Abstract:
An oil containment system aboard a vessel which includes a pneumatic system to provide power to a winch and reel assembly containing boom whereby the pneumatic supply is capable of simultaneously powering the winch-reel assembly for boom deployment through inflatable gas fed to a pneumatic motor while also inflating the boom. The inflation of the boom is accomplished by diverting, all or any portion thereof, the inflatable gas from a pneumatic supply through a hose that runs concurrently on the outside of the boom wherein appropriate rates of inflatable gas pressure are allowed to flow through the hose to feed through a valve and hose assembly that connects the inflatable gas supply of the hose to the inflatable gas containment system of the boom. The pneumatic supply originates from a single pneumatic system powering both the winch and reel assembly as well as associated brake and feeding inflatable gas pressure to the inflation hose running concurrently with the boom. The system may be manufactured in a form such that it is compact enough to be installed in, or rapidly transported to, any area or place or vessel where there is likelihood of a discharge of floating material, such as hydrocarbons, floating on a liquid surface. The present invention may also be operated through the use of pneumatic control without the benefit of electric power making it particularly useful for applications in remote areas or during a disaster when electrical power is not readily available.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/358,566, filed Jun. 25, 2010, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention pertains to a system, its devices and methods, for housing, deploying and maintaining a floating barrier or boom for restraining and collecting floatable material, such as hydrocarbons, floating on the surface or just below the surface of a body of water. More particularly this invention pertains to a system, its devices and methods, that allow for rapid deployment of floating barriers by a novel floating barrier delivery, deployment and Inflation system. 
         [0006]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0007]    For many years conventional floating oil booms or barriers have been used in an attempt to contain floating material, such as hydrocarbons, on the surface, or just below the surface, of a body of water. Conventional floating booms are either housed on a marine vessel or on land in an deflated state. When needed these booms are deployed by attaching the leading end of the boom to a deployment vessel which tows the boom into place and inflates the boom from the leading first-off end. These booms are normally comprised of an elongated tubular body, sometimes sectioned into self-contained inflatable gas bladders, that is produced by the inflation of a sealed tube, or each inflatable gas bladder, to which an oil confining skirt or flap suitable for containing floatable material is attached. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,682,151 and 3,494,132 which disclose a series of plastic tubes which are interconnected by sleeves with the plastic tubes then being inflated to achieve the inflated state. Also, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,653 that discloses dual inflatable tubes with a skirt in between with said inflatable tubes being inflated with external inflatable gas hoses. 
         [0008]    Also, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,911 which discloses a gas-inflatable boom wherein a single inflatable boom is inflated from an inflatable gas supply on the deploying vessel. All the patents cited above contemplate inflation from the leading edge of the boom one section at a time and do not disclose any method for the continuous inflation of the boom from a single inflatable gas source originating at the lagging last-off section of boom that runs concurrently with the boom, nor do they disclose inflation from an inflatable gas source already connected to the boom prior to deployment. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,589 discloses a collapsible boom containing an individual inflation chamber, however each inflation chamber must be connected to an inflatable gas supply and inflated separately as the boom is deployed. This greatly increases the time and complexity of inflation and deployment. U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,589 makes no mention of an equalized, pressurized inflatable gas supply running concurrently with the boom to allow for rapid inflation. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,785 discloses a method wherein a reactant body is contained within the boom itself such that by mechanical action the reactants can be activated to release an inflating gas by chemical reaction. After inflation by chemical reaction of the reactant the boom is inflated with pressurized inflatable gas from the first-off, or leading, end to ensure proper Inflation. Thus the boom may only be used a single time and then must be replaced. 
         [0011]    Both U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,022,785 and 5,346,329 disclose individualized compartments or compartments separated by valves for the purpose of preventing deflation of an entire section of boom. Neither of these patents discloses an Inflatable gas being supplied to the individual compartment from an external, individualized source. 
         [0012]    Thus the above patents and current practices employed to respond to discharges of floatable material on water surfaces, such as hydrocarbons, fail to disclose a rapidly deployable system incorporating a retaining boom that can be deployed from a single point without need for multiple power sources, which can withstand ruptures and leaks. The patents recited above also are restricted in the functional length of a single floating barrier, or boom, because they lack an inflatable gas delivery line that runs concurrently with the entire length of boom. Further, current methods and practices require that vessels for the deployment and inflation of the boom, containment machinery and booms be transported, often from considerable distances, to the site of a discharge on the water. This delay results in increased, uncontained discharges of toxins onto the water. Consequently, it is an object of this present invention to provide for an on-site or on-board system that incorporates a power system and inflatable gas supply to the winch-reel (assembly and boom that will allow rapid boom deployment, control of the winch-reel assembly and control, the rate of deployment of the boom from a reel or other storage area. 
         [0013]    Another object of this invention is to provide for a power system for rewinding of deployed boom onto a reel or other storage area without interruption to already inflated areas of the boom. 
         [0014]    Another object of this invention is to provide a floating barrier deployment system that can be deployed and inflated from a single point inflatable gas supply originating from the lagging, or last-off, end of the boom. 
         [0015]    Still another object of this invention is to supply inflatable gas to the boom, or inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom, from an individualized inflation point directly associated with the specific boom for inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom, said inflatable gas supply originating from the inflatable gas delivery hose in the proximity of the lagging, or last-off, end of the boom and having an equalized internal pressure not exceeding the pressure containing capabilities of the boom, or inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom. 
         [0016]    Still another object of this invention is to supply an inflatable gas to the boom, or Inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom, from an individualized inflation point directly associated with the specific boom, or inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom, such that the inflatable gas is supplied through a hose running externally and concurrently with the boom. 
         [0017]    This design allows for the boom to be continuously inflated from an inflatable gas supply originating from the inflatable gas delivery hose in the proximity of the non leading, or last-off, end of the boom. 
         [0018]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide inflating medium, such as air, to inflate the floating barrier from a single point supply that can inflate the entire floating barrier and continuously maintain inflation of the floating barrier once deployed and inflated. 
         [0019]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide for a containment system that can be rapidly transported via helicopter to a discharge, site for rapid deployment. 
         [0020]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a floating barrier deployment system and floating barrier that is not limited in the length of the floating barrier that can be deployed, inflated and maintained in an inflated state. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to provide a control mechanism for deployment, Inflation and maintenance of inflation of a floating barrier that allows the operator to control, from a single point, the rate of deployment and inflation of a floating barrier. 
         [0022]    Yet another object of this invention is to allow for a floating barrier deployment system and floating barrier to be housed on marine vessels or at stationary points, including without limitation docks, ports, shores, islands, seawalls, dikes, skimming vessels, barges, ocean going vessels, rescue vessels, drilling rigs, boats, and pontoons. 
         [0023]    Yet another object of this invention is to allow for the deployment, inflation, maintenance and directional control of the deployed and inflated boom without the use of a secondary deployment vehicle. 
         [0024]    Still another object of this invention is to allow for the directional control of the deployed, inflated boom without the benefit of a secondary deployment vessel. 
         [0025]    Additionally, it is an object of this invention to deploy the containment system without requiring the use of electrical supply or electrical controls. 
         [0026]    The following U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 PAT. NO. 
                 TITLE 
                 ISSUE DATE 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 2,682,151 
                 Boom for confining material 
                 1954 Jun. 29 
               
               
                   
                 floating on water 
               
               
                 3,494,132 
                 Inflatable float boom 
                 1970-02-70 
               
               
                 3,729,589 
                 Adapter Unit for Telephone 
                 Apr. 24, 1973 
               
               
                   
                 Answering Instrument 
               
               
                 4,325,653 
                 Oil containment booms 
                 1982 Apr. 20 
               
               
                 5,022,785 
                 Floating barrier method and 
                 1991 Jun. 11 
               
               
                   
                 apparatus 
               
               
                 5,346,329 
                 Floating barrier method and 
                 1994 Sep. 13 
               
               
                   
                 apparatus 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    What is disclosed is a system for containment for floating material, such as hydrocarbons, floating on a liquid surface, including without limitation an inflation apparatus, floating barrier deployment system, floating barrier inflation system and methods for the same. The Present Invention allows for rapid deployment and inflation of a floating barrier and the continuous Inflation of said floating barrier by supplying an inflatable gas to the boom, or inflatable gas bladders or Inflatable gas compartments Within the boom, from an individualized inflation point directly associated with the specific boom, or inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom, said inflatable gas supply originating from a source not connected to the leading, or first-off section of boom, preferably originating from the lagging, or last-off, end of the boom and having an equalized internal pressure not exceeding the pressure containing capabilities of the boom, or inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom. 
         [0028]    This present invention, through novel, useful and non-obvious means, solves problems associated with the current state of the art in deployment, inflation, directional control and use of inflatable barriers, including without limitation 1) the need for separate deployment vessels and/or service vessels required for deployment, Inflation and subsequent maintenance of the buoyancy of the floating barrier, 2) the deflation of sections of the floating barrier rendering it useless or less effective, 3) the need for multiple systems or power supplies for the deployment, inflation and inflation control of the floating barrier, 4) the fact that current floating barrier systems are restricted in the functional length of a single floating barrier and must link together multiple floating barriers to achieve suitable lengths of floating barrier to retain large areas of material floating upon a liquid surface, such as hydrocarbons, 5) the fact that earlier disclosed or practiced methods for the containment of floating material, such as hydrocarbons, floating on a liquid surface are too large to be housed on-site at the shore or on-board marine vessels, and 6) the fact that earlier disclosed or practiced methods for the containment of floating material, such as hydrocarbons, floating on a liquid surface require the use of a separate marine vessel to accomplish, either in whole or in part, the delivery, deployment, directional control and inflation of the containment system. 
         [0029]    The present invention may be manufactured as part of newly manufactured boom or retrofitted to already existing boom. The present invention uses a pneumatic system to provide power to the winch and reel assembly containing boom whereby the pneumatic supply is capable of simultaneously powering the winch-reel assembly for boom deployment through inflatable gas fed to a pneumatic motor while also inflating the boom. The inflation of a boom is accomplished by diverting, all or any portion thereof, the Inflatable gas from a pneumatic supply through a hose that runs concurrently on the outside of the boom wherein appropriate rates of inflatable gas pressure are allowed to flow through the hose to feed through a valve and hose assembly that connects the inflatable gas supply of the hose to the inflatable gas containment system of the boom. In preferred embodiments the pneumatic supply originates from a single pneumatic system powering both the winch and reel assembly as well as associated brake and feeding inflatable gas pressure to the inflation hose running concurrently with the boom. 
         [0030]    The present invention may be manufactured in a form such that it is compact enough to be installed in, or rapidly transported to, any area or place or vessel where there is likelihood of a discharge of floating material, such as hydrocarbons, floating on a liquid surface. The present invention may also be operated through the use of pneumatic control without the benefit of electric power making it particularly useful for applications in remote areas or during a disaster when electrical power is not readily available. 
         [0031]    The present invention allows for single source boom deployment, Inflation of floating barriers during boom deployment, as well as maintenance or emergency refill as needed from an Inflation source that is located in close proximity to the winch-reel assembly at or near the lagging Or last-off section of boom. This is notably different from current floating barrier containment systems where the boom inflation methods require a second vessel to deploy the boom and the boom is inflated from the leading end, or first-off boom section, of the already deployed section of boom as compared to the present invention that preferably fills the boom from the lagging end, or last-off boom section, as the boom, or sections of boom, are released from the winch-reel assembly. 
         [0032]    The present invention may also employ a guide line or wire that is also deployed from the same vessel or fixed site from which the boom is deployed. As a portion of the present invention the guide line or wire may be maintained on or fixed to the deploying vessel or be maintained on or attached to a land based site. In this invention the opposite end of the guide wire is attached to the leading end of the floating barrier as it is deployed, inflated and maintained from the winch-reel assembly allowing an individual to guide the direction of the boom from the vicinity of the deployment system while the boom is being deployed, inflated and maintained. This guide wire may also be transported across and around a vessel or land based site to allow for greater control of the direction of the boom as it is being deployed, inflated and maintained. It is also possible to employ a secondary vessel to guide the direction of the boom as it is deployed, inflated and maintained. It is also possible to have the vessel to which the guide wire is attached maneuver to control the direction of the boom as it is deployed, inflated and maintained. 
         [0033]    Because of the many varying and differing embodiments and component parts that may be used with the Present Invention, yet still within the scope of the inventive concept taught herein, and because 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 disclosed are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting in any way. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the system of the present Invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the spool portion of the system of the present invention; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is an overall view of a section of boom in the preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view of a section of boom as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the reel containing the entire length of deflated boom in the system of the present invention with a section of boom having been inflated after it has left the reel; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is an interior view of the section of boom illustrated in  FIG. 5  illustrating the air as it is entering the section of boom to inflate the section of boom; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 7 through 9  illustrate sequential views of the length of boom being released from a vessel to capture an oil spill emanating from the vessel in the system of the present invention; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  illustrates a reel of boom having been emptied and another being set it its place to allow further deployment of boom. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]    Without departing from the principle of the invention, and without limitation to other embodiments, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and includes, without limitation, an onboard or onsite pneumatic system located in the proximity of the winch-reel assembly, a manifold connected by a valve, and in preferred embodiments quick-connect coupling, to the inflatable gas supply, a control box receiving Inflatable gas supply from the manifold and connected and controlling a motor and brake on the winch-reel assembly, an Inflatable gas supply passing through a manifold and then, interchangeably, a pressure regulator and a control valve or boom inflation valve to the inflatable gas delivery hose attached to, and running concurrently with the boom as contained on the winch-reel assembly. During deployment, said inflatable gas delivery hose supplying an inflatable gas to the boom, or inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom, from an individualized inflation point directly associated with the specific boom, or Inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom, said inflatable gas supply first passing through the delivery hose from the lagging, or last-off, end of the boom and having an equalized internal pressure not exceeding the pressure containing capabilities of the boom, or inflatable gas bladders or inflatable gas compartments within the boom. In other embodiments the power source for the various components of the present invention may also be, without limitation, hydraulic or electric or fuel driven. 
         [0044]    Without departing from the principle of the invention, and without limitation to other embodiments differing in size, scope or boom length, and prior to a discussion of the  FIGS. 1 through 10 , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example only. 
         [0045]    In an exemplary embodiment, for the purposes of inflating the inflatable section of the boom, when the inflatable gas supply is engaged such that inflatable gas is supplied to the inflatable gas supply lines, either directly or through a manifold, the inflatable gas travels through one inflatable gas supply line and the pressure of the inflatable gas supply line is controlled by a pressure regulator wherein the pressure of the inflatable gas is decreased from the original pressure to a pressure suitable for inflation of the boom. The inflatable gas traveling through the inflatable gas supply line is allowed to continue to flow through the inflatable gas supply line supplying inflatable gas to the boom by the opening and closing of a boom inflation valve. When the boom inflation valve is in the open position, inflatable gas will travel at a pressure suitable for inflation of the boom through the inflatable gas supply line to inflate the boom. The inflatable gas supply from the inflatable gas supply line can enter the boom directly through the inflation/deflation port on the inflatable section of the boom, or alternatively, the inflatable gas supply from the inflatable gas supply line can enter the inflatable section of the boom via a jumper hose that connects the inflatable gas supply line to the inflatable section of the boom. The inflatable gas supply line can be attached to the boom and run the entire length of the boom and inflate multiple inflatable sections of the boom either in series or simultaneously. 
         [0046]    By maintaining the appropriate pressure of inflatable gas within the inflatable gas supply line the boom can be maintained in an inflated state, or alternatively a pressure valve inserted in the—inflation/deflation port of the inflatable section of the boom can be selected and inserted into the inflation/deflation port connected to the inflatable gas supply, either directly or by use of a Jumper hose, such that the pressure valve automatically closes when the inflatable section of boom is inflated thus maintaining the inflatable section of the boom in an inflated state. If the pressure in the boom drops below a certain threshold a pressure valve on the inflation/deflation port may be selected such that it opens to allow additional inflatable gas from the inflatable gas supply line to enter the boom to re-inflate the inflatable section of boom or to maintain the inflatable section of boom in an inflated state. 
         [0047]    In other embodiments no such pressure valve is needed as the pressure of inflatable gas supply in the inflatable gas supply lines connected to the inflatable section of the boom may be otherwise controlled for maximum effective inflation of the inflatable sections of the boom. This manner of supplying inflatable gas to the inflatable sections of a boom through inflatable gas supply lines can allow for an inflatable gas supply line running concurrently with the boom such that the inflatable gas supply traveling through the inflatable gas supply lines passes first by the portion of the inflatable gas supply line associated with the lagging, or last-off, section of the boom. 
         [0048]    For the purpose of operating the winch-reel assembly, when the inflatable gas supply is engaged such that inflatable gas is supplied to the inflatable gas supply lines, either directly or through a manifold, the inflatable gas will travel through inflatable gas supply lines to the motor and also to the pneumatic control mechanism. The inflatable gas delivered by the inflatable gas supply lines to the pneumatic control mechanism can then be controlled by the pneumatic control mechanism such that supply of inflatable gas delivered through the inflatable gas supply lines can operate the motor in the forward and reverse directions and separate inflatable gas supply lines funning from the pneumatic control mechanism to the brake/clutch mechanism can control the engagement and disengagement of the motor from the winch-reel assembly. Thus, through the use of inflatable gas supplied to the motor and pneumatic control mechanism the motor can be operated and engaged such that the boom housed on the winch-reel assembly can be deployed or returned to the winch-reel assembly. When working in concert the application of the inflatable gas supply as described above allows an operator to control the deployment of boom from the winch-reel assembly and inflation of the boom as it is deployed from the winch-reel assembly from a single, localized area allowing for greater speed of deployment and inflation of the boom to contain floatable materials floating on a liquid surface. 
         [0049]    In an exemplary embodiment, once the first length of boom is deployed from the first reel as described the empty reel can be removed from the winch-reel assembly and additional reels of boom can be inserted and connected to the winch such that the winch-reel assembly is capable of deploying additional lengths of boom on a repeated, or continual, basis as described. The inflatable gas supply lines allows for inflation of the boom presently being deployed from the winch-reel assembly as well as the maintenance of the inflatable gas pressure throughout the entire length of the inflatable gas supply lines of all segments of boom that have previously been deployed allowing for the maintenance of the inflation of the boom as herein described. Alternatively, the length of boom may be maintained from another vessel. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 1 through 10  illustrate the preferred embodiment of the containment system of the present invention by the numeral  10 . In  FIG. 1 , system  10  would comprise a vessel inflatable gas supply  12 , provided on a vessel  13 , such as a container ship or tanker or the like ship. The gas supply  12  is connected to a manifold  14  such that an inflatable gas (Arrow  17 ) generated by the vessel inflatable gas supply  12  is passed from the vessel inflatable gas supply  12  at an approximate pressure of 100 p.s.i, which may deviate higher or lower depending on circumstances, to the manifold  14  by connecting hoses  16 . The inflatable gas  17  is then distributed by the manifold  14  to a motor  18 , the control  20 , and the boom inflation valve  22  by connecting hoses  16 . The connecting hoses  16  connecting the manifold  14  to the control  20  and the boom inflation valve  22  will have varying p.s.i. as controlled by the associated first PSI pressure regulator  24  and second PSI pressure regulator  26 , respectively, or in place of the two regulators  24 ,  26 , a single, dual functioning pressure regulator. The manifold  14  will distribute an inflatable gas  17  through the connecting hoses  16  to the motor  18  at an approximate pressure of 100 p.s.i., which may deviate higher or lower depending on circumstances. The manifold  14  will distribute an inflatable gas  17  through the connecting hoses  16  passing through the PSI pressure regulator  24  to the control  20  at an approximate pressure of 70 p.s.i., which may deviate higher or lower depending on circumstances. The manifold  14  distributes an inflatable gas  17  through the connecting hoses  18  passing through the PSI pressure regulator  26  to the boom inflation valve  16  at approximately 0.5 p.s.i. or a pressure suitable to attain inflation of the boom. 
         [0051]    The control  20  will operate to pneumatically control the forward (Arrow  30 ) and reverse (Arrow  32 ) action of the motor  18 . Although the term “gas” is used in this discussion, it is foreseen that the preferred “gas” will be air under certain pressures, although other gases may be utilized. The control  20  will also operate to pneumatically control the brake/clutch  34  through control to engage or disengage motor  18 . The motor  18  is thus operated by distribution of inflatable gas from the manifold  20  to the motor  18  that operates the action of the reel  36  based upon the direction of the operator through actuation of the control  20  to engage or disengage motor  18  and direct rotation of the reel  36  by the control  20  operating the motor  18  to cause rotation of the reel  36  in the forward or reverse direction. As seen in  FIG. 1 , in the preferred embodiment, the reel is engaged to the motor via a belt  44 , or chain which may be encased in a housing  47 , as seen in phantom view. Alternatively, the reel  36  may be driven by an internal gear. 
         [0052]    As the reel  36  is rotated in the forward direction to deploy boom with inflatable gas delivery supply lines  40  attached at point  42  from the reel  36  the boom inflation valve  22  is opened by the operator such that inflatable gas passes through the rotorseal valve  46  and then passing through the inflatable gas delivery supply line  40  as attached to the lagging or last-off section of boom  50 . The air travels within the inflatable gas delivery supply line  40  running concurrently with the boom  50 , and ultimately inflating the sections  52  of the boom  50  as it is deployed from the reel  36 . 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 2  there is illustrated an exploded view of the system  10 , wherein the reel  36  would be mounted onto a base  37  secured onto the deck  15  of the vessel  13 . As discussed earlier, the reel  36  would rotate freely with the ends  39 ,  41  of the reel  36  engaged in openings  43  in the upright sidewalls  38  in base  37 . As further illustrated, motor  18  would likewise be mounted on base  37 , and would include the belt  44  for imparting rotation of reel  36  when the motor is powered from the control  20 , and the speed of rotation of the reel  36  is provided by the brake/clutch  34 , as was discussed earlier and will be discussed below. Alternatively, it should be noted that the motor  18  could be positioned directly in the hub  45  of reel  36 , to impart a direct drive of the reel  36 , rather than use the belt  44  to drive the reel  36 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate overall and cross-section views respectively of an inflated section  52  of a boom  50 . The section  52  comprises the inflatable gas delivery line  40 , which is attached into a stainless tee fitting  54  and a deflation/Inflation port  56  allowing for inflatable gas (Arrows  58 ) to be delivered into the Inflatable section  52  of the boom  50  through a jump hose  60 . Inflatable gas  17  travels through the inflatable gas delivery line  40  at a pressure of 0.5 p.s.i., or a pressure equal to the maximum pressure allowable in the inflated boom, and then into the jump hose  60  by traveling into the jump hose  60  through the stainless tee  54 . The inflatable gas  17  then flows from the jump hose  60  through the deflation/inflation port  56  into the Inflatable section  52  of the boom  50 , inflating the section  52  of boom  50  with the gas  58 . Alternatively, the jump hose  60  may not be required, and the gas  17  flows from delivery line  40  through tee  54  and into port  56 . As seen further in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the section of boom  50  is designed in a first upper inflatable chamber  53 , which is circular in cross-section when inflated, and a skirt portion  55 , which envelopes around the chamber  53 , and terminates at a point  59  below the chamber  53 , to a weighted lower end  57 . As illustrated, while the inflated boom portion  53  floats on the water, the weighted lower end  57  pulls the skirt  55  below the surface  71  of the water  70  to serve as a barrier against any oil escaping below the inflated portion  53 . 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the gas or air is being delivered from gas line  16  into the gas delivery line  40  through the rotoseal valve  21 , which allows the reel  36  to rotate while air is being delivered into line  40 . Further, as seen in  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the gas delivery line  40  is attached along the entire length of boom  50  as it is wound around the reel  36 , and while wound around the reel  36 , the gas delivery line  40  is delivering gas along the entire length of boom  50 . However, due to the weight of the boom  50  as it is wound on the reel  36 , the inflation of the boom  50  will not take place at the force of 0.5 lbs. per square inch until the boom comes off of the reel  36 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , when a section  52  of boom  50  reels off of reel  36 , the air delivery line  40  will deliver air (Arrows  58 ) into the section  52  which is being released from the reel  36  through the inflation port  56 . Likewise, after that section  52  is released and inflated, the next section  52  will be released from the reel  36  and inflated. This process is repeated until the entire length of boom  50  has been deployed to the required length. In this manner, should a section  52  be torn or ruptured, and the gas escape, because each section  52  of boom  50  is inflated directly and independently from the other sections  52 , only the compromised section  52  would deflate, but all other sections  52  coming off of the reel  36  would be inflated in turn. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate in sequential steps the preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention as it is being utilized on the deck  15  of a ship  13 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , several of the systems  10 , as constructed in the manner as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are onto the deck  15  of vessel  13 . When in place, the base  37  of the system would be secured onto the deck  15  of tanker and would be ready for use in the event there is a spill, with the necessary power and gas supply lines in order to make each system  10  fully operable. There is noted in  FIG. 7  that an oil, spill  80  has erupted which would usually be the result of a rupture in the wall  19  of the tanker and oil  81  or other type of petroleum is leaking onto the surface  71  of the body of water  70 . At that point, the system  10  would be engaged and the air would be delivered into the air delivery line  40  along the entire length of the boom  50  which is wound on reel  36 . In  FIG. 7 , a small boat  65  has attached itself to the end  51  of boom  50  and is pulling it off of the reel  36 , via a line  66 , and as was discussed in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , as a section  52  of boom  50  is pulled from the reel  36 , since the air delivery line  40  has delivered air to the entire length of boom  50 , the section  52  being pulled from the reel is inflated. 
         [0057]    As an alternative, as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the boat  65  would not utilized, and its place the boom  50  would delivered through a system of winches onboard the vessel  13 , and a guide or lead line  66  around the oil spill  80 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , the lead section  52  of the boom is secured to the end of the lead line  66  has been attached to an onboard winch  67  on the vessel  13 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the boom  50  has been pulled from the tanker  13  so that the end  51  of the boom  50  reaches winch  67 , basically encircling and entrapping the oil spill  80 . At this point, the oil spill  80  could then be cleaned up via vacuuming or the like. 
         [0058]    It should be noted that during the use of the system  10  to confine an oil spill  80 , as seen in  FIG. 10 , should the entire length of boom  50  be deployed from the reel  36 , the empty reel  36  may be removed from base  37  such that inflation of the deployed boom  50  is maintained and a next reel  36  containing boom  50  with inflatable gas delivery supply lines  40  may be positioned onto base  37  of the system  10 . The inflatable delivery lines  40  associated with the previously deployed boom  50  may be connected at the lagging, or last-off end, of the boom  50  on the reel  36  that has been inserted in place of the reel  36  from which the prior section of boom  50  was deployed. This process, of course, could be repeated until the entire oil spill is confined by the boom  50 . 
         [0059]    The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 system 
               
               
                 12 
                 inflatable gas supply 
               
               
                 13 
                 vessel 
               
               
                 14 
                 manifold 
               
               
                 15 
                 vessel deck 
               
               
                 16 
                 hoses 
               
               
                 17 
                 inflatable gas (air) 
               
               
                 18 
                 motor 
               
               
                 19 
                 wall 
               
               
                 20 
                 control 
               
               
                 21 
                 rotoseal valve 
               
               
                 22 
                 boom inflation valve 
               
               
                 24 
                 pressure regulator 
               
               
                 26 
                 pressure regulator 
               
               
                 30 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 32 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 34 
                 brake/clutch 
               
               
                 36 
                 reel 
               
               
                 37 
                 base 
               
               
                 38 
                 sidewall 
               
               
                 39, 41 
                 ends 
               
               
                 40 
                 air delivery line 
               
               
                 41 
                 point 
               
               
                 42 
                 openings 
               
               
                 43 
                 boom inflation valve 
               
               
                 44 
                 belt 
               
               
                 45 
                 core 
               
               
                 47 
                 housing 
               
               
                 50 
                 boom 
               
               
                 52 
                 section 
               
               
                 53 
                 inflatable chamber 
               
               
                 54 
                 stainless T fitting 
               
               
                 55 
                 skirt portion 
               
               
                 56 
                 deflation/inflation port 
               
               
                 57 
                 weighted lower end 
               
               
                 58 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 59 
                 point 
               
               
                 60 
                 jump line 
               
               
                 65 
                 small boat 
               
               
                 66 
                 lead line 
               
               
                 67 
                 winch 
               
               
                 70 
                 water 
               
               
                 71 
                 surface 
               
               
                 80 
                 oil spill 
               
               
                 81 
                 oil 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0060]    All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
         [0061]    The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.