Pollutant Containment Device and System

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a pollutant containment can, including a cylindrical shaped body with a hollow interior; a male end comprising a bulbous element with a durable coating; a female end of comprising an indented receiving element with a durable coating adapted to connect with the bulbous element of the male end of a separate can; an internal baffle located in the interior of the body; a float space located in the interior of the body, where the volume of the float space is 1%-40% of a total interior volume of the body; and multiple cable connectors located on the exterior or the body for connecting the can with other devices.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to an apparatus for containing, controlling and remediating pollutants floating on a surface of a body of water. In one embodiment, the pollutants may be present on the surface of the body of water as a result of an oil spill or other catastrophic event such as an explosion at an oil drilling facility.

BACKGROUND ART

The recent increased demand for fossil fuels, including crude oil, has also increased the danger to man and the environment resulting from oil exploration and shipment. In particular, the new technique for deepwater drilling (such as to depths of 40,000 feet) creates great temperature and pressure strain on equipment. The great depths and strain naturally cause failure and other catastrophic events which result in the accidental release of large amounts of oil into the environment with very harmful consequences. Therefore, a need exists for a device that will contain oil and other pollutants under these conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some aspects, the invention relates to a pollutant containment can 20, including a cylindrical shaped body with a hollow interior 24; a male end including a bulbous element 120; a female end 40 including an indented receiving element 130 adapted to connect with the bulbous element 120 of the male end 30 of a separate can 20; an internal baffle 60 located in the interior of the body; a float space 80 located in the interior of the body, where the volume of the float space is 1-60% of a total interior volume of the body; and multiple cable connectors 50 located on the exterior of the body for connecting the can 20 with other devices.

In other aspects, the invention relates to a pollutant containment device, including multiple pollutant containment cans 20 arranged in a circle, where each can 20 further includes a male end 30 which includes a bulbous element 120; a female end 40 including indented receiving element 130 adapted to connect with the bulbous element 120 of the male end 30 of a separate can 20, a plurality of float spaces 80 within the interior of the can 20, where the float space 80 is located proximate to the male end 30 and the female end 40 of the can 20, where a total volume of the float spaces is about twenty percent (20%) to percent fifty (50%) of a total volume of the can 20, three (3) internal baffles 60 located within the interior 24 of the can 20; and three (3) cable connectors 50 positioned on the exterior surface of the can 20, where the cable connectors 50 are oriented towards the interior of the circle, and a pollutant resistant fabric 160 located at a junction formed between the male end 30 of one can 20 and the female end 40 of another can 20; multiple connecting cables 180, that connect each can to at least two other cans 20 through the cable connectors 50; and an anchor 200.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To further advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings are not to be considered limiting in scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of a single can 20 used in a pollutant containment device 10 disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of a cable connector 50 attached to a can 20.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of one embodiment of a cable connector 50 attached to a can 20.

FIG. 4 shows a cut-away view of the can 20 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a close up side view of a male end 30 of the can 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a close up side view of a female end 40 of the can 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a close up side view of two (2) cans 20 being joined via the female end 40 of a first can 20 and the male end 30 of a second can 20.

FIG. 7A shows a close up side view of two (2) cans 20 being joined via the male end 30 of a first can 20 and the male end 30 of a second can 20.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the female end 40 and the male end 30 connection covered with a pollutant resistant fabric 160.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the female end 40 and the male end 30 connection covered with a woven material 170 (pollutant resistant fabric 160 not shown).

FIG. 10 shows a side view one embodiment of the woven material 170.

FIG. 11 shows a close up view of the female end 40 and the male end 30 junction covered with a woven material 170 wrapped around a junction (pollutant resistant fabric 160 not shown).

FIG. 12 shows a top view of one embodiment of the pollutant containment device 10 disclosed herein.

FIG. 13 shows one embodiment of the pollutant containment device 10 disclosed herein positioned over a surfacing pollutant plume 220.

FIG. 14 shows a top view of one embodiment of the pollutant containment device 10 disclosed herein.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of one embodiment of the pollutant containment device 10 disclosed herein.

FIG. 16 shows a top view of one embodiment of the pollutant containment device 10 disclosed herein.

FIG. 17 shows a top view of one embodiment of the channel, path or passage 260.

FIG. 18 shows a side view of one embodiment of the channel, path or passage 260.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments herein were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, as used herein, the term “approximately” means reasonably close to the quantity or quality being described as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

A pollutant containment device 10 is provided herein. In one embodiment, the pollutant containment device 10 includes a plurality of cans 20 arranged in a circular pattern around a surfacing pollutant plume 220 or pollutant spill. As will be discussed in detail below, the pollutant containment device 10 of the present disclosure provides a more stable device for use in turbulent waters (such as the ocean during a severe weather event) wherein a first can 20 is free to rotate, bend and slightly separate or position itself slightly higher or lower than, without the use of a mechanical joint, relative to a second can 20 adjacent to the first can 20. The pollutant containment device 10 may also include a plurality of connecting cables 180 attached to all or some of the cans 20 in a deployed/assembled pollutant containment device 10. In one preferred embodiment, the can 20 is attached to three (3) connecting cables 180. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the cans 20 is attached to one (1) connecting cable.

In one embodiment, the pollutant containment device 10 is used to contain a hydrocarbon spill in the ocean. In one preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon is an oil and in a most preferred embodiment, the oil is entering the ocean from a water well head or a leaking ocean going craft and is either rising to the ocean's surface 250 or is already on the ocean's surface 250. In one embodiment, a plurality of pollutant containment devices 10 may be used to contain a spill, the pollutant containment devices 10 being arranged in a serious of concentric circles around the site of a spill or surfacing pollutant plume 220. In an alternate embodiment, the pollutant containment device 10 may be deployed in a straight line to protect a bay, inlet or harbor.

Can 20

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 12, the pollutant containment device 10 includes a plurality of cans 20. The number of cans 20 in a fully deployed/assembled pollutant containment device 10 can vary greatly depending upon, primarily, but not exclusively, the size of the pollutant plume 220 (shown in FIG. 13) or pollutant spill that needs to be contained and remediated. In one embodiment, the pollutant containment device 10 includes three hundred and sixty (360) cans 20, but the number of cans 20 can be greater or lesser as needed to respond to a pollutant spill.

One embodiment of the can 20 of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1-3. In one embodiment, the can 20 is generally shaped like a drum or a cylinder and includes an outer skin 22 that defines an internal, generally hollow, empty (at least before deployment) void or space 24. Further, the outer skin 22 generally includes a first and a second surface, wherein the first surface is the surface of the can 20 (as defined by dividing a can along an longitudinal axis) that faces or contacts the interior of the circle created by a fully assembled pollutant containment device 10 and the second surface faces or contacts the exterior of the circle created by a fully assembled pollutant containment device. As will be described in more detail below, generally the interior of the circle (or the first surface) will be in contact with the pollutant to be contained or remediated.

In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the can 20 further includes a male end 30 and a female end 40. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the can 20 includes only two (2) male ends 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the can 20 includes a plurality of cable connectors 50 on the first (or interior) surface of the can 20. In one embodiment, the cable connectors 50 include a body 52, one or more support braces 54 or gussets 58, an aperture 56 and a washer 59 or other structure for allowing a degree of rotation and reducing the friction from the rotation of a connecting cable 180 (shown in FIGS. 12-14) inserted in the aperture 56. In an embodiment that includes the washer 59, the washer 59 functions to allow a connecting cable 180 to move slightly to reduce the strain upon the connecting cable 180 as a result of the movement of the can 20 and to prevent fraying of the connecting cable 180 where it is attached to the can 20 via the aperture 56. In one embodiment, the cable connectors 50 are oriented perpendicularly relative to the water surface. In an alternate embodiment, the connecting cables 180 are not connected to the can 20 via the cable connectors 50, but rather are wrapped around the can 20 and secured back onto themselves.

In one embodiment, the internal space 24 of the can 20 includes various support or other members. In one embodiment, the internal space 24 includes an internal baffle 60 as shown in FIG. 3. The internal baffle 60 serves many functions. First, it provides a measure of support to the outer skin 22 of the can 20. Second, it prevents any liquid (such as water or a pollutant) that has entered the can 20 from tilting or rotating the can 20 to such a degree that the can 20 can no longer remain functionally effective in the fully assembled/deployed pollutant containment device 10. In regards to this second function, without being limited to this theory, it is believed that the internal baffle 60 prevents any liquid inside of the can 20 from gaining sufficient momentum or force to either cause the can 20 to rotate or shift out of place this is accomplished by limiting the liquid's freedom of movement inside of the can 20. In one embodiment, the internal baffle may contain one or more holes through which some of the water may pass and move in a restricted manner inside of the can 20. In one embodiment, the internal baffle 60 extends in a vertical orientation relative to an axis created dividing a can 20 along a longitudinal axis. The internal baffle 60 may contact the can 20 along the entire circumference of the can 20. In one embodiment, the can 20 includes a plurality of internal baffles 60. In a preferred embodiment, the can 20 includes three (3) internal baffles 60, in yet a more preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the can 20 includes three (3) internal baffles located in the inner space 24 generally opposite the cable connectors 50 outside of the can 20.

In one embodiment, the can 20 also includes an end plate 70 located in the inner space 34 wherein the end plate 70 partially defines a float space 80. The end plates 70 are similar in size and structure to the internal baffles 60, except that the end plates 70 are solid and are designed not to allow a substantial amount of water, or preferably any water, to pass through. In one embodiment, the end plate 70 is located proximate to the distal ends (the male end 30 and female end 40) of the can 20. In one embodiment, the can 20 includes a plurality of end plates 70 and in one preferred embodiment, the can 20 includes two (2) end plates 70.

The float space 80 is at least partially defined by the end plate 70 and the distal ends (the male end 30 and female end 40) of the can 20. The float space 80 is a substantially watertight space that is filled with air that provides a buoyant force acting on the distal ends of the can 20. In one embodiment, the float space 80 accounts for approximately between 1 to 60 percent of the total internal volume of the can 20. In a more preferred embodiment, the float space 80 accounts for approximately between 10 to 40 percent of the total internal volume of the can 20, in yet a more preferred embodiment, the float space 80 accounts for approximately embodiment, the float space 80 accounts for approximately 20 percent of the internal volume of a can 20.

In an alternate embodiment the can 20 includes an interior dividing wall that is located approximately along the can's 20 latitudinal centerline. This dividing wall essentially bisects the can 20 creating two (2) separate compartments. The separate compartments contain one or more interior baffles 60 as described above. In one embodiment, each separate compartment includes a floatation adjustment device 85 (described below) that functions to maintain the can's 20 position relative to the ocean's surface 250 and the other cans 20. In one embodiment, as needed the floatation adjustment device 85 can pump water into or out of the can 20 to maintain the can's position.

In some embodiments the can 20 also includes a floatation adjustment device 85 (not shown). In one embodiment, the floatation adjustment device 85 is a pump that is preferably sealed and designed to operate in a wet environment that can pump ballast sea water into or out of a can 20 as needed to adjust the can's 20 height in the ocean. For example, if a can 20 is positioned too low in the water (for example due to too much liquid being inside of the can 20) the pump could remove some of the liquid from inside of the can 20 thus raising the height of the can 20 and prevent any pollutant from overlapping the can 20 and escaping the pollutant containment device 10. In one embodiment, the pump is an electric pump that is sealed and specifically designed to operate in a wet environment. In one embodiment, the pump prevents water (or other liquid) from passing through when the pump is in the off position (or configuration). This prevents the cans 20 from becoming flooded and sinking or, vice versa, from can 20 from floating too high in the water if it is undesirable. The electricity for the electric pump be provided from many sources including a pollutant recovery vessel or a solar charger panel located on the can 20. In one embodiment, the electricity for the pump (and the controls for the pump may be housed in a specially designed command can (not shown), wherein the command can is adapted to provide access to the controls and pump for maintenance. Other pumps and methods of implementing the pumps are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In yet another embodiment, the can 20 may include a bladder (not shown) and a source of compressed gas (not shown) either within the internal space 24 or attached to the outside of the can 20. These items may be used in the event of a hurricane or other severe weather event as described herein. If a hurricane or other severe weather event is approaching the location of an assembled/deployed pollutant containment device 10, the flotation adjustment device 85 may be used to “flood” the cans 20 causing them to “sink” below the water's surface, hopefully reaching a level below the water's surface where the pollutant containment device 10 could survive or “ride out” the event. After the event has passed, the bladder could be inflated with the compressed gas and cause the pollutant containment device 10 to rise to the water's surface and resume normal function.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the can 20 includes a male end 30. The male end 30 includes a bulbous element 120 which is a dome-like structure. The male end 30 also includes a male end seating lip 150, in an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the can 20 contains two (2) male ends.

As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the can 20 in one embodiment also includes a female end 40 that, when present, will be located opposite the male end 30. The female end 40 includes a receiving, element 130 and a female end seating lip 140. In one preferred embodiment the receiving element 130 is slightly larger than the bulbous element 120. In this embodiment, the large receiving element 130, allows the cans 20 to have a functionally significant, but limited amount of freedom of movement relative to one another. In one embodiment, the large receiving element 130 allows the can to move to a certain degree in all three (3) axes. This movement is functionally important as it allows the cans 20 to move with the motion of a wave or current while yet retaining some degree of structural integrity.

In one embodiment, the cans 20 and the male end 30 and the female ends 40 are essentially in a straight line. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), especially useful in a circle with a tight radius, the can 20 may be bent (or arced slightly) to facilitate making the circular pollutant containment device 10, in yet another embodiment, the male end 30 or female end 40 may be bent or arced to facilitate making the circular pollutant containment device 10.

In one embodiment, the male end 30 and the female end 40 may be covered with a durable coating 90 to protect the cans 20 and the male end 30 and female end 40 from impact trauma. As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, as adjacent cans move (in all three axes) it is possible that they will come in contact with one another. The durable coating 90 provides protection from these traumatic impact forces. In one embodiment, the durable coating 90 is a hard rubber compound. In other embodiments, the male end 30 and the female end 40 may have an inflated bladder present to protect them from traumatic impact forces.

In an alternate embodiment, the male end 30 and female end 40 are manufactured from a durable piece of material that can function to absorb (or lessen) the impact trauma acting upon the cans 20 caused by the movement of the ocean waves. In one embodiment, this durable piece of material is a hard rubber or other vulcanized material. Other materials known to those of skill in the art should be considered within the scope of this disclosure.

In one preferred embodiment, the can 20 includes a female end 40 and a male end 30 and the can 20 is approximately fifty (50) feet long and has a diameter of 12 feet. In this embodiment, the can 20 also includes three (3) cable connectors spaced as follows: a first cable connector 50 located at the midpoint of the can 20, a second cable connector 50 located approximately sixteen and ⅓ feet from the first cable connector 50 towards the female end 40 of the can 20 and a third cable connector 50 located approximately sixteen and ⅓ feet from the second cable connector towards the male end 30 of the can 20. In this embodiment, the can 20 also includes three (3) internal baffles 60 located in the internal space 24 opposite the cable connectors 50. Finally, in this preferred embodiment, the can 20 includes two (2) end plates located approximately 10 feet from the distal ends of the can 20 and the float space 80 is approximately twenty percent (20%) of the total volume of the can 20.

Junction

The pollutant containment device 10 includes a plurality of cans 20 connected by a junction between a first can and second can, as shown in FIGS. 7-11. In one embodiment, the first can includes a female end 40 and the second can 20 includes a male end 30. A junction between the cans 20 is created by seating the bulbous element 120 of the second can 20 into the receiving element of the first can 20. When the first and second cans 20 are aligned in an approximately straight line, the male end seating lip 150 of the second can 20 will be in close proximity to the female end seating lip 140 of the first can 20. It should be noted that after deployment, the male and female seating lips, 150, 140, should not be in contact as the first and second can 20 move relative to one another after deployment.

After the bulbous clement 120 is inserted into the receiving element 130, the second can will retain some degree of rotational freedom relative to the first can due, at least in part, to the fact that the receiving element 130 is slightly larger than the bulbous element 120. This degree of rotational freedom allows the pollutant containment device 10 to float on and respond to the motion of waves and other forces on the water's surface without compromising either the structural or operational integrity of the pollutant contaminant device. In one embodiment, as ocean waves fall and crest the first can and the second can rotate or move in all three (3) axes with the waves.

In one embodiment, the junction between the first can and the second can also includes either a pollutant resistant fabric 160 or a woven material 170, or both. In one embodiment, the pollutant resistant fabric 160 and the woven material 170 can be a single material while in other embodiments the woven material 170 is separate and distinct from the pollutant resistant fabric 160. In one embodiment, the pollution resistant fabric 160 needs to be either “loose” when fitted over the junction or “stretchable” to allow the junction to flex or move as detailed herein.

In one embodiment, the pollutant resistant fabric 160 is positioned so that it covers the first surface (as defined above) of the junction, or only 180 degrees of the junction. Generally, the pollutant resistant fabric 160 is positioned so that the pollutant that needs containing or remediating cannot “seep through” or otherwise pass through the junction. In another embodiment, the pollutant resistant fabric 160 is positioned around the entire (or 360 degrees) of the junction. In one embodiment, the pollutant resistant fabric 160 is impermeable to the pollutant to be contained and remediated. As would be recognized by one skilled in the art, the material comprising the pollutant resistant fabric 160 may be selected based upon the pollutant to be contained and remediated.

The pollutant resistant fabric 160 may be held in place by a first band 100 which functions to secure the pollutant resistant fabric 160 in place. In one embodiment the pollutant resistant fabric. 160 may be held in place by an o-ring or other suitable structure as would be recognized by one skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the junction between the first can 20 and the second can 20 also includes a woven material 170. This woven material 170 functions to keep the first can 20 and the second can 20 from completely separating. In one embodiment, the woven material 170 is cloth or fabric and is a cylindrical, helically wound braid such as a biaxial braid. Pulling the entire braid lengthens and narrows it. The length is gained by reducing the angle between the warp and weft threads at their crossing points, but this reduces the radial distance between opposing sides and hence the overall circumference. The more one pulls, the more the circumference shrinks (i.e., tightens). In one embodiment, the woven material 170 is a woven stainless steel or other corrosion resistant metal. In yet another embodiment, the woven material 170 is woven nylon. However, it should be understood that any suitable material known in the art could be used.

In an alternate embodiment, as shown by FIG. 7A, the junction is defined by a first can 20 and a second can 20 each having two (2) male ends 30, in this embodiment, the bulbous elements 120 are brought into proximity with one another and the junction is covered with the pollutant resistant fabric 160 or a woven material 170, or both as discussed above. In this embodiment, the desired movement and flexibility of the pollutant containment device 10 is achieved as the bulbous elements 120 rotate about one another upon the movement of the water.

In yet an alternate embodiment (not shown), the male ends 30 do not contain the bulbous element 120 but rather contain a flat (or essentially flat) surface that may be in contact with an adjacent male end 30.

Construction of Device

The pollutant containment device 10 of the present disclosure may be assembled in many different manners, as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. By way of non-limiting example, several different manners of construction and/or deployment are discussed below.

As noted above, the number of cans 20 included in any one assembled/deployed pollutant containment device 10 can vary greatly depending on many factors, which include, but are not limited to, the amount of pollutant to be contained/remediated, the depth of the water in which the pollutant containment device 10 is to be deployed and the currents.

In one specific embodiment, the pollutant containment device 10 assembled on shore, inshore or on land and towed out to the site of deployment by one or more tug boats or other powered craft. In an alternate embodiment, the pollutant containment device 10 may be assembled on site.

In one embodiment, the pollutant containment device is constructed according to the following steps:

• • a. determining the number of cans 20 needed for the particular situation,
  • b. positioning the cans 20 in a circular pattern,
  • c. attaching a plurality of connecting cables 180 to the cable connectors on some, but not necessarily all of the cans 20, and
  • d. tensioning the connecting cables 180 to a sufficient tension, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, to create enough centripetal force among the cans 20 so that they retain their circular shape.

In one embodiment, each can 20 has only one (1) connecting cable 180 attached to it (at a ninety (90) degree angle), in another embodiment, each can 20 has two (2) connecting cables 180 attached to it, each attached at a sixty (60) degree angle to the can. While in yet a preferred embodiment, each can 20 has three (3) connecting cables 180 attached to it, one at approximately a ninety (90) degree angle and two (2) other cables, one on each side of the cable attached at the ninety (90) degree angle, wherein the other two (2) cables are attached at approximately sixty (60) degree angles. In alternate embodiments, the cans 20 may have more than three (3) connecting cables 180 attached to them at various angles.

In one embodiment, the assembled pollutant containment device 10 includes at least a first can 20, a second can 20, a third can 20, a fourth can 20, a fifth can 20 and a sixth can 20, all arranged in a circle, each of the six cans 20 including three (3) cable connectors 50 positioned on the first surface of each can, each cable connector further including an aperture, and a first connecting cable, a second connecting cable, a third connecting cable, a fourth connecting cable, a fifth connecting cable and a sixth connecting cable, a seventh connecting cable, an eighth connecting cable and a ninth connecting cable, each connecting cable being connected to two (2) cans through said apertures, wherein: (i) the first connecting cable is attached to the first can and the fifth can, (ii) the second connecting cable is attached to the first can and the fourth can, (iii) the third connecting cable is attached to the first can and the third can, (iv) the fourth connecting cable is attached to the second can and the sixth can, (iv) the fifth connecting cable is attached to the second can and the fifth can, (v) the sixth connecting cable is attached to the second can and the fourth can, (vi) the seventh connecting cable is attached to the third can and the sixth can, (vii) the eighth connecting cable is attached to the third can and the fifth can and (viii) the ninth connecting cable is attached to the fourth can and the sixth can in yet a more preferred embodiment, the pollutant containment device 10 includes additional cans 20 (from one to several hundred) that are not connected to a connecting cable 180.

In another preferred embodiment, the assembled pollutant containment device 10 includes a plurality of cans 20 including at least six cans 20 further comprising a first can, a second can, a third can, a fourth can, a fifth can and a sixth can, all arranged in a circle, said cans a plurality of cable connectors positioned on the first surface of each can, each cable connector further comprising an aperture for receiving a connecting cable, wherein a junction between each can is made between the male end of a can and the female of a different can, the junction further comprising a pollutant resistant fabric covering the junction and a woven material overlaid upon the pollutant resistant fabric, and a plurality of connecting cables, wherein (i) a first connecting cable is attached to the first can and the fifth can, a second connecting cable is attached to the first can and the third can, and a third connecting cable is attached to the third can and the fifth can, wherein the connecting cables, when attached to the cans, form an isosceles triangle, and (ii) further wherein the fourth connecting cable is attached to the second can and the sixth can, the fifth connecting cable is attached to the second can and the third can and the sixth connecting cable is attached to the fourth can and the sixth can, wherein when attached to the cans, form an isosceles triangle.

Examples of a fully constructed and deployed pollutant containment device 10 are shown in FIGS. 12-18. As shown in FIG. 13, upon deployment over a surfacing pollutant plume 220 the pollutant containment device 10 may be held in place by one or more anchors 200 which may be attached to one or numerous cans 20 as necessary depending upon the weather and current conditions at the surfacing pollutant plume 220 site. In other embodiments, the pollutant containment device is held in place by a series of thrusters attached to the cans 20 or a pollutant recovery vessel 210.

In the embodiments above, once assembled the connecting cables 180 cross one another at many different points (a connecting cable junction 230) including the approximate center of the pollutant containment device 10, other configurations are possible and should be considered within the scope of this disclosure as shown in FIG. 14, in one alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 15 the center connector cable crossing 180 is not present but rather a ring 260 is centrally located to which the connecting cables 180 may be attached. The ring 260 would vary in size depending upon the size of the deployed pollutant containment system 10 and in one embodiment the ring 260 is large enough to surround an oil rig or a leaking craft. The ring 260 may be a solid steel structure with attached flotation devices, or it may be a cable or chain like structure. In other embodiments, the connecting cables 180 may be arranged in a true “hub and spoke pattern” with only one connecting cable junction 230 present. In one embodiment, each connecting cable junction 230 also includes an anti-chafing device 235 that serves to reduce the friction created by the movement of the connecting cables 180 where they contact one another. In one embodiment, the anti-chafing device 235 is wrapped around the connecting cable 180 and in one preferred embodiment is a section of pipe (such as PVC pipe).

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the pollutant containment device 10 may not contain any connecting cables 180, but rather each can 20 may be anchored in place by one or more anchors 200. In one embodiment, the anchors 200 are positioned to the outside of the circle formed by a deployed pollutant containment device 10. In yet a more preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the pollutant containment device 10 may include a channel, path or passage 260 wherein a support vessel 270 may cross from the exterior of the circle created by a fully deployed pollutant containment device 10 to the interior (vice versa, the ship may also cross from the interior of the circle to the exterior). This embodiment is especially useful if the pollutant containment device 10 is positioned around an oil rig 280 or other structure as the oil rig 280 would be accessible. In one embodiment, the channel, path or passage 260 includes a male end 30 and a female end 40 to allow the channel, path or passage 260 to be positioned within and connected to the pollutant containment device 10 using the same or nearly the same junctions described between cans 20 herein to maintain the flexibility and other superior aspects described herein. In addition to the junctions, the channel, path or passage 260 or cans 20 may also be secured by one or more anchors 200.

In one embodiment, the channel, path or passage 260 channel, path or passage is a box like structure made of several beams, trusses and support elements. In one embodiment, the channel, path or passage 260 has solid side walls while the top and bottom are open structures or are defined by a serious of braces. In an alternate embodiment, the channel, path or passage 260 bottom is also a solid structure. In one embodiment, the channel, path or passage 260 includes at least one door 300 which may be moved from a first (open) to a second (closed) position as shown in FIG. 17. In the open position, the door 300 allows the support vessel 270 to pass through the channel, path or passage 260. In the closed position, the door 300 will prevent any pollutant from escaping the pollutant containment device 10 via the channel, path or passage 260. In one embodiment, the channel, path or passage 260 also includes one or more thrusters 310 to help maintain its position and also, in one preferred embodiment where the flow of water from the thrusters 310 is directed to the interior of the pollutant containment device 10 will help prevent any pollutant (such as oil) from escaping through the channel, path or passage 260. In yet another embodiment, the channel, path or passage 260 includes a support bar 290 which provides structural support.

FIG. 18 shows a side view of one embodiment of the channel, path or passage 260 with a support vessel passing 270 passing through from the exterior of the pollutant containment device 10 to the interior. In this figure, the doors 300 proximate the exterior of the pollutant containment device are closed behind the support vessel 270 while the doors proximate the interior of the pollutant containment device 10 are open. In this embodiment, the channel, path or passage 260 also includes a ballast tank 320 which can be used to raise or lower the channel, path or passage 260 in coordination with the cans 20 attached to the channel, path or passage 260.

In one embodiment, the pollutant containment device 10 also includes a series of thrusters controlled by a GPS unit and a computer. In this embodiment, the thrusters may be used to maintain the device's location or move the device as needed.

CONCLUSION

As described herein, the present disclosure provides a pollutant containment device 10 that includes a plurality of junctions between a plurality of cans 20, said junctions being adapted to flex, move, separate and rotate with the action of waves or other forces. Further the junctions disclosed herein prevent pollutants, such as oil, from seeping through the spaces separating the plurality of cans.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed here. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A pollutant containment device, comprising: a. multiple pollutant containment cans arranged in a circle, where each can further comprises, i. a male end comprising a bulbous element with a durable coating,ii. a female end of comprising an indented receiving element with a durable coating adapted to connect with the bulbous element of the male end of a separate can,iii. a plurality of float spaces within the interior of the can, where the float space is located proximate to the male end and the female end of the can where a total volume of the float spaces is about twenty percent (20%) of a total volume of the can,iv. three (3) internal baffles located within the interior of the can; andv. three (3) cable connectors positioned on the exterior surface of the can, where the cable connectors are oriented towards the interior of the circle,b. a pollutant resistant fabric located at a junction formed between the end of one can and the female end of another can;c. multiple connecting cables, that connect each can to at least two other cans through the cable connectors; andd. an anchoring cable that holds the containment device in position.

2. A pollutant containment can, comprising: a. a cylindrical shaped body with a hollow interior;b. a male end comprising a bulbous clement with a durable coating;c. a female end of comprising an indented receiving element with a durable coating adapted to connect with the bulbous element of the male end of a separate can;d. an internal baffle located in the interior of the can;c. a float space located in the interior of the can, where the volume of the float space is 1%-40% of a total interior volume of the can; andf. multiple cable connectors located on the exterior of the can for connecting the can with other devices.