folded into compressed position and extended in the longitudinal direction, and the oil boom comprises a set of body frames (4) with support members (5) for the floats and a support structure (6) for the separating wall arranged to hold the separating wall in the vertical position in the middle between the floats and at a distance from both floats.

2. The oil boom in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the support member (5) of the float (1) on which the float is supported is formed by a ring surrounding the float.

3. The oil boom in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the float (1) is formed by blocks (7) operated with their proper spiral springs (3) and connected together to form the oil boom.

4. The oil boom in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the blocks (7) have been connected together at the body frames (4) .

5. The oil boom in accordance with claim 3, char- caterized in that the blocks (7) form together a substantially continuous air-tight space.

6. The oil boom in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, charcaterized in that the float (1) com- prises an opening and closing gap of a relatively large flow cross-section, through which gap air is able to flow freely into the float when it is opened by the spiral springs.

7. The oil boom in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, charcaterized in that the floats (1) have been connected to a pneumatic source (8) to ensure their complete inflation and final rigidity of the oil boom.

8. The oil boom in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the floats (1) have been connected to a vacuum source for deflating the floats and for bringing them into the compressed, folded position in the longitudinal direction of the oil boom.

9. The oil boom in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the body frame (4) comprises an arm (9) between the support member (5) of the float (1) and the support structure (6) of the separating wall (2) , the arm defining the distance between the float and the separating wall.

10. The oil boom in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the body frame (4) comprises two identical halves having the support member (5) of the float and the arm (9) extending from it, the other end of the arm having a support (10) which is vertical in the operating position, wherein the halves can be secured together by screwing the supports to each other so that the separating wall (2) becomes pressed between them.

11. The oil boom in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the oil boom comprises a storage cassette (11) with two float tubes (12) and between them a separating wall ^housing (13) provided with openings required by the arms of the body frame, the oil boom being compressible into the cassette to a compact position, e.g. to about 1/10 of its operational length, for storage and transportation.