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

FIELD: ice breaking technique performed by hovercraft. SUBSTANCE: method consists in special maneuvering of hovercraft on free water along edge of ice cover followed by motion over edge and partially on free water. Partial running of hovercraft over free water provides for forming air cavity under ice cover, thus excluding supporting forces of water. Thus ice is subjected to action of load of gravitational waves, mass of vessel and gravity of ice proper, thus increasing deformation of ice and facilitating process of breaking ice cover. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of ice breaking. 1 dwg