Method of and apparatus for breaking brittle matter

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A cutting-chipping system comprising an interconnected triaxial array of rotating drums each mounted for independent rotation. Each drum includes a plurality of spaced outwardly, extending teeth to sequentially cut chip and break brittle, mass such as coal or ice engaged by the system. The drums are oriented with no axis of drum rotation parallel to another and in a configuration wherein the direction of cutter travel from one drum is oblique to that of a second drum. In this manner brittle matter engaged by the system is initially cut and chipped by a first drum to form a series of protuberances and/or weakened sections which, when struck at an oblique angle by a second drum, will chip and …