Patent US3750412A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3750412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of forming and maintaining offshore ice structures
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1970-10-19
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1990-10-19
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a method of constructing and maintaining an ice structure at a desired, frigid, offshore location which can be used for drilling and/or producing oil wells. An ice floe or a part of a fast ice mass forms the base on which ice is accumulated to form the structure. The ice can be accumulated by spraying, flooding, or piling up of ice. The structure may be reinforced and has means to protect it from marginal melting during the ''''summer'''' months.
Inventors
- 👤 J Fitch
- 👤 L Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:39
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/08; B63B35/086; E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/02; E02B17/00; E02B17/02; E02B17/028; E21; E21B; E21B15/00; E21B15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of providing protection from marginal melting for an ice structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure, said method comprising: providing an insulative barrier around said structure to prevent contact of said water with said structure, said barrier extending from above the waterline to at least the depth at which the temperature of the water surrounding said structure is at or near the melting point of said ice forming said structure, said barrier comprising a sheet of plastic material having polyurethane foam on both sides thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of providing protection from marginal melting for an ice structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure, said method comprising: providing an insulative barrier around said structure to prevent contact of said water with said structure, said barrier extending from above the waterline to at least the depth at which the temperature of the water surrounding said structure is at or near the melting point of said ice forming said structure, said barrier comprising a sheet of plastic material having polyurethane foam on both sides thereof.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of providing protection from marginal melting for an ice structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure, said method comprising: positioning a sheet of water-impermeable material about said structure, said sheet extending from above the waterline to at least the depth at which the temperature of the water surrounding said structure is at or near the melting point of the ice forming said structure; and allowing water resulting from the melting of the surface of said structure to flow from said surface in between said sheet and said structure.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of providing protection from marginal melting for an ice structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure, said method comprising: positioning a sheet of water-impermeable material about said structure, said sheet extending from above the waterline to at least the depth at which the temperature of the water surrounding said structure is at or near the melting point of the ice forming said structure; and allowing water resulting from the melting of the surface of said structure to flow from said surface in between said sheet and said structure.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of providing protection from marginal melting for an ice structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure, said method comprising: providing an insulative barrier around said structure to prevent contact of said water with said structure, said barrier extending from above the waterline to at least the depth at which the temperature of the water surrounding said structure is at or near the melting point of said ice forming said structure, said barrier comprising foamed insulation trapped between two plastic sheets joined together in a quilted pattern.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of providing protection from marginal melting for an ice structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure, said method comprising: providing an insulative barrier around said structure to prevent contact of said water with said structure, said barrier extending from above the waterline to at least the depth at which the temperature of the water surrounding said structure is at or near the melting point of said ice forming said structure, said barrier comprising foamed insulation trapped between two plastic sheets joined together in a quilted pattern.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of constructing an ice structure at a desired offshore location in a frigid environment wherein a base of naturally occurring ice overlies said desired location, said method comprising: accumulating ice on said base by spraying water onto said base and the subsequently formed ice whereby said base moves downward under the added weight of the accumulated ice; periodically spraying water at a rate in excess to the amount that will freeze; allowing the excess water to drain from the structure to aid in reducing the salinity of the ice; continuing to accumulate ice on said base by spraying water thereon until sufficient ice has been accumulated on said base to form a structure which extends from the marine bottom to above the waterline; and providing protection from marginal melting of said structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure by placing a sheet of water-impermeable material around the periphery of said structure where said structure contacts the water.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of constructing an ice structure at a desired offshore location in a frigid environment wherein a base of naturally occurring ice overlies said desired location, said method comprising: accumulating ice on said base by spraying water onto said base and the subsequently formed ice whereby said base moves downward under the added weight of the accumulated ice; periodically spraying water at a rate in excess to the amount that will freeze; allowing the excess water to drain from the structure to aid in reducing the salinity of the ice; continuing to accumulate ice on said base by spraying water thereon until sufficient ice has been accumulated on said base to form a structure which extends from the marine bottom to above the waterline; and providing protection from marginal melting of said structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure by placing a sheet of water-impermeable material around the periphery of said structure where said structure contacts the water.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of constructing an ice structure at a desired offshore location in a frigid environment wherein a base of naturally occurring ice overlies said desired location, said method comprising: accumulating ice on said base by spraying water onto said base and the subsequently formed ice whereby said base moves downward under the added weight of the accumulated ice; continuing to accumulate ice on said base by spraying water thereon until sufficient ice has been accumulated on said base to form a structure which extends from the marine bottom to above the waterline; providing protection from marginal melting of said structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure by placing a sheet of water-impermeable material about the sides of the structure; and allowing water resulting from the melting of the surface of said structure to flow from said surface in between said sides of said structure and said sheet.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of constructing an ice structure at a desired offshore location in a frigid environment wherein a base of naturally occurring ice overlies said desired location, said method comprising: accumulating ice on said base by spraying water onto said base and the subsequently formed ice whereby said base moves downward under the added weight of the accumulated ice; continuing to accumulate ice on said base by spraying water thereon until sufficient ice has been accumulated on said base to form a structure which extends from the marine bottom to above the waterline; providing protection from marginal melting of said structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure by placing a sheet of water-impermeable material about the sides of the structure; and allowing water resulting from the melting of the surface of said structure to flow from said surface in between said sides of said structure and said sheet.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of constructing an ice structure at a desired offshore location in a frigid environment wherein a base of naturally occurring ice overlies said desired location, said method comprising: accumulating ice on said base by spraying water onto said base and the subsequently formed ice whereby said base moves downward under the added weight of the accumulated ice; continuing to accumulate ice on said base by spraying water thereon until sufficient ice has been accumulated on said base to form a structure which extends from the marine bottom to above the waterline; and providing protection from marginal melting of said structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure by placing a sheet of plastic material having polyurethane foam on both sides thereof around the periphery of said structure where said structure contacts the water.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of constructing an ice structure at a desired offshore location in a frigid environment wherein a base of naturally occurring ice overlies said desired location, said method comprising: accumulating ice on said base by spraying water onto said base and the subsequently formed ice whereby said base moves downward under the added weight of the accumulated ice; continuing to accumulate ice on said base by spraying water thereon until sufficient ice has been accumulated on said base to form a structure which extends from the marine bottom to above the waterline; and providing protection from marginal melting of said structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure by placing a sheet of plastic material having polyurethane foam on both sides thereof around the periphery of said structure where said structure contacts the water.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of constructing an ice structure at a desired offshore location in a frigid environment wherein a base of naturally occurring ice overlies said desired location, said method comprising: accumulating ice on said base by spraying water onto said base and the subsequently formed ice whereby said base moves downward under the added weight of the accumulated ice; continuing to accumulate ice on said base by spraying water thereon until sufficient ice has been accumulated on said base to form a structure which extends from the marine bottom to above the waterline; and providing protection from marginal melting of said structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure by placing a sheet of water-impermeable material around the periphery of said structure where said structure contacts the water, said sheet of water-impermeable material being comprised of foam insulation trapped between two plastic sheets joined together in a quilted pattern.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of constructing an ice structure at a desired offshore location in a frigid environment wherein a base of naturally occurring ice overlies said desired location, said method comprising: accumulating ice on said base by spraying water onto said base and the subsequently formed ice whereby said base moves downward under the added weight of the accumulated ice; continuing to accumulate ice on said base by spraying water thereon until sufficient ice has been accumulated on said base to form a structure which extends from the marine bottom to above the waterline; and providing protection from marginal melting of said structure when the ambient temperature of the water surrounding said structure rises above the melting point of the ice forming said structure by placing a sheet of water-impermeable material around the periphery of said structure where said structure contacts the water, said sheet of water-impermeable material being comprised of foam insulation trapped between two plastic sheets joined together in a quilted pattern.
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) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |