摘要:
A method for performing operations using a water environment robotic system on a target section of pipeline located in an underwater environment is provided. The method includes the steps of deploying the underwater robotic vehicle into the water and visually inspecting the underwater environment to locate the pipeline and its plurality of weld joints. A cleaning operation is performed at one of the plurality of weld joints using the underwater robotic vehicle. The robotic vehicle can land on the sea floor and deploy a robotic arm to inspect the cleaned weld joint. The underwater can then swim to a next weld joint and land and perform cleaning and inspection operations, which can be repeated until all inspection sites are inspected.
摘要:
A portable, lightweight, removable step device mounted to a paddle board to assist animals onto the board. The device is attached to a paddle board and can be placed on a board of any size or shape. The device may be secured without requiring any alteration to the paddle board or it may be affixed with more permanent means. Additionally, the device may pivot, allowing the paddler to adjust the position of the step device to accommodate the entry angle of the approaching animal and may fold up and out of the water to reduce water resistance.
摘要:
A system for determining load distribution of pieces of cargo in a cargo hold of a vehicle may include a plurality of tags, each of the plurality of tags mounted on a different piece of the pieces of cargo in the cargo hold and carrying information indicative of a weight of the different piece of cargo on which it is mounted; a plurality of sensors mounted in a spaced array along a length of the cargo hold, each of the sensors capable of reading from the tags the information indicative of the weights of the pieces of cargo; and a computer connected to receive from the plurality of sensors the information indicative of the weights and information indicative of the locations of the pieces of cargo in the cargo hold, the computer programmed to calculate therefrom a weight and/or center of gravity of the plurality of the pieces of cargo.
摘要:
An overhead guide track system for automated material handling and storage facilities wherein at least one transfer unit is suspended from carriages that travel along the track system, the track system including a plurality of first and second support beams being assembled in an X-Y manner such that the first and second support beams intersect with one another in perpendicular relationship and wherein each of the first and second support beams includes a horizontal flange connected to a central vertical web, each of the vertical webs of the first and second beams having opposite ends connected to vertically oriented pedestals at a plurality of intersections of the first and second support beams and which pedestals support transfer plates over which the carriages are supported as the carriages pass over open gaps between the horizontal flanges at the intersections of the first and second support beams.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods to operationally link (couple/decouple) a plurality of relatively massive, complimentary payload platforms (i.e., suspended machinery and ROV) at relatively deep working depths in an unstable marine environment (water column) while the payload platforms are in-transit. An apparatus includes a suspended machinery, an ROV, a capture collar, an extendable/retractable harpoon, and actuating machinery to controllably effect extension and retraction thereof. A method includes providing an in-transit suspended machinery having a capture collar, providing an in-transit ROV having an extendable/retractable harpoon, approaching the in-transit suspended machinery with the ROV, maneuvering the ROV so as to bring an end of the partially extended harpoon into aligned proximity with the capture collar, and further extending the harpoon so that it securely engages the capture collar.
摘要:
A rivertube system for transporting urban and metropolitan passengers by river and sea using watercraft, with the watercraft travelling along the rivers and coasts of cities. The system includes an automatic docking system for boats and closed or covered stops, built on the river or on the sea, with large floating platforms that enable passengers to get on and off the boats.
摘要:
A subsea payload such as an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) or an AUV garage is lifted from an underwater location by flying a latch unit through the water to the payload. The latch unit carries a lift line toward the payload. The latch unit is then attached to the payload and the payload is lifted using tension applied through the lift line via the latch unit. The latch unit can also be used on a lift line to lower a payload and then to release the payload at an underwater location. The lift line is supported by a heave-compensating winch on a surface vessel that effects z-axis movement of the latch unit. The winch maintains tension on the lift line to prevent the lift line falling on the payload. Movement of the latch unit on x- and y-axes is effected by on-board thrusters.
摘要:
An apparatus for transferring assets to and from a water vessel. A water vessel having an integrated buoyancy bulb and stern ramp for transferring, launching and recovering assets such as wheeled or tracked amphibious vehicles. The integrated buoyancy bulb and stern ramp is configurable into different orientations to accommodate for different operational requirements, such as ship-to-water transfers, ship-to-ship transfers, or ship-to-dock transfers. The integrated buoyancy bulb and stern ramp is also configurable into a stowage orientation in which the ramp is folded and stored when not deployed.
摘要:
A system and method for automated handling, transferring and storing conventional cargo storage containers on a cargo ship wherein the containers are stored in a multi-tier cell system and are manipulated by powered transfer units which are selectively moveable along an intersecting overhead track system such that containers may be simultaneously retrieved from, moved or placed within any of the cells of the ship. The transfer units are equipped both with hoists, which control spreader beams which are selectively secured to the cargo containers, and guide stabilizers, which prevent undesirable movement of the cargo containers when they are elevated above the cell structures such that the containers may be manipulated even during rough sea conditions such that the system is essentially continuously operable as a floating supply distribution system.
摘要:
The burden from a tow of breast-tied strings of barges is unloaded by first mooring the tow to an access platform. The hard ties are removed from a first and then remaining string of barges after they are pulled against the platform. The barges of each string are provided with forward and aft soft ties and soft ties are provided between the forward and aft ends of successive strings. The softly-tied barges are advanced along a floating slip by a barge haul below two serially-arranged excavators. The burden is unloaded in two layers from each barge with each excavator removing one layer while the barges normally pass in only one direction continuously through the slip. After unloading, the empty barges are moored at a fleeting area where a tow is again formed by hard tieing the barges together.