Abstract:
A float boom for confining material floatable on a liquid surface during high temperature conditions, comprising: an elongated floatable tube formed of fluid impervious material; a source of fluid under pressure for cooling the boom during high temperature conditions; piping connected to the source of cooling fluid for distributing the cooling fluid over the length of the boom; and, a protective cover, of a fluid-absorbing material, mounted over the tube, the cover having peripheral edges adapted to engage the boom to encase the tube therein, the piping distributing the cooling fluid over the tube and under the cover to soak the cover over its length.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part application of a previous application by the same inventor bearing U.S. Ser. No. 08/851,124 filed May 5, 1997 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/529,010 filed Sep. 15, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,337. The entirety of these previous applications are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full below. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus which creates a floating boom for collecting floatable materials, such as liquid hydrocarbons, floating on the surface of a body of water. More particularly, the apparatus of the present invention is for such a floating boom that is water cooled and resistant to high temperatures or “fire proof” since in the course of containing an oil spill, the oil may be afire. 
     2. General Background 
     Some conventional “fire proof” or high temperature resistant oil booms comprise a boom encased in an insulating material and a “flame proof” cover that is high temperature resistant. Others have provided a cover blanket for conventional oil booms, the blanket being mounted onto a conventional boom thus converting it into a high temperature resistant oil containment boom. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,619,553 and 4,781,493 both issued to Minnesota Mining &amp; Manufacturing Company (3M Company) on the application of E. M. Fischer and disclose a high temperature oil containment boom which allows for the in-situ burning of spilled or leaked oil during offshore oil spill cleanup, the boom having a cover blanket comprised of three layers—an outer layer of a polymer coated high temperature resistant open weave refractory fabric, a middle layer of a ceramic staple fiber refractory batt and an inner layer of a synthetic fiber, the layers being sewn together with a ceramic thread. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,528 issued to Shell Oil Company on the application of W. F. Simpson and discloses a “fireproof” boom having a floatation member, a skirt depending therefrom and at least two layers of heat-resistant, water-sorbent material surrounding the floatation member. The heat-resistant, water-sorbent material draws water from around the heat sensitive floatation member, forming steam in the presence of flaming pollutant and allowing only the outer layer of the heat-resistant material to become slightly singed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,376 issued to Shell western E&amp;P, Inc., on the application of W. F. Simpson and discloses a “fireproof” boom for containing flammable pollutants on water and includes a floatation member, a heat-resistant, water-sorbent material surrounding the floatation member and a protective fence surrounding the water-sorbent material. The floatation member is a series of cylindrical metal cans held end-to-end and the heat-resistant, water-sorbent material draws water around the heat-sensitive floatation member, forming steam in the presence of flaming pollutant and allowing only the outer layer of heat resistant material to become slightly singed. The protective fence surrounding the water-sorbent material is heavy steel wire woven in continuous spirals so that when the spirals are integrated with each other a diamond-shaped mesh is formed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,586 issued to Globe International, Inc., on the application of P. Lane and discloses a portable fire-resistant barrier for containment of oil spills comprising a continuous length of interwoven, high-temperature resistant yarns and metallic wires, coated with a high-temperature resistant synthetic polymeric resin. The woven fabric barrier is buoyed by fire-resistant buoys and stabilized with ballast. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133 issued to Oil Stop, Inc., on the application of the present applicant and others and discloses a multi-layered high temperature resistant cover installed on an inflatable boom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,155 issued to P. H. Langermann and discloses a containment boom having along its length foam floats provided in pockets. Entry ports at the bottom of each pocket allow water to flow into the pockets to increase the mass of the boom to stabilize it during wave action. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,548,599 issued to W. A. Reilly and discloses a floating containment barrier that has an oil hose resting on a web between float booms, the oil hose can be coupled to a pump for pumping oil that has sloshed over the booms to drain the trough formed therebetween by the web. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,073,143, 4,065,923, 4,030,304, 5,522,674 and 3,998,060 all teach containment barriers that have an inner core of foam to provide flotation. 
     However, none of these prior devices allow for water cooling of the boom along the length of a high temperature resistant cover or blanket that has been installed thereon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention solves the aforementioned problems in a straightforward and simple manner. What is provided is an oil containment boom which can be provided with means for distributing a cooling fluid, preferably water, along the length of the boom and the high temperature resistant blanket that has been mounted on the boom. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a boom that can be protected from the high temperature of oil burning with such a blanket and cooling fluid distribution system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, with a portion of the fluid-absorbing heat resistant barrier cut-away to illustrate a portion of the means for distributing cooling fluid over the length of the boom and heat resistant barrier; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a portion of the fluid absorbing heat-resistant barrier cut-away to illustrate the means for distributing cooling fluid over the length of the boom and heat resistant barrier; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along LINES  3 — 3  of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially in section and partially cut-away, of the sleeve for the distribution lines of the means for distributing cooling fluid; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a first alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, with a portion of the fluid-absorbing heat resistant barrier cut-away to illustrate a portion of the means for distributing cooling fluid over the length of the boom and heat resistant barrier; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 taken along LINES  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a second alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a portion of the means for distributing cooling fluid over the length of the boom; and, 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 taken along LINES  8 — 8  of FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawing, and in particular FIGS. 1-4, the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral  10 . The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention  10  is a high temperature or heat-resistant oil containment boom (also known in the trade as a “fireproof boom”) that is cooled by means  80  for distributing cooling fluid, preferably water, over the length of the boom and its protective fluid-absorbing cover  60 . Boom  10  provides an elongated tube  12  formed of fluid impervious material, which may be divided into compartments (NOT SHOWN; see my prior applications U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133) and Ser. No. 08/851,124 filed May 5, 1997) along its length. Secured to the lower portion of tube  12 , and extending along the length of tube  12 , is skirt  14  which has connecting means (such as shown in my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133) to secure it to tube  12 . Skirt  14  is a sheet formed of a fluid impervious material which is secured along its upper portion  39  to the lower portion of tube  12 . Alternatively, tube  12  and skirt  14  can be integrally formed. The lower portion  40  of skirt  14  forms a compartment  42  which runs the length of tube  12  and has provided therein, as best seen in FIG. 1, weight or ballast means  18  for maintaining tension in skirt  14  when boom  10  is deployed and inflated as will be discussed further herein. Ballast  18 , in the preferred embodiment, takes the form of a heavy chain  18   a ; however, in an alternate embodiment, it can take the form of particulate matter having a specific gravity substantially greater than that of water. (See, my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133)). 
     Tube  12  is filled by known means such as pressurized gas or foam to provide buoyancy. (See, my prior applications U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133) and Ser. No. 08/851,124 filed May 5, 1997, respectively). 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, boom  10  is provided with a protective cover or blanket  60 . Cover  60  can be fabricated by assembling various layers as described in my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133). In the present invention blanket or cover  60  must have top and bottom layers of fabric that will absorb fluid, particularly water (one such absorbent fabric is cotton). Protective cover  60  can be fastened to skirt  14  of boom  10  as described in my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133). 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, protective fluid-absorbing cover  60  is mounted on and secured to boom  10  by mounting it on tube  12  such that it rests upon the upper portion of tube  12  and so that longitudinal edges  71   a,    71   b  substantially oppose each other on opposing sides of skirt  14 . (As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 16 of my prior application U.S. Ser. No. 08/175,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,133), a fire burning on the surface of body of water “W” having a water level “WL” will be resisted by cover  60 , thereby protecting boom  10 .) 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1-4, boom  10  is provided with means  80  for distributing cooling fluid, preferably water, over the length of boom  10  and, therefore, protective fluid-absorbing cover  60 . A fluid supply line  81  connected to a source (NOT SHOWN) of cooling water (or other cooling fluid) under pressure extends the length of boom  10  at the mid-section of skirt  14 . At some selected intermediate point (or points)  83  in supply line  81 , a vertical riser (or risers)  82  directs the flow of the cooling fluid through an optional orifice  84  therein and into manifold  86  connected to the distal or upper end of riser  82 . From manifold  86  the cooling fluid is directed into longitudinal distribution lines or sprinkler hoses  88  which have spaced-apart outlet ports  89  in the upper portion thereof to evenly distribute the cooling water over the length of tube  12  of boom  10  and therefore, protective fluid-absorbing blanket  60 . Distribution lines  88  are encased in a sleeve or pocket  90 , best seen in FIG. 4, which can be connected to the underside of blanket  60  so that as cooling fluid is distributed at spaced-apart ports  89  it evenly soaks blanket  60  from within and coats the upper surface of tube  12 . 
     The first alternate embodiment  110 , best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 has skirt  114  and heavy chain  118   a  for ballast in compartment  142  just as preferred embodiment  10  does, but boom  110 , differs from the preferred embodiment  10  in its water distribution means  180  which comprises a fluid supply line  181  extending longitudinally through sealed tube  112  (and any sealed compartments thereof, whether filled with air or foam). Supply line  181  has a plurality of spaced apart radially outwardly projecting distribution lines or sprinklers  182  which exit sealed tube  112  on its upper surface (below blanket  160 ) at outlet ports  184 . When this embodiment  110  of the boom of the present invention is deployed into the water and the filling of tube  112  has been accomplished by applying pressurized air or inserting foam for buoyancy, water under pressure is supplied to the longitudinal supply line  181  and therefore, to each of the radial distribution lines  182 , thus effecting distribution of the cooling water along the length of boom  110  and, therefore, blanket  160  so long as the fluid pressure is maintained in supply tube  181 . With blanket  160  mounted over tube  112 , there is created water distribution between not only ports  184  and tube  112 , but blanket  160  and tube  112  as blanket  160  becomes soaked by absorbing the cooling water. 
     A second alternate embodiment  210 , best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 has skirt  214  and heavy chain  218   a  for ballast in compartment  242  and, is the same as the embodiment  110  of FIGS. 5 and 6, but without the protective fluid-absorbing cover or blanket  160 . Here cooling water will be evenly distributed directly over tube  212  along its length by means  280  as the cooling water is supplied via line  281 , through radial distribution lines  282  and exits at ports  284  to be sprayed over the upper surface of tube  212 . 
     Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.