RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/644,785, filed May 9, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD Various embodiments described herein relate to an oil spill containment and recovery apparatus and a method for using the same.
BACKGROUND Large oil spills can cause permanent damage to the aquatic environment. The oil also gets into the aquatic food chain, and directly contaminates fish and shellfish. Estuaries, where various species breed, also important links in the food chain, have become contaminated. In addition, fish, water fowl, and mammals living in the water can face damage and destruction.
There is also the potential for damage to the sea shore, such as beaches and waterfront property. This is due to the accumulation of heavy weight oils, such as crude oil. The only effective way to deal with this situation is to attempt to minimize the quantity of oil spilled.
Oil spills can occur when there are accidents or failures at an offshore drilling rig. The largest oil spill in history occurred in April of 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico after an explosion on an oil rig that killed 11 men and injured 17 others. The spill stemmed from a sea-floor oil gusher that resulted from the Apr. 20, 2010. On Jul. 15, 2010, the leak was stopped by capping the gushing wellhead after it had released about 4.9 million barrels (780,000 m3) of crude oil.I An estimated 53,000 barrels per day (8,400 m3/d) escaped from the well just before it was capped. The spill caused extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats and to the Gulfs fishing and tourism industries. Skimmer ships, floating containment booms, anchored barriers, sand-filled barricades along shorelines, and dispersants were used in an attempt to protect hundreds of miles of beaches, wetlands, and estuaries from the spreading oil. Immense underwater plumes of dissolved oil not visible at the surface were discovered. Tar balls occurred for months afterward. The amount of Louisiana shoreline affected by the oil spill was up to 320 miles (510 km) in late November 2010. In January 2011, an oil spill commission reported that tar balls continued to wash up, oil sheen trails were seen in the wake of fishing boats, wetlands marsh grass remained fouled and dying, and crude oil lies offshore in deep water and in fine silts and sands onshore. The effects of such an oil spill are long lasting. For example, in October 2011, a NOAA report stated that dolphins and whales continue to die at twice the normal rate.
Many of the oil spills occur because of leakage of ship's oil or spillage of oil tanker cargo. The increase in oil spillage can also be attributed to a greater number of tankers having a larger capacity to carry oil, which, in turn, allows a greater quantity of oil to be shipped from distant oil fields and refineries, leaving a higher probability of oil spillage. Double hulled Super Tankers simply hold much more oil and, when an accident occurs, the resulting oil spill can be massive.
Many oil spills occur from refueling of ships in a harbor. Of course, there types of oil spills are more prevalent as a result of ships gradually changing from coal to fuel oil for propulsion. Now that most use fuel oil, there are many small oil spills that occur within a harbor. The techniques for cleaning up large oil spills are many times used for smaller oil spills. Skimming devices, and floating containment booms are generally used to reclaim oil. Skimming devices include towed barges or self propelled vessels fitted with scoop type skimming structural are used to skim the water surface, removing oil therefrom. Depending on the quantity of the oil spilled, the recovered oil can either be stored temporarily on board the recovery vessel or pumped directly to another holding means. Another method, that can be incorporated with the first method or used by itself, is to deploy a flotation barrier for confining the spread of oil. Aprons of varying depth are attached to the flotation barrier to form a dike that blocks or at least retards the oil from spreading.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a top schematic view of a spill collection system, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 2 is s a top perspective view of a boom used in the spill collection system, according to an example embodiment
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a boom used in the spill collection system along cutline 3-3 in FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a stack of boom sections that are used to form the boom used in the spill collection system, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fluid extractor, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an extractor mount, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an extractor tray, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an extractor grating, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a grating support, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first or right hand roller support, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second or left hand roller support, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a driven roller, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a driver roller, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an extractor gear, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an upper bracket, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an extractor spring, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a first extractor guide, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a second extractor guide, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a slide plate, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a plurality of slide plates engaged with a roller support, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another fluid extractor called a bulk press, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a press associated with the bulk press, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 22B is a bottom view of a press associated with the bulk press 2100, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view a press plate associated with the bulk press, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a tray associated with the bulk press, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a grate associated with the tray of the bulk press, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a handle associated with the bulk press, according to an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following paper, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the concepts underlying the described embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the underlying concepts.
FIG. 1 is a top schematic view of a spill collection system 100, according to an example embodiment. The spill collection system 100 includes a vessel 120 that has an extractor 500 on board, and a fluid absorbing boom 200. The fluid absorbing boom 200 encompasses or encircles a spill which is shown as a spill area 110. As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid absorbing boom 200 encircles the spill area 110 two times. The fluid absorbing boom 200 includes a first or inner circle 201, and an outer or second circle 202. The boom 200 is made of material that selectively absorbs a particular fluid. For example, if the spill area is due to a petroleum product, the boom 200 is made of a material that absorbs petroleum more than it absorbs seawater. The inner circle 201 interacts with the spill area 110 and absorbs a majority of the petroleum spilled. The second or outer circle 202 also may absorb petroleum but generally is positioned as a safety measure. In other words, most of the petroleum is absorbed by the inner circle 201 of the boom 200. In some instances, some petroleum may get beyond the inner circle 201 of the boom 200. In that case, the outer circle 202 of the boom 200 absorbs the petroleum that has escaped or gotten beyond the inner circle tool one of the boom 200. The extractor 500 is positioned on a vessel 120 that can store spilled petroleum. The extractor 500 squeezes the boom 200 to substantially remove the petroleum from the boom 200. In some embodiments there may be one extractor on the vessel 120. In other instances there may be a plurality of extractors 500 on vessel 120. The vessel 120 also includes a ramp 130. The ramp 130 guides the boom 200 to the extractor 500 on the vessel and back into the sea water. The ramp 130 also includes a portion 132 that lifts the inner circle portion 201 of the boom 200 over the outer circle portion 202 as it travels into the vessel 120. After the extractor 500 squeezes the petroleum or spill fluid from the boom 200, the petroleum or spill fluid drains or is pumped into a tank associated with the vessel 120. The boom 200 travels in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 1. When the boom 200 travels into the extractor 500 on the vessel 120 is transitioned from a position on the inner circle 201 of the boom 200 a position on the outer circle 202 of the boom 200. The boom 200 moves continuously in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 1. The boom 200 comes in sections. The vessel 120 typically holds or stores a number of sections so that the boom 200 can be lengthened or shortened as needed. For example if the spill area 110 is small, the number of sections needed to form the boom 200 will be less than if the spill area 110 is larger.
FIG. 2 is s a top perspective view of a boom 200 used in the spill collection system 100, according to an example embodiment. As shown the boom 200 comes in sections. The boom shown in FIG. 2 includes a first section 211 and a second section 212. Each boom section, such as first boom section 211 includes a connector 213 located at one and of the boom section 211. Each boom section 211 also includes an opening for receiving the connector 213.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a boom 200 used in the spill collection system 100 along cutline 3-3 in FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment. The boom 200 includes a mass of fluid absorbing material 300. As shown in FIG. 3, the boom also includes an opening in the center of the boom 200 for receiving a connector, such as connector 213. As mentioned previously of the boom 200 is made of material that selectively absorbs fluids or liquids. For example, Opflex Solutions LLC of West Hyannisport, Mass., USA manufacturers a material under the tradename OPFLEX which is a cross-linked polyolefin foam that absorbs nonpolar substances (like oil) and repels water. The OPFLEX material is 50 to 70% lighter in weight than most servants and contains narrative that speech its biopic radiation. Once it is properly run out or centrifuged, the material can be reused multiple time making it a low carbon impact product. In addition a boom made of OPFLEX material has 500% more surface area than conventional booms. One boom section weighing approximately 23 ounces can absorber approximately 6 pounds of oil, for example.
FIG. 4 is a stack 400 of boom sections that are used to form the boom 200 used in the spill collection system 100, according to an example embodiment. The stack 400 includes a plurality of boom sections, such as boom section 201 and boom section 202. The boom sections are situated within the rack 410 aboard the vessel 110 (shown in FIG. 1). In operation, the boom 200 can be formed by connecting a plurality of boom sections, such as boom sections 201, 202 to form an elongated boom 200. The length of the boom formed can be changed by varying the number of sections which are connected to form the boom 200. As an oil spill or fluid spill is cleaned up the spill area 110 will become smaller. Thus as a cleanup continues, boom sections, such as boom sections 201, 202, can be removed from the boom 200 to shorten the boom and keep in contact with the spill area 110.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fluid extractor 500, according to an example embodiment. The fluid extractor 500 includes an extractor mount 600. The extractor mount is mounted to the vessel 110. In extractor tray 700 fits within the extractor mount 600. The extractor tray 700 captures the extracted fluid, such as oil or other petroleum product, and moves it or directs it toward a tank or other container for holding the extracted fluid which is on the vessel 110. Positioned within the extractor tray is an extractor grating 800. The extractor grating 800 is supported by a grating support 900. The grating support 900 supports one end of the extractor grating 800. Also attached to the extractor tray 700 is a first roller support 1000 and a second roller support 1100. The roller support 1000 and the rollers support 1100, support a driver roller 1300 and a driven roller 1200. The driver roller 1300 and the driven roller 1200 each carry an extractor gear 1400. The extractor gears 1400 interact with each other so that the driver roller 1300 drives the driven roller 1200 via the extractor gears 1400. In other words, the extractor gear 1400 associated with the driver roller 1300 is the driver gear and the extractor gear 1400 associated with the driven roller 1200 is the driven gear. In one embodiment of the invention, the driver roller 1300 includes an extractor gear 1400 on each end of the driver roller 1300. Similarly the driven roller 1200 includes an extractor gear 1400 on each end of the driven roller 1200. The extractor 500 also includes an upper bracket 1500 which connects the first or right roller support 1000 to the second or left roller support 1100. The upper bracket 1500 also contains an extractor spring 1600. The extractor spring 1600 is a leaf spring which acts or places a spring force on the driven roller 1200. The upper bracket 1500 also includes a spring force adjustment device 510 which can include a handle 512. The spring force adjustment device 510 through bleeding gauges and acme nut 514 which is carried by the upper bracket 1500. The acme nut 514 provides a threaded opening for the upper bracket 1500 and a handle 512. By turning the handle 512, a threaded fastener (not shown) can be turned until a free end abuts the leaf spring 1600. I further engaging the handle the leaf spring 1600 is further flattened which produces a higher spring force onto the driven roller 1200. In this way the spring force or force on the driven roller 1200 can be increased or reduced to adjust the force that the rollers 1200, 1300 apply to the boom 200 (shown in FIGS. 1-4). The extractor 500 also includes a second handle 520 which is used to turn our rotate the driver roller 1300. Of course in another embodiment the second handle 520 can be eliminated and electric or gas motor driver can be substituted for the second handle 520. The following FIGs. and following discussion will be used to further describe the compliments of the extractor 500.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an extractor mount 600, according to an example embodiment. The extractor mount 600 includes a rectangular, flat section 610 and four corner sections 611, 612, 613, 614. Each corner sections 611, 612, 613, 614 includes a first portion that abuts a first wall of the extractor tray 700 and the second portion that abuts a second wall of the extractor tray 700. The flat section 610 includes a plurality of openings, such as opening 612. The plurality of openings are sized to accept various fasteners used to mount the extractor mount 600 to a surface within the vessel 110 of the spill collection system 100.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an extractor tray 700, according to an example embodiment. The extractor tray 700 is essentially a tray for receiving extracted fluid. The extractor tray 700 is a tray that has four side walls 701, 702, 703, 704. The extractor tray 700 is also a base for the extractor device 500. The extractor tray sidewall 701 includes openings for fasteners. The extractor tray sidewall 703 also includes openings for fasteners. Fastened to the extractor tray sidewall 701, is the second or left roller support 1100. Fastened to the extractor tray sidewall 703, is the first or right roller support 1000. The extractor tray 700, the first or right roller support 1000, the second or left roller support 1100 and the upper bracket 1500 form a frame to hold the rollers 1200, 1300, the extractor spring 1600, the adjustment mechanism 510, and the drive mechanism 520 and the extractor gears 1400.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an extractor grating 800, according to an example embodiment. The extractor grating 800 is held within the extractor tray 700. The extractor grating 800 includes a number or plurality of elongated slots or slits, such as slot 810 the extractor grating 800 also includes a first edge 820 and a second edge 830. The first edge 820 is longer than the second edge 830. The first edge 820 is positioned proximate the driven roller 1300 and the second edge 830 is positioned near a sidewall of the extractor tray 700. The extractor grating 800 also includes openings 801, 802.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a grating support 900, according to an example embodiment. The extractor grating 800 is supported by a grating support 900. The grating support 900 is L-shaped in cross-section. The grating support 900 includes mounting holes or openings 901, 902. The mounting holes or openings 901, 902 are sized to receive fasteners to fastened the gratings port 900 to the openings 801 and 802 and the extractor grating 800. The grating support 900 supports the middle portion between the first edge 820 and the second edge 830 of the grating 800. The grating support 900 provides a leg which sits on the bottom of the extractor tray 700 and spaces the extractor grating 800 from the tray bottom.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first or right hand roller support, according to an example embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second or left hand roller support, according to an example embodiment. The first or right hand support 1000 is substantially the same as the second or left-hand support 1100. The first or right hand support 1000 is a minor image of the second or left-hand support 1100. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the support 1000 will be described with the knowledge that the support 1100 is made in substantially the same fashion. Support 1000 includes openings 1001, 1002. The openings 1001, 1002 are sized to receive fasteners that fastened the roller support 1002 the tray 700. The roller support 1000 has an elongated base 1004 and up turned sidewalls 1010, 1020. The elongated base 1004 and the up turned sidewalls 1010, 1020 form a c-shaped cross-section. The up turned sidewalls 1010, 1020 have a slight overhang 1011, 1021, respectively. The end result is that the roller support 1000 includes a first channel 1030. The first channel 1030 is located between overhangs 1011, 1021. The channel 1030 is dimensioned to receive one end of the driven roller 1201 and one end of the driver roller 1300. The channel 1030 also is dimensioned to receive the ends of the extractor spring 1600.
As mentioned previously the left-hand or second roller support 1100 is substantially the same or a minor image of the right hand or first roller support 1000. The left-hand or second roller support 1100 includes openings 1101, 1102 for fastening the roller support 1100 to the extractor tray 700. The right-hand roller support includes a flat elongated base 1104 with up turned sidewalls 1110, 1120. The up turned sidewalls 1110, 1120 also include an overhang 1111, 1121. The distance between the overhang forms a channel 1130 which is dimensioned to receive one end of the driven roller 1200 and one end of the driver roller 1300. In the flat elongated base 1104 of the left-hand roller support 1100 is an enlarged opening 1140. The driven end of the driver roller 1300 passes through the enlarged opening 1140. The handle or second drive means 520 is attached to the driven and of the driver roller 1300.
With the first or right-hand roller support 1000 and the second or left-hand roller support 1100 attached to the extractor tray 700 the driver roller 1300 can be placed or captured in the channels 1030 and 1130 of the first roller support 1000 and the second roller support 1100. More specifically, the driver roller 1300 is captured on the ends by the openings 1930 and the slide plates 1900 which are placed into the channels 1030, 1130 of the first roller support 1000 and the second roller support 1100, respectively. The extractor spring 1600 can also be placed in the channel 1130 so that the ends of the extractor spring 1600 are captured by the channels 1030, 1130. Again more specifically, the ends of the extractor spring 1600 are actually captured in the slots 1920 of a pair of slide plates 1900. One of the slide plates is in the channel 1030 and another of the slide plates is in the channel 1130. When assembled, the driver roller 1300 is fit within the opening 1140 in the second or left-hand roller support 1100 and the other end is fit within the channel 1030 in the right-hand or first roller support 1000. The two ends of the driven roller 1200 are fit to the channel 1030 and the channel 1130. One end of the extractor spring 1600 fits within the channel 1030 and the other end of the extractor spring 1600 fits within the channel 1130. The upper bracket 1500 is then attached to the first roller support 1000 and the second roller support 1100 to complete the assembly of the extractor 500.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a slide plate 1900, according to an example embodiment. The slide plate 1900 includes a beveled edge 1910 and a beveled edge 1912. The beveled edges 1910, 1912 are capable of fitting with in the roller supports 1000, 1100. The slide plate 1900 also includes a slot 1920 which is dimensioned to receive an end of the extractor spring 1600. The slide plate 1900 also includes a bearing opening 1930. The bearing opening 1930 serves as a sleeve bearing and receives in and of one of the rollers, such as the driven roller 1200 or the driver roller 1300.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a driven roller 1200, according to an example embodiment. The driven roller 1200 includes a cylindrical body 1210 having a cylindrical surface 1212. As shown the cylindrical surface 1212 includes a rubber coating or jacket that fits over the cylindrical body 1210 of the driven roller 1200. In other embodiments, the outer surface can be formed of different materials, including different rubber materials having different durometer hardnesses for various applications. Attached the cylindrical body 1210 of the driven roller 1200 is a shaft 1220. The shaft includes a first end 1221 and the second end 1222. The first end 1221 includes a keyway 1223. The keyway 1223 is used to attach an extractor gear 1400 to the first end 1221 of the shaft 1220. Each of the first end 1221 and the second end 1222 of the shaft 1220 have necked down portions. The ends of the extractor spring 1600 ride on the necked down portions of the shaft 1220.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a driver roller 1300, according to an example embodiment. The driver roller 1300 includes a main body 1310 having a cylindrical covering 1312 thereon. Different driver rollers 1300 can be used for various applications. In some embodiments, the driver roller 1300 can have very aggressive groups that run substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body 1310 of the driver roller 1300. The driver roller also includes a shaft 1320 having a first end 1321 and a second end 1322. The second and 1322 includes a keyway 1323. The keyway 1323 is used to attach another extractor gear 1400 to the second and 1322 of the driver roller 1300. Generally, when used the extractor 500 will include a number of different rollers. There will be different driver rollers 1300 and different driven rollers 1200 for various applications. The first end 1321 of the shaft 1320 engages the channel 1030 of the first roller support 1000. The second end 1322 of the shaft 1320 passes through the opening 1140 in the left-hand roller support 1100. The second and 1322 engages the driver handle 520 or other drive mechanism for driving the driver roller 1300.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an extractor gear 1400, according to an example embodiment. The extractor gear 1400 includes a number of teeth 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, and 1416. Each of the teeth 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, and 1416 is capable of either being driven or capable of driving another extractor gear 1400. Thus the extractor gear 1400 shown can serve as either the driving gear or the driven gear. The extractor gear 1400 can be mounted to either the driven roller 1200 or the driver roller 1300. Whether the extractor gear 1400 serves as the driving gear or the driven gear depends upon the roller to which it is attached. For example, if the extractor gear 1400 is attached to the driver roller 1300, the extractor gear is the driver gear.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a plurality of slide plates 1900 engaged with a roller support 1000, and a plurality of slide plates 1900 engaged with a roller support 1100, according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20 the slide plates 1900 fit within a channel 1030 of the roller support 1000. As mentioned previously, the turned up sidewalls 1010, 1020 have a slight overhangs 1011, 1021, respectively, and these form the channel 1030. A first slide plate 1900 is inserted into the channel 1030 from either end of the right-hand roller support 1000. A second slide plate 1900 is inserted into the channel 1030. The first slide plate is positioned proximate the end of the right-hand roller support that is proximate the extractor tray 700. The second side plate 1900 abuts the first side plate 1900. The slot 1920 in the second slide plate 1900 is placed closest to the opposite end of the right-hand roller support. In other words the slot 1920 is placed closest to the upper bracket 1500. The slot 1920 is dimensioned to receive an end of the extractor spring 1600. The similar arrangement is formed on the left-hand bracket 1100. The left-hand bracket also has to slide plates which slide into position within the channel 1130 of the left-hand roller bracket 1100. The upper slide plate includes the slot 1920 which engages another end of the extractor spring 1600. The cylindrical shaft of the driver roller 1300 is inserted into the opening 1930 in the lower slide plate 1900. Similarly the ends of the driven roller 1200 are placed into the openings 1930 of the upper slide plates 1900 positioned within the right-hand roller support 1000 and the left-hand roller support 1100.
FIG. 20 also shows the extractor spring 1600 or leaf spring engaging the slide plate 1900 in the assembled extractor, according to an example embodiment. As shown the end 1601 and the end 1602 ride within the slots 1920 of a pair of the slide plates 1900.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an upper bracket 1500, according to an example embodiment. The upper bracket 1500 includes a main body having openings therein. There are four openings 1501, 1502, 1503, 1504 for attaching the upper bracket 1500 to the right-hand roller support 1000 and the left-hand roller support 1100. The upper bracket 1500 also includes a larger opening 1510. The larger opening 1510 receives an Acme nut 514. The Acme nut 514 supports the adjusting device 510 which includes a handle 512 for making adjustments to the spring force produced by the extractor spring 1600. A fastener, which includes a shaft (not shown) abuts the extractor spring 1600 about midway along the length of the extractor spring 1600. The adjusting device 510 can be turned clockwise to further engage the shaft of the fastener with the extractor spring 1600. As the fastener and is further engaged with the extractor spring 1600, the spring force produced by the extractor spring 1600 increases. If the adjuster device 510 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, the end of the fastener disengages or produces a lesser amount of spring force acting upon the rollers 1200, 1300 in the extractor 500.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an extractor spring 1600, according to an example embodiment. The extractor spring 1600 is a leaf spring having flattened ends 1601 and 1602. The flattened and 1601 and 1602 ride within the channels 1030, 1130 of the first or right-hand roller support 1000 and the second or left-hand roller support 1100, respectively. Also shown in FIG. 16 is a fastener 1610 that is associated with the adjustment device 510 of the extractor 500 (shown in FIG. 5). Only a portion of the fastener 1610 is shown in FIG. 16 for the sake of brevity and clarity. The fastener 1610 is shown abutting the extractor spring 1600 about midway along the length of the extractor spring 1600. It should be noted that different extractor springs 1600 can be provided with or for the extractor 500. Different extractor spring 1600 would have different spring constants so that for a particular extractor spring different loads would be produced. Different loads may have to be produced in different circumstances and in different environments.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a first extractor guide 1700, according to an example embodiment. The extractor guide 1700 is part of the guide system 130 shown in FIG. 1. The extractor guide 1700 is attached to an input side of the extractor. The extractor guide 1700 includes sidewalls 1710 and 1712. The extractor guide also includes openings for attaching the extractor guide 1700 to the extractor 500 (shown in FIG. 5).
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a second extractor guide 1800, according to an example embodiment. The second extractor guide 1800 is substantially the same as the first extractor guide 1700. The main difference between the first extractor guide and this 1800 and the second extractor guide 1700 is the length or width of the sidewalls 1810 and 1812. The length of the sidewalls 1810, 1812 of the second extractor guide 1800 are shorter than the length of the sidewalls 1710, 1712 of the extractor guide 1700.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a fluid extractor 2100, according to an example embodiment. The fluid extractor 2100 can also be referred to as a bulk press 2100. The fluid extractor or bulk press 2100 includes a base 2110 and a frame 2120 attached to the base 2110. The frame 2120 includes a first upright 2122, the second upright 2124, and a top weldment 2126. The top weldment 2126 joins the first upright 2122 and the second upright 2124 to complete the frame 2120. The tray 2400 is attached or otherwise coupled to the first upright 2122 and the second upright 2124. Housed within the tray 2400 is a grate 2500 (shown in further detail in FIG. 25). The grate 2500 fits within the bottom of the tray 2400. The grate 2500 is covered by a screen plate 2410. Positioned above the grate 2500 is a press 2200. The press 2200 includes a press plate 2210 and a press bar 2220. The press bar 2220 includes a first end 2222 and a second end 2224 which are captured and a channel 2123 of the first upright 2122, and in a channel 2125 of the second upright 2124. The first end 2222 and the second end 2224 slidably engage their respective channels. The channels 2123 and 2125 guide the press bar 2220 along a path which corresponds to the first upright 2122 and the second upright 2124 of the frame 2120. A series of gussets 2112, 2114, 2116, 2118 connect the press plate 2210 to the press bar 2220. Also attached to the press plate 2210 is a handle 2600. The handle .600 can be turned to move the press bar 2220 and the press plate 2210 in a direction which is substantially parallel to the first upright 2122 and the second upright 2124 of the frame 2120. A threaded shaft is attached to the top of the press 2200. The top of the threaded shaft is engaged in a threaded opening within the weldment 2126. By turning the handle 2600 the press can be moved up and down with respect to the tray 2400. Material can be placed within or on top of the tray 2400 and the handle can be turned to move the press 2200 into engagement with the material. The tray includes the grate 2500 which maintains the spacing between the screen plate 2410 and the tray 2400. The tray 2400 captures any fluid forced out of the material. T's he fluid can be removed from the tray 2400 in any number of ways. For example the tray 2400 can be outfitted with a drain so that fluid in the tray 2400 merely passes down the drain. In another embodiment the tray 2400 can be emptied periodically.
FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a press 2200 associated with the bulk press 2100, according to an example embodiment. FIG. 22B is a bottom view of a press 2200 associated with the bulk press 2100, according to an example embodiment. Now referring to both FIGS. 22A and 22B, the press 2200 will be further detailed. The press includes the press plate 2210 and the press bar 2220. Gussets 2112, 2114, 2116, 2118 are attached to the press plate 2210 and to the press bar 2220. The gussets 2112, 2114, 2116, 2118 not only connect the press bar to the press plate 2210 and also distribute the force applied to the press 2200 across the surface of the press plate 2210. Attached to the|press bar 2220 is a threaded fastener 2222. The threaded fastener 2222 is used to attach to a threaded shaft to the press 2200. The bottom of the press plate 2210 includes a number of welds that correspond to the placement of the gussets 2112, 2114, 2116 and 2118.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view a screen plate 2410 associated with the bulk press 2100, according to an example embodiment. The screen plate 2410 sits atop the grate 2500. The screen plate 2410 includes a plurality of openings, such as openings 2412, 2414 and 2416. The plurality of openings allow fluids to pass through the screen plate 2410 and into the tray 2400. Thus, as the press 2200 applies a force to a material between the press plate 2210 and the screen plate 2410, fluid is forced out of the material. The fluid passes through the openings and into the tray 2400.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a tray 2400 associated with the bulk press 2100, according to an example embodiment. The tray 2400, in the embodiment shown, includes an outer sidewall 2420 and a bottom 2430. The tray 2400 also includes a hinge pipe 2440 which is attached to the outer sidewall 2420 of the tray 2400. The hinge pipe is welded or otherwise attached to the exterior surface of the outer sidewall 2420. The hinge pipe 2440 is reinforced with a first gusset 2442 and a second gusset 2444. The hinge pipe 2440 receives a pin or other cylindrical body so that the tray 2400 can swing between a first position within the press 2100 and a second position outside the press 2100. The tray 2400 can also be thought of as a swing out tray.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a grate 2500 associated with the tray 2400 of the bulk press 2100, according to an example embodiment. The grate 2500 is formed of a first set of parts having a slot in one side of a grate element 2510 and a second set of grate elements 2520 having a slot in another side of the grate element 2520. The grate can be formed by interconnecting the first set of grate elements 2510 with the second set of grate elements 2520. The grate is finally formed and assembled by fastening the various grate elements to one another. For example, one corner of each of the intersections of the grate elements 2510 and 2520 is welded to form the grate 2500, in one embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a side view of a handle 2600 associated with the bulk press 2100, according to an example embodiment. The handle is annular in shape. Attached to the handle is a first threaded rod 2610 and the second threaded rod 2620. In the embodiment shown, the first threaded rod 2610 is an acme rod having a right-hand thread, and the second threaded rod 2620 is an acme rod having a left-hand thread. Attached to the handle body is a first Acme nut 2612 and a second Acme nut 2622. The first Acme nut 2612 has a right hand thread and engages the first Acme rod 2610. The second Acme nut 2622 as a left-hand thread and engages the second Acme rod 2620. One of the Acme rods 2610, 2620 engages the Acme nut 2222 attached to the press bar 2220. The other of the Acme rods 2610, 2620 engages the threaded opening in the top weldment 2126. The top weldment can also be thought of as a crossbar between sidebar 2122 and sidebar 2124.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
While the embodiments have been described in terms of several particular embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of these general concepts. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present embodiments. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the described embodiments.
