Abstract: An oil boom assembly for collecting lighter liquid from the surface of a body of water includes a plurality of elongated, parallel rows of vertical, buoyant, barrier screen members connected together by flexible means and rigidly braced to hold the rows in parallel relationship in upright position when afloat in water. The rows are of progressively longer length and define open channels therebetween for the flow of liquid. A floating liquid diverter means at one end of the boom diverts relatively moving liquid into the channels to cause transport currents to flow therein towards the opposite ends of the channels, where a liquid skimmer means is provided to remove surface water and lighter fluid floating thereon. The progressive barrier lengths permit flow of surface water around the ends of the shorter barriers into the channels between the barriers and may be arranged to cause the diverting of flow around the ends of the shorter barriers into the channels therebetween and towards the skimmer means.

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.