Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of protecting a structure in water supporting an ice sheet secured to land such that movement of the ice sheet is restricted which comprises: constructing a thickened section of ice around at least a part of said structure, said thickened section being spaced from said structure, and during the time the structure is to be protected providing a buffer zone on the side of said thickened section away from said land which includes cutting circumferential trenches in said ice sheet, said trenches not extending through said ice sheet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of protecting a structure in water supporting an ice sheet secured to land such that movement of the ice sheet is restricted which comprises: constructing a thickened section of ice around at least a part of said structure, said thickened section being spaced from said structure, and during the time the structure is to be protected providing a buffer zone on the side of said thickened section away from said land which includes cutting circumferential trenches in said ice sheet, said trenches not extending through said ice sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 which includes cutting radial trenches in said ice across said circumferential trenches and with such trenches radiating from said structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 2 in which said circumferential trenches are cut at an angle to vertical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which the thickness of the thickened section of ice is increased by a factor of 3 over the thickness of the normal ice sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 1 where said structure is a vessel floating on said water and anchoring said vessel to the bottom of said body of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1 including the step of maintaining open water between the vessel and the thickened section of ice.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of protecting a structure in water covered with an ice sheet which comprises reinforcing a section of the ice in a pattern which at least partially encircles said structure, weakening the ice sheet on the side of the reinforced section away from said structure, and maintaining the portion of the ice thus weakened in its weakened condition during the time which the structure is to be protected.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of protecting a structure in water covered with an ice sheet which comprises reinforcing a section of the ice in a pattern which at least partially encircles said structure, weakening the ice sheet on the side of the reinforced section away from said structure, and maintaining the portion of the ice thus weakened in its weakened condition during the time which the structure is to be protected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 7 including the step of maintaining open water between said structure and the reinforced section of ice.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of protecting a structure in water supporting an ice sheet in which said ice sheet is secured to land which comprises providing a weakened zone in said ice sheet in a pattern spaced from said structure on the seaward side of said structure and only partly surrounding such structure, such weakened zone being maintained during the time which the structure is to be protected, and providing a strengthened section of ice between said structure and said weakened zone.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of protecting a structure in water supporting an ice sheet in which said ice sheet is secured to land which comprises providing a weakened zone in said ice sheet in a pattern spaced from said structure on the seaward side of said structure and only partly surrounding such structure, such weakened zone being maintained during the time which the structure is to be protected, and providing a strengthened section of ice between said structure and said weakened zone.