EP2954118A1 - Conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface - Google Patents

Conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface

Info

Publication number
EP2954118A1
EP2954118A1 EP14716984.1A EP14716984A EP2954118A1 EP 2954118 A1 EP2954118 A1 EP 2954118A1 EP 14716984 A EP14716984 A EP 14716984A EP 2954118 A1 EP2954118 A1 EP 2954118A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
waste
conveyor
tread plate
conveyor according
retain
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP14716984.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2954118B1 (en
Inventor
Roberto PIZZI
Walter MAZZEI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Presidenza Consiglio Ministri - Dipartimento
PRESIDENZA CONSIGLIO MINISTRI DIPARTIMENTO
Original Assignee
Presidenza Consiglio Ministri - Dipartimento
PRESIDENZA CONSIGLIO MINISTRI DIPARTIMENTO
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Presidenza Consiglio Ministri - Dipartimento, PRESIDENZA CONSIGLIO MINISTRI DIPARTIMENTO filed Critical Presidenza Consiglio Ministri - Dipartimento
Publication of EP2954118A1 publication Critical patent/EP2954118A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2954118B1 publication Critical patent/EP2954118B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B15/00—Cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water; Apparatus therefor
    • E02B15/04—Devices for cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water from oil or like floating materials by separating or removing these materials
    • E02B15/10—Devices for removing the material from the surface
    • E02B15/104—Conveyors; Paddle wheels; Endless belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/32—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for collecting pollution from open water

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface.
  • the invention can be used in the field of waste clean-up of water surface up to several meters deep for different kind of waste including hydrocarbons.
  • U.S. Pat. 4,261,827 describes a loop-shaped tape bearing a multiplicity of flexible blades, the tape being mounted between two end drums. The tape extends at its lower portion in a slide for water and waste that prevents the pollutant to backflow.
  • U.S. Pat. 4,842,735 describes a skimmer for removing a film of oil from the surface of a body of water, the skimmer comprising a vane conveyor which raises the polluted water onto a collection barge.
  • U.S. Pat. 5,647,965 discloses an apparatus for the recovery of floating materials including a compartment having a weir designed to receive the material to be recovered and a system for emptying such compartment.
  • the system includes a flexible blade conveyor belt that allows the floating materials to be the lifted.
  • the international patent application WO 2005/097592 describes a floating waste collection device that is mounted in the bow area of a ship and comprises a waste receiving portion and a collection vessel.
  • the inflow of pollutant from the water surface is conveyed into the receiving portion in a threshold that is under the free surface and is adjacent to a slide in a way that the pollutant may be housed in the collection vessel.
  • the collection device is able to "skim" the water surface by being substantially horizontal with respect to the free surface, if a slight slope that creates the flow toward the collection vessel is neglected. The latter is in the ship at a depth even greater than this threshold.
  • a main purpose of the invention is to provide a conveyor for lifting waste from a body of water in which they float or move at different depths, the waste substantially maintaining the position it had in water.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor which allows only the floating waste to be lifted, but not the water in which it is immersed.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor which allows a selective collection of oil slick, such as hydrocarbons, and solid floating waste of different sizes, as well as large debris and wrecks.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a waste lifting conveyor that is particularly simple, effective and reliable.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a multifunctional waste lifting conveyor able to recover significant amounts of pollutants in a short time.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a waste lifting conveyor that can also be employed in different aquatic environments, at different latitudes, and even in adverse weather conditions.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a waste lifting conveyor that is relatively simple to be manufactured and employs originally technologies already used successfully in other field of the art. It is also an object of the invention to provide a waste lifting conveyor able to be intubated in conveying means of various structure that can be oriented at adjustable depth with respect to the free surface.
  • a conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface consisting of a stairway whose steps are movable along an endless loop having a rising section and a return section, each step having a tread plate which is maintained parallel to the other tread plates in said rising section, each tread plate being provided with projecting means adapted to retain the waste and release it when the return section begins.
  • each tread plate can be turned inside a prismatic body that rotatably supports it.
  • the means for retaining the waste is intended to collect liquid substances and is in the form of brushes fixed orthogonally to the tread plate; alternatively the means for retaining the waste is intended to collect solid substances and is in the form of spikes fixed orthogonally to the tread plate.
  • Such means may be located on opposite faces of each tread plate.
  • the intermediate space between the rising section and the return section of the stairway of the conveyor is covered with a casing adapted to prevent at least the insertion of waste between one step and another.
  • a device adapted to remove waste from the steps, the device comprising a static organ in the shape of a comb or a rotating drum equipped with radial bars protruding to comb fit between the means for retaining the waste.
  • the conveyor according to the present invention is placed within a supporting and conveying structure that surrounds at least partially the conveyor, this structure being openable to delimit only laterally and below the conveyor.
  • the tread plate On each step of the stairway, the tread plate can be turned by a local command or a remote control in order to allow tread plate to show either one or the other face, depending on the pollutant to be faced, one face having flexible brushes for liquids and small/medium fragments, and the other having metal spikes in case of wood or plastics and other floating debris.
  • An advantageous aspect of the present invention is the ability to perform, by the same system, efficient and effective interventions for the remediation of large quantities of mineral oils and hydrocarbons as a result of environmental disasters at sea or along the coast, thus ensuring the effective recovery of polluted waters.
  • the conveyor according to the invention being arranged within the supporting and conveying structure can be placed either inside the hull astern, centrally, or fore in the ship.
  • the surface of the tread plates is parallel to the water surface if not back inclined, in the case it is suitable to raise the conveyor;
  • the collection in the case of special needs, can be mixed, i.e. by alternating steps with tread plates having different collection means;
  • the supporting and conveying structure prevents the conveyor to be affected by the harmful effects of adverse weather conditions.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of an embodiment of the conveyor according to the present invention in a first collecting arrangement
  • FIG. 1 shows an enlarged detail of the conveyor in Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 shows the detail in Figure 2 in a modification of the collecting means of the conveyor;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of the conveyor in Figure 1 in a second collecting arrangement;
  • FIG. 5 schematically represents in enlarged scale the collecting means of the conveyor in Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 partially shows in a further enlarged scale collecting brush means of the conveyor in Figure 1;
  • Figure 7 is a schematic isometric view complete of a casing for the conveyor in Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic isometric view of the conveyor in Figure 1, within a supporting and conveying structure in a closed configuration;
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic isometric view of the conveyor in Figure 1, within a supporting and conveying structure, in an open configuration;
  • FIG. 10 is a partial isometric view of the upper part of a conveyor according to the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a conveyor according to the invention positioned fore in a ship;
  • FIG. 12 is a partial side view of a conveyor according to the invention positioned astern on a side of a ship.
  • FIG. 1 therein is shown an isometric view of a conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the conveyor consists of a stairway generally indicated as 1, whose steps 2 are movable along a loop having a rising section 3 and a return section 4.
  • the steps 2 have tread plates 5 which are maintained parallel in the rising section 3.
  • each tread plate 5 is provided with projecting means adapted to retain.
  • projecting means consists of spikes 6 protruding upwards from a face of the tread plate 5 of each step.
  • the projecting means for retaining the waste is in the form of brushes 7 orthogonally fixed to the tread plate 5, as shown in the partial isometric view of Figure 4.
  • the conveyor 1 according to the present invention is partially immersed in the water mass to be depolluted, as discussed below.
  • the tread plate 5 is hinged so as to be able to assume two opposite stable positions, the one having the spikes 6, the other having the brushes 7 facing upwards.
  • the configuration with spikes 6 is shown in isometric view in an enlarged scale in Figure 2; in the similar view of Figure 3 the transition to the second configuration with brushes 7 is shown.
  • a handwheel is shown and generally indicated as 8 that allows the tread plate 5 to turn upside down. It must be clear that the horizontal position of the tread plate 5 is locked by not represented means. In addition to the manual turning of each tread plate, a remote turning, not described here, can be also provided.
  • each tread plate is placed in a prismatic body 9 that rotatably supports the tread plate in the illustrated embodiment that is being described.
  • the spikes 6 are means designed to collect solids
  • the brushes 7 are used to collect oil slick, such as hydrocarbons, and particulate waste.
  • the conveyor 1 has an intermediate space between the rising section and the return section of the stairway, indicated as 12 in figure 1, which is covered with a housing 13 which is suitable to at least prevent the insertion of waste between a step and the other.
  • the conveyor has a lower curved casing 14 and an upper curved casing 15 respectively.
  • the conveyor is immersed in water with its lower end up to a depth variable by an adjustment of said attaching means with respect to the ship. It is appropriate that the highest position of the conveyor 1 provides that the lowest tread plates, i.e. those indicated as 51, 52, and 53 in Figure 7, are at the same horizontal level under the water so that the waste can lean on them and be retained by the spikes 6 or in case by the brushes 7 so that polluting liquids adhere to them.
  • the lower curved casing 14 terminates at the top with a comb-shaped end 16 from which the spikes 6 or the brushes 7 pass, and a comb-shaped static organ 17 having teeth, as means for retaining the waste, between which the spikes 6 or the brushes 7 pass, can be provided in the upper casing 15.
  • a comb-shaped static organ 17 having teeth, as means for retaining the waste, between which the spikes 6 or the brushes 7 pass, can be provided in the upper casing 15.
  • Located downstream of the static comb-shaped organ 17 is an inclined plane 18 facing toward a collecting vessel 19, as shown in Figure 9, the figures 8 and 9 being schematic isometric views of the conveyor according to the invention within a supporting and conveying structure 20, in a closed and open configuration respectively.
  • a device 21 adapted to remove waste from the steps and to allow the waste displacement.
  • This device 21 comprises a motorized rotating drum 22 provided with radial bars 23 protruding to comb fit between the means for retaining the waste, either teeth 6 or brushes 7 or different from these.
  • the device 21 is shown in Figure 10, which is a partial isometric view of the upper part of a conveyor according to the invention.
  • the conveyor according to the invention is embodied into the supporting and conveying structure 20, which is shown applied together to the conveyor in the bow of a ship N in the perspective view of Figure 11.
  • the conveyor according to the present invention can be embodied in a collection system, comprising:
  • a supporting and conveying structure to be fixed externally to the ship, on one or both sides, constituted by: a hollow metal body terminating in the sea with a mouth for the entrance of the water / waste flow, the mouth being wider than the body itself.
  • the position of this structure is also variable with respect to the ship and the level of the surface to be treated, both vertically, i.e. the immersion of the mouth can vary at different depths from the surface, and horizontally, i.e.
  • the mouth can be displaced from the hull of the ship to which the collection system is attached;
  • the particular configuration of the hollow metal body, whose cross- section tapers progressively from the mouth inwards, has the advantage of not requiring the presence of pumping systems or the rejection of the waters to be treated, unlike from the known art;
  • a plurality of panels being positioned on the mouth of the said body towards the sea, with the function of closing and opening the mouth and also of expanding the size of the mouth in the opening phase, in order to convey more water inside of the structure and towards the collection system;
  • a plurality of means adapted to handle the supporting and conveying structure positioned on the hull of the ship or on the body of the structure; a plurality of pistons adapted to change the size, i.e. the internal volume of the supporting and conveying structure;
  • a plurality of nozzles adapted to introduce in the supporting and conveying structure water or air having desired pressure and temperature;
  • a plurality of nozzles for the outflow of water entered into the supporting and conveying structure situated on the rear side thereof, at different height and with remote control for their opening and closing;
  • a semi-rigid semi-submerged floating barrier having a variable length, attached to the panels for opening and closing the mouth of the supporting and conveying structure, being towed by boats, with the aim of increasing the width of the basin interested;
  • a conveyor for lifting waste comprising: a motorized stairway driven by differently feed motors, suitable for use in contaminated water, operated by remote control in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, composed of stainless materials, of various sizes according to the ship on which it is installed;
  • each step having a tread plate or rotating lid, which can make a 360 degrees turn about its axis, manually or with a remote control.
  • Each step can have at least two faces, and on each face a different means of retention of the pollutants may be present: brushes, metal spikes, or even an anti-slip rubber mat, etc., or a surface with different retaining means, on the base of the pollution to be faced;
  • a plurality of fixed brushes positioned on all the steps of the stairway and on the whole surface of the steps; these brushes are formed by rods of plastic material or other flexible material with filaments placed at 90 degrees on the rods to cover the surface of the rods, along their entire height and the circumference, with the purpose of retaining even the millimeter- sized material, captured and conveyed by the water flow;
  • a screening system by vibration, density, or other, for the selection of solids from liquids positioned under the rollers with the "combs" at the end of the stairway, towards the inside of the ship;
  • one or more conveyor belts for the collection of the waste collected by the stairway and their transportation toward a processing line, said conveyor belts being positioned at the end of the screening system;
  • a "ghiotta” system that is a basin positioned below the screening system for the collection of hydrocarbons separated and collected by the "combs" from the filaments of the brushes, said basin being connected by tubing and its intake system to tanks of the ship;
  • the system has two functionality options.
  • the supporting and conveying structure fixed externally to the ship, is the element which encloses the collection system of the pollutants.
  • the stairway is positioned inside the outer structure connected to the hull of the ship ending on one side toward the side of the ship, where the comb- shaped rollers and separation systems are positioned, on the other side the supporting and conveying structure terminates to the outside where the mouth widens toward the sea.
  • the supporting and conveying structure has the task, besides that of supporting the stairway, also of protecting the system from wave motion, allowing to operate in weather conditions and speed that are prohibitive for all the other collection systems in the prior art.
  • the supporting and conveying structure above described is fixed externally to the ship, and does not enclose the stairway.
  • the conveying structure is entirely hollow and runs fore and aft on both sides of the ship.
  • the collection mouth is fore and the conveying structure ends towards the stern or towards the inside of the hull with a U- shaped pipe that conveys water jet collected by the ship when advancing. Therefore, the stairway for the collection of pollutants is placed inside of the hull and not in the conveying structure.
  • a collection basin for any waste which has not been captured immediately is positioned in the lower side of the stairway, partially immersed in water in the operational phase.
  • the present invention relates to a modular machine to be associated with naval units for the recovery of large quantities of pollutants in water, able to operate even at high feed rate or with adverse weather and sea conditions.
  • One of the main features of the system is that it can be modified in the section of imprisonment / collection of contaminants and in structural conformation, varying in size, by remote control without direct intervention by operators. These changes may be adopted depending on the type of contaminants to be faced, either solid, liquid or mixed, of different kinds, size and weight, such as those produced and poured into water in case of floods, tsunamis, landslides, floods.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
  • Cleaning Or Clearing Of The Surface Of Open Water (AREA)
  • Structure Of Belt Conveyors (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Methods And Devices For Loading And Unloading (AREA)

Abstract

A conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface consists of a stairway whose steps are movable along an endless loop having a rising section and a return section. The steps have tread plates which are maintained parallel to one another in the said rising section, each tread plate being provided with projecting means adapted to retain the waste and release it when the return section begins.

Description

CONVEYOR SUITABLE FOR LIFTING FLOATING WASTE OR OTHER WASTE JUST UNDER THE WATER SURFACE
Technical field
The present invention relates to a conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface. The invention can be used in the field of waste clean-up of water surface up to several meters deep for different kind of waste including hydrocarbons.
Background art
It is long been known that large accumulations of plastics are present in all the oceans of the Earth due to discharges from ships at sea or from land. Effects on marine fauna aggravated by the lower absorption of greenhouse gas and the consequent lack of oxygen production by phytoplankton are devastating. Such is the situation in the so-called Pacific Trash Vortex, one of the five areas of the planet with greater accumulation of plastic waste.
Moreover, the growing demand for oil extraction requires interventions at increasing depth, both on shore and off shore, sometimes even in areas with intact ecosystems, the risk of ecological catastrophe increasing exponentially. In this scenario global climate changes must be added, resulting in catastrophic phenomena such as floods, landslides, hurricanes and storms, and earthquakes that create direct and indirect damages such as tsunamis with waste in very considerable amount. For example, the earthquake and devastating tsunami that occurred in Japan in March 2011 produced an enormous amount of different waste that was dragged by the water into the open ocean. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) such waste, the quantity of which amounts to more than a million tons, is intended largely to hit the western coast of the U.S. in the coming years. Other major environmental disasters, such as those that occurred in the recent past to Moby Prince, Prestige, Exxon Valdez, Deep Horizon, have created huge oil spills requiring rapid recovery of massive amounts of hydrocarbons for a concrete and effective remediation of the polluted areas. All these environmental disasters have occurred frequently in the open sea with adverse weather conditions, however normally in those areas, which have not allowed adequate remediation action, as the waves and wind have invalidated the action of the skimmers or other pollution control devices in the state of art.
In the face of these problems, especially for what concerns the recovery of waste at sea and particularly for small debris, inefficient solutions such as readapted fishing nets or tape skimmers have so far been provided. As regards the recovery of liquid pollutants, current techniques and technologies used, for example, the aforementioned tape skimmer or the traditional disk oil skimmers, operate only at a very low speed, and can not operate already in slightly adverse weather conditions, with a result of being totally ineffective in facing major pollution events.
U.S. Pat. 4,261,827 describes a loop-shaped tape bearing a multiplicity of flexible blades, the tape being mounted between two end drums. The tape extends at its lower portion in a slide for water and waste that prevents the pollutant to backflow. U.S. Pat. 4,842,735 describes a skimmer for removing a film of oil from the surface of a body of water, the skimmer comprising a vane conveyor which raises the polluted water onto a collection barge.
U.S. Pat. 5,647,965 discloses an apparatus for the recovery of floating materials including a compartment having a weir designed to receive the material to be recovered and a system for emptying such compartment. The system includes a flexible blade conveyor belt that allows the floating materials to be the lifted.
The mentioned above patents are not suitable for lifting solid waste, such as plastics and other floating debris, especially because the used conveyor belts are arranged inclined with respect to the free surface; the blades, which are normally orthogonal to the belt, are in an inclined position with respect to the free surface and therefore can not carry out an effective operation for collecting all floating waste.
The international patent application WO 2005/097592 describes a floating waste collection device that is mounted in the bow area of a ship and comprises a waste receiving portion and a collection vessel. The inflow of pollutant from the water surface is conveyed into the receiving portion in a threshold that is under the free surface and is adjacent to a slide in a way that the pollutant may be housed in the collection vessel.
Differently from the previously mentioned blade conveyors, the collection device according to patent application WO 2005/097592 is able to "skim" the water surface by being substantially horizontal with respect to the free surface, if a slight slope that creates the flow toward the collection vessel is neglected. The latter is in the ship at a depth even greater than this threshold.
It is evident that such a collection device has the drawback of conveying too much water along with the waste into the collection vessel, that is increased when the speed of the ship increases. In addition, what is collected must be separated and moved inside the ship to a height greater than that of the holds to be further treated. The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the above mentioned traditional systems.
A main purpose of the invention is to provide a conveyor for lifting waste from a body of water in which they float or move at different depths, the waste substantially maintaining the position it had in water.
Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor which allows only the floating waste to be lifted, but not the water in which it is immersed.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor which allows a selective collection of oil slick, such as hydrocarbons, and solid floating waste of different sizes, as well as large debris and wrecks.
In general, an object of the invention is to provide a waste lifting conveyor that is particularly simple, effective and reliable.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multifunctional waste lifting conveyor able to recover significant amounts of pollutants in a short time.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a waste lifting conveyor that can also be employed in different aquatic environments, at different latitudes, and even in adverse weather conditions.
A further object of the invention is to provide a waste lifting conveyor that is relatively simple to be manufactured and employs originally technologies already used successfully in other field of the art. It is also an object of the invention to provide a waste lifting conveyor able to be intubated in conveying means of various structure that can be oriented at adjustable depth with respect to the free surface.
Summary of the invention
These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by means of a conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface consisting of a stairway whose steps are movable along an endless loop having a rising section and a return section, each step having a tread plate which is maintained parallel to the other tread plates in said rising section, each tread plate being provided with projecting means adapted to retain the waste and release it when the return section begins.
Advantageously, each tread plate can be turned inside a prismatic body that rotatably supports it. The means for retaining the waste is intended to collect liquid substances and is in the form of brushes fixed orthogonally to the tread plate; alternatively the means for retaining the waste is intended to collect solid substances and is in the form of spikes fixed orthogonally to the tread plate. Such means may be located on opposite faces of each tread plate.
Suitably, the intermediate space between the rising section and the return section of the stairway of the conveyor is covered with a casing adapted to prevent at least the insertion of waste between one step and another.
Provided at the end of the raising sector of the stairway is a device adapted to remove waste from the steps, the device comprising a static organ in the shape of a comb or a rotating drum equipped with radial bars protruding to comb fit between the means for retaining the waste.
Advantageously, the conveyor according to the present invention is placed within a supporting and conveying structure that surrounds at least partially the conveyor, this structure being openable to delimit only laterally and below the conveyor.
On each step of the stairway, the tread plate can be turned by a local command or a remote control in order to allow tread plate to show either one or the other face, depending on the pollutant to be faced, one face having flexible brushes for liquids and small/medium fragments, and the other having metal spikes in case of wood or plastics and other floating debris.
An advantageous aspect of the present invention, suitable for use with any medium/large ship, is the ability to perform, by the same system, efficient and effective interventions for the remediation of large quantities of mineral oils and hydrocarbons as a result of environmental disasters at sea or along the coast, thus ensuring the effective recovery of polluted waters.
The conveyor according to the invention being arranged within the supporting and conveying structure can be placed either inside the hull astern, centrally, or fore in the ship.
Compared to the prior art, some important features of the invention are to be highlighted:
It is possible to change the collection means on the base of the nature of the pollutant;
the surface of the tread plates is parallel to the water surface if not back inclined, in the case it is suitable to raise the conveyor;
the collection, in the case of special needs, can be mixed, i.e. by alternating steps with tread plates having different collection means;
the supporting and conveying structure prevents the conveyor to be affected by the harmful effects of adverse weather conditions.
Brief description of figures
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of an embodiment of the conveyor according to the present invention in a first collecting arrangement;
- Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail of the conveyor in Figure 1;
- Figure 3 shows the detail in Figure 2 in a modification of the collecting means of the conveyor; - Figure 4 is a partial isometric view of the conveyor in Figure 1 in a second collecting arrangement;
- Figure 5 schematically represents in enlarged scale the collecting means of the conveyor in Figure 1 ;
- Figure 6 partially shows in a further enlarged scale collecting brush means of the conveyor in Figure 1;
- Figure 7 is a schematic isometric view complete of a casing for the conveyor in Figure 1 ;
- Figure 8 is a schematic isometric view of the conveyor in Figure 1, within a supporting and conveying structure in a closed configuration;
- Figure 9 is a schematic isometric view of the conveyor in Figure 1, within a supporting and conveying structure, in an open configuration;
- Figure 10 is a partial isometric view of the upper part of a conveyor according to the invention;
- Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of a conveyor according to the invention positioned fore in a ship; and
- Figure 12 is a partial side view of a conveyor according to the invention positioned astern on a side of a ship.
Detailed description of the invention
Referring initially to Figure 1, therein is shown an isometric view of a conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. The conveyor consists of a stairway generally indicated as 1, whose steps 2 are movable along a loop having a rising section 3 and a return section 4. The steps 2 have tread plates 5 which are maintained parallel in the rising section 3.
According to the present invention each tread plate 5 is provided with projecting means adapted to retain. By way of example, such projecting means consists of spikes 6 protruding upwards from a face of the tread plate 5 of each step. On the opposite face of the tread plate 5, the projecting means for retaining the waste is in the form of brushes 7 orthogonally fixed to the tread plate 5, as shown in the partial isometric view of Figure 4. For collecting the waste, the conveyor 1 according to the present invention is partially immersed in the water mass to be depolluted, as discussed below.
The tread plate 5 is hinged so as to be able to assume two opposite stable positions, the one having the spikes 6, the other having the brushes 7 facing upwards. The configuration with spikes 6 is shown in isometric view in an enlarged scale in Figure 2; in the similar view of Figure 3 the transition to the second configuration with brushes 7 is shown.
A handwheel is shown and generally indicated as 8 that allows the tread plate 5 to turn upside down. It must be clear that the horizontal position of the tread plate 5 is locked by not represented means. In addition to the manual turning of each tread plate, a remote turning, not described here, can be also provided.
The number of faces can be reduced to one, if the tread plates 5 of the steps are not adapted to turn, and it may be greater than two in other embodiments not shown. Suitably, each tread plate is placed in a prismatic body 9 that rotatably supports the tread plate in the illustrated embodiment that is being described. It must also be clear that the spikes 6 are means designed to collect solids, and the brushes 7 are used to collect oil slick, such as hydrocarbons, and particulate waste.
The arrangement of the spikes 6 and the brushes 7 on the tread plate is shown in detail in the side view of the step in Figure 5, and in Figure 6 there is shown an enlarged isometric view of brushes 7, which can be formed by a central pivot 10 and by a multiplicity of discs 11 made of material suitable to collect and retain a liquid waste.
As shown in the isometric view of Figure 7, the conveyor 1 according to the invention has an intermediate space between the rising section and the return section of the stairway, indicated as 12 in figure 1, which is covered with a housing 13 which is suitable to at least prevent the insertion of waste between a step and the other. At the lower and upper ends the conveyor has a lower curved casing 14 and an upper curved casing 15 respectively.
The conveyor is immersed in water with its lower end up to a depth variable by an adjustment of said attaching means with respect to the ship. It is appropriate that the highest position of the conveyor 1 provides that the lowest tread plates, i.e. those indicated as 51, 52, and 53 in Figure 7, are at the same horizontal level under the water so that the waste can lean on them and be retained by the spikes 6 or in case by the brushes 7 so that polluting liquids adhere to them.
The lower curved casing 14 terminates at the top with a comb-shaped end 16 from which the spikes 6 or the brushes 7 pass, and a comb-shaped static organ 17 having teeth, as means for retaining the waste, between which the spikes 6 or the brushes 7 pass, can be provided in the upper casing 15. Located downstream of the static comb-shaped organ 17 is an inclined plane 18 facing toward a collecting vessel 19, as shown in Figure 9, the figures 8 and 9 being schematic isometric views of the conveyor according to the invention within a supporting and conveying structure 20, in a closed and open configuration respectively.
Provided instead of the comb-shaped static organ 17, in the conveyor according to the invention, is a device 21 adapted to remove waste from the steps and to allow the waste displacement. This device 21 comprises a motorized rotating drum 22 provided with radial bars 23 protruding to comb fit between the means for retaining the waste, either teeth 6 or brushes 7 or different from these. The device 21 is shown in Figure 10, which is a partial isometric view of the upper part of a conveyor according to the invention.
As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the conveyor according to the invention is embodied into the supporting and conveying structure 20, which is shown applied together to the conveyor in the bow of a ship N in the perspective view of Figure 11. The supporting and conveying structure 20, which is openable only to delimit laterally and below the conveyor, surrounds at least partially the conveyor.
In the side view of Figure 12, the supporting and conveying structure 20 is applied laterally astern in the ship. Represented by dashed line in Figures 11 and 12 is a possible free surface.
Ultimately, the conveyor according to the present invention can be embodied in a collection system, comprising:
1. a supporting and conveying structure, to be fixed externally to the ship, on one or both sides, constituted by: a hollow metal body terminating in the sea with a mouth for the entrance of the water / waste flow, the mouth being wider than the body itself. The position of this structure is also variable with respect to the ship and the level of the surface to be treated, both vertically, i.e. the immersion of the mouth can vary at different depths from the surface, and horizontally, i.e. the mouth can be displaced from the hull of the ship to which the collection system is attached; the particular configuration of the hollow metal body, whose cross- section tapers progressively from the mouth inwards, has the advantage of not requiring the presence of pumping systems or the rejection of the waters to be treated, unlike from the known art;
a plurality of panels, being positioned on the mouth of the said body towards the sea, with the function of closing and opening the mouth and also of expanding the size of the mouth in the opening phase, in order to convey more water inside of the structure and towards the collection system;
a plurality of means adapted to handle the supporting and conveying structure positioned on the hull of the ship or on the body of the structure; a plurality of pistons adapted to change the size, i.e. the internal volume of the supporting and conveying structure;
a plurality of nozzles adapted to introduce in the supporting and conveying structure water or air having desired pressure and temperature;
a plurality of nozzles for the outflow of water entered into the supporting and conveying structure, situated on the rear side thereof, at different height and with remote control for their opening and closing; and
a plurality of sensors which allow detection of objects with particularly relevant dimensions in order to allow also the recovery of such materials on board of the ship, as well as deterrence and control systems for the protection of aquatic fauna;
a semi-rigid semi-submerged floating barrier, having a variable length, attached to the panels for opening and closing the mouth of the supporting and conveying structure, being towed by boats, with the aim of increasing the width of the basin interested;
a conveyor for lifting waste according to the present invention comprising: a motorized stairway driven by differently feed motors, suitable for use in contaminated water, operated by remote control in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, composed of stainless materials, of various sizes according to the ship on which it is installed;
a plurality of steps, which form the above stairway, each step having a tread plate or rotating lid, which can make a 360 degrees turn about its axis, manually or with a remote control. Each step can have at least two faces, and on each face a different means of retention of the pollutants may be present: brushes, metal spikes, or even an anti-slip rubber mat, etc., or a surface with different retaining means, on the base of the pollution to be faced;
a turning system of the various faces of each step, which, in one of its possible forms, takes place by protruding means, on both sides of the top of the frame of the stairway, which force the steps to a rotation during the motion in the rising section of the stairway in order to show the face with the desired retention means of polluting;
a plurality of fixed brushes positioned on all the steps of the stairway and on the whole surface of the steps; these brushes are formed by rods of plastic material or other flexible material with filaments placed at 90 degrees on the rods to cover the surface of the rods, along their entire height and the circumference, with the purpose of retaining even the millimeter- sized material, captured and conveyed by the water flow;
a plurality of metal spikes placed on all the steps to retain wood or metal waste of considerable size and weight;
a plurality of rollers rotating in the same direction of the stairway, positioned at the end of the stairway from the inner side of the ship, composed of cylinders of variable diameter and length, which are fixed externally, perpendicularly to the central axis of the roller, for the whole their length, a variable number of comb-shaped structures with slits in the vertical direction, of a width slightly greater than that of the rods of the brushes; alternatively, a fixed system can be also installed having, as the rotating rollers, a variable number of comb-shaped structures with slits in the vertical direction, of a width slightly greater than that of the rods of the brushes; in both cases, the slits are arranged in such a way as to allow the passage of the rods and to clean up the filaments of the brushes, thus leaving the pollutants collected on the surface of the "combs";
a screening system by vibration, density, or other, for the selection of solids from liquids, positioned under the rollers with the "combs" at the end of the stairway, towards the inside of the ship;
one or more conveyor belts for the collection of the waste collected by the stairway and their transportation toward a processing line, said conveyor belts being positioned at the end of the screening system;
a "ghiotta" system, that is a basin positioned below the screening system for the collection of hydrocarbons separated and collected by the "combs" from the filaments of the brushes, said basin being connected by tubing and its intake system to tanks of the ship;
in case of non-amphibious naval units and stairway located at the edge of a sealed box, made of metal or other stainless material and suitable for aggressive conditions, which houses the stairway system.
The system has two functionality options.
1. The supporting and conveying structure, fixed externally to the ship, is the element which encloses the collection system of the pollutants. In this case, the stairway is positioned inside the outer structure connected to the hull of the ship ending on one side toward the side of the ship, where the comb- shaped rollers and separation systems are positioned, on the other side the supporting and conveying structure terminates to the outside where the mouth widens toward the sea. In this case, the supporting and conveying structure has the task, besides that of supporting the stairway, also of protecting the system from wave motion, allowing to operate in weather conditions and speed that are prohibitive for all the other collection systems in the prior art.
2. In an application not shown the supporting and conveying structure above described is fixed externally to the ship, and does not enclose the stairway. In this case, the conveying structure is entirely hollow and runs fore and aft on both sides of the ship. The collection mouth is fore and the conveying structure ends towards the stern or towards the inside of the hull with a U- shaped pipe that conveys water jet collected by the ship when advancing. Therefore, the stairway for the collection of pollutants is placed inside of the hull and not in the conveying structure. Furthermore, in order to allow the total removal, a collection basin for any waste which has not been captured immediately is positioned in the lower side of the stairway, partially immersed in water in the operational phase.
In both the two functionality options, there are no limits either in collection speed, if not those of the ship where the system is installed, or in weather and sea conditions. Briefly, the present invention relates to a modular machine to be associated with naval units for the recovery of large quantities of pollutants in water, able to operate even at high feed rate or with adverse weather and sea conditions. One of the main features of the system is that it can be modified in the section of imprisonment / collection of contaminants and in structural conformation, varying in size, by remote control without direct intervention by operators. These changes may be adopted depending on the type of contaminants to be faced, either solid, liquid or mixed, of different kinds, size and weight, such as those produced and poured into water in case of floods, tsunamis, landslides, floods. These changes do not require port stops or shelters, but can also occur when the naval unit is in operation. This feature ensures total flexibility to the system, with the result that, by means of a single machine, an intervention is possible in all scenarios, effectively intercepting particles from floating material, plastics, paper, wood, light metals, or simple hydrocarbon opalescence, as well as solids of any shape, size or weight, and heavy hydrocarbons, such as sludge or tar. Such a system is designed to be mounted on existing ships, ferry type vessels, RO-RO vessels, equipped with loading and unloading bridges, or, with a recycling aim, on disused military amphibious ships, that is on all the ships that have large horizontal spaces. These spaces allow not only to accommodate the collecting system, but also any processing line of the collected waste.

Claims

1. A conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface consisting of a stairway whose steps (2) are movable along an endless loop having a rising section (3) and a return section (4), each step (2) having a tread plate (5) which is maintained parallel to the other tread plates in said rising section (3), characterised in that each tread plate (5) is provided with projecting means (6; 7) adapted to retain the waste and release it when the return section (4) begins.
2. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein each tread plate (5) has two faces, the one being opposite to the other, and the tread plate (5) is able to turn upside down.
3. The conveyor according to claim 2, wherein each tread plate (5) is placed in a prismatic body (9) which rotatably supports the tread plate (5) in a manner that said means adapted to retain the waste protrudes upwardly from the prismatic body (9).
4. The conveyor according to claim 3, wherein said means adapted to retain the waste is intended to collect solid substances and is in the form of spikes (6) that are fixed orthogonally to the tread plate (5).
5. The conveyor according to claim 3, wherein said means adapted to retain the waste is intended to collect liquid substances and is in the form of brushes (7) that are fixed orthogonally to the tread plate (5).
6. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein a space (12) intermediate between the rising section (3) and the return section (4) of the stairway is covered with a casing (13) adapted to prevent at least the insertion of waste between a step (2) and the other one.
7. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein a lower curved casing (14) and an upper curved casing (15) are at the lower and upper ends of the conveyor respectively, the conveyor having attaching means for connecting the conveyor to a ship, said attaching means being provided with height adjusting means so that the conveyor is immersed in water with its lower end up to a depth variable by an adjustment of said attaching means with respect to the ship, in a manner that the lowest tread plates (51, 52, and 53) are at the same horizontal level under the water so that the waste can lean on them and be retained by said projecting means (6; 7).
8. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein provided at the end of the rising section (3) of the stairway is a device adapted to remove waste from the steps.
9. The conveyor according to claim 8, wherein said device adapted to remove waste from the steps comprises a static member (17) in the shape of a comb having teeth between which said means adapted to retain the waste passes, and an inclined plane (18) facing a receiving tank (19).
10. The conveyor according to claim 8, wherein said device adapted to remove waste from the steps comprises a rotatable motorised drum (22) provided with radial bars (23) protruding to be inserted as a comb between said means adapted to retain the waste.
11. The conveyor according to claim 1, characterised in that the conveyor is located inside of a supporting and conveying structure (20) which surrounds the conveyor at least partially.
12. The conveyor according to claim 11, characterised in that such a supporting and conveying structure (20), which surrounds the conveyor (1) at least partially, is openable to delimit only laterally and below the conveyor (1).
EP14716984.1A 2013-02-08 2014-02-06 Conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface Active EP2954118B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000069A ITRM20130069A1 (en) 2013-02-08 2013-02-08 CONVEYOR FOR LIFTING FLOAT OR NEAR THE WATER-FREE WET
PCT/IT2014/000034 WO2014122684A1 (en) 2013-02-08 2014-02-06 Conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2954118A1 true EP2954118A1 (en) 2015-12-16
EP2954118B1 EP2954118B1 (en) 2018-04-11

Family

ID=47953611

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14716984.1A Active EP2954118B1 (en) 2013-02-08 2014-02-06 Conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20160010300A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2954118B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6329969B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2900439C (en)
IT (1) ITRM20130069A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2014122684A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110902851A (en) * 2019-10-30 2020-03-24 南昌工程学院 Ecological reoxygenation device for small and medium-sized river channels
CN112726544A (en) * 2020-12-30 2021-04-30 陈九标 Fishery water conservancy water surface suspended matter stirring type salvage processing equipment and method
CN113522434A (en) * 2021-07-28 2021-10-22 金建伟 Waste material reducing mechanism for building engineering
EP4183464A1 (en) * 2021-11-19 2023-05-24 Universiteit Antwerpen Plastic pellet trap device

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108394526A (en) * 2016-12-25 2018-08-14 林冬 Environmental treatment water hyacinth recycles ship
CN107524130B (en) * 2017-09-14 2019-09-17 中运建设控股有限公司 A kind of fishing device for dam floater cleaning
CN107882005A (en) * 2017-12-20 2018-04-06 杨雪锋 A kind of river course device for cleaning water surface rubbish
CN108834447B (en) * 2018-07-06 2021-04-30 鄱阳县油墩街西港鼎鑫米业有限公司 Quick cleaning equipment of paddy field floater that rice planting used
CN110565605B (en) * 2019-09-18 2021-01-19 河南城建学院 River channel rubbish intercepting system applied to ecological restoration aspect
KR102080550B1 (en) * 2019-10-18 2020-02-25 주식회사 티에스엔텍 An Algae remove ship
CN112009630A (en) * 2019-12-13 2020-12-01 浙江辛巴达机器人科技有限公司 Float type river channel garbage classification collection robot
CN111455956B (en) * 2020-04-13 2021-06-25 太原理工大学 Dirt separator for separating solid garbage in water source
CN111498393A (en) * 2020-05-29 2020-08-07 苏州飞驰环保科技股份有限公司 Conveyer belt device and front deck harvesting system suitable for floater and pasture and water are collected
CN112062173B (en) * 2020-08-10 2021-07-27 淮安同方盐化工业污水处理有限公司 Pre-dewatering grid cleaner
US11772753B2 (en) * 2020-08-18 2023-10-03 Farouk Dakhil Autonomous plastic collecting robot
CN112429163A (en) * 2020-11-12 2021-03-02 陈毅 Environment-friendly device is salvaged to discarded object for water pollution
US20220363353A1 (en) * 2021-03-29 2022-11-17 Robert Marshall Campbell Equipment, systems and vessels, for the effective cleanup and recovery of a broad range of floating contaminants
US11814804B2 (en) * 2021-12-01 2023-11-14 Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Lp System for removing polymer pellets and other contaminants from water reservoirs
CN116988425B (en) * 2023-08-09 2024-07-23 周口市水利勘测设计院 Water retaining device for hydraulic engineering construction
CN117845858A (en) * 2024-03-08 2024-04-09 四川水发勘测设计研究有限公司 Cleaning device for hydraulic engineering

Family Cites Families (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1890251A (en) * 1927-08-29 1932-12-06 Gilbert J Fowler Filter
US3403098A (en) * 1966-06-30 1968-09-24 Hydromation Engineering Compan Oil skimmers
US3617555A (en) * 1970-04-16 1971-11-02 Standard Oil Co Method and apparatus for removing oil and debris from water
US3732161A (en) * 1971-01-22 1973-05-08 Standard Oil Co Method for removing oil and debris from water
US3700108A (en) * 1971-02-04 1972-10-24 Frank A Richards Oil skimmer
US3891558A (en) * 1972-12-06 1975-06-24 Jr Paul Condit Oil and debris removal unit
JPS5445296Y2 (en) * 1976-03-16 1979-12-25
JPS6228713B2 (en) * 1978-05-26 1987-06-22 Edowaado Bikutaa Baiyaazu
FR2428709A1 (en) 1978-06-14 1980-01-11 Ouest Ets Generaux Meca IMPROVEMENTS ON APPARATUS WITH FLEXIBLE PALLETS FOR THE RECOVERY OF FLOATING MATERIALS
NO794138L (en) * 1978-12-19 1980-06-20 Fram Europ PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR POLLUTANEOUS OIL REMOVAL AND RECOVERY FLOATING ON A WATER SURFACE
FI71596C (en) * 1983-06-09 1987-01-19 Lundin Lars Patent ANORDNING FOER ATT LYFTA OLJA UR VATTNET OCH FRAON VATTENYTAN.
JPS6053487A (en) * 1983-08-31 1985-03-27 Kyoei Zoki Kk Collection method of water surface floating objects
US4682681A (en) * 1985-03-27 1987-07-28 Hitachi, Ltd. Escalator
US4842735A (en) 1988-03-21 1989-06-27 Hollis Calvin L Oil skimming apparatus
US5647965A (en) 1994-03-25 1997-07-15 Crose; James R. Apparatus and method for separating a charged substance from a conductive fluid
DK58694A (en) * 1994-05-25 1995-11-26 Krueger I Systems As Apparatus, components and method for filtration of liquid
JP2000064254A (en) * 1998-08-26 2000-02-29 Ebara Corp Refuse removing device
US6029290A (en) * 1998-10-26 2000-02-29 Skimmer Valet, Inc. Swimming pool skimmer cleaner
FR2808496B3 (en) * 2000-05-03 2002-08-30 Jean Lansaque DEVICE FOR THE RECOVERY OF OIL PATCHES FLOATING ON THE SURFACE OF THE SEA OR IN LOW IMMERSION
JP2001329522A (en) * 2000-05-19 2001-11-30 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Water intake apparatus
JP2002138445A (en) * 2000-10-30 2002-05-14 Tokyo Electric Power Co Inc:The Jellyfish disposal equipment
JP4439845B2 (en) * 2003-06-24 2010-03-24 株式会社ブンリ Float collection device
NO20041471A (en) 2004-04-07 2005-08-15 Ide Til Produkt As Method and device for collecting liquid waste on a water surface.

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110902851A (en) * 2019-10-30 2020-03-24 南昌工程学院 Ecological reoxygenation device for small and medium-sized river channels
CN112726544A (en) * 2020-12-30 2021-04-30 陈九标 Fishery water conservancy water surface suspended matter stirring type salvage processing equipment and method
CN113522434A (en) * 2021-07-28 2021-10-22 金建伟 Waste material reducing mechanism for building engineering
EP4183464A1 (en) * 2021-11-19 2023-05-24 Universiteit Antwerpen Plastic pellet trap device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2016507679A (en) 2016-03-10
ITRM20130069A1 (en) 2014-08-09
CA2900439A1 (en) 2014-08-14
EP2954118B1 (en) 2018-04-11
US20160010300A1 (en) 2016-01-14
CA2900439C (en) 2021-03-30
JP6329969B2 (en) 2018-05-23
WO2014122684A1 (en) 2014-08-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2900439C (en) Conveyor suitable for lifting floating waste or other waste just under the water surface
US7485235B2 (en) Waste collection system
KR101024970B1 (en) Separating apparatus of water and oil
US3860519A (en) Oil slick skimmer
Nichols et al. Effects of hopper dredging and sediment dispersion, Chesapeake Bay
US6117336A (en) Self-cleaning water powered helix boom
Turan et al. Current status of studies on microplastics in the world's marine environments
Fingas Physical spill countermeasures
KR101732896B1 (en) prevention apparatus of contamination by oil spill on the sea
US3700107A (en) Apparatus for recovery of floating substances
US3884810A (en) Anti pollution waterway device and process
US4842735A (en) Oil skimming apparatus
GB2480858A (en) An oil spill recovery system
GB2027604A (en) Oil collector
KR100819548B1 (en) A river pollutant removing equipment
Bernard et al. Effectiveness of Devices for the Control and Clean up of Oil Spills
GB2246981A (en) Oil spill barrier of air bubbles; Tubes
KR20220115377A (en) apparatus for collection of floating waste on water surface
Guerroué et al. Recovery of sunken and buried oil in coastal water during the Erika spill
US4879026A (en) Device for the collection of various substances present in a liquid
FR2516069A1 (en) DEVICE FOR CAPTURING VARIOUS SUBSTANCES IN A LIQUID
KR101014950B1 (en) A container device for removing floating matter
US20100282687A1 (en) System and Method for Extraction of Petroleum from Oil/Water Mixture
JP3517758B2 (en) Discharge method of sewage in landfill
KR20240150912A (en) A mechanical equipment that can collect liquid wastes floated on waters with utilization of venturi effect, and a boat that can collect both liquid wastes and solid wastes at same time and store the both wastes separately

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20150810

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20161125

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: E02B 15/10 20060101AFI20170622BHEP

Ipc: B63B 35/32 20060101ALI20170622BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20170915

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 988164

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180415

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602014023696

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20180411

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180711

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180711

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180712

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 988164

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180411

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180813

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602014023696

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20190114

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190206

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20190228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190228

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190206

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190206

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180811

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20140206

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180411

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20240207

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240207

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240206

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240206

Year of fee payment: 11