Ice penetrating method and apparatus
US4651834A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B7/14
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A thermal ice penetration method and apparatus for melting a hole through ice preferably utilizing thermochemical heating by exothermal reaction between water supplied at least in part by the melting ice and a thermochemical reactant, preferably lithium and/or other alkali metal or alkali metal alloy. A number of ice penetration systems and devices are disclosed which utilize the thermal ice penetration to deploy payloads, such as sensors, transducers, antennas, instruments, weapons, or the like, through polar ice either downwardly from the ice surface into the water below the ice or upwardly from the underside of the ice through the ice surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.