Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application, a barrier comprising a curtain fitted to stiffening struts at regular intervals along its length and provided with rigid flotation in the form of blocks of foam secured to the rearward side of the curtain. The blocks of foam are hinged so that, in use, they are located on the upper half of the curtain, but for stowing, the blocks are extended over substantially the entire width of the curtain so as to reduce the required stowage space.

Abstract: An oil separator for use at the scene of an oil spill, featuring a tank divided by imperforate bulkheads into a folded, horizontal flow path, the flow path being further divided by perforate baffles through which the flow passes, the baffles having apertures selected to pass debris but also provide wave damping and evening of flow velocities.

Abstract: A self-reversing hydraulic control system for use with a device to be driven in opposite directional modes, especially a self-reversing pump driven by such a device. The system depends upon a flow sensing element disposed to sense flow associated with movement of the driven device and adapted to generate a stop signal responsive to the termination of such flow. A means responsive to the stop signal is then effective to shift the system from one directional mode to the other. Also featured is a sensor disposed to receive and transmit hydraulic fluid under pressure to drive the device, stoppage of the flow adapted to cause the sensor to shift position and to transmit pressurized hydraulic fluid pressure, as the stop signal via a hydraulic line. In preferred embodiments the self-reversing hydraulic control system has a two-position 4-way valve which is shifted in position by the hydraulic stop signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application a double acting diaphragm pump including a two part hollow housing which defines two pumping chambers, one on each side of the diaphragm. A pumping stroke is imparted to the diaphragm by means of a hydraulic actuator contained within the housing and including a cylinder connected to the diaphragm and supplied with hydraulic fluid through a hollow connector which also clamps the two parts of the housing together on the margin of the diaphragm.

Abstract: 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. In one embodiment of the invention, the flotation means is a plurality of inflatable members packaged on the outside surface of the barrier, with a counter weight associated with the flotation means so as to be disposed on the end of the flotation means opposite the barrier when the flotation means is inflated, so that the center of gravity of the assembly is in the desired position in relation to the center of buoyancy thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the application a valve including a body in which is slidably mounted a cam-actuated puncturing pin for piercing the seal of a pressurized gas supply container. The body includes a passage for conducting gas from the supply to an inflatable device and a normally open passage for venting the device while it is in a deflated state. Rotation of the cam is accomplished by a detachably coupled lanyard and the cam includes a restraint against inadvertent rotation and a coupling to the pin to prevent accidental operation until inflation is desired. In addition, a projection of the cam engageable by the pin prevents return motion of the cam once its puncturing tool actuation has started.