METHOD OF BREAKING ICE COVER FOR SURFACING OF SUBMARINE Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: surfacing of submarines under ice conditions. SUBSTANCE: method consists in melting ice over contour of assumed break; this contour may correspond to conning tower. Melting is effected by heating the under-ice layer of water by electric current passed through it; thus sea water is used as heating element in electric circuit. Submarine is stopped, positive buoyancy is created and surfacing is started and continued till conning tower sail rest against ice, after which rods with electrodes are extended and electric power is fed. Then ice is melted to form slits in its layer to required depth around conning tower sail, after which rods with electrodes are returned to their initial position, positive buoyancy of submarine is increased and ice weakened by slits is broken by her hull, thus bringing the submarine to surface. EFFECT: intensification of ice melting procedure. 3 dwg