Method of and apparatus for disaggregating particulate matter

Apparatus for chipping and disaggregating ice to form a pathway through regions of ice-covered water, said apparatus comprising:

• a craft adopted for movement upon ice-covered water and for applying a forward force therein;
• a frame section having a top member and a bottom member and being secured to said craft in the frontal area thereof;
• a generally cylindrical drum mounted for rotation between said top and bottom frame members and adapted for abutting engagement with the ice for disaggregation thereof;
• an array of teeth extending generally radially outwardly from said drum and including:
• first and second circumferentially oriented rows of sledging teeth adapted for cutting generally parallel serrations in the ice and forming a laterally isolated ridge of matter therebetween as said drum is rotated, each of said rows of sledging teeth including a first, leading tooth and a second, trailing tooth, which second tooth extends outwardly further from said drum than said first tooth such that said second tooth engages and deepens the serrations made by said first tooth in the ice;
• a slugging tooth oriented generally axially between said first and second rows and circumferentially trailing said second teeth of both said first and second rows for striking said ridge formed by said sledging teeth proximate the base thereof, thereby imparting shear fracture thereto as said drum is rotated;
• means for supporting said drum such that its axis is generally vertically oriented;
• and
• means for rotating said drum in engagement with the ice and imparting sufficient force thereto for the disaggreation thereof.