METHOD OF BREAKING ICE COVER Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: equipment ensuring navigation in frozen water basins. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes excitation of flexural gravitational waves 3 during motion of ship 2 under ice 1 at resonance speed. Air is fed from fore part of ship 2 under ice for forming air cushion 6, after which ship is decelerated. Following wake 6 which continues its motion by inertia meets obstacle in its way in form of stationary ship 2; as a result increased pressure 7 occurs in this area. At collision of water mass 8 with ice 1 and action of increased pressure 7 on ice, hydraulic impacts occur which cause formation of swelling waves in ice 1. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of ice breaking. 1 dwg