Fluid cooled high temperature resistant floating barrier

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6695535
  • Patent Number
    6,695,535
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, June 19, 1997
    27 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 24, 2004
    20 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Will; Thomas B.
    • Mayo; Tara L.
    Agents
    • Delaune; Warner J.
Abstract
A float boom for confining material floatable on a liquid surface during high temperature conditions, comprising: an elongated floatable tube formed of fluid impervious material; a source of fluid under pressure for cooling the boom during high temperature conditions; piping connected to the source of cooling fluid for distributing the cooling fluid over the length of the boom; and, a protective cover, of a fluid-absorbing material, mounted over the tube, the cover having peripheral edges adapted to engage the boom to encase the tube therein, the piping distributing the cooling fluid over the tube and under the cover to soak the cover over its length.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to an apparatus which creates a floating boom for collecting floatable materials, such as liquid hydrocarbons, floating on the surface of a body of water. More particularly, the apparatus of the present invention is for such a floating boom that is water cooled and resistant to high temperatures or “fire proof” since in the course of containing an oil spill, the oil may be afire.




2. General Background




Some conventional “fire proof” or high temperature resistant oil booms comprise a boom encased in an insulating material and a “flame proof” cover that is high temperature resistant. Others have provided a cover blanket for conventional oil booms, the blanket being mounted onto a conventional boom thus converting it into a high temperature resistant oil containment boom.




U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,619,553 and 4,781,493 both issued to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company (3M Company) on the application of E. M. Fischer and disclose a high temperature oil containment boom which allows for the in-situ burning of spilled or leaked oil during offshore oil spill cleanup, the boom having a cover blanket comprised of three layers—an outer layer of a polymer coated high temperature resistant open weave refractory fabric, a middle layer of a ceramic staple fiber refractory batt and an inner layer of a synthetic fiber, the layers being sewn together with a ceramic thread.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,528 issued to Shell Oil Company on the application of W. F. Simpson and discloses a “fireproof” boom having a floatation member, a skirt depending therefrom and at least two layers of heat-resistant, water-sorbent material surrounding the floatation member. The heat-resistant, water-sorbent material draws water from around the heat sensitive floatation member, forming steam in the presence of flaming pollutant and allowing only the outer layer of the heat-resistant material to become slightly singed.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,376 issued to Shell western E&P, Inc., on the application of W. F. Simpson and discloses a “fireproof” boom for containing flammable pollutants on water and includes a floatation member, a heat-resistant, water-sorbent material surrounding the floatation member and a protective fence surrounding the water-sorbent material. The floatation member is a series of cylindrical metal cans held end-to-end and the heat-resistant, water-sorbent material draws water around the heat-sensitive floatation member, forming steam in the presence of flaming pollutant and allowing only the outer layer of heat resistant material to become slightly singed. The protective fence surrounding the water-sorbent material is heavy steel wire woven in continuous spirals so that when the spirals are integrated with each other a diamond-shaped mesh is formed.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,586 issued to Globe International, Inc., on the application of P. Lane and discloses a portable fire-resistant barrier for containment of oil spills comprising a continuous length of interwoven, high-temperature resistant yarns and metallic wires, coated with a high-temperature resistant synthetic polymeric resin. The woven fabric barrier is buoyed by fire-resistant buoys and stabilized with ballast.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133 issued to Oil Stop, Inc., on the application of the present applicant and others and discloses a multi-layered high temperature resistant cover installed on an inflatable boom.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,155 issued to P. H. Langermann and discloses a containment boom having along its length foam floats provided in pockets. Entry ports at the bottom of each pocket allow water to flow into the pockets to increase the mass of the boom to stabilize it during wave action.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,548,599 issued to W. A. Reilly and discloses a floating containment barrier that has an oil hose resting on a web between float booms, the oil hose can be coupled to a pump for pumping oil that has sloshed over the booms to drain the trough formed therebetween by the web.




U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,073,143, 4,065,923, 4,030,304, 5,522,674 and 3,998,060 all teach containment barriers that have an inner core of foam to provide flotation.




However, none of these prior devices allow for water cooling of the boom along the length of a high temperature resistant cover or blanket that has been installed thereon.




SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION




The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention solves the aforementioned problems in a straightforward and simple manner. What is provided is an oil containment boom which can be provided with means for distributing a cooling fluid, preferably water, along the length of the boom and the high temperature resistant blanket that has been mounted on the boom.




It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a boom that can be protected from the high temperature of oil burning with such a blanket and cooling fluid distribution system.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING




For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view, partially in section, of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, with a portion of the fluid-absorbing heat resistant barrier cut-away to illustrate a portion of the means for distributing cooling fluid over the length of the boom and heat resistant barrier;





FIG. 2

is a side elevational view of a section of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with a portion of the fluid absorbing heat-resistant barrier cut-away to illustrate the means for distributing cooling fluid over the length of the boom and heat resistant barrier;





FIG. 3

is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of

FIGS. 1 and 2

taken along LINES


3





3


of

FIGS. 1 and 2

;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view, partially in section and partially cut-away, of the sleeve for the distribution lines of the means for distributing cooling fluid;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view, partially in section, of a first alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, with a portion of the fluid-absorbing heat resistant barrier cut-away to illustrate a portion of the means for distributing cooling fluid over the length of the boom and heat resistant barrier;





FIG. 6

is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of

FIG. 5

taken along LINES


6





6


of

FIG. 5

;





FIG. 7

is a perspective view, partially in section, of a second alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a portion of the means for distributing cooling fluid over the length of the boom; and,





FIG. 8

is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of

FIG. 7

taken along LINES


8





8


of FIG.


7


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring now to the drawing, and in particular

FIGS. 1-4

, the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral


10


. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention


10


is a high temperature or heat-resistant oil containment boom (also known in the trade as a “fireproof boom”) that is cooled by means


80


for distributing cooling fluid, preferably water, over the length of the boom and its protective fluid-absorbing cover


60


. Boom


10


provides an elongated tube


12


formed of fluid impervious material, which may be divided into compartments (NOT SHOWN; see my prior applications U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133) and Ser. No. 08/851,124 filed May 5, 1997) along its length. Secured to the lower portion of tube


12


, and extending along the length of tube


12


, is skirt


14


which has connecting means (such as shown in my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133) to secure it to tube


12


. Skirt


14


is a sheet formed of a fluid impervious material which is secured along its upper portion


39


to the lower portion of tube


12


. Alternatively, tube


12


and skirt


14


can be integrally formed. The lower portion


40


of skirt


14


forms a compartment


42


which runs the length of tube


12


and has provided therein, as best seen in

FIG. 1

, weight or ballast means


18


for maintaining tension in skirt


14


when boom


10


is deployed and inflated as will be discussed further herein. Ballast


18


, in the preferred embodiment, takes the form of a heavy chain


18




a


; however, in an alternate embodiment, it can take the form of particulate matter having a specific gravity substantially greater than that of water. (See, my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133)).




Tube


12


is filled by known means such as pressurized gas or foam to provide buoyancy. (See, my prior applications U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133) and Ser. No. 08/851,124 filed May 5, 1997, respectively).




As best seen in

FIGS. 1 and 3

, boom


10


is provided with a protective cover or blanket


60


. Cover


60


can be fabricated by assembling various layers as described in my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133). In the present invention blanket or cover


60


must have top and bottom layers of fabric that will absorb fluid, particularly water (one such absorbent fabric is cotton). Protective cover


60


can be fastened to skirt


14


of boom


10


as described in my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133).




As best seen in

FIGS. 1 and 3

, protective fluid-absorbing cover


60


is mounted on and secured to boom


10


by mounting it on tube


12


such that it rests upon the upper portion of tube


12


and so that longitudinal edges


71




a,




71




b


substantially oppose each other on opposing sides of skirt


14


. (As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 16 of my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133), a fire burning on the surface of body of water “W” having a water level “WL” will be resisted by cover


60


, thereby protecting boom


10


.)




As best seen in

FIGS. 1-4

, boom


10


is provided with means


80


for distributing cooling fluid, preferably water, over the length of boom


10


and, therefore, protective fluid-absorbing cover


60


. A fluid supply line


81


connected to a source (NOT SHOWN) of cooling water (or other cooling fluid) under pressure extends the length of boom


10


at the mid-section of skirt


14


. At some selected intermediate point (or points)


83


in supply line


81


, a vertical riser (or risers)


82


directs the flow of the cooling fluid through an optional orifice


84


therein and into manifold


86


connected to the distal or upper end of riser


82


. From manifold


86


the cooling fluid is directed into longitudinal distribution lines or sprinkler hoses


88


which have spaced-apart outlet ports


89


in the upper portion thereof to evenly distribute the cooling water over the length of tube


12


of boom


10


and therefore, protective fluid-absorbing blanket


60


. Distribution lines


88


are encased in a sleeve or pocket


90


, best seen in

FIG. 4

, which can be connected to the underside of blanket


60


so that as cooling fluid is distributed at spaced-apart ports


89


it evenly soaks blanket


60


from within and coats the upper surface of tube


12


.




The first alternate embodiment


110


, best seen in

FIGS. 5 and 6

has skirt


114


and heavy chain


118




a


for ballast in compartment


142


just as preferred embodiment


10


does, but boom


110


, differs from the preferred embodiment


10


in its water distribution means


180


which comprises a fluid supply line


181


extending longitudinally through sealed tube


112


(and any sealed compartments thereof, whether filled with air or foam). Supply line


181


has a plurality of spaced apart radially outwardly projecting distribution lines or sprinklers


182


which exit sealed tube


112


on its upper surface (below blanket


160


) at outlet ports


184


. When this embodiment


110


of the boom of the present invention is deployed into the water and the filling of tube


112


has been accomplished by applying pressurized air or inserting foam for buoyancy, water under pressure is supplied to the longitudinal supply line


181


and therefore, to each of the radial distribution lines


182


, thus effecting distribution of the cooling water along the length of boom


110


and, therefore, blanket


160


so long as the fluid pressure is maintained in supply tube


181


. With blanket


160


mounted over tube


112


, there is created water distribution between not only ports


184


and tube


112


, but blanket


160


and tube


112


as blanket


160


becomes soaked by absorbing the cooling water.




A second alternate embodiment


210


, best seen in

FIGS. 7 and 8

has skirt


214


and heavy chain


218




a


for ballast in compartment


242


and, is the same as the embodiment


110


of

FIGS. 5 and 6

, but without the protective fluid-absorbing cover or blanket


160


. Here cooling water will be evenly distributed directly over tube


212


along its length by means


280


as the cooling water is supplied via line


281


, through radial distribution lines


282


and exits at ports


284


to be sprayed over the upper surface of tube


212


.




Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.



Claims
  • 1. A float boom for confining material floatable on a liquid surface during high temperature conditions, comprising:(a) an elongated floatable tube formed of fluid impervious material; (b) a source of fluid under pressure for cooling said boom during high temperature conditions; and, (c) means connected to said source for distributing said cooling fluid over the length of said tube.
  • 2. The boom of claim 1, further comprising:(d) a protective cover mounted over said tube, said cover having peripheral edges adapted to engage said boom to substantially encase said tube therein.
  • 3. The boom of claim 2, wherein said cover is of a material capable of absorbing said cooling fluid.
  • 4. The boom of claim 3, wherein said distribution means comprises means for directing the flow of said cooling fluid to the upper surface of said tube between said tube and said protective cover.
  • 5. The boom of claim 3, wherein said means for directing the flow of said cooling fluid comprises:(i) a first conduit having proximate and distal ends, said proximate end connected to said source of cooling fluid; and, (ii) a second conduit connected to said first conduit and having spaced-apart apertures therealong for allowing said cooling fluid to flow onto the upper surface of said tube between said tube and said protective cover.
  • 6. The boom of claim 2, wherein said distribution means comprises means for directing the flow of said cooling fluid to the upper surface of said tube between said tube and said protective cover.
  • 7. The boom of claim 6, wherein said means for directing the flow of said cooling fluid comprises:(i) a first conduit having proximate and distal ends, said proximate end connected to said source of cooling fluid; and, (ii) a second conduit connected to said first conduit and having spaced-apart apertures therealong for allowing said cooling fluid to flow onto the upper surface of said tube between said tube and said protective cover.
  • 8. The boom of claim 1, wherein said distribution means comprises means for directing the flow of said cooling fluid to the upper surface of said tube.
  • 9. The boom of claim 1, wherein said distribution means comprises:(i) a first conduit having proximate and distal ends, said proximate end connected to said source of cooling fluid; and, (ii) a second conduit connected to said first conduit and having spaced-apart apertures therealong for allowing said cooling fluid to flow onto the upper surface of said tube.
  • 10. A float boom for confining material floatable on a liquid surface during high temperature conditions, comprising:(a) an elongated floatable tube formed of fluid impervious material; (b) a source of fluid under pressure for cooling said boom during high temperature conditions; (c) means connected to said source for distributing said cooling fluid over the length of said tube; and, (d) a protective cover mounted over said tube, said cover having peripheral edges adapted to engage said boom to substantially encase said tube therein.
  • 11. The boom of claim 10, wherein said cover is of a material capable of absorbing said cooling fluid and thereby resisting high temperature.
  • 12. The boom of claim 11, wherein said distribution means comprises:(i) a first conduit having proximate and distal ends, said proximate end connected to said source of cooling fluid; and, (ii) a second conduit connected to said first conduit and having spaced-apart apertures therealong for allowing said cooling fluid to flow onto the upper surface of said tube.
  • 13. The boom of claim 11, wherein said distribution means comprises means for directing the flow of said cooling fluid to the upper surface of said tube.
  • 14. The boom of claim 10, wherein said distribution means comprises means for directing the flow of said cooling fluid to the upper surface of said tube.
  • 15. The boom of claim 14, wherein said means for directing the flow of said cooling fluid comprises:(i) a first conduit having proximate and distal ends, said proximate end connected to said source of cooling fluid; and, (ii) a plurality of second conduits each having proximate and distal ends, said second conduits being spaced apart and radially connected at their proximate ends to said first conduit therealong, and, having outlet ports at their distal ends for allowing said cooling fluid to flow onto the upper surface of said tube.
  • 16. The boom of claim 15, wherein said first conduit extends longitudinally along said tube.
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation-in-part application of a previous application by the same inventor bearing U.S. Ser. No. 08/851,124 filed May 5, 1997 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/529,010 filed Sep. 15, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,337. The entirety of these previous applications are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full below.

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4162863 Gaudard et al. Jul 1979 A
4235561 Peterson Nov 1980 A
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4802791 FisCher et al. Feb 1989 A
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Continuation in Parts (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 08/851124 May 1997 US
Child 08/879004 US
Parent 08/529010 Sep 1995 US
Child 08/851124 US