Abstract: Method or apparatus for unwinding gangions from a longline fishing line by first wrapping all of the gangions in a first direction about the longline and thereafter unwrapping them to leave them relatively free from the longline. Wrapping and unwrapping can be accomplished by running the longline through a series of hollow cylinders having permanent magnets mounted on the interior surface. The cylinders are rotated in opposite directions. As the gangions enter the first of the cylinders, the hooks are attracted to the magnets in the rotating cylinders and are rotated about the longline so as to wind all of the gangions in a common direction. Thereafter, the hooks are attracted to the magnets in the second cylinder, which is rotating in the opposite direction, thereby unwinding the gangions. In this manner, regardless of the original wrap of the gangions about the longline, each can be completely unwrapped and left dangling from the longline.

Abstract: A crab pot line hauler in which an upright sheave support plate in the hauler head assembly is configured to serve as a continuing part of an outboard-extending cantilever swiveling support extending laterally from an upright post, and also to serve as a combined water splash guard and line loop whip guard for the hauler sheave, the multifunction support plate leaves the sheave open around its periphery for viewing of the line and ready accessibility to the line in order to clear it of incoming line knots and debris.

Abstract: Apparatus for stowing longline for resetting while hauling the longline, in which the hooks are successively captured by a cooperating entry brush and opposing guide track surface so as to be advanced in controlled succession along the track by a hauler engaging the longlines ground line and preferably comprising a V-groove, power-driven sheave. Opposing transverse rollers angled to line advancement at the discharge side of the sheave feed the ground line to stowage, while the captured hooks are drawn by their gangions into successively nested positions on an associated section of guide track ready for inspection, replacement and/or subsequent orderly release during resetting of the longline.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating water from oil employing a cylindrical, axially compressible, flow-through, oleophilic, hydrophobic reticular foam filter body covered peripherally with and bonded to a flow impervious flexible skin of resin impregnated fabric anchored at one end within a pressure vessel by a flow-through cap assembly sealing the adjacent end of the sleeve to the chamber wall. With the remainder of the sleeved filter body slidably retained and backed within such filter chamber, pressure applied intermittently to its opposite end compresses the filter body to squeeze oil accumulations therefrom. Cap means with one-way valve elements on such opposite end of the filter body permits flow of water through the filter body in one direction while obstructing reverse flow under fluid back pressure introduced into the downstream end of the pressure vessel so as to compress the filter body axially.

Abstract: A net-hauling, power-driven block, the frame of which is suspended from a trolley movable along a track extending between upward extensions of the frame sides. A hydraulic motor on the trolley drives a pinion which engages a sector gear parallel to the trolley track so as to vary the tilt of the block sheave as required to restore seating of the moving net in the sheave groove.

Abstract: The presser wheel support comprises a depending support arm pivotally connected to the end of a cantilevered arm projecting at a downward slope in the tailing direction from a net hauler sheave frame member preferably in the form of a transverse suspension plate overlying the net hauler sheave. A fluid operated jack interacting between the hauler sheave frame and the support arm generally in the common plane of the hauler sheave and presser wheel urges the wheel yieldably against netting descending in the main hauler sheave groove so as to increase the hauling traction and hauling force exerted on the netting to avoid slippage and damage of netting.

Abstract: A repeatedly regeneratable flow-through filter device using a body of reticulated hydrophobic oleophilic synthetic foam for separating oil from water and capable of withstanding high flow pressures without precompression, while being readily compressed mechanically numerous times to the high degree necessary to express oil accumulating on the strands and nodes of the foam material. Support is provided against collapse or precompression under the forces of flow acting on the compressible filter body provided across its flow cross-sectional area and at all desired levels of depth inwardly from the upstream face by inserting lengths of flexible cord of synthetic material at a plurality of distributed locations with the cord precoated with liquid adhesive so as to form bonds at the numerous contact points thereof with the strands and nodes of the foam matrix and so as to transmit the load forces from such bonding points through the cords to an upstream face support screen or grid.

Abstract: The improved crab pot line hauler's drive motor, sheave and associated line guide means having a common support are mounted as a composite unit on pivotal support bearings that permit the unit to revolve freely about a fixed bearing axis in addressing itself to the incoming line being hauled and that restrain the unit against other bodily motion. Placement of the center of mass of the hauler unit at or closely adjacent to such pivot bearing axis assures its relatively steady orientation in operative relation to the incoming line with minimal line deflection force acting on it to do this. Polar moment of inertia about such bearing axis being also made relatively small by such mounting system, quickness of response of the unit to changing line approach direction is also achieved, a major advantage in stormy weather.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to effect coalescence of a first liquid suspended as minute droplets in a second liquid of different specific gravity. An endless small-pore matrix having internal pore surfaces preferentially attractive to the first liquid, and having ingested a quantity of the mixture liquids is advanced through a transport interval to a point of discharge with quiescent conditions maintained within the pores for a sufficient time to permit gravitational settling and resultant coalescence of the droplets on the pore surfaces. Squeezing the resiliently compressible matrix at the end of such transport or pumping interval purges the second liquid and coalesced first liquid from the pores, and subsequent reexpansion of the matrix as it reenters the mixture causes ingestion of additional mixture to be processed, the process being repeated on a continuing cyclical basis.

Abstract: A flow-through coalescing separator applicable to clean immiscible liquids and to dirt-carrying immiscible liquids, such as dirty oil and water mixtures. A normally retracted piston periodically backwashes and thereupon compresses the filter body in a pressure vessel so as to purge the filter body of accumulations of dirt and hydrocarbons. When the piston is thereafter being retracted by restoration of input liquid flow pressure, positive coupling of the piston to the filter body stretches it back to its original length and thereby to the full functioning open-pore condition despite wall friction and limited rebound capability of the filter body material. The system lends itself to manually controlled operation and to automatically controlled operation, either in the continuous flow-through mode or in the more frequently interrupted retention flow-through mode.

Abstract: A crab pot warp line coiler is disclosed utilizing the unique properties of "Crab Lay" type synthetic line. Drawn by the coiler from a pot hauler, the line passes initially around an input guide sheave and thereupon downwardly across a vertical span into the nip between opposing guide rollers underlying the guide sheave. These feed the line directly down into the central part of a receiving enclosure serving to confine the coils which inherently form in a sufficiently orderly manner in the process without other guide means being required. The feed rollers, one comprising a pneumatic tire that runs in a peripheral groove about the other, are yieldably spring actuated toward each other so as to grip the line for feed purposes with a pressure that, by reason of the overlying location of the input sheave assuming horizontally directed incoming line tension load, is kept substantially independent of line load tension.

Abstract: A control device to prevent or limit gangion enwrapment on long lines including means mounting a line-deflecting guide roller to vary the angular relationship between the roller axis and the plane defined between the line stretches extending to and from the deflecting roller during line hauling. Angular displacement of such guide roller to either side of a neutral position under operator control induces twisting in the approaching long line one way or the other so as to prevent or eliminate gangion enwrapment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to effect coalescence of a first liquid suspended as minute droplets in a second liquid of different specific gravity. An endless small-pore matrix having internal pore surfaces preferentially attractive to the first liquid, and having ingested a quantity of the mixture liquids is advanced through a transport interval to a point of discharge with quiescent conditions maintained within the pores for a sufficient time to permit gravitational settling and resultant coalescence of the droplets on the pore surfaces. Squeezing the resiliently compressible matrix at the end of such transport or pumping interval purges the second liquid and coalesced first liquid from the pores, and subsequent reexpansion of the matrix as it reenters the mixture causes ingestion of additional mixture to be processed, the process being repeated on a continuing cyclical basis.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating oil from water in the process of transferring oil/water mixture at a predetermined rate from a source to an output includes means for indicating when the percentage of oil exceeds a predetermined value. By pumping the accumulating oil from an oil output sump in the apparatus at a predetermined pumping rate, a predetermined fraction of the oil/water mixture separator transfer rate, and by detecting level of oil rising in the sump above said range with the oil pump operating, the system is made responsive to the proportion of oil in the mixture above a certain percentage. Any one or more of various responsive functions may thereby be initiated such as sounding an alarm, terminating an industrial process, momentarily interrupting operation of the oil/water separator, etc.

Abstract: An oil spill confining or sweeping system and method employing spray booms creating fine water spray curtains angled to the water's surface from an elevation above water level. Mounted divergently at the bow of a skimmer vessel, these spray curtains are effective to funnel the oil into the vessel's pick-up device ahead of the vessel without dispersing or emulsifying the oil. The fine spray particles making up the curtains have carrying effect sufficient to project entrained air with the spray to the water's surface independently of variations in distance between the booms and the water's surface attending passage of waves and swells.

Abstract: An oil spill recovery method and apparatus utilizing a low-resistance flow-through endless belt of reticular oleophilic, hydrophobic material and forced flow of water with oil through the belt through induction effected by propulsion means operating at a position immediately behind and beneath the submerged active portion of the belt.

Abstract: Cooked shrimp to be peeled are distributed successively to tiers of sets of peeler rolls and cooperative reciprocative bars. The claimed invention permits coordinated adjustments of nip spacing and taper angle in the roll-bar tiers independently at corresponding ends of the sets and in each tier independently of the other permit optimum shucking in the first tier and polishing in the second tier suited to type and condition of shrimp. Cams are engaged by cam follower rollers connected to the peeler rolls to control nip distance between the bar and rolls at both ends as a function of relative vertical positioning of each bar and its associated peeler rolls.