US3693360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ice breaker for marine structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-02
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-10-02
Abstract
Abstract An ice breaker for marine structures comprising a rotatably mounted plow member on an offshore platform and utilizing a vane member to position the plow member in the path of encroaching ice floes. Buoyant chambers vertically position the plow member so that the leading edge will be under or above the ice floe. High pressure fluids or mechanical saws can be used as cutting members to cut sections in the ice floe and allow the plow member to break the ice sections from the ice floe and force them above or below the remaining ice floe. High pressure jets may be located in apertures in the face of the plow member and/or located between the ice floe and the plow member. The cutting members are arranged to cut sections of ice resembling the vertical section of a truncated pyramid.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Holder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:02
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/0017; E02B17/0021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for protecting an offshore platform supported on a substructure from encroaching ice floes, comprising: an inverted plow member having a central ridge portion and concave shoulders rotatably mounted on the offshore platform substructure and positioned such that the leading edge of the plow member is located above the ice floe; and at least one cutting member attached to the offshore platform and positioned relative to said plow member so that the cutting member contacts the ice floe adjacent the plow member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for protecting an offshore platform supported on a substructure from encroaching ice floes, comprising: an inverted plow member having a central ridge portion and concave shoulders rotatably mounted on the offshore platform substructure and positioned such that the leading edge of the plow member is located above the ice floe; and at least one cutting member attached to the offshore platform and positioned relative to said plow member so that the cutting member contacts the ice floe adjacent the plow member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for rotating the plow member and cutting member which is responsive to elements responsible for the direction of movement of the ice floes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus for protecting a platform located in water from ice floes in said water, comprising: a plow member having a central ridge portion and concave shoulders which is rotatably mounted on the offshore platform and located adjacent the water surface; and cutting means located adjacent the plow member, including high pressure liquid nozzles directed toward the ice floe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus for protecting a platform located in water from ice floes in said water, comprising: a plow member having a central ridge portion and concave shoulders which is rotatably mounted on the offshore platform and located adjacent the water surface; and cutting means located adjacent the plow member, including high pressure liquid nozzles directed toward the ice floe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the plow member is in an inverted position, having the leading edge positioned above the trailing edge so that ice contacting the plow member is deflected downwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including means for orienting the plow member which is responsive to direction of movement of the ice floes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the cutting means includes means for forcing a liquid at high pressure through said nozzles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cutting means is arranged to cut the ice floe so that the cutting planes define ice sections having a top and bottom surface of substantially different cross-sectional surface areas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the ice cutting means are jet nozzles directed through apertures in the face of the plow member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including buoyant members attached to said plow member for maintaining the plow member adjacent the water surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
Method of protecting an offshore structure from encroaching ice floes comprising the steps of: locating a plow member between the structure and the encroaching ice floe; directing high pressure streams of liquid against said ice floe, at various angles to provide cutting planes which define ice sections having top and bottom surfaces of different cross-sectional areas; and removing the ice sections from the ice floe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
Method of protecting an offshore structure from encroaching ice floes comprising the steps of: locating a plow member between the structure and the encroaching ice floe; directing high pressure streams of liquid against said ice floe, at various angles to provide cutting planes which define ice sections having top and bottom surfaces of different cross-sectional areas; and removing the ice sections from the ice floe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |