Method and apparatus for monitoring ice masses

• US 4,885,591 A
• Filed: 09/28/1983
• Issued: 12/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Page, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US06/536,800
• Time in Patent Office: 2,260 Days
• Field of Search: 343/6.8 R, 343/6.5 SS, 343/6.5 R, 342/5, 342/7, 342/8, 342/9, 342/10, 342/41, 342/56, 342/450
• US Class Current: 342/450
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/086 Vessels for displacing icebergs, or related methods tugs in general B63B35/66
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 36/001 Cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/008 Drilling ice or a formation covered by ice
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/75 using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders , or using passive reflectors

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring ice masses wherein a signal transmitter is attached to an ice mass and receivers are used to detect the location of the transmitter.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring an iceberg comprising:

an anchor means for providing an attachment point to the iceberg having

an elongated hollow housing having a deployment end and a drill end;

an annular drill head rotatably mounted on said drill end of said housing;

a pressure means fixed to said drill head for providing pressurized fluid from said drill head to the iceberg, said pressure means including pressure jets mounted on said drill head;

a movement means for advancing said elongated housing into the iceberg; and

a freezing means for freezing said anchor means to said iceberg;

a flotation means connected to said anchor means for providing a detachable housing associated with the iceberg; and

an identification means attached to said flotation means for providing location identification for the iceberg.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said floatation means includes an inflatable member.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said identification means includes:

a metallic structure for reflecting electromagnetic waves.

4. The system according to claim 2 wherein said identification means includes:

a transmission means for providing an identifiable signal for determining the location of the iceberg.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said annular drill head includes:

a plurality of passages therein for controlling fluid flow direction.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein said pressure means includes:

a conduit means traveling through said housing means for providing pressurized fluid to said pressure jets.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein:

said freezing means comprises a tubular means for providing cooling fluid for freezing said housing in place.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said tubular means includes:

a cooling area extending from said deployment end to said drill end of said housing.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein said cooling fluid is carbon dioxide.

10. The system according to claim 7 wherein said tubular means includes:

a cooling tube wound within said housing.

11. A method for monitoring iceberg movement comprising the steps of:

placing an anchor at a predetermined distance within the iceberg by drilling a hole into the iceberg through the use of pressurized fluid and freezing said anchor in said hole;

attaching a flotation member to said anchor;

connecting an identification member to said flotation member; and

identifying the location of said iceberg through said identification member.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said identifying step includes the steps of:

providing a metallic structure for reflecting electromagnetic signals as said identification member;

transmitting said electromagnetic signals to said identification member; and

receiving reflected electromagnetic signals from said identification member.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein said identifying step includes the steps of:

providing an electromagnetic signal transmitter as said identification member;

transmitting an identifiable signal from said identification member; and

receiving said identifiable signal to determine the location of the iceberg.