Floating barriers for retaining substances in confined area, and barrier systems usable for treating oil spill in the water and for other applications

Abstract

A floatable barrier for retaining substances in the water within an area defined by the barrier, comprises an elongate body formed of vinyl or resilient polymeric material, the elongate body bendable in a loop shape to retain the substances within in the loop, the elongate body including two or more elongate sections connected side by side, one section being a lower section having elongate cavity area for filling water therein, and another section being an upper section extending upwards to a height from the lower section, the upper section having elongate cavity area for filling air therein. The floatable barrier can further comprise an intermediate section having elongate cavity area for use as a channel for transporting and discharging the oil or liquid substance through the channel. The barrier can be used for various purposes such as for cleaning oil spill, for retaining pollutant materials therein, and for cultivating marine products therein.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to barriers floatable in the water for retaining substances in a confined area and barrier systems thereof usable to various applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a water floating barrier for confining and treating oil or chemical substances spilt in the open water, and to a floating barrier for use as a confiner for confining pollutant floating substances, such as garbage and other floating substances, within the barrier to prevent water pollution by the substances, and also to a floating barrier for use in ocean farms for confining marine products or aquatic products within the barrier and culturing them in the barrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of floating devices or fixtures are proposed for installing in the sea or water body in order to retain or culture substances in the enclosed area of by the floating devices.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,982 issued to Blockwick discloses a system for containing an oil spill, which comprises a plurality of barrier modules each composed of a composite structure having a buoyant upper section and a water absorbing lower section which represents concurrently the sole ballast for said upper section and the subsurface barrier for the module. For another example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,943,720 issued to Milgram discloses an oil barrier for use in the open sea to contain oil on the surface, comprising a flexible barrier provided with a plurality of flotation means only on the outside of the barrier, thereby avoiding churning of the oil and water on the inside of the barrier into an oil-water mixture that could pass under the barrier in rough sea conditions.

However, such containment or barrier devices and fixtures known in the art have a generally complicated structure for connecting multiple pieces of the device together in order to make them floating stably or to install the barriers in a wide open body of water for retaining oil spill or other substances therein. Accordingly, the barrier devices are typically voluminous consisting of numerous components, and thus are difficult to manipulate, and to store and carry in the vehicle or vessels transporting them to the operation sites. Moreover, the processes for connecting multiple components and pieces together into a lengthy barrier system and for disassembling them for storage are generally complicated and involve skillful, intensive and time consuming labors. In addition, because the barriers are typically designed only as a confiner, separate means, equipments, and processes are required for subsequently removing or treating the confined substances contained in the barrier, such as oil spill. Various removal or treatment methods are known, for example, such as applications of chemical or cleaning substances to the oil contained area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a containment, confinement or barrier system with relatively simple structure and fewer components, which is easy to operate, manipulate, and carry, and also can function effectively as a reliable confiner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a containment or barrier system, in which the barrier system is formed of at least one flexible elongate barrier unit, which is floatable in the water while partially submerged in the water, for confining substances within the enclosure of the barrier. The barrier system of the invention can be applicable for confining various different substances therein and in the water, for example, such as floating pollutants, oil spill, and live marine stocks or aquatic products for cultivating them within the enclosure of the system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an oil containment or barrier system formed of one or a plurality of flexible elongate barrier units connected together, which is inflatable and floatable in the water, while partially submerged in the water, for confining oil spill within the enclosure of the barrier.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a self-floating oil containment system and barrier, which can maintain its barrier height above the water level steadily for functioning as an effective confiner even under the environmental influences of strong winds, waves and currents in the open body of water or the sea.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an oil containment system and barrier formed of one or a plurality of flexible elongate barrier units connected together, which is inflatable with at least one or both of water and air filled in the barrier body and floatable in the water, while partially submerged in the water, for confining oil spill within the enclosure of the barrier.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an oil containment system and barrier formed of one barrier unit or a plurality of flexible elongate barrier units connected together for confining oil spill within the enclosure of the barrier, which is inflatable with at least one or both of water and air filled in the barrier body and floatable in the water, and which further includes an oil flow channel in the barrier for discharging the oil through the oil channel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an oil containment system and barrier which exhibits pitch, heave, roll and manipulating characteristics closely approximating the sea conditions affecting the oil spill, thereby responding to, and acting in conformity with, the movements of the sea at the sea surface.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an oil containment system and barrier which are formed of resilient film or sheet materials, such as vinyl or polymeric films, and can be readily rolled in a unit of limited volume, and which are inflatable into an enlarged shape for deploying in the water.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the inflatable barrier unit is formed rubber or vinyl sheet or of resilient polymeric sheet materials, and include two elongate enclosure sections, an upper section to be inflatable with pressurized air introduced in the upper enclosure section, and a lower section to be inflatable with the water of the application site introduced in the lower enclosure section. The inflatable barrier unit of the invention preferably includes a connection area at each terminal portion of the elongate barrier configured for connecting another barrier unit together to provide an extended barrier system with multiple barrier units connected.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the inflatable barrier unit is formed of rubber or vinyl sheet or of resilient polymeric sheet materials, and include three elongate enclosure sections, an upper section to be inflatable with pressurized air introduced in the upper enclosure section, an intermediate section to be inflatable to define a channel for discharging the oil substance or pollutant agent enclosed by the barrier through the channel thereof, and a lower section to be inflatable with the water of the application site introduced in the lower enclosure section. The inflatable barrier unit of the invention preferably includes a connection area at each terminal end of the elongate barrier configured for connecting another barrier unit together to provide an extended barrier system with multiple barrier units connected for covering a wide water area.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of applying an oil containment barrier system, which is formed of at least one inflatable barrier unit, in a water body for enclosing oil spill within the barrier and thus preventing the oil flowing out to the open water.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of applying an oil containment barrier system, which is formed of at least one inflatable barrier unit, in a water body for enclosing oil spill within the barrier and thus preventing the oil flowing out to the open water, in which the method further comprises clearing or recovering the oil contained in the enclosure through the discharge channel contained in the barrier system.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a containment or barrier system formed of at least one flexible elongate barrier unit, which is inflatable and floatable in the water, while partially submerged in the water, for confining buoyant substance (such as garbage, water pollutant materials, or other floating substance) within the enclosure of the barrier.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a containment or barrier system formed of at least one flexible elongate barrier unit, which is inflatable and floatable in the water, while partially submerged in the water, for cultivating marine or ocean products within the enclosure of the barrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by exemplary embodiments thereof described in detail with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective but schematic view shown from outside and illustrating a general structure or construction of the flexible floating barrier unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective but schematic view shown from outside and illustrating a general structure or construction of the flexible floating barrier unit in accordance with alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the floating barrier system of the invention formed of a plurality of flexible floating barrier units connected together, which is installed around an oil spill area in the sea;

FIG. 3 is a perspective but schematic view shown from inside and illustrating a general structure or construction of the flexible floating barrier unit in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and further showing oil suction openings disposed along the intermediate oil tube section for suction therethrough and discharging to an external oil reservoir of an oil tanker for recovering the oil spill via the barrier unit;

FIG. 4 is a perspective but schematic view shown from outside and illustrating the flexible floating barrier unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic left-side view of the flexible floating barrier unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic right-side view of the flexible floating barrier unit of FIG. 3, further illustrating a connector opening or fitting for connecting the barrier unit to the external oil reservoir of the oil tanker for discharging and recovering the oil contained within the floating barrier system of the invention through the opening;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the floating barrier system of the invention formed of a single or a plurality of flexible floating barrier units of FIG. 3, which are connected together and installed around an oil spill area in the sea, and further illustrating an optional working area or buoyant deck coupled with the barrier system for providing a working site for installing and disassembling the barrier system in the oil spill site, the buoyant working deck preferably coupled with the oil reservoir of an oil tank for recovering the oil via the barrier system;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view shown from inside (when installed), illustrating the flexible floating barrier unit having connecting members attached to each terminal end of the barrier unit for connecting a plurality of the barrier unit together, constructed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view shown from outside, illustrating the flexible floating barrier unit of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating the flexible floating barrier unit of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the roller unit for winding/unwinding the barrier system in a roll of deflated state for carrying, handling and storage, constructed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a front side view of the roller unit of FIG. 11, further illustrating a connection net with one end connected to a central roller of the roller unit and the other end for connecting to the connecting members of the barrier unit of FIGS. 8-10 with securing elements such as fastening bolts, etc.;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the floating barrier system of the invention used for confining floating substances, such as garbage, in the open water or sea, constructed in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the floating barrier system of the invention used for confining floating substances, such as garbage, in the water adjacent to a sewer pipe or water discharging outlet, constructed in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the floating barrier system of the invention used for confining and cultivating marine products within the barrier system, constructed in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, floating barrier unit 10 of the invention is depicted schematically and out of actual scale, and shown from outside for illustrating the basic structure and general principles of the invention. The floating barrier unit 10 has a generally rectangular shape (when in an operating state) and is formed of flexible materials such as vinyl, rubber, or other resilient polymer materials into two elongate sections consisting of a lower section 12 and an upper section 14. The barrier unit 10 as a whole has flexibility or bendable to conform to a generally circular configuration when installed in the water in a loop shape for confining substances within the barrier enclosure.

The lower and upper sections 12 and 14 respectively define inner cavities therein for receiving fluid substances therein, and are preferably inflatable by filling the water and air the inner cavity respectively. More specifically, the lower section 12 defines inner cavity for receiving water therein through inlet openings, such as two or more inlet openings or fittings 16, preferably by a water pump (not shown). Preferably, the water surrounding the barrier unit 10 in the operating site is to be filled in the cavity by the water pump. The upper section 14 similarly defines inner cavity for filling air therein through inlet openings, such as two or more inlet openings or fittings 18, preferably by an air compressor (not shown) for compressing the surrounding air therethrough. Upon filling the water and air, the barrier unit 10 can maintain its desired shape (such as rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown) and provide balance in the water, while the lower section 12 generally submerged in the water and the upper section 14 generally exposed outside from the surface of the water. Because the upper section 14 is formed basically of the cavity filled with air, it has a minimal weight. Thus, the level of surrounding water can reach about the boundary line between the two sections 12 and 14. As a result, the exposing height above the water level can effectively and automatically be maintained in the water even when the barrier is subjected to winds, surf, or waive.

Referring still to FIG. 1, a water outlet opening or fitting 20 is provided in the barrier unit preferably in the central face area of the lower section 12 for connecting to an external gage or measuring device 22 which can provide a signal or a detectable showing when the cavity of the lower section 12 is filled with suitable amount of water. In one preferable embodiment, the measuring means 22 can be a tube connected to the outlet opening 20 and extending vertically upwards to a suitable distance over the barrier unit 10, and the detection of the water fill can be made by observing the water spurting out to the sky from the tube connected at central opening 20. Alternatively, other known measuring or detection means can also be used for detecting the water filling.

An air outlet opening or fitting 26 is provided in the barrier unit preferably in the central upper surface of the upper section 14 for connecting to an external gage or measuring device 28 which can detect and generate a signal or showing when the cavity of the upper section 14 is filled with suitable amount of compressed air. In one preferable embodiment, the measuring means 28 can be an air balloon attached to the outlet opening 26 and having a suitable size whose expansion by filling air is noticeable or observed from a remote distance, and the detection of the air fill can be made by observing, by eye or with optical instruments, the expansion size of the balloon from an observing working area or buoyant deck, or from a oil tanker, which is to be further described later in connection with FIG. 7. Alternatively, other suitable measuring or detection means can also be used for detecting the air filling.

The lower and upper sections 12 and 14 may further include air vents (not shown) of suitable size for facilitating filling of the water and air into respective sections. The air vents can be sealed once the lower and upper sections are filled with suitable amount of water and air, respectively.

Connection members or extensions 32 and 34 with a thickness suitable for providing sufficient mechanical strength and preferably formed uniformly of the same material as the barrier unit 10, are connected at each terminal end of the barrier unit 10 respectively. One or plural holes or connection elements 36 are provided in the connection members 32 and 34 for connecting by known connection methods multiple barrier units 10 together with corresponding connection members 32 and 34 overlapped. Utilizing such connection arrangement, the overall length of the barrier system can be extended to a size for sufficiently covering a desired confinement area in the water.

According to the invention, the length “l” of the barrier unit 10 can be from about tens of meters to about hundreds of meters or greater, and the height “h” of the unit 10 can be from a few feet (e.g., two feet) to about ten feet, depending upon the covering size of oil spill in the water.

FIG. 1A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the barrier unit of the invention. In this embodiment, instead of having respective inner cavities both in the lower and upper sections 12 and 14 as shown FIG. 1, the upper section 14 of barrier unit 10a may omit its elongate inner cavity for filling air therein and formed in a thin raised wall extending upwards from the lower section 12 to the same height or otherwise to a suitable height for preventing the water from flowing over the upper section and having suitable strength and flexibility to stand but horizontally bendable to a loop shape. In this embodiment, the lower section 12 is to be filled with the water as described above, and in order to provide a suitably buoyancy force to the barrier in the water, the walls of the lower and upper sections 12 and 14 are formed of polymer materials preferably with its specific gravity lighter than water, for example, such as light-weight polymers, and foamed polymers or polymers with small air bubble contained therein. Other structure and construction of the barrier unit 10a not described herein are similar to that of the barrier unit 10 described above, and thus, are to be specifically referred to the descriptions of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, a floating barrier system constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown, which is made of one or a plurality of flexible floating barrier units 10 of FIG. 1 connected together with fastening members (such as bolts and nuts) coupled to connection elements 36. The barrier system 40 is filled with the sea water in the site and surrounding air as described above, and placed around an oil spill area in the sea, either including or excluding oil tanker T in the enclosure.

Example of Application:

Floating barrier units (such as barrier 10) of the invention are made of vinyl or resilient polymer sheet with a thickness of about 1.5 to about 2 mm, and have a length of hundreds of meters (for example about 500 to 1000 meter). When accidental oil spill occurs, it is easy to be spread or flow toward seashore. Thus, barrier units 10 are urgently sent to the site by helicopter, boat or ship. Otherwise, the barriers can regularly be carried by oil tankers to provide fast remedies in case of accidental oil spill from the tanker. Depending on the size of the oil spill, one barrier unit can be used or plural barrier units 10 are connected together to form a suitable length of barrier 40 in a manner as explained above. The barrier 400 is provided in the site in a rolled form (as will be described later in connection with FIGS. 11 and 12), and the barrier is unwound from the roll and placed in the water. Then, the water in the sea and surrounding air is pumped into the water section 12 and the air section 14 respectively in the way as described above. The barrier system 40 is floating in the water with the lower portion of the barrier submerged in the water and thereby forms a secured barrier of sufficient height preventing the oil from passing over the barrier and flowing to the shore. After setting the oil barrier, a service contractor or appropriate authority is notified to take appropriate measures to remedy against the water pollution or to remove the oil from the sea.

In this application, a balloon is attached to the air outlet 26, and also a suitable size of tube of 10-foot long is attached vertically upwards to the water outlet opening 20 in order to facilitate detection and filling a suitable amount of air and sea water in the cavity of the air section 14 and water section 12, respectively. The air filling is to be stopped when the attached balloon is inflated to about 12 inches, for example, and the water filling is to be stopped when the water shoots up to a predetermined distance.

However, instead of connecting two barrier units 10 together, a single barrier unit 10 of suitable length can be used when the area of oil spill can be covered by the single barrier unit.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, another embodiment of the floating barrier unit is illustrated herein. Floating barrier unit 100 of the invention is depicted schematically and out of actual scale, for illustrating the basic structure and general principles of the invention. The floating barrier unit 100 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and is formed of flexible materials such as vinyl, rubber, or other resilient polymer materials. The barrier unit 100 as a whole has flexibility and bendable to conform to a generally circular configuration when wound to install in the water and for confining substances within the wound enclosure.

Floating barrier unit 100 has generally the same or similar structure as the floating barrier unit 10 described above, except that the barrier unit 100 has three elongate sections (instead of two sections 12 and 14 of the floating barrier unit 10) in which the sections comprises a lower section 120, an intermediate section 130, and an upper section 140. The lower section 120 and the upper section 140 of barrier unit 100 have a similar structure and function with that of the lower section 12 and upper section 14 of the barrier unit 10 of FIG. 1, respectively. As such, the lower section 120 includes an elongate inner cavity for filling with water, and the upper section includes an elongate inner cavity for filling with air, as described above in connection with the barrier unit 10. Since the structures and construction of the lower and upper sections 120 and 140 are basically the same or similar to that of the barrier unit 10, detailed description thereof is omitted for simplicity and clarity purposes and are to be referred to the description of the barrier unit 10 above, unless otherwise specified herein.

The intermediate section 130 is formed between the lower and upper sections 120 and 140, and includes an elongate inner cavity working as a channel 132 for gathering and discharging oil or chemical agent spilt in the water to a predetermined area of collection. The intermediate section 130 further includes a plurality of suction openings 134 of suitable size arranged along the oil channel 132 at preset intervals for suctioning or inhaling the oil or chemical agent through the openings 134. For suctioning and delivering the oil, an external oil pump 150 is connected to an oil outlet opening or oil fitting 136 disposed at one terminal end of the intermediate section 130 (shown in FIG. 6) or at other suitable location of the oil channel. The oil pump 150 is located either at the working area or deck 200 or at an oil tanker 300 (shown in FIG. 7) as will be further described later.

As discussed above in connection with the barrier unit 10, having water and air filled in the cavity of the two sections 120 and 140, respectively, the level of surrounding water can generally reach about the boundary line between the two sections 120 and 140 of the barrier unit 100. Accordingly, the suction openings 134 lies generally at the same level as that of the oil or agent floating over the water, and the oil can be effectively sucked via the openings 134 and discharged to the oil reservoir on the deck 200 or directly to the oil tank of the oil tanker 300 by the oil pump 150 through oil pipe 220.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, one exemplary embodiment of the barrier unit of the invention is shown with further details and dimensions. Barrier unit 160 has basically similar structures with that depicted in FIGS. 3-6. However, in this embodiment, connection members 32a and 34b at the lateral terminal ends of the main body of the barrier includes a reinforced area such as metal plates 133 and 135 affixed to the connection members. A plurality of bolt holes 137 (for example, 15 holes as shown) are formed at the metal plates 133 and 135, for securely connecting two barrier units 160 together with fastening means such as bolts, nuts, and washers engaged thereto while overlapping adjacent connecting members 32a and 34a of two barriers.

Preferred Material & Dimensions:

• • Material: formed of vinyl or other resilient polymer film having wall thickness of 1 mm-4 mm (preferably about 2 mm)
  • L (body length: meter): 100, 300, 500, 700, 900, 1100, 1500
  • L1 (pitch between holes 134: foot): 7′-13′
  • L2 (protrusion length: inch): 5″-7″
  • W (connection member width: foot): 3′-6′
  • W1 (foot): 1.5′-2.5′
  • W2 (metal plate width: inch): 3″-5″
  • H (barrier height: foot): 4′-7′
  • H1 (upper section 140: foot): 1′-3′
  • H2 (middle section 130: foot): 0.3′-0.8′
  • H3 (lower section 120: foot): 2′-6′
  • T (barrier thickness: foot): 1′-3′

Referring now to FIG. 7, a floating barrier system 400 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is schematically shown. The barrier system 400 is made of one or a plurality of flexible floating barrier units 100 of FIGS. 3-6 connected together with fastening members in a manner described above. The barrier system 400 is filled with the sea water and surrounding air as described above, and is placed around an oil spill area in the sea where the oil is accidentally spilt from an oil tanker T.

The barrier system 400 optionally further includes working area or buoyant deck 200 to provide a working area in the remedy site, preferably at the juncture where the terminal ends of the loop shaped barrier 400 meet together. The deck 200 floats on the water and provides a working site for service access and also for installing thereon associated devices and accessories, for example, such as the oil pump 150 for pumping the oil to the tanker 300 via oil recovering tube or pipe 220 which is in fluid communication with the oil channel 132 of the barrier 400.

Referring to FIG. 7, a roller unit 600 is provided preferably on the working deck 200 for rolling and winding one end of the barrier 400 while the other end is attached to an adjacent fixing member on the working deck 200. In this way or other known ways, the barrier 400 forms a snare or lasso type configuration which can tie and gradually reduce the size of the loop by winding one end of the barrier 400 on a roller of the roller unit 600. However, the connection juncture of the two terminal ends of the barrier is securely coupled to provide sealing for limiting oil leakage through the juncture.

As the size of the loop reduces by winding one end of the barrier, the trapped oil within the barrier gathers more and more densely and thick on top of the water, and as a result, the oil can be introduced more easily into the openings 134 of the barrier by operation of the oil suction pump. Thus, when the size of the loop becomes minimal by winding the barrier, the oil removing process comes to an end, and the spilt oil can be almost completely recovered and collected in the oil tanker 300.

The roller unit 600 preferably includes squeezing or compressing members for squeezing and discharging the water and air filled in the barrier 400 preferably through the holes 16, 18, 20, and 26 or others. The roller unit 400 preferably further includes a roller or winding member for winding the squeezed barrier onto the roller. As such, the rolled barrier can be compacted to a limited volume and orderly handled in the site, as well as facilitating easy transportation and storage of the lengthy barrier.

One example of such roller unit is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Roller unit 650 includes a base plate 652 preferably of circular shape, a central roller 654 rotatably coupled to an rotating actuator such as motor (not shown), and an extension plate 656 extending horizontally from the base plate 652. The extension plate 656 is associated with a guiding and squeezing mechanism for guiding the barrier unit to the roller 654 while also squeezing it for discharging the filled water and air before winding at the roller 654. In this embodiment shown, plural pairs of guide posts 658 are disposed along the extension plate 656, the pairs spaced apart with each other at regular intervals “I”. Each pair of the guide posts 658 consist of left post 658a and right post 658b that are preferably of round shape and rotatable for facilitating feeding the barrier unit toward the central roller 653. The distance between the left post 658a and right post 658b of the rightmost pair is set to one a little greater than the thickness T of the barrier (filled with water and air) in order for enabling introduction of a terminal end of the barrier between the posts. This distance between the left and right posts 658a and 658b decreases gradually when it approaches in the direction to the central roller 653. This arrangement of the roller posts 658 enables progressive squeezing of the water and air filled in the barrier, and thus, the barrier loses its water and air almost completely when it exists from the leftmost pair of the posts 658, in which the distance of the leftmost pair is designed to be about the same as the thickness of the barrier in a squeezed state without having water and air in the inner cavities. Accordingly, the barrier can be compacted and orderly wound at the central roller 654 almost without having water and air therein.

Referring still to FIGS. 11 and 12, the extension plate 656 optionally includes a plurality of roller feeders 660 disposed on the plate 656. These rollers 660 further facilitate feeding of the barrier for squeezing and winding. The roller unit 650 further includes a net 670 having one end 670a fixed to the central roller 654 and the other end 670b configured to connect to a terminal end of the barrier, such as barrier 160 shown in FIGS. 8-10. In order to facilitate connection of the net 670 to the connection member 32a or 34a of the barrier 160, the end 670b of the net is formed with plural loops 670c (only one loop 670c shown enlarged within a reference circle in FIG. 12). In this exemplary embodiment, fifteen loops 670c are formed, and each loop is configured to receive a fastening bolt which is in turn engaged with corresponding one of the fifteen bolt holes 137 of the barrier 160. Thus, a detachable but secured connection between the net 670 and the barrier 160 can be made easily.

Examples of Other Applications:

The barriers of the invention as described above can be used in a wide variety of applications, and some of them are described herein.

FIG. 13 illustrate one application, in which floating barrier system 700 is used for confining floating substances, such as garbage 710, floating in the open water or sea. The floating barrier 700 is made to have a structure basically as same as the barrier 10 of FIG. 1 that has two sections formed of vinyl or polymer sheet, one for filling water and the other for air. In order to prevent the barrier 700 from flowing away in the water, it can be fixed to the ground with a string 720.

FIG. 14 illustrates another application, in which floating barrier system 800 is used for confining floating substances, such as garbage 810, in the water adjacent to a sewer pipe 820 or water discharging site. The floating barrier 800 is also made to have a structure basically as same as the barrier 10 of FIG. 1 that has two sections as discussed above. However, the barrier 800 can be modified to have water outlet holes 805 along the body for enabling water to flow through the barrier 800. However, the holes 805 are sized and configured to prevent the garbage 810 from escaping the barrier. In addition, in order to prevent the barrier 800 from flowing away by the sewer water, it can be fixed to the ground with strings 830. Furthermore, in order to hold its desired shape (such as angled shape as shown), support members 840 can be formed or affixed to the body of the barrier.

Referring FIG. 15, the floating barrier system of the invention is used for confining and cultivating marine products 910 within the barrier system. Barrier system 900 has basically similar structure with that of the barrier system 800, with its overall configuration modified to meet the functions of an ocean farm, for example, having extensions 905. The barrier 900 preferably includes water circulation holes 920 along the body for enabling water to flow through the barrier 800 for water circulation. However, the holes 920 are sized, located and configured not to adversely affect cultivation of the marine products. In addition, in order to prevent the barrier 900 from flowing away by the water, it can be fixed to the ground with strings 930. Furthermore, in order to hold its desired shape (such as rectangular shape as shown), support members 940 can be formed or affixed to the body of the barrier.

While the present invention has been illustrated with several drawings and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A floatable barrier for retaining substances in the water within an area defined by the barrier, comprising: an elongate body formed of vinyl or resilient polymeric material, the elongate body bendable in a loop shape to retain the substances within in the loop, the elongate body including two or more elongate sections connected side by side, one section being a lower section having elongate cavity area for filling water therein, and another section being an upper section extending upwards to a height from the lower section.

2. The floatable barrier of claim 1, wherein the upper section having elongate cavity area for filling air therein.

3. The floatable barrier of claim 2, wherein the elongate body is inflatable by filling the water and air in the respective sections.

4. The floatable barrier of claim 3, wherein the elongate body has a generally rectangular cross sectional shape.

5. The floatable barrier of claim 3, wherein the lower and upper sections of the elongate body each include at least one opening for respectively filling the water and air through the opening.

6. The floatable barrier of claim 5, wherein the lower and upper sections of the elongate body each have a measuring or detection element attached thereto for detecting if the lower and upper sections are adequately filled with the water and air, respectively.

7. The floatable barrier of claim 6, wherein the measuring or detection element for the lower section is a tube connected thereto and extending vertically upwards, and the measuring or detection element for the upper section is a balloon connected thereto.

8. The floatable barrier of claim 2, further comprising a connection member disposed at each terminal end of the elongate body, the connection member for connecting another floatable barrier thereto to form an extended barrier.

9. The floatable barrier of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate section disposed between the lower and upper sections, the intermediate section having elongate cavity area for using as a channel for transporting and discharging oil or liquid substance through the channel.

10. The floatable barrier of claim 9, wherein the intermediate section including a plurality of suction holes disposed along the channel for introducing the oil or liquid substance therethrough, and a discharge opening disposed in the intermediate section for discharging the oil or liquid substance through the discharge opening from the floatable barrier.

11. The floatable barrier of claim 10, further comprising a connection member disposed at each terminal end of the elongate body, the connection member for connecting another floatable barrier thereto to form an extended barrier, the connection member including a reinforcing member attached thereto and a plurality of fastening holes are formed in the reinforcing member usable for connecting floatable barriers with fastening elements.

12. A floatable barrier for retaining oil or floatable liquid substance spilt in the water within an area defined by the barrier, comprising: an elongate body formed of vinyl or resilient polymeric material, the elongate body bendable in a loop shape to retain the oil or liquid substance within in the loop, the elongate body including two or more elongate sections connected side by side, one section being a lower section having elongate cavity area for filling water therein, and another section being an upper section extending upwards to a height from the lower section, the upper section having elongate cavity area for filling air therein.

13. A device for treating oil or floatable liquid substance spilt in the water, comprising: an elongate body formed of vinyl or resilient polymeric material, the elongate body bendable in a loop shape to retain the oil or liquid substance within in the loop, the elongate body including at least two elongate sections connected side by side; the at least two elongate sections including a lower section having elongate cavity area for filling water therein, an upper section having elongate cavity area for filling air therein, and an intermediate section disposed between the lower and upper sections and having elongate cavity area for use as a channel for transporting and discharging the oil or liquid substance through the channel; and the intermediate section including a plurality of suction holes disposed along the channel for introducing the oil or liquid substance therethrough, and a discharge opening disposed in the intermediate section for discharging the oil or liquid substance through the discharge opening from the floatable barrier.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising a connection member disposed at each terminal end of the elongate body, the connection member for connecting another device for treating oil or floatable liquid substance thereto to form an extended barrier system.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a roller unit for winding the elongate body of the device.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is formed in a loop of snare or lasso configuration, and the roller unit includes a roller connected to one end of the elongate body for winding with the roller.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the roller unit coupled with a buoyant deck disposed adjacent to the device.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a liquid pump for pumping the oil or liquid substance out of the intermediate section and to a reservoir for collecting the oil or liquid substance therein.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the roller unit includes a roller connected to one end of the elongate body for winding with the roller, and plural pairs of compressing rollers rotatably disposed, the pairs spaced apart with each other at regular intervals, the elongate body being feedable through each pair of the compressing rollers for progressively squeezing the elongate body by the compressing rollers in order to remove the oil or floatable liquid substance from the elongate body.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the roller connected to one end of the elongate body via a net disposed between the roller and the one end of the elongate body.

21. The floatable barrier of claim 1, wherein the barrier is secured to the ground via a connection string.

22. The floatable barrier of claim 1, further including a reinforcement member for maintaining a desired shape of the barrier.

23. The floatable barrier of claim 1, wherein the barrier is for retaining garbage or pollutant substances within the barrier.

24. The floatable barrier of claim 1, wherein the barrier is for cultivating aquatic products within the barrier.

25. The floatable barrier of claim 1, wherein the barrier further includes a plurality of openings along the elongate body for circulating the water through the circulation openings.

26. The floatable barrier of claim 1, wherein the lower and upper sections of the elongate body are formed of polymeric material with a specific gravity lighter than water or of polymeric material with small air bubble contained in the material.