Abstract: A system for insulating the walls of furnaces and other heated structures with ceramic fiber insulation including an improved insulation anchor. The anchor includes a pin which is attached to the furnace wall such as by stud welding with the pin having an elongated aperture at its outer end. A retaining rod extends through the aperture and into the adjacent ceramic fiber modules. The rectangular shaped rod includes an improved means for locking the rod in the aperture which comprises a crimp at about the midpoint of the rod. This provides a narrow section of the rod which permits the rod to be turned in the aperture and locked. The crimp method of forming the narrow section does not remove any metal from the rod and does not weaken the rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to an offshore platform operable for use in Arctic locations where prolonged ice conditions may be encountered. The platform includes a lower barge hull having an exterior configuration in the general shape of a rectangular frustum and being operable to be fixed relative to a desired seabed site. The lateral side walls of the barge hull are heated for facilitating movement of contiguous sea ice upwardly relative to the barge side walls to fail the ice in bending as it advances toward the barge hull. A deck is positioned above the lower barge hull and is supported by a first and second column at an elevation whereby the lower surface of the deck will be above and out of contact with sea ice passing over the hull. The deck is positioned relative to the barge hull in a posture such that at least a portion of the deck extends beyond an imaginary vertical plane projecting upwardly from at least one longitudinal edge of the upper surface of the barge hull.