Oil retention booms

Abstract

A boom for retaining oil on the surface of a body of water is provided. The boom comprising a sensor for detecting the oil and electronic circuitry coupled with the sensor.

1 . A boom for retaining oil on the surface of a body of water, the boom comprising a sensor for detecting the oil and electronic circuitry coupled with the sensor. 
     
     
         2 . The boom according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an array of detecting transducers. 
     
     
         3 . The boom according to  claim 2 , wherein the transducers are mounted at an external surface of the boom and the electronic circuitry is carried separately on the boom. 
     
     
         4 . The boom according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to process signals from the transducers. 
     
     
         5 . The boom according to  claim 4 , wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a data transmitter configured to transmit data resulting from processing the signals. 
     
     
         6 . The boom according to  claim 5 , wherein the data transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         7 . The boom according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of sensors spaced apart along the boom. 
     
     
         8 . The boom according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensors and electronic circuitry are configured to sense at least one of depth, location and presence of the oil. 
     
     
         9 . The boom according to  claim 1 , comprising a curtain for suspension below the boom, the curtain comprising a plurality of transducers for detecting oil, wherein the transducers are coupled with the electronic circuitry. 
     
     
         10 . A method of monitoring oil on the surface of a body of water, the method comprising providing an oil retention boom, the oil retention boom comprising a sensor for detecting the oil. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises an array of detecting transducers. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the transducers are mounted at an external surface of the boom and the electronic circuitry is carried separately on the boom. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the electronic circuitry processes signals from the transducers. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a data transmitter that transmits data resulting from processing the signals. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the data transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein there is a plurality of sensors spaced apart along the boom. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the sensors and electronic circuitry sense at least one of depth, location and presence of the oil. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the boom carries a curtain suspended below it, the curtain being provided with a plurality of transducers for detecting oil, wherein the transducers are coupled with the electronic circuitry.