# US 2014/0190878 A1 · Suction float and collecting device, and collection vessel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190878 A1 - Document ID: US20140190878A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/007,031 - Filed: 2012-04-03 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-08 - Inventors: Udo Nagel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190878A1 ## CPC - B03D 1/14: Flotation machines (devices for feeding measured quantities of reagents B01J4/02; flotation apparatus for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/09) - B63B 35/32: for collecting pollution from open water - E02B 15/046: {Collection of oil using vessels, i.e. boats, barges} - E02B 15/08: Devices for reducing the polluted area {with or} without {additional devices for} removing the material - E02B 15/106: {Overflow skimmers with suction heads; suction heads} - E02B 15/047: {provided with an oil collecting boom arranged on at least one side of the hull} - B03D: FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) ## Abstract A suction float (1) for removing liquid and/or foam-like contaminants (22) from surfaces (21) of liquids (2), wherein the contaminants are drawn off downwards from the upper surface (111) of the float via a suction pipe section (12). For this purpose the float (1) has a first duct (13) extending from the upper surface (111) to the underside (112) for the suction pipe section to pass through and a second duct (14) from the underside (112) to the upper surface (111) of the float, wherein after passing through the first duct (13) the suction pipe section (12) is guided along the underside (112) of the float (11) and is designed to penetrate into the second duct (14), wherein the float (11) is movable along the suction pipe section (12). The invention further relates to a collecting device having a suction float (1) and to a collection vessel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A suction float (1) for the removal of liquid and/or foam-type impurities (22) from surfaces (21) of liquids (2) comprising: a suction pipe section (12) for transport of aspirated liquid (2) and/or impurities (22), and a floating body (11) having an upper surface (111) and an underside (112), a first passage (13) from the upper surface (111) to the underside (112) for passage through of the suction pipe sections (12) and a second passage (14) from the underside (112) to the upper surface (111), wherein the suction pipe section (12) after passage through the first passage (13) extends along the underside (112) of the float (11) and penetrates into the second passage (14), and wherein the floating body (11) is movable (X) along the suction pipe section (12). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The suction float (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the suction pipe section (12) is less than or equal to the inner diameter of the first (13) and/or second passage (14). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The suction float (1) according to claim 1, wherein a seal is provided between the first (13) and/or the second passage (14) and the suction pipe section (12), and wherein the seal is designed as a hydraulic seal or a sealing ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The suction float (1) according to claim 1, wherein a stop (15) is provided on suction pipe section (12) for limiting the freedom of movement (X) of the float (11). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The suction float (1) according to claim 1, wherein a baffle plate (16) is provided at suction pipe section (12) which at least partially protective, preferably arranged upstream in the working direction (A) and/or about the floating body (11). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The suction float (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface (111) of the float (11) is funnel-shaped and/or wherein a rim (113) is arranged on the upper side (111). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A collection means for collecting liquid and/or foam-type impurities (22) from surface (21) of liquid (2), comprising a suction float (1) according to claim 1, a suction pipe (3) for transport of extracted impurities (22) and/or liquid (2), a support for fixing, and a suction device (4) and/or a separating device (5), wherein the liquid and/or foam-type impurities (22) extracted from the surface (21) of the liquid (2) via the suction float (1) by the suction device (4) and/or are separated with the aid of the separating device (5). ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The collection device according to claim 7, wherein feed means are provided for guiding the liquid and/or foam-type impurities (22) on the surface (21) of the liquid (2) to the suction float (1). ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The collecting ship (8) comprising a collecting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the suction float (1) is connected to the ship (8). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The collecting ship according to claim 9, wherein two guide plates (6) extending through the surface (21) of liquid (2) are provided on the vessel (8) at a common point of attachment, wherein these form in the operating mode an at least approximately V-shaped layout open in the operating direction (A), and wherein the suction float (1) is arranged in the middle of two guide plates (6). ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The suction float (1) according to claim 1, wherein a rim (113) with notches or indentations (114) is arranged on the upper side (111) of the float (11). ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The collection device according to claim 8, wherein the feed means are two baffles (6) extending through the surface (21) of the liquid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The collecting ship (8) according to claim 9, wherein the suction float (1) is connected to the ship (8) with the suction pipe (3) secured to the ship deck (81) and/or on the hull (82) by a fastening and/or holding device (7). ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The collecting ship according to claim 10, wherein two guide plates (6) extending through the surface (21) of liquid (2) are provided on the vessel (8) at a common point of attachment via an adjustable holder (61) fastened on the hull (82). ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The collecting ship according to claim 10, wherein a baffle plate (16) is arranged on the side of the suction float (1) facing away from the common point of attachment.