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.

1 . A waterborne debris collection apparatus for use with an aquatic craft, 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 moveable between a stowed position proximal to the hull and an extended collection position away from the hull;   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 the 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 the posterior side of the at least one deployable collection boom.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one deployable boom includes two deployable booms, each being pivotally connected to the aquatic craft at a position spaced from the stern, and the two deployable booms are bilaterally deployable from the aquatic craft. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said two deployable booms are positioned bilaterally with respect to said aquatic vessel and both have a stowed position in which said two deployable booms are drawn in to proximity with a hull of said aquatic craft, and a deployed position in which the two booms are deployed bilaterally away from the hull of the aquatic craft. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one debris collection conduit operable to collection said waterborne debris at or near a surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a collection conveyor operable to collect coarse waterborne debris at or near a surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a sorting station for segregating said coarse waterborne debris, wherein pieces of said waterborne debris differ in material content and said sorting station segregates said pieces of said waterborne debris based on said material content. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a pyrolysis system. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said tether system includes at least one forward spooling mechanism and at least one aft spooling mechanism for each of said deployable booms, said forward spool operable to gather and release a forward tether that is mechanically connected at or near a distal end of said deployable boom, and said aft spool being mounted on said rearward extending frame member and being operable to gather and release an after tether that is mechanically connected at or near said distal end of said deployable boom. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . 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 the hull and at an extended collection position away from the hull; and   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 the bow of the aquatic craft.   
     
     
         15 . The vessel of  claim 14 , further comprising a debris collection 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 the posterior side of the at least one deployable collection boom, thereby creating a differential water level between the anterior and posterior sides of the deployable collection boom that results in a force applied to the posterior side of the deployable collection screen that propels the aquatic craft forward. 
     
     
         16 . The vessel of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one deployable boom includes two deployable booms, each being pivotally connected to the aquatic craft at a position spaced from the stern, and the two deployable booms are bilaterally deployable from the aquatic craft. 
     
     
         17 . The vessel of  claim 16 , wherein said two deployable booms are positioned bilaterally with respect to said aquatic vessel and have a stowed position in which said two deployable booms are drawn in to proximity with a hull of said aquatic craft, and a deployed position in which the two booms are deployed bilaterally away from the hull of the aquatic craft. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The vessel of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one debris collection conduit operable to collect said waterborne debris at or near a surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         20 . The vessel of  claim 16 , further comprising a collection conveyor operable to collect coarse waterborne debris at or near a surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A waterborne debris harvester apparatus for use with an aquatic craft, comprising:
 a) at least one collection boom for collecting debris from a body of water having a proximal end positioned near said stern; and   b) a debris collection system operable to collect debris-laden water from an area anterior to the at least one collection boom and to dispose of the collected water on the posterior side of the at least one collection boom, creating a differential water level between the anterior and posterior sides of the collection boom that results in a force applied to the posterior side of the collection screen that propels the aquatic craft forward.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprising a pivoting joint that allows the at least one collection boom to be drawn in toward the hull to a stowed position. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising 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 the stern of the aquatic craft. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one boom includes two deployable booms, each being pivotally connected to the aquatic craft at a position spaced from the stern, and the two deployable booms are bilaterally deployable from the aquatic craft. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein said two deployable booms are positioned bilaterally with respect to said aquatic vessel and have a stowed position in which said two deployable booms are drawn in to proximity with a hull of said aquatic craft, and a deployed position in which the two booms are deployed bilaterally, away from the hull of the aquatic craft. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein said two deployable booms collect waterborne debris and guide said debris toward a collection zone at or near the aquatic craft. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 - 65 . (canceled)