Barrier system for a body of fluid and method of forming the same

Abstract

A float member configured to float on and cover a fluid surface. The float member includes an elongated body having a top portion and a bottom portion defining a central longitudinal axis and a periphery portion. The periphery may have a substantially flat surface. The top portion extends upwardly from the periphery and the bottom portion extends downwardly from the periphery. A width of the body is substantially greater than a height of the body. In various aspects of the invention, the float member is configured to modify a transfer of evaporated fluid or energy therethrough. A method of forming a barrier using the float members and a system of for adjusting an evaporation rate of a fluid are further disclosed.

1 . A float member configured to float on and cover a fluid surface, said float member comprising:
 an elongated body having a central periphery portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion, the top portion extending upwardly from the periphery and the bottom portion extending downwardly from the periphery,   wherein the periphery has a substantially flat outer circumference.   
     
     
         2 . The float member according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the body is substantially greater than a height of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The float member according to  claim 1 , wherein the central periphery portion, top portion, and bottom portion are joined into a unitary structure. 
     
     
         4 . The float member according to  claim 2 , wherein the width of the body is at least about 50% greater than the height of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The float member according to  claim 1 , wherein the float member is configured to modify a rate of fluid evaporation therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The float member according to  claim 1 , wherein the circumference is polygonal-shaped about a central longitudinal axis of the float member. 
     
     
         7 . The float member according to  claim 6 , wherein a vertical cross-section of said elongated body is substantially rhombic. 
     
     
         8 . The float member according to  claim 7 , wherein said elongated body is disk-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The float member according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the top portion and bottom portion comprises a plurality of substantially planar surfaces projecting away from the periphery portion and meeting at a peak. 
     
     
         10 . The float member according to  claim 9 , wherein the peak is domed. 
     
     
         11 . The float member according to  claim 1 , wherein the float member further comprises a ballast member disposed in the bottom portion, the ballast member configured and positioned to orient the float member on the fluid surface. 
     
     
         12 . The float member according to  claim 1 , wherein the float member has a mass of about 100 grams. 
     
     
         13 . The float member according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The float member according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is composed of high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         15 . A float member configured to float on and cover a fluid surface, said float member comprising:
 a periphery portion defining a major axis, the periphery having a polygonal-shaped outer circumference defined by a plurality of substantially flat surfaces;   a top portion extending from the periphery portion to a top end, the top portion having substantially flat sides and a narrowing width from the periphery portion to the top end; and   a bottom portion extending from the periphery portion to a bottom end, the bottom portion having substantially flat sides and a narrowing width from the periphery portion to the bottom end, the top end to the bottom end defining a minor axis,   wherein the major axis is at least about 50% greater than the minor axis.   
     
     
         16 . The float member according to  claim 15 , wherein the major axis is at least about 75% greater than the minor axis. 
     
     
         17 . The float member according to  claim 5 , wherein the major axis is about 8 inches and the minor axis is about 4 inches. 
     
     
         18 . A floating barrier disposed on a surface of a fluid body, said barrier comprising:
 a plurality of float members configured to float on a fluid surface in adjacent relationship, each float member comprising a periphery, a top portion, and a bottom portion defining a central longitudinal axis therethrough, the periphery having a plurality of substantially flat surfaces along an outer circumference, the top portion extending upwardly from the periphery and the bottom portion extending downwardly from the periphery, wherein a width of the body is substantially greater than a height of the body.   
     
     
         19 . The floating barrier according to  claim 18 , wherein said float members are independent and distinct. 
     
     
         20 . The floating barrier according to  claim 19 , wherein each float member is configured to abut and engage adjacent float members thereby forming a substantially contiguous barrier on the fluid surface. 
     
     
         21 . The floating barrier according to  claim 20 , wherein a plurality of said float members are configured to interconnect to form a uniform barrier. 
     
     
         22 . The floating barrier according to  claim 18 , wherein the barrier covers at least about 93% of the surface area of the fluid above which the barrier is disposed. 
     
     
         23 . The floating barrier according to  claim 18 , wherein the barrier covers at least about 97% of the surface area of the fluid above which the barrier is disposed. 
     
     
         24 . The floating barrier according to  claim 18 , wherein each of said float members is configured to reduce heat transfer therethrough. 
     
     
         25 . The floating barrier according to  claim 18 , wherein each of said float members is configured to absorb WV light. 
     
     
         26 . A method of forming a barrier over a fluid, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of float members, each float member being adapted to float on a surface of the fluid, each float member having a central periphery portion about a longitudinal major axis, the major axis being substantially larger than a transverse minor axis; and   placing the plurality of float members on a surface of a fluid thereby covering at least a portion of the water surface.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the float members are disk-shaped and have a polygonal-shaped periphery. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the float members are dimensioned and configured to be self-arranging and the placing is accomplished by randomly positioning the plurality of floating members on the fluid surface. 
     
     
         29 . A system for covering a fluid body, said system comprising:
 a plurality of elongated, disk-shaped floating members positioned adjacent one another on a surface of a fluid, each floating member comprising:   a central periphery portion;   a top portion and a bottom portion defining a central major axis therethrough, the top portion extends upwardly from the periphery and the bottom portion extends downwardly from the periphery,   wherein a width of the floating member is substantially greater than a height of the floating member.   
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 29 , wherein each of the floating members is configured to adjust an evaporation rate of the fluid therethrough 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 29 , wherein the floating member has a maximum height of about 4 inches and a maximum width of about 8 inches. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 29 , further comprising a netting member, the netting member configured to anchor the plurality of elongated floating members to the fluid surface.