Patent ID: 7688428

Claim:
Apparatus for detecting floating pollutants from the class consisting of diesel/fuel oil, lube oil, motor oil, hydraulic oil, jet fuel, mineral oil and crude oil, which apparatus comprises: a structure for mounting vertically above the surface of a body of water, a pulsed light source supported by said mounting structure, means supported by said mounting structure for directing said pulses of light from said source downward toward said water surface, and for filtering said pulses to produce a beam of light, limited to wavelengths between about 225 and 300 nm, which beam is an outwardly spreading cone of light rays having an apex angle of about 13° to about 15°, sensor means supported by said structure for detecting fluorescent light that would be emitted from said pollutants on said water surface, filter means supported by said structure that allows direct line of sight passage from said water surface to said sensor means of only light having a wavelength between about 320 to 400 nm, means for analyzing data detected by said sensor means to determine the presence of even small quantities of floating pollutants within said class, and means for promptly reporting and/or producing a signal or alarm when said analyzed data indicates the presence of any significant amount of one said pollutant.