Abstract: An oil boom for sweeping and collecting oil from the surface of a body of water is constructed of a framework of structural members arranged in the form of a box beam, the framework supporting two parallel rows of floating barrier screen panels and being connected to end floats. Flow diverter vanes beneath the barier screen panels cause a surface transport current to flow between the two rows of the panels towards a surface skimmer located adjacent one end of the boom when the boom is towed in a direction transversely of its length across a body of water to be swept. The forwardmost row of barrier screen panels sweeps floating oil on the water surface towards the skimmer, and the transport current carries oil that is caught in the underflow beneath the forwardmost row of panels towards the skimmer.

Abstract: An environmentally protective bilge water disposal system utilizes an inverted dome gravitational oil separator unit in combination with an engine exhaust flash water vaporizor to remove and recover oil contamination from the bilge water prior to its disposal by flash evaporation in the exhaust stack. The system is capable of operating continuously under regulation by an electrical control arrangement that ensures safety of the engine, and shutting down of the system if certain key components do not function in a proper manner. The system includes a pump, an oil separator, control valves and sensors for various operating parameters and mechanical functions of the system, such parameters and functions including bilge fluid level, water pump function, water flow valve function, engine fuel pressure, engine throttle air pressure, engine exhaust stack temperature, separator function, separator dome position, and oil storage level.

Abstract: A counterbalance and control system for a gravitational oil and water separator using a floating inverted bell comprises a linkage, sealed coupling shaft and weight system for controlling an outlet valve for the separated oil accumulated beneath the bell during operation of the separator. The linkage and shaft system transmits motion of the bell in response to accumulated oil in a fluid-tight manner to the control system, which is located exteriorly of the separator vessel. Counter-weight masses are connected to the bell through the linkage and shaft system to enable the control system to respond to the accumulation of a predetermined weight of oil beneath the bell.