Ships for navigating in icy waters having improved propulsion performance in open water and at the same time good maneuverability forward in icy waters are provided. Such ships include those having a bow area with a bulb adapted to generate a bow wave in phase opposition with respect to that generated by the ship's hull.

In an example, a compliant shaft enclosure support system for coupling to a shaft enclosure surrounding a shaft includes a bar having a first member slidably coupled to a second member. The bar is oriented along the pitch axis of the shaft. A first bar end of the bar is rotatably connected, around the roll axis and pitch axis of the shaft, to the shaft enclosure at a first connection. A second bar end of the bar is rotatably connected, around the roll axis and pitch axis, to the structure at a second connection. A link is rotatably connected, around the roll axis, at a first link end to the bar, at an intermediate location spaced from the first and second bar ends. The link is rotatably connected, around the pitch axis, at a second link end to the shaft enclosure at a third connection spaced from the first connection.

Icebreaker (10) for a vessel (12), where the icebreaker (10) is connected to a bow (12a) of a vessel (12) for breaking up solid ice (40) floating on a water surface, the icebreaker (10) comprises a central part (14) sliding on a first side of the ice (40) and two or more side parts (16) sliding on an opposite part of the ice (40). The centre part (14) and the side parts (16) extend in parallel forward and works against each other when breaking the ice (40) to prevent the ice (40) from lifting, wherein a lower edge of the side parts (16), being in contact with the ice (40), is narrow and sharp to initiate breaking lines (50) in the ice (40), and the centre part (14) comprises a forward protruding cam structure (14a) to break the ice (40) between the side parts (16).

Icebreaker (10) for a vessel (12), where the icebreaker (10) is connected to a bow (12a) of a vessel (12) for breaking up solid ice (40) floating on a water surface, the icebreaker (10) comprises a central part (14) sliding on a first side of the ice (40) and two or more side parts (16) sliding on an opposite part of the ice (40). The centre part (14) and the side parts (16) extend in parallel forward and works against each other when breaking the ice (40) to prevent the ice (40) from lifting, wherein a lower edge of the side parts (16), being in contact with the ice (40), is narrow and sharp to initiate breaking lines (50) in the ice (40), and the centre part (14) comprises a forward protruding cam structure (14a) to break the ice (40) between the side parts (16).

The present invention relates to a innovative magnetic tension lock(MTL) control system which guides the MagLev module in both vertical and horizontal movement. The MagLev module moves on its inherent magnetic force and is guided by the MTL control system. The MagLev module with MTL control system can be used in products of various applications. It can be made at efficient cost to perform unique function. It can provide magnetic cushioning, which is great for seat, bed and other body-supporting furniture. It can also be applied as a cushioning layer against outside impact, thus it can be mounted onto the surface of heavy duty equipment or even the vessel sailing in icy water. It functions on its magnetic energy for load capacity and only requires compact battery power for its MTL control system. Thus it saves energy and reduces impact on the environment. It can replace the traditional MagLev module that runs on electricity otherwise.

A floating drilling platform for offshore oil/gas drilling and exploration in ice-infested polar areas comprises a deck module, a hard compartment, and a soft compartment sequentially connected from top to bottom. The bottom of the deck module is connected to the top of the hard compartment by evenly distributed column. Both the hard and the soft compartments are cylinders centrally arranged with center wells. The deck module is also centrally arranged with a center well. The hard compartment, the soft compartment and the deck module are coincident with a centerline. The outer diameter of the soft compartment, as well as that of the deck module, is larger than that of the hard compartment. The top of the hard compartment is designed with a circular inclined plane upwardly and outwardly arranged at the outer edge. The top of the circular inclined plane is connected to the bottom of the deck module.

A floating drilling platform for offshore oil/gas drilling and exploration in ice-infested polar areas comprises a deck module, a hard compartment, and a soft compartment sequentially connected from top to bottom. The bottom of the deck module is connected to the top of the hard compartment by evenly distributed column. Both the hard and the soft compartments are cylinders centrally arranged with center wells. The deck module is also centrally arranged with a center well. The hard compartment, the soft compartment and the deck module are coincident with a centerline. The outer diameter of the soft compartment, as well as that of the deck module, is larger than that of the hard compartment. The top of the hard compartment is designed with a circular inclined plane upwardly and outwardly arranged at the outer edge. The top of the circular inclined plane is connected to the bottom of the deck module.

An offshore floating platform for operating in ice-infested waters and harsh environment for oil/gas drilling and exploration in Arctic area comprises four (4) sections, i.e., an upper cone, a transition section, a lower cone and a bottom frame. The upper cone, the transition section, the lower cone and the bottom frame are coincident with a centerline, and a through center well is designed around the centerline from top to bottom. The diameter at the bottom frame is smaller than that of the main body of the center well. The upper cone, the transition section and the lower cone are internally connected and divided into plural compartments. Through ballast compartments are designed outside the sidewall of the upper cone, the transition section and the lower cone vertically connected with a consistent cross-sectional area from top to bottom. Plural ballast compartments and void compartments are arranged within the bottom frame.

The present invention relates to a innovative magnetic tension lock (MTL) control system which guides the MagLev module in both vertical and horizontal movement. The MagLev module moves on its inherent magnetic force and is guided by the MTL control system. The MagLev module with MTL control system can be used in products of various applications. It can be made at efficient cost to perform unique function. It can provide magnetic cushioning, which is great for seat, bed and other body-supporting furniture. It can also be applied as a cushioning layer against outside impact, thus it can be mounted onto the surface of heavy duty equipment or even the vessel sailing in icy water. It functions on its magnetic energy for load capacity and only requires compact battery power for its MTL control system. Thus it saves energy and reduces impact on the environment. It can replace the traditional MagLev module that runs on electricity otherwise.

An icebreaking vessel (10) with icebreaking reamers (23a, 23b) at each side and, in connection with the reamers, propellers (24a, 24b) for the propulsion of the vessel. The icebreaking vessel can be formed by attaching a detachable icebreaking bow section (31) equipped with reamers and propellers in connection with them to any such ship (30) which is not an actual icebreaker and which has corresponding joint members for attaching the detachable bow section to the ship.