Abstract: A skimmer comprising two main, nested components: a skim vat (1) supported by floats (3) and arranged to float beneath the surface (5) of a sheet of liquid; and a spillway (6) supported by floats (7) and free to move telescopically with respect to the skim vat. Liquid is extracted from the bottom of the skim vat (1), thereby lowering the surface (8) of the liquid therein until the spillway (6) which floats with respect to the inside liquid surface (8) has moved far enough down for the rate of flow of surface liquid into the skimmer over the rim of the spillway, to match the rate of extraction via the pipe (4). Two O-ring seals (9 and 11) prevent liquid from escaping from the inside of the skimmer while allowing the nested components to move relative to each other. The skimmer is particularly intended for removing surface pollution from stretches of water.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine including a turbine and a pump oriented for the same direction of rotation and axially spaced apart on a common shaft, and having a casing extending between the external turbine strut ring and the external pump strut ring in which a pump inverter is housed, the casing having an internal separating wall dividing it into two chambers, into one of which the pump inverter discharges.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine combining a pump and a turbine has pump and turbine runners keyed on a common shaft and designed for the same direction of rotation. The pump is connected to a head by at least two partial volutes, and the turbine by at least two partial volutes wound in opposite direction to those of the pump. Sleeve valves between the runners and their partial volutes enable draining of the pump during turbine operation, and vice versa.