Navigational ice breaking means and vessel therefor
United States Patent 3913511
A navigational ice breaking apparatus and a vessel incorporating same having ice cutting saws engaging the ice initially to score or cut the ice into strips of desired width, flanged drums following the saws for engaging the strips of ice to break off chunks of ice from the strips of desired length, elevator conveyors following the drums for lifting the ice chunks out of the water to a level above the remaining ice to clear a channel through the ice, disposal conveyors at the elevator conveyors lying transverse to the cleared channel and located to receive the ice chunks from the elevator conveyors and to expel the ice chunks sidewise outwardly of the cleared channel to prevent their reentry into the cleared channel. Flanged drums are also located after the conveyors to assist in breaking ice chunks escaping from the conveyors to reduce them to smaller pieces. The flanged drums are also flotation elements for the apparatus and are individually bi-directionally driven so that they constitute propulsion and/or steering elements paddle-wheel-wise by different speeds of rotation and counterrotation relative to one another. A deck interconnects the apparatus and supports the power and drive element and a bridge for operating control of same. The apparatus may be used separately as a barge or bow extension on a ship such as an ore carrier or oil tanker.
US Patent References:
/1299023.html
Prati et al. - April 1919 - 1299023
Boat with means for cutting an ice channel
Ehinger - April 1959 - 2883957
DEVICES FOR CUTTING A CHANNEL IN A LAYER OF ICE, AND AN ICE-BREAKER SHIP EQUIPPED WITH SAID DEVICES
Fioravanti et al. - June 1972 - 3667416
ICE-CHANNEL CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SHIPS
Abendroth - February 1973 - 3717115
/1299023.html
Prati et al. - April 1919 - 1299023
Boat with means for cutting an ice channel
Ehinger - April 1959 - 2883957
DEVICES FOR CUTTING A CHANNEL IN A LAYER OF ICE, AND AN ICE-BREAKER SHIP EQUIPPED WITH SAID DEVICES
Fioravanti et al. - June 1972 - 3667416
ICE-CHANNEL CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SHIPS
Abendroth - February 1973 - 3717115
Application Number:
05/496074
Publication Date:
10/21/1975
Filing Date:
08/09/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
B63B35/12; B63H1/38; B63B35/00; B63H1/00; B63B35/08
Field of Search:
114/40-42
Primary Examiner:
Blix, Trygve M.
Assistant Examiner:
Sotelo, Jesus D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Sevald, William T.
Claims:
I claim
1. Ice breaking apparatus for opening channels through ice in navigable water, comprising:
2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1,
3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1,
4. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3,
5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 4,
6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 4,
7. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 5,
8. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7,
9. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7,
10. Ice breaking apparatus for opening channels through ice in navigable water, comprising,
1. Ice breaking apparatus for opening channels through ice in navigable water, comprising:
2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1,
3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1,
4. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3,
5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 4,
6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 4,
7. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 5,
8. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7,
9. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7,
10. Ice breaking apparatus for opening channels through ice in navigable water, comprising,
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In temperature and polar latitudes the formation of ice in winter impedes and/or stops navigation. Ships may break through thin layers of ice and plowing ice-breaking vessels with backward slanting armored bows are used to slide up and over and break down ice layers in channels for ships. However, after the breaker and the ships have passed, large and small pieces of broken ice rise to the surface in the channel and provide an immediate available layer of broken ice which aids and abets the freezing of the water between the broken pieces of ice so that the channel quickly re-freezes over again.
New means and vessels have been attempted such as a vessel which grinds up the ice into small pieces while making a channel, for example, however these small pieces rise to the surface in the channel after the ships have passed, forming a mass of ice which quickly re-freezes and again blocks the channel. The water below the surface of ice is above freezing temperature and takes a considerably longer time to freeze without the ice pieces and mashed ice. The pieces of ice, when left in the channel, materially quicken the re-freezing of the channel.
If the ice is removed from the channel, the channel remains open for a considerably longer time after the ships have passed and does not re-freeze to an ice thickness comparable to the unbroken ice for a much longer time.
Thus if the ice is removed from the channel, ships can pass for a considerably longer period before the ice freezes to a thickness which impedes navigation.
The plowing ice breaker and the grinding ice breaker are relatively slow and ususally entail forging ahead, backing off, and again forging ahead to open relatively thick ice. The floes and mash of ice left in the channel also impede the working of the breakers as well as the following ships.
Also, the pieces broken by the plowing vessels are of random size and usually include pieces of very large size which impede and grind against the hulls of the ships plying the channels.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention in its preferred embodiment includes scoring and/or cutting the ice into ribbons of relatively uniform width, breaking chunks off the ribbons of relatively uniform length, lifting the chunks out of the channel to clear the channel, and disposing of the chunks sidewardly outwardly of the channel on top of the ice at the sides thereof so as to leave the opened channel comparatively free of broken ice.
The invention comprises navigational ice breaking apparatus and a vessel incorporating same having ice cutting saws engaging the ice initially to cut or score the ice into strips of desired width, flanged drums following the saws for engaging the strips of ice to break off chunks of ice from the strips of desired length, elevator conveyors following the drums for lifting the chunks of ice out of the water to a level above the remaining ice to clear a channel through the ice, disposal conveyors at the elevator conveyors lying transverse to the cleared channel and located to receive the ice chunks from the elevator conveyors and to expel the ice chunks sidewise outwardly of the channel to prevent their re-entry into the cleared channel.
Flanged drums are also located after the conveyor to assist in breaking ice chunks escaping from the conveyors to reduce them to smaller pieces. The flanged drums are also flotation means for the apparatus and are individually bi-directionally driven so that they constitute propulsion means and steering means paddle-wheel-wise by different speeds of rotation and counter-rotation relative to one another.
A deck interconnects the apparatus and supports the power and drive means and a bridge for operating control of same. The apparatus also may be used separately as a barge or bow extension on a ship such as an ore carrier or oil tanker.
While the deck is shown as a relatively thin floor for purposes of clearly illustrating the new elements of the invention, it may be made much thicker above the water line and a conventional hull built above the water line with internal walls providing straight members including wells or bulkheads at the rotating drums and conveyor hatches. Also bridged truss means may reinforce the deck and plates put on the trusses.
An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and/or a vessel incorporating the apparatus to make a channel through ice which is substantially clear of ice to allow the warmer water under the adjacent ice to occupy the channel substantially free of ice chunks, pieces, floes, and bergs to delay re-freezing of the channel for a longer period compared to channels allowed to contain the broken ice.
An object of the invention is to provide a channel substantially clear of ice so that ships can move therethrough at a faster speed than ice-floe clogged channels.
An object of the invention is to reduce the danger of damage to ships plying the channel by removal of the ice therefrom.
An object of the invention is to provide apparatus which scores, cuts, and breaks the ice into chunks of relatively controlled size so that the elevators can lift and dispose of the chunks efficiently.
An object of the invention is to integrate the apparatus into a self-contained vessel, a barge, or accessory equipment for the bow of a ship as desired.
An object of the invention is to utilize the ice breaking flanged drums as flotation, propulsion, and/or steering means singly and in combination.
An object of the invention is to provide bridge-truss reinforcing means for the deck interconnecting the apparatus so that a hull of conventional type may be eliminated and/or integrated as desired.
An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, simple, easily manufactured, and efficient apparatus and a vessel therefor which will provide improved channels through ice which will endure for a longer time before re-freezing, which will allow faster navigation, and which will be capable of opening channels not heretofore possible.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the description of the illustrated embodiments hereafter set forth taken in connection with the accompanying drawings now described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational schematic view of apparatus incorporating the invention, such as seen from the left side of FIG. 2, showing the ice saws, ice breaking, steering, and/or propulsion flanged drums, and elevator conveyor for raising severed ice chunks, a disposal conveyor for dumping ice chunks sidewise outwardly of the cleared channel, and power and drive means for the saws, drums, and conveyors, with the deck being broken away in the location of the elevator conveyor to more clearly show its bottom end below the level of the ice and the raising and lowering hydraulic cylinder and showing the ice being scored or sawed, broken, conveyed, and disposed.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, as seen from the left end of FIG. 1, showing the paired flanged rollers, the multiple ice saws, and the sidewise extension of the disposal conveyors, and with the control cylinder for the elevator conveyor deleted.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the vessel seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the bridge removed and indicated in broken lines to more clearly show the elevator conveyor.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, of a saw mount including the saw, drive, and power means.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a flanged drum, axle, and bearings together with reversible drive means and showing the power means in elevation.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt portion showing the drive and power means; and
FIG. 7 is a reduced view of bridge-truss reinforcing superstructure for the deck to provide overall strength.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the ice breaking means and/or vessel therefor comprises apparatus 10 equipped with ice breaking means shown therein to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention including a deck 11, FIGS. 1-3, having paired forward openings 12 and 13 adjacent the bow 14, a pair of aft openings 16 and 17 spaced from the stern 15, a pair of stern openings 18 and 19 adjacent the stern 15, and an open hatch 20 located about amidship. A castle 21 rises on the deck 11 between the forward openings 12-13 and the open hatch 20 and is surmounted by a sidewise overhanging bridge 22. The deck 11 has a port side 23 and a starboard side 24. Drum drive mechanisms 25 and 26 include supporting bearings and are mounted on the deck 11 adjacent the port and starboard sides 23, 24, respectively, at the bow openings 12, 13, respectively. Drum dual central bearings 27 are mounted on the deck 11 between the bow openings 12 and 13. An axle 30 lies between each drive mechanism 25-26 and one of the dual central bearings 27 across the opening 12-13, respectively.
Flotation drums 31 and 32 lie in the forward openings 12, 13, FIGS. 1-3 and 5, and have a cylindrical wall 33 and paired heads 34 and 35. Axial hubs 36 and 37 are mounted on the heads 34, 35, respectively, and the heads 34, 35 have reinforcing ribs 38, 39, respectively, leading between the hubs 36, 37, respectively, and the cylindrical wall 33. The hubs 36, 37 receive the axle 30 and keys 40 and 41 at the hubs rotationally connect the drums 31-32 and their axle 30. A plurality of radial flanges 42 are mounted on the cylindrical wall 33 of each drum 31-32 and strength wise support the wall 33, and act as ice engaging cleats, and propulsion and steering paddles.
Each drum drive mechanism 25, 26 FIG. 5, comprises a housing 50, an axle bearing 51, a bevel gear 52 keyed to the axle 30, a drive pinion 53 lying transverse to the axle 30, a clutch 54 connected to the pinion 53, and an engine or motor 55 connected to the clutch 54. A sleeve 56 is slidably keyed on the pinion 53. Bevel pinion gears 57 and 58 are mounted on the sleeve 56. Bearing races 59 and 60 are mounted on the sleeve 56 between the pinion gears 57, 58. A shift cylinder 61 is pivotally mounted on the housing 50 and has a piston rod 62. A lever 63 is pivotally mounted on the housing 50 and has one end connected to the piston rod 62 and another end lying between the races 59, 60. Retraction of the piston rod 62, as shown, engages the piston gear 58 with the bevel gear 52 to drive the drum 31 in one direction of rotation and extension of the piston rod 62 engages the other pinion gear 57 with the bevel gear 52 to drive the drum 31 in the opposite direction or rotation. The drum 32 is similarly equipped, supported, and driven.
A pair of like drums 64, 65 lie in the aft openings 16, 17, respectively, and like drive means 68 and 69 are similarly connected to the drums 64, 65, respectively, and are similarly powered. Paired like drums 70, 71 lie in the stern openings 18, 19, respectively, and like drive means 72, 73 are similarly connected to the drums 70, 71, respectively, and are similarly powered by motors or engines 74, 75, respectively.
A plurality of circular saws 80, FIGS. 1-4, lie below the deck 11 at the bow 14. A housing 81 surmounts the deck 11 and has a portion 82 depending below the deck 11 at each saw 80, FIG. 4. A lower shaft 83 is mounted on bearings in the depending portion 82 and is keyed to the saw 80. A sprocket gear 84 is also keyed on the shaft 83. An upper shaft 85 is mounted on bearings in the housing 81. A sprocket gear 86 is keyed to the upper shaft 85. A chain 87 drivingly interconnects the sprocket gears 84 and 86. A reduction drive gear 88 is keyed to the upper shaft 85. A drive shaft 89 is mounted on bearings in the housing 81 above the upper shaft 85. A prime drive gear 90 is keyed on the drive shaft 89 and meshes with the reduction drive gear 88. An engine or motor 91 is mounted on the housing 81. A clutch 92 interconnects the motor 91 with the drive shaft 89. Each circular saw 80 at the bow 14 is similarly driven and powered. The saws 80 score or cut the ice into strips of desired width as they move through the ice 100 with forward movement of the apparatus 10.
Since the bow flanged drums 31, 32 follow the saws 80 at a certain distance, they encounter the scored or cut strips of ice at a measured point and thus break off chunks 101 of ice of substantially equal length, so that the chunks 101 are comparatively the same size in length and width.
An elevator conveyor 110, or a bank of elevator conveyor sections, extend downwardly at a sloping angle through the open hatch 20, FIGS. 1-3 and 6. The conveyor 110 is pivotally supported at its upper end 111 on trunnions 112, 113. An axle 114 extends between the trunnions 112, 113. Sprocket gears 115 are keyed to the axle 114. The lower end 116 of the conveyor 110 is similarly equipped and the ends 111 and 116 are inter-supported on girders 117. An endless belt 118 surrounds the sprocket gears at the upper and lower ends 111, 116, and has rows of chain or teeth 119 on the interior engaging the sprocket gears 115 and cross-cleats 120 on the exterior for engaging and lifting the ice chunks 101. A driven gear 121 is keyed to the axle 114. A motor or engine 122 is mounted on the girder. A drive gear 123 is attached to the motor 122 and meshes with the driven gear 121 to drive the elevator conveyor 110.
Paired hydraulic cylinders 223 are pivotally mounted on the castle 21 and have a piston rod 125 pivotally connected to the girders 117 of the elevator conveyor 110 and provide control of the lower end 116 of the conveyor 110 so that it can be positioned below the chunks 101 of ice while working and raised for travel.
A disposal conveyor assembly 130 is mounted at the upper end 111 of the elevator conveyor 110 and lies transversely to the elevator conveyor 110. The assembly 130 has paired driven belts 131 and 132, FIGS. 1-3, extending in opposite directions from the center to a point sidewise outwardly of the deck 11 and above the deck 11. The belts 131 and 132 are driven in opposite directions by conventional power and drive means similar to the elevator conveyor 110. A back shield 134 confines the ice chunks 101 rearwardly at the elevator conveyor 110 and paired side guards 135 at the belts 131, 132 confine the ice chunks 101 on the belts 131, 132 forwardly and at the opposite extending ends 136, 137 of the assembly 130.
Referring to FIG. 7, it will be noted that the deck 11 may be reinforced by bridge type trusses 140. The trusses 140 may be covered with plates, canvas, and/or plastic sheeting to provide protective cover if desired. The trusses 140 are not shown in the other views to permit clear showing of the novel apparatus.
In operation, as the apparatus 10 moves through the ice 100 with the systems powered, driven, and operating; the saws 80 score or cut the ice 100 into strips of desired width; the flanged drums 31, 32 break the strips off into chunks 101 of about the same length and pass the chunks 101 under the drums 31, 32; the elevator conveyor 110 lifts the chunks 101 out of the water and projects them to the disposal conveyor assembly 130; and the assembly 130 projects the chunks 101 sidewise away from the opened channel on top of the remaining ice 100 at a distance from the open channel.
The driven rotation of the paired flanged drums 31-32, 64-65, and/or 70-71 propel the apparatus 10 forwardly as paddle wheels and the aft and stern drums tend to reduce the size of ice chunks 101 escaping the elevator conveyor into smaller pieces and clear them from the vicinity of ice breaking and removal. The paired flanged drums also provide steering by rotating the pairs at different speeds relative to one another forwardly and/or reversely to one another or one pair to another pair singly or in combination. The controls of the apparatus are conventional as will be well understood by the person having ordinary skill in the art of controls, servo-controls, etc.
While not shown, it will be understood that a hull may be integrated with the apparatus at, above, and/or slightly below the deck 11 which will give a crew protective covering for cold and living quarters. In this regard the hull may add buoyancy to the drums and the interior of the hull may have bulkheads forming wells at the drum openings and the elevator conveyor hatch. It will also be understood that the ice scoring and cutting portion and/or the ice ribbon breaking portion may be used on a vessel as accessory equipment at its bow and raised and lowered with hydraulic cylinders, cables, winches, etc., and moved through the ice under the power of the vessel. The conveyor sections may also be so used. In this regard the elevator conveyor sections may be angled sidewise outwardly to dispose of the chunks on the adjacent ice or a disposal conveyor used as described. The apparatus or portions thereof may also be incorporated in a barge and pushed ahead of a vessel. For example, only the ice scoring and cutting portions may be used to enable a vessel to act as its own ice-breaker.
While the element 11 has been described and shown as a deck, it may be a platform or other structure supporting the apparatus and it is apparent that the forward section of the device with the powered saws may be used separately as auxiliary equipment on a vessel to score or cut the ice. Also that one or more bow drums may be used as auxiliary equipment with the saws. The elevator conveyor may also be used in conjunction with the saws and drums.
A completely integrated vessel has been shown and described to indicate the full potential of the invention and it will be understood that this does not constitute limitation of novel portions, singly and in combination. It will also be understood that the drums may be of open type or of closed flotation type as desired.
The vessel and apparatus 10 may be used in its integrated form as shown and described or portions of the apparatus may be used as the protective scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
In temperature and polar latitudes the formation of ice in winter impedes and/or stops navigation. Ships may break through thin layers of ice and plowing ice-breaking vessels with backward slanting armored bows are used to slide up and over and break down ice layers in channels for ships. However, after the breaker and the ships have passed, large and small pieces of broken ice rise to the surface in the channel and provide an immediate available layer of broken ice which aids and abets the freezing of the water between the broken pieces of ice so that the channel quickly re-freezes over again.
New means and vessels have been attempted such as a vessel which grinds up the ice into small pieces while making a channel, for example, however these small pieces rise to the surface in the channel after the ships have passed, forming a mass of ice which quickly re-freezes and again blocks the channel. The water below the surface of ice is above freezing temperature and takes a considerably longer time to freeze without the ice pieces and mashed ice. The pieces of ice, when left in the channel, materially quicken the re-freezing of the channel.
If the ice is removed from the channel, the channel remains open for a considerably longer time after the ships have passed and does not re-freeze to an ice thickness comparable to the unbroken ice for a much longer time.
Thus if the ice is removed from the channel, ships can pass for a considerably longer period before the ice freezes to a thickness which impedes navigation.
The plowing ice breaker and the grinding ice breaker are relatively slow and ususally entail forging ahead, backing off, and again forging ahead to open relatively thick ice. The floes and mash of ice left in the channel also impede the working of the breakers as well as the following ships.
Also, the pieces broken by the plowing vessels are of random size and usually include pieces of very large size which impede and grind against the hulls of the ships plying the channels.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention in its preferred embodiment includes scoring and/or cutting the ice into ribbons of relatively uniform width, breaking chunks off the ribbons of relatively uniform length, lifting the chunks out of the channel to clear the channel, and disposing of the chunks sidewardly outwardly of the channel on top of the ice at the sides thereof so as to leave the opened channel comparatively free of broken ice.
The invention comprises navigational ice breaking apparatus and a vessel incorporating same having ice cutting saws engaging the ice initially to cut or score the ice into strips of desired width, flanged drums following the saws for engaging the strips of ice to break off chunks of ice from the strips of desired length, elevator conveyors following the drums for lifting the chunks of ice out of the water to a level above the remaining ice to clear a channel through the ice, disposal conveyors at the elevator conveyors lying transverse to the cleared channel and located to receive the ice chunks from the elevator conveyors and to expel the ice chunks sidewise outwardly of the channel to prevent their re-entry into the cleared channel.
Flanged drums are also located after the conveyor to assist in breaking ice chunks escaping from the conveyors to reduce them to smaller pieces. The flanged drums are also flotation means for the apparatus and are individually bi-directionally driven so that they constitute propulsion means and steering means paddle-wheel-wise by different speeds of rotation and counter-rotation relative to one another.
A deck interconnects the apparatus and supports the power and drive means and a bridge for operating control of same. The apparatus also may be used separately as a barge or bow extension on a ship such as an ore carrier or oil tanker.
While the deck is shown as a relatively thin floor for purposes of clearly illustrating the new elements of the invention, it may be made much thicker above the water line and a conventional hull built above the water line with internal walls providing straight members including wells or bulkheads at the rotating drums and conveyor hatches. Also bridged truss means may reinforce the deck and plates put on the trusses.
An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and/or a vessel incorporating the apparatus to make a channel through ice which is substantially clear of ice to allow the warmer water under the adjacent ice to occupy the channel substantially free of ice chunks, pieces, floes, and bergs to delay re-freezing of the channel for a longer period compared to channels allowed to contain the broken ice.
An object of the invention is to provide a channel substantially clear of ice so that ships can move therethrough at a faster speed than ice-floe clogged channels.
An object of the invention is to reduce the danger of damage to ships plying the channel by removal of the ice therefrom.
An object of the invention is to provide apparatus which scores, cuts, and breaks the ice into chunks of relatively controlled size so that the elevators can lift and dispose of the chunks efficiently.
An object of the invention is to integrate the apparatus into a self-contained vessel, a barge, or accessory equipment for the bow of a ship as desired.
An object of the invention is to utilize the ice breaking flanged drums as flotation, propulsion, and/or steering means singly and in combination.
An object of the invention is to provide bridge-truss reinforcing means for the deck interconnecting the apparatus so that a hull of conventional type may be eliminated and/or integrated as desired.
An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, simple, easily manufactured, and efficient apparatus and a vessel therefor which will provide improved channels through ice which will endure for a longer time before re-freezing, which will allow faster navigation, and which will be capable of opening channels not heretofore possible.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the description of the illustrated embodiments hereafter set forth taken in connection with the accompanying drawings now described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational schematic view of apparatus incorporating the invention, such as seen from the left side of FIG. 2, showing the ice saws, ice breaking, steering, and/or propulsion flanged drums, and elevator conveyor for raising severed ice chunks, a disposal conveyor for dumping ice chunks sidewise outwardly of the cleared channel, and power and drive means for the saws, drums, and conveyors, with the deck being broken away in the location of the elevator conveyor to more clearly show its bottom end below the level of the ice and the raising and lowering hydraulic cylinder and showing the ice being scored or sawed, broken, conveyed, and disposed.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, as seen from the left end of FIG. 1, showing the paired flanged rollers, the multiple ice saws, and the sidewise extension of the disposal conveyors, and with the control cylinder for the elevator conveyor deleted.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the vessel seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the bridge removed and indicated in broken lines to more clearly show the elevator conveyor.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, of a saw mount including the saw, drive, and power means.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a flanged drum, axle, and bearings together with reversible drive means and showing the power means in elevation.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt portion showing the drive and power means; and
FIG. 7 is a reduced view of bridge-truss reinforcing superstructure for the deck to provide overall strength.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the ice breaking means and/or vessel therefor comprises apparatus 10 equipped with ice breaking means shown therein to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention including a deck 11, FIGS. 1-3, having paired forward openings 12 and 13 adjacent the bow 14, a pair of aft openings 16 and 17 spaced from the stern 15, a pair of stern openings 18 and 19 adjacent the stern 15, and an open hatch 20 located about amidship. A castle 21 rises on the deck 11 between the forward openings 12-13 and the open hatch 20 and is surmounted by a sidewise overhanging bridge 22. The deck 11 has a port side 23 and a starboard side 24. Drum drive mechanisms 25 and 26 include supporting bearings and are mounted on the deck 11 adjacent the port and starboard sides 23, 24, respectively, at the bow openings 12, 13, respectively. Drum dual central bearings 27 are mounted on the deck 11 between the bow openings 12 and 13. An axle 30 lies between each drive mechanism 25-26 and one of the dual central bearings 27 across the opening 12-13, respectively.
Flotation drums 31 and 32 lie in the forward openings 12, 13, FIGS. 1-3 and 5, and have a cylindrical wall 33 and paired heads 34 and 35. Axial hubs 36 and 37 are mounted on the heads 34, 35, respectively, and the heads 34, 35 have reinforcing ribs 38, 39, respectively, leading between the hubs 36, 37, respectively, and the cylindrical wall 33. The hubs 36, 37 receive the axle 30 and keys 40 and 41 at the hubs rotationally connect the drums 31-32 and their axle 30. A plurality of radial flanges 42 are mounted on the cylindrical wall 33 of each drum 31-32 and strength wise support the wall 33, and act as ice engaging cleats, and propulsion and steering paddles.
Each drum drive mechanism 25, 26 FIG. 5, comprises a housing 50, an axle bearing 51, a bevel gear 52 keyed to the axle 30, a drive pinion 53 lying transverse to the axle 30, a clutch 54 connected to the pinion 53, and an engine or motor 55 connected to the clutch 54. A sleeve 56 is slidably keyed on the pinion 53. Bevel pinion gears 57 and 58 are mounted on the sleeve 56. Bearing races 59 and 60 are mounted on the sleeve 56 between the pinion gears 57, 58. A shift cylinder 61 is pivotally mounted on the housing 50 and has a piston rod 62. A lever 63 is pivotally mounted on the housing 50 and has one end connected to the piston rod 62 and another end lying between the races 59, 60. Retraction of the piston rod 62, as shown, engages the piston gear 58 with the bevel gear 52 to drive the drum 31 in one direction of rotation and extension of the piston rod 62 engages the other pinion gear 57 with the bevel gear 52 to drive the drum 31 in the opposite direction or rotation. The drum 32 is similarly equipped, supported, and driven.
A pair of like drums 64, 65 lie in the aft openings 16, 17, respectively, and like drive means 68 and 69 are similarly connected to the drums 64, 65, respectively, and are similarly powered. Paired like drums 70, 71 lie in the stern openings 18, 19, respectively, and like drive means 72, 73 are similarly connected to the drums 70, 71, respectively, and are similarly powered by motors or engines 74, 75, respectively.
A plurality of circular saws 80, FIGS. 1-4, lie below the deck 11 at the bow 14. A housing 81 surmounts the deck 11 and has a portion 82 depending below the deck 11 at each saw 80, FIG. 4. A lower shaft 83 is mounted on bearings in the depending portion 82 and is keyed to the saw 80. A sprocket gear 84 is also keyed on the shaft 83. An upper shaft 85 is mounted on bearings in the housing 81. A sprocket gear 86 is keyed to the upper shaft 85. A chain 87 drivingly interconnects the sprocket gears 84 and 86. A reduction drive gear 88 is keyed to the upper shaft 85. A drive shaft 89 is mounted on bearings in the housing 81 above the upper shaft 85. A prime drive gear 90 is keyed on the drive shaft 89 and meshes with the reduction drive gear 88. An engine or motor 91 is mounted on the housing 81. A clutch 92 interconnects the motor 91 with the drive shaft 89. Each circular saw 80 at the bow 14 is similarly driven and powered. The saws 80 score or cut the ice into strips of desired width as they move through the ice 100 with forward movement of the apparatus 10.
Since the bow flanged drums 31, 32 follow the saws 80 at a certain distance, they encounter the scored or cut strips of ice at a measured point and thus break off chunks 101 of ice of substantially equal length, so that the chunks 101 are comparatively the same size in length and width.
An elevator conveyor 110, or a bank of elevator conveyor sections, extend downwardly at a sloping angle through the open hatch 20, FIGS. 1-3 and 6. The conveyor 110 is pivotally supported at its upper end 111 on trunnions 112, 113. An axle 114 extends between the trunnions 112, 113. Sprocket gears 115 are keyed to the axle 114. The lower end 116 of the conveyor 110 is similarly equipped and the ends 111 and 116 are inter-supported on girders 117. An endless belt 118 surrounds the sprocket gears at the upper and lower ends 111, 116, and has rows of chain or teeth 119 on the interior engaging the sprocket gears 115 and cross-cleats 120 on the exterior for engaging and lifting the ice chunks 101. A driven gear 121 is keyed to the axle 114. A motor or engine 122 is mounted on the girder. A drive gear 123 is attached to the motor 122 and meshes with the driven gear 121 to drive the elevator conveyor 110.
Paired hydraulic cylinders 223 are pivotally mounted on the castle 21 and have a piston rod 125 pivotally connected to the girders 117 of the elevator conveyor 110 and provide control of the lower end 116 of the conveyor 110 so that it can be positioned below the chunks 101 of ice while working and raised for travel.
A disposal conveyor assembly 130 is mounted at the upper end 111 of the elevator conveyor 110 and lies transversely to the elevator conveyor 110. The assembly 130 has paired driven belts 131 and 132, FIGS. 1-3, extending in opposite directions from the center to a point sidewise outwardly of the deck 11 and above the deck 11. The belts 131 and 132 are driven in opposite directions by conventional power and drive means similar to the elevator conveyor 110. A back shield 134 confines the ice chunks 101 rearwardly at the elevator conveyor 110 and paired side guards 135 at the belts 131, 132 confine the ice chunks 101 on the belts 131, 132 forwardly and at the opposite extending ends 136, 137 of the assembly 130.
Referring to FIG. 7, it will be noted that the deck 11 may be reinforced by bridge type trusses 140. The trusses 140 may be covered with plates, canvas, and/or plastic sheeting to provide protective cover if desired. The trusses 140 are not shown in the other views to permit clear showing of the novel apparatus.
In operation, as the apparatus 10 moves through the ice 100 with the systems powered, driven, and operating; the saws 80 score or cut the ice 100 into strips of desired width; the flanged drums 31, 32 break the strips off into chunks 101 of about the same length and pass the chunks 101 under the drums 31, 32; the elevator conveyor 110 lifts the chunks 101 out of the water and projects them to the disposal conveyor assembly 130; and the assembly 130 projects the chunks 101 sidewise away from the opened channel on top of the remaining ice 100 at a distance from the open channel.
The driven rotation of the paired flanged drums 31-32, 64-65, and/or 70-71 propel the apparatus 10 forwardly as paddle wheels and the aft and stern drums tend to reduce the size of ice chunks 101 escaping the elevator conveyor into smaller pieces and clear them from the vicinity of ice breaking and removal. The paired flanged drums also provide steering by rotating the pairs at different speeds relative to one another forwardly and/or reversely to one another or one pair to another pair singly or in combination. The controls of the apparatus are conventional as will be well understood by the person having ordinary skill in the art of controls, servo-controls, etc.
While not shown, it will be understood that a hull may be integrated with the apparatus at, above, and/or slightly below the deck 11 which will give a crew protective covering for cold and living quarters. In this regard the hull may add buoyancy to the drums and the interior of the hull may have bulkheads forming wells at the drum openings and the elevator conveyor hatch. It will also be understood that the ice scoring and cutting portion and/or the ice ribbon breaking portion may be used on a vessel as accessory equipment at its bow and raised and lowered with hydraulic cylinders, cables, winches, etc., and moved through the ice under the power of the vessel. The conveyor sections may also be so used. In this regard the elevator conveyor sections may be angled sidewise outwardly to dispose of the chunks on the adjacent ice or a disposal conveyor used as described. The apparatus or portions thereof may also be incorporated in a barge and pushed ahead of a vessel. For example, only the ice scoring and cutting portions may be used to enable a vessel to act as its own ice-breaker.
While the element 11 has been described and shown as a deck, it may be a platform or other structure supporting the apparatus and it is apparent that the forward section of the device with the powered saws may be used separately as auxiliary equipment on a vessel to score or cut the ice. Also that one or more bow drums may be used as auxiliary equipment with the saws. The elevator conveyor may also be used in conjunction with the saws and drums.
A completely integrated vessel has been shown and described to indicate the full potential of the invention and it will be understood that this does not constitute limitation of novel portions, singly and in combination. It will also be understood that the drums may be of open type or of closed flotation type as desired.
The vessel and apparatus 10 may be used in its integrated form as shown and described or portions of the apparatus may be used as the protective scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the scope of the appended claims.