Method and apparatus for protecting offshore structures against forces from moving ice sheets
US4102144A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 1977 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE02B17/027
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A stationary offshore platform is protected against damage from moving ice sheets by a conical shield surrounding the platform support structure and having means, such as a pneumatic biasing system, for raising or lowering the shield along the platform support. A system of mooring lines, thrustors, or the like is used to rotate the shield about the platform support. After an advancing ice sheet contacts the narrower upper portion of the shield, the shield is raised so that a wider lower portion of the shield can exert an upward force on the ice sheet to break the ice into pieces. The shield is rotated, while in its elevated position, to carry the broken ice with it to a location downstream from the advancing ice sheet. The shield is then lowered to dump back into the ocean the ice pieces broken by the upstroke of the shield. Means are provided for heating the exterior surfaces of the shield to melt ice pieces sticking to it.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.