US3841252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of breaking ice
Assignee: Sunoco Inc
•
Filing: 1970-10-02
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1990-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Injection of gas beneath ice sheets located in frigid waters to lift portions of the ice to place a stress on an area of ice for easier breaking by a vessel or marine structure. The gas conduits can be fixed as with a marine structure, or a movable flexible conduit for use with a vessel. Two mounds of ice can be created by injecting air at two locations to create a trough therebetween which is in stress for easier failure when contacted by the vessel or marine structure. An air motor or turbine can be used in the ends of the flexible conduits for moving the conduits outwardly from the vessel or the exhaust end of the conduit can be directed toward the vessel to utilize jetting action to push the conduit from the vessel. Connected bridles or hydraulic line actuated rudders can control direction so the conduits exhaust ends will properly position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bennett
- 👤 P Chaney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:30
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
Method of breaking ice sheets floating on a body of water comprising the steps of: injecting a gas under the ice sheet at two locations to create two spaced raised portions of the ice sheet and a resultant stressed depressed ice area therebetween; and applying a force to the stressed depressed area of ice to fracture the ice sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
Method of breaking ice sheets floating on a body of water comprising the steps of: injecting a gas under the ice sheet at two locations to create two spaced raised portions of the ice sheet and a resultant stressed depressed ice area therebetween; and applying a force to the stressed depressed area of ice to fracture the ice sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas is injected from a vessel and the ice sheet is in the path of the vessel, and wherein the stressed depressed ice area is created in the path of the vessel and the ice sheet is fractured by moving the vessel against the stressed depressed ice area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the gas is injected through flexible conduits attached to the vessel having gas motors in the discharge ends of the flexible conduits and including the step of passing a gas from the vessel through the flexible conduits and the gas motors so as to position the discharge ends of the conduits laterally and forward of the vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3 including the steps of monitoring the location of the discharge ends of the flexible conduits and controlling movement of the conduit to position the discharge ends at a desired location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a method of breaking ice in the path of a vessel from a larger ice mass by applying the weight of the vessel to the ice mass to force it downwardly and thereby break a section of ice therefrom, the improvement comprising: injecting a gas beneath the ice mass to Create two mounds in the ice mass spaced laterally and forward of the vessel, thereby creating a stressed depressed area between said mounds; and thereafter applying the weight of the vessel to the stressed depressed area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a method of breaking ice in the path of a vessel from a larger ice mass by applying the weight of the vessel to the ice mass to force it downwardly and thereby break a section of ice therefrom, the improvement comprising: injecting a gas beneath the ice mass to Create two mounds in the ice mass spaced laterally and forward of the vessel, thereby creating a stressed depressed area between said mounds; and thereafter applying the weight of the vessel to the stressed depressed area.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of breaking ice from an ice mass in the path of a vessel comprising the steps of: extending a pair of conduits from the vessel so that the discharge ends are spaced laterally beneath the ice mass and are forward of the vessel; pumping a gas through and out the discharge end of the conduit thereby elevating two areas of the ice mass into mounds thereby stressing and depressing the area between the mounds; and moving the vessel forward against the depressed area to fracture the ice mass.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of breaking ice from an ice mass in the path of a vessel comprising the steps of: extending a pair of conduits from the vessel so that the discharge ends are spaced laterally beneath the ice mass and are forward of the vessel; pumping a gas through and out the discharge end of the conduit thereby elevating two areas of the ice mass into mounds thereby stressing and depressing the area between the mounds; and moving the vessel forward against the depressed area to fracture the ice mass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6 wherein conduits are constructed so that gas forced through the conduit will act as a force to move the conduit discharge end away from the vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for breaking ice floating on a body of water adjacent a marine structure including: a pump mounted on the marine structure; a plurality of elongated conduit means extending from said structure and spaced completely around said structure and having laterally spaced terminal ends; discharge means on said terminal ends arranged to pass a gas from said conduits; and means for directing a gas through a selected pair of conduit means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for breaking ice floating on a body of water adjacent a marine structure including: a pump mounted on the marine structure; a plurality of elongated conduit means extending from said structure and spaced completely around said structure and having laterally spaced terminal ends; discharge means on said terminal ends arranged to pass a gas from said conduits; and means for directing a gas through a selected pair of conduit means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for breaking ice floating on a body of water including: a pump mounted on a self-propelled vehicle; at least two elongated conduits, made of a flexible material, extending from said vessel having laterally spaced terminal ends, which terminal ends includes means for moving the terminal ends of the conduits relative to the vessel, which terminal ends moving means comprises propulsion means activated by a gas operated motor means; and discharge means on said terminal ends arranged to pass a gas from said conduits, wherein said pump supplies gas under pressure to said conduits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for breaking ice floating on a body of water including: a pump mounted on a self-propelled vehicle; at least two elongated conduits, made of a flexible material, extending from said vessel having laterally spaced terminal ends, which terminal ends includes means for moving the terminal ends of the conduits relative to the vessel, which terminal ends moving means comprises propulsion means activated by a gas operated motor means; and discharge means on said terminal ends arranged to pass a gas from said conduits, wherein said pump supplies gas under pressure to said conduits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3130701A
Cited
US3572273A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |