US 11,629,471 B2 · Water-borne debris collection system and methods of using the same

Abstract

A novel water-borne debris collection system integrated into a waterborne vessel for collecting surface and near surface debris in a body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. The apparatus may include a solid collection boom that projects laterally from a vessel and is partially submerged to act as a collection mechanism. The boom also facilitates the propulsion of the vessel by providing a barrier across which a differential water surface level may be created to drive the vessel forward. The apparatus may include a pumping system that draws water from the anterior side of the screen and for multiple purposes, including processing the collected water to remove plastics and other pollutant and debris material therefrom, and to transfer the water to the posterior side of the screen to create the differential water level for driving the vessel forward.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A waterborne debris collection apparatus for use with an aquatic craft, comprising:

a) a plurality of deployable collection booms for collecting debris from a body of water each having a proximal end positioned at a pivoting joint and a distal end operable to be moveable between a stowed position proximal to a hull and an extended collection position away from the hull, wherein said plurality of collection booms form at least a part of a continuous debris collection structure positioned behind the aquatic craft and that extends laterally beyond a starboard side of the aquatic craft and laterally beyond a port side of the aquatic craft;
b) a boom deployment system which includes a tether system to which said at least one boom is mechanically connected, a rearward extending frame member, and a connection point at or near a bow of the aquatic craft;
and
c) a pumping system operable to collect debris-laden water from an area anterior to the at least one deployable collection boom and to dispose of the collected water on a posterior side of the at least one deployable collection boom.

1 more element

An aquatic vessel comprising:

a) at least one deployable collection boom for collecting debris from a body of water having a proximal end positioned at a pivoting joint and a distal end operable to be moveably positioned proximal to a hull and at an extended collection position away from the hull, wherein said at least one deployable collection boom forms at least a part of a continuous debris collection structure positioned behind the aquatic craft and that extends laterally beyond the starboard side of the aquatic craft and laterally beyond the port side of the aquatic craft;
b) a debris collection system at least one debris collection conduit and a pump that is operable to collect debris-laden water from an area anterior to the at least one deployable collection boom;
c) at least one filter operable to remove solid debris from the debris-laden water to yield filtered water;
and
d) a conduit operable to expel said filtered water on the posterior side of the continuous debris collection structure, thereby propelling the aquatic craft forward.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Water-borne debris collection system and methods of using the same

Life of this patent

Water-borne debris collection system and methods of using the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20