Abstract: A mobile monopod operations platform for use in ice covered seas and adapted for carrying out two modes of ice disaggregation, either or both such modes being selectively useable during either transit or relatively stationary operations. An ice breaker bow is employed in conjunction with simulated pitching and heaving brought about by the programmed use of a plurality of fully vectorable thrusters on a submersible hull. At the stern of the monopod structure, counter-rotating cutting drums are utilized for ice disaggregation in a mode particularly useful when the ice is thick. Topside of the bow and cutter area, an enclosed, generally circular, superstructure is provided for carrying out the requisite operations while mitigating the adverse effects of high winds.

Abstract: An ice cutter movably mounted on a marine structure for cutting encroaching ice floes or ice sheets. A cutter blade is mounted on the structure so that it may be conveniently moved into a position on the structure toward which the ice is moving. Acoustical energy is imparted to the cutter blade which in turn is positioned adjacent the encroaching ice and moved relative to the ice in a manner to cut out a path of unconsolidated ice so that the floe may pass the marine structure without applying destructive forces to the structure.

Abstract: An ice removal system to protect a drill string in an ice covered waterway from possible damage due to ice movement. The drill string extends down into the waterway from a vessel which has an ice melting system for melting ice coming into direct contact with it. If the ice is thicker than the draft of the vessel, the unmelted portion of the ice passing under the vessel is deflected downward by ice breaking ridges surrounding the drill string. The downward deflection causes the ice to fail in tension thereby breaking it up into a plurality of ice blocks. The ice blocks float up into a moon pool surrounding the drill string, and are then flushed out of the moon pool through a channel and into the surrounding waterway. A cylindrical protective plate surrounding the drill string prevents the ice blocks from coming into direct contact with the drill string and thereby possibly damaging it.

Abstract: An ice disaggregation system comprising a multiplicity of aligned and successively longer sledging teeth outwardly extending from a rotatable drum. The drum rotation allows the successively longer teeth to sequentially cut and chip deepening grooves in various forms of particulate matter such as ice or coal engaged by the system. A second form of slugging tooth, outwardly extending from the drum, is provided in generally central alignment between paired rows of sledging teeth. The slugging tooth is positioned to subsequently engage the isolated, ridged sections of ice between successive grooves therein, and for striking said ridges with sufficient force to impart shear fracture thereto. The drum is provided with a plurality of sledging and slugging teeth in staggered groups comprising a spiral configuration along the drum.

Abstract: A cutting-chipping system comprising an interconnected triaxial array of rotating drums each mounted for independent rotation. Each drum includes a plurality of spaced, outwardly extending teeth to sequentially cut, chip and break particulate mass such as coal or ice engaged by the system. The drums are oriented with no axis of drum rotation parallel to another and in a configuration wherein the direction of cutter travel from one drum is oblique to that of a second drum. In this manner, particulate matter engaged by the system is initially cut and chipped by a first drum to form a series of protuberances and/or weakened sections which, when struck at an oblique angle by a second drum, will chip and break away. The teeth may be comprised of picks, chisels or combinations thereof constructed and adapted for bidirectional rotation. The system may be adapted for applications upon land vehicles, water crafts, floating platforms, and the like.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the installation and retrieval of instrumentation hardware supported through a hole in a section of ice is provided wherein an expansion member such as an inflatable bladder is utilized for displacing water normally subject to freezing within the hole. The inflatable bladder comprises an elongated expandable sleeve of sufficient length to substantially extend the ultimate depth of the hole in the ice for engaging and bearing against the sidewalls thereof. A portion of the hardware adapted for the surface support thereof may be disposed within the bladder as well as therebeneath and may be retrieved at a date subsequent to installation by deflating the bladder without the problem of said hardware being frozen in or beneath the ice.