METHOD FOR MAINTENANCE OF CHANNELS IN ICE CHANNELS Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC B63B35/08 E02B15/02 

FIELD: transportation.

SUBSTANCE: invention is related to technology of performance of ice crust breaking works for navigation under conditions of ice cover availability and may find wide application in the field of construction and transportation of object of different purpose. Method for maintenance of channels in ice covers consists in the fact that after channel creation, in order to maintain it, surface works are carried out at near-channel ice field for its weakening, and channel for ice breaker passage is restored with application of ice field weakening. When performing surface works, heat-conductive and externally heat-insulated plates are fixed at edges of channel as separated from each other, with height corresponding to ice thickness, with contacts for current supply. When ice breaker passes with buses extended upfront on rods, current is passed by contacts through plates from on-board source, plates are heated till slots are produced in ice, and ice weakened by slots is broken by ice breaker hull.

EFFECT: reduced power inputs for destruction of ice cover, improved economical efficiency and productivity of works, expansion of scales and increased repletion of application of method for maintenance of channels in ice covers.