Oil boom for collecting and skimming oil on a water surface

An oil boom for collecting and skimming surface oil floating on a body of water, the boom comprising a rigid central framework of longitudinal stringers, transverse cross braces and vertical struts;

• float means rigidly connected to each end of the central framework;
• at least two rows of adjacent, vertical panels supported by and extending between at least several of the vertical struts in end-to-end relationship parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom, the panels forming the surface barrier screens having a density sufficient to cause them to float vertically in water with a draft at least slightly greater than the maximum thickness of the floating oil;
• the panels further being individually supported for free vertical floating movement by said vertical struts;
• a plurality of flow diverter vanes located below said panels, said vanes comprising flow deflector elements angularly oriented relative to the principal horizontal and vertical axes of said central framework, and secured thereto so that they extend diagonally across the vertical planes including said rows of panels, whereby vanes will divert an oncoming current striking them upwardly and towards one end of the boom, and whereby the diverted current will form a surface transport current between the barrier screens flowing towards said one end of the boom, the transport current having an elevated surface level relative to ambient water;
• and surface water skimmer means located adjacent said one end of the boom, said skimmer means having an inlet in communication with surface water carried to said one end of the boom by said transport current.