Abstract: An oil treating system for use with a tank of oil on-board a tankship includes a container of oil treating agent, means for creating a plume of gas bubbles rising in the oil in the tank, a vent for allowing escape of gas from the tank, and means for introducing the oil treating agent into the plume of gas bubbles rising in the oil, whereby the rising bubbles induce upward flow in their vicinities in the oil with counterbalancing downward flows elsewhere in the oil, with turbulence generated by flow of oil around the bubbles and in their wakes, for rapid and efficient mixing of treating agent into the oil.

Abstract: A collector apparatus and collection method for use with a blown-out seabottom wellhead. The collector apparatus, including a collector element with an extended, open base and an upper portion enclosing a volume to receive fluid (substantial quantities of gas and lesser quantities of oil) rising, in the water, from the wellhead, and a riser connected to the collector element and extending thereabove to conduct fluid therefrom, is characterized in that the collector element is adapted for fixable attachment to the ocean floor about the seabottom well head prior to any blow-out, and the upper portion of the collector element further includes a relief passage from its interior to the exterior of the collector apparatus, the release passage adapted to vent excess gas from the collector apparatus during initial stages of any blow-out.

Abstract: A collector apparatus and method for use with a blown-out seabottom wellhead comprising a plurality of collector elements each having an extended, open base and an upper portion enclosing a volume to receive fluid comprising gas and lesser quantities of oil rising, in the water, from the wellhead, and risers connected to the collector elements and extending thereabove to conduct fluid therefrom. One collector element is disposed below at least one other collector element with an open volume defined therebetween, the first element positioned to intercept fluid rising from the wellhead, and the second element positioned to receive and collect excess flow of fluid that is not collected by the first element. A riser extends from the first collector element to the surface of the sea, and a second riser extends from the second collector element to a storage tank above the second collector element.

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: There is disclosed in the present application, a floating skimming barrier assembly for confining oil and removing it from the surface of water. The assembly comprises an elongated flexible sheet supported in a generally vertical position in the water by a plurality of spaced-apart flotation units. The collection of floating oil, which takes place only at certain locations along the length of the barrier is accomplished by skimming panel sub-assemblies attached to the barrier sheet. Each sub-assembly includes an inflated float, a frame upon which there is mounted a tank having a large inlet opening on its inner surface and an outlet conduit connected to the bottom of the tank and leading to a discharge end adapted to being connected to a flexible hose at the surface of the water. The barrier assembly including skimming sub-assemblies and other flotation units at regular intervals is compactly foldable for shipment in a packing case.

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.