Skimmer assembly

A skimmer assembly for skimming of a fluid from a surface of a body of the fluid, the skimmer assembly comprising:

• a) an inlet member comprising:
• 1) a wall member radially disposed;
• 2) an interior defined by the wall member;
• 3) an exterior;
• 4) an upper terminal edge defining an inlet opening and extending from the interior to the exterior;
• 5) a lower terminal edge defining an outlet opening within the interior, the outlet opening in communication with the inlet opening utilizing a passageway through the interior for passage therethrough of the fluid entering the inlet opening;
• b) a transfer conduit attached to the inlet member wherein the transfer conduit seals the outlet opening for passage into the transfer conduit of the fluid entering the inlet opening, the transfer conduit to provide for a containment of the fluid entering the inlet opening of the inlet member;
• c) a discharge outlet for expulsion of the fluid from the skimmer assembly;
• d) floatation means to provide for a drifting floatation of the inlet member and a portion of the transfer conduit within the body of the fluid, the upper terminal edge of the inlet member beneath the surface of the body of the fluid during the floatation, the floatation means utilizing an air cavity to provide for the floatation, the air cavity open to an interior of the transfer conduit and radially spaced outward from and elevationally above the lower terminal edge of the inlet member, wherein the inlet opening of the inlet member resides beneath the surface of the body of the fluid while air remains trapped within the air cavity;
• e) fluid transfer means to provide for:
• 1) a drawing of the fluid through the inlet opening of the inlet member;
• 2) a conveyance of the fluid through the transfer conduit;
• 3) an expulsion of the fluid through the discharge outlet.

A method of skimming a surface of a body of a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an inlet member having an inlet opening;
• b) providing floatation means to provide for a floatation of the inlet member while retaining the inlet opening below and parallel to the surface of the body of the fluid, the floatation means comprising an air cavity situated within the inlet member in contact with and radially outside of a base of the inlet opening, the floatation means to provide for the inlet member to free float about the surface of the body of the fluid;
• c) providing fluid transfer means to the inlet member wherein a portion of the fluid is drawn into the inlet opening while the floatation means retains the inlet opening of the inlet member below and parallel to the surface of the body of the fluid;
• d) providing for an expulsion of the fluid drawn into the inlet opening of the inlet member.