US3850125A — Icebreaking

Claim 1

Independent Claim 164 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having 1. a bow portion of icebreaking configuration and 2. a pitching chamber therein spaced along the hull from the longitudinal center of bouyancy thereof and communicable through the hull below the waterline, b. means selectively operable for cyclically applying compressed air to the chamber essentially directly to water therein for rapidly displacing water substantially completely therefrom and for rapidly admitting water to the chamber thereby to directly shift the position of the center of buoyancy along the vessel without change in the location of the vessel center of gravity to produce cyclic pitching movements of the hull, which cyclic motions have a period measured in terms of several seconds and an amplitude of at least a foot measured at the ends of the hull, and c. means for operating the selectively operable means at a selectable frequency within a range of frequencies each of which has a period of several seconds.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 164 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having 1. a bow portion of icebreaking configuration and 2. a pitching chamber therein spaced along the hull from the longitudinal center of bouyancy thereof and communicable through the hull below the waterline, b. means selectively operable for cyclically applying compressed air to the chamber essentially directly to water therein for rapidly displacing water substantially completely therefrom and for rapidly admitting water to the chamber thereby to directly shift the position of the center of buoyancy along the vessel without change in the location of the vessel center of gravity to produce cyclic pitching movements of the hull, which cyclic motions have a period measured in terms of several seconds and an amplitude of at least a foot measured at the ends of the hull, and c. means for operating the selectively operable means at a selectable frequency within a range of frequencies each of which has a period of several seconds.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 142 words

a pitching chamber therein spaced along the hull from the longitudinal center of bouyancy thereof and communicable through the hull below the waterline, b. means selectively operable for cyclically applying compressed air to the chamber essentially directly to water therein for rapidly displacing water substantially completely therefrom and for rapidly admitting water to the chamber thereby to directly shift the position of the center of buoyancy along the vessel without change in the location of the vessel center of gravity to produce cyclic pitching movements of the hull, which cyclic motions have a period measured in terms of several seconds and an amplitude of at least a foot measured at the ends of the hull, and c. means for operating the selectively operable means at a selectable frequency within a range of frequencies each of which has a period of several seconds.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 142 words

a pitching chamber therein spaced along the hull from the longitudinal center of bouyancy thereof and communicable through the hull below the waterline, b. means selectively operable for cyclically applying compressed air to the chamber essentially directly to water therein for rapidly displacing water substantially completely therefrom and for rapidly admitting water to the chamber thereby to directly shift the position of the center of buoyancy along the vessel without change in the location of the vessel center of gravity to produce cyclic pitching movements of the hull, which cyclic motions have a period measured in terms of several seconds and an amplitude of at least a foot measured at the ends of the hull, and c. means for operating the selectively operable means at a selectable frequency within a range of frequencies each of which has a period of several seconds.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 150 words

a pitching chamber therein spaced along the hull from the longitudinal center of bouyancy thereof and communicable through the hull below the waterline, the chamber being defined as wingtank means extending from proximate the bow for a selected distance aft along the hull and from adjacent the keel to adjacent the gunwale, b. means selectively operable for cyclically applying compressed air to the chamber essentially directly to water therein for rapidly displacing water substantially completely therefrom and for rapidly admitting water to the chamber thereby to directly shift the position of the center of buoyancy along the vessel without change in the location of the vessel center of gravity to produce low frequency, high amplitude pitching of the hull, and c. means for operating the selectively operable means at a selectable frequency which is correlated to the optimum pitch energy transfer characteristic existing between the hull and its proximate surroundings.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 150 words

a pitching chamber therein spaced along the hull from the longitudinal center of bouyancy thereof and communicable through the hull below the waterline, the chamber being defined as wingtank means extending from proximate the bow for a selected distance aft along the hull and from adjacent the keel to adjacent the gunwale, b. means selectively operable for cyclically applying compressed air to the chamber essentially directly to water therein for rapidly displacing water substantially completely therefrom and for rapidly admitting water to the chamber thereby to directly shift the position of the center of buoyancy along the vessel without change in the location of the vessel center of gravity to produce low frequency, high amplitude pitching of the hull, and c. means for operating the selectively operable means at a selectable frequency which is correlated to the optimum pitch energy transfer characteristic existing between the hull and its proximate surroundings.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 77 words

means in the outer walls of the wing tank means for discharging water from the wing tank means substantially laterally outwardly from the vessel, which means include i. a plurality of jet nozzles mounted in the outer walls of the wing tank means, and ii. means associated with at least some of the jet nozzles for rendering the nozzles operative only when the nozzles are located below the surface of water in the wing tank means, and

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 77 words

means in the outer walls of the wing tank means for discharging water from the wing tank means substantially laterally outwardly from the vessel, which means include i. a plurality of jet nozzles mounted in the outer walls of the wing tank means, and ii. means associated with at least some of the jet nozzles for rendering the nozzles operative only when the nozzles are located below the surface of water in the wing tank means, and

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 68 words

a pitching chamber therein defined as wing tank means spaced along the hull from the longitudinal center of buoyancy thereof, the wing tank means extending from proximate the bow for a selected distance aft along the hull, b. means selectively operable for applying air to the chamber for displacing water therefrom and for admitting water to the chamber thereby to induce motion of the hull, said means including

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 68 words

a pitching chamber therein defined as wing tank means spaced along the hull from the longitudinal center of buoyancy thereof, the wing tank means extending from proximate the bow for a selected distance aft along the hull, b. means selectively operable for applying air to the chamber for displacing water therefrom and for admitting water to the chamber thereby to induce motion of the hull, said means including

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

A vessel according to claim 1 wherein the pitching chamber is provided as a recess defined in the bottom of the hull.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

A vessel according to claim 1 wherein the pitching chamber is located forward of the hull center of buoyancy.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 48 words

means in the lower extent of the wing tank means for admitting water to the wing tank means, and c. means for operating the selectively operable means at a selectable frequency which corresponds to the optimum motion energy transfer characteristic existing between the hull and its proximate surroundings.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 48 words

means in the lower extent of the wing tank means for admitting water to the wing tank means, and c. means for operating the selectively operable means at a selectable frequency which corresponds to the optimum motion energy transfer characteristic existing between the hull and its proximate surroundings.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 55 words

A vessel according to claim 3 including a second pitching chamber similar to the forward pitching chamber and located aft of the hull center of buoyancy, selectively operable means for the second pitching chamber and means for operating the same in a reverse phase relation to the selectively operable means for the forward pitching chamber.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 70 words

A vessel according to claim 1 wherein the selectively operable means includes a source of pressurized air, air supply and exhaust duct means connected to the chamber, and air flow control means associated with the duct means operable between a first state in which air is supplied by the duct means to the chamber and a second state in which air is exhausted by the duct means from the chamber.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

A vessel according to claim 5 wherein the duct means includes separate supply and exhaust duct means connected to the chamber.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

A vessel according to claim 6 wherein the source of pressurized air comprises the compressor stage of a gas turbine engine.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 48 words

A vessel according to claim 5 wherein the source of pressurized air is adapted for non-intermittent operation, and venturi means associated with the duct means for operation by air from the source for evacuating air from the chamber when the flow control means is in its second state.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 31 words

A vessel according to claim 6 wherein the chamber is disposed within the hull and the exhaust duct means effectively communicates from the chamber through a submerged location of the hull.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 20 words

A vessel according to claim 1 including means for directing air-displaced water from the chamber substantially athwartships of the vessel.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

A vessel according to claim 10 wherein the chamber is disposed adjacent the bow of the vessel.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 44 words

A vessel according to claim 1 wherein the hull bow portion is configured to engage the underside of a floating ice sheet during upward excursions of the bow and to engage the upper side of the ice sheet during downward excursions of the bow.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

A vessel according to claim 12 wherein the bow is raked upwardly and forwardly from substantially the even-keel waterline and is raked downwardly and forwardly from substantially said waterline.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 28 words

A vessel according to claim 1 including ice-engaging projection means extending fixedly laterally fRom the hull and from adjacent the bow for a selected distance toward the stern.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 39 words

A vessel according to claim 14 wherein the projection means has a warped ice-engaging surface opening generally downwardly and curved along its extent to face more outwardly from the hull at its aft end than at its forward end.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 19 words

A vessel according to claim 15 wherein said surface of the projection means is continuously curved along its length.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 49 words

A vessel according to claim 14 wherein the projection means are arranged, during downward movement of the bow in response to operation of the selectively operable means, to apply force to ice adjacent the hull progressively from the aft end of the projection means to the forward end thereof.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 35 words

A vessel according to claim 17 wherein the projection means is configured so that engagement of the projection means with ice adjacent the hull during application of said force moves substantially continuously toward the bow.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 43 words

A vessel according to claim 1 including means operatively coupled to the hull adjacent the bow and for a selected distance aft therefrom for heating the hull external surface in a selected area thereof sufficient to prevent bonding of ice to the hull.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 29 words

A vessel according to claim 19 wherein said selected area corresponds to the forward hull area subject to variable immersion in response to operation of the selectively operable means.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 47 words

A vessel according to claim 19 wherein the vessel includes a gas turbine, a chamber extending along the hull on each side thereof arranged so that the outboard boundaries of the chambers comprise the selected area, and means for supplying the turbine exhaust gases to the chambers.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 23 words

A vessel according to claim 21 including means for supplying turbine exhaust gases from the hull heating chambers to the selectively operable means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 21 words

A vessel according to claim 1 including means for operating the selectively operable means to induce cyclic heaving of the hull.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 62 words

A vessel according to claim 1 including forcing surface means carried by the vessel and extending along at least a portion of the length thereof for applying displacing force to matter adjacent the hull in response to induced downward movements of the hull, the forcing surface means extending outwardly and at least partially upwardly from the hull proximate the operative waterline thereof.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 163 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having a bow portion of icebreaking configuration, b. a pneumatically operated means including a pitching chamber adjacent the bow effectively communicating through the hull below the waterline and operable for cyclically altering the effective configuration of the hull to produce a movement of the hull center of buoyancy along the length of the hull without change in the location of the vessel center of gravity, thereby to produce low frequency, high amplitude cyclic pitching movements of the hull, which cyclic movements have a period measured in terms of several seconds and an amplitude of at least a foot, the pneumatically operated means also including means for conducting air to and from the chamber for varying the volume of water effectively contained in the chamber, and c. means for operating the pneumatically operated means at a selectable frequency within a range of frequencies each of which has a period of several seconds.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 163 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having a bow portion of icebreaking configuration, b. a pneumatically operated means including a pitching chamber adjacent the bow effectively communicating through the hull below the waterline and operable for cyclically altering the effective configuration of the hull to produce a movement of the hull center of buoyancy along the length of the hull without change in the location of the vessel center of gravity, thereby to produce low frequency, high amplitude cyclic pitching movements of the hull, which cyclic movements have a period measured in terms of several seconds and an amplitude of at least a foot, the pneumatically operated means also including means for conducting air to and from the chamber for varying the volume of water effectively contained in the chamber, and c. means for operating the pneumatically operated means at a selectable frequency within a range of frequencies each of which has a period of several seconds.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 151 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having a bow portion of icebreaking configuration, and b. at least principally pneumatically operated means operatively associated with the hull and operable at a selectable frequency within a range of frequencies each having a period measured in terms of several seconds for shifting the hull center of buoyancy fore-and-aft at said frequency without significantly altering the location of the center of gravity thereof, thereby to produce cyclic pitching motions of the hull with a period measured in terms of several seconds and an amplitude of at least a foot, the pneumatically operated means including a chamber in the hull spaced along the length thereof from the center of buoyancy thereof in effective communication through the hull below the waterline and means for conducting air to and from the chamber for varying the volume of water effectively in the chamber.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 151 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having a bow portion of icebreaking configuration, and b. at least principally pneumatically operated means operatively associated with the hull and operable at a selectable frequency within a range of frequencies each having a period measured in terms of several seconds for shifting the hull center of buoyancy fore-and-aft at said frequency without significantly altering the location of the center of gravity thereof, thereby to produce cyclic pitching motions of the hull with a period measured in terms of several seconds and an amplitude of at least a foot, the pneumatically operated means including a chamber in the hull spaced along the length thereof from the center of buoyancy thereof in effective communication through the hull below the waterline and means for conducting air to and from the chamber for varying the volume of water effectively in the chamber.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 13 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 13 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 13 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 13 words

An improved vessel for use in ice-covered waters comprising a. a hull having

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 85 words

A vessel according to claim 28 wherein the selectively operable means includes controllable means for admitting pressurized air to the upper extent of the wing tank means and for venting air from the wing tank means at the upper extent thereof, means in the outer walls of the wing tank means for discharging water from the wing tank means substantially laterally outwardly from the vessel, and closable means in the lower extent of the wing tank means for admitting water to the wing tank means.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 27 words

A vessel according to claim 29 wherein the water discharging means includes a plurality of jet nozzles mounted in the outer walls of the wing tank means.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 25 words

A vessel according to claim 30 wherein the jet nozzles are arranged in a selected pattern extending vertically and longitudinally of the wing tank means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-11-25	1978-05-27	1978-11-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-11-25	1982-05-27	1982-11-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-11-25	1986-05-27	1986-11-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Icebreaking

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