Abstract: A method of building a levee or an island is disclosed. The method includes dredging material from a surface of a body of water with a dredge assembly mounted to a hull and supporting a hopper with the hull. The hopper is adapted to receive the material. The hopper includes a floor with a portion of the floor moveable to permit movement of the material in the hopper, and depositing at a desired location dredge material from the dredge using a transfer conveyor.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vessel for use when recovering material from a bottom surface of a body of water. The vessel includes a hull and a dredge assembly mounted to the hull. The dredge assembly is adapted to recover the material from the bottom surface. A conveyor system is provided, with the conveyor system including a first portion adapted to receive the material from the dredge assembly, a moveable second portion, and a distribution portion. The second portion is moveable to a first position in which the second portion is adapted to receive the material from the first portion and to convey the material to a first desired location disposed a first distance away from the hull. The second portion is further moveable to a second position in which the second portion is adapted to convey the material to the distribution portion. The distribution portion is adapted to convey the material a second distance greater than the first distance away from the hull.

Abstract: A normally off-highway off-road dump truck is disclosed. The truck has a frame with a forward end and a rearward end. The rearward end of the frame is supported by at least two wheels coupled to part of the frame. The truck also has a forward strut support coupled to the frame near the forward end. The truck has at least first and second strut modules coupled to the forward strut support. The first and second strut modules each have an independent steering mechanism and at least one wheel and tire assembly. Each of the first and second strut modules can also have one or more motors for driving a respective wheel and tire assembly independent of each other wheel and tire assembly of that strut module and of the other strut module.

Abstract: A steel manufacturing facility and method are disclosed which utilize ground mobile equipment, as opposed to overhead cranes. At least one material container is loaded with a steel making product and picked up with a transport vehicle that is movable throughout the facility and adapted for various uses within the facility. The material container is placed within an interior chamber of a furnace coupling shell assembly utilizing the vehicle such that the material container is supported by a support mechanism of the apparatus. The shell assembly and the material container are moved together to the furnace utilizing the vehicle. A bottom opening of the shell assembly is positioned over the top opening of the furnace utilizing the vehicle. The furnace is then charged with the steel making product through the top opening. The material container and shell assembly are then removed together from above the furnace using the vehicle and then the furnace can be operated.

Abstract: A normally off-highway off-road dump truck is disclosed. The truck has a frame with a forward end and a rearward end. The rearward end of the frame is supported by at least two wheels coupled to part of the frame. The truck also has a forward strut support coupled to the frame near the forward end. The truck has at least first and second strut modules coupled to the forward strut support. The first and second strut modules each have an independent steering mechanism and at least one wheel and tire assembly. Each of the first and second strut modules can also have one or more motors for driving a respective wheel and tire assembly independent of each other wheel and tire assembly of that strut module and of the other strut module.

Abstract: A pressure controller for a coke box has a fan assembly and a valve assembly selectively coupling the fan assembly to the coke box. A barometer senses a pressure level in the coke box. A control element controls a speed of the fan assembly to maintain the pressure level in the coke box below a desired pressure level.

Abstract: A vehicle for reaching, lifting, retracting, stacking and carrying loads. The vehicle includes a load carrying portion disposed behind the front axle of the vehicle for receiving and transporting loads, so that the vehicle is able to transport loads without tipping yet without carrying excess ballast. The vehicle includes a reach and retract lifting device for reaching to secure or release loads substantially far from the vehicle and retracting to secure or release loads stacked on the load carrying portion of the vehicle. The reach and retract lifting device is interchangeable depending on the desired lifting operation. To prevent tipping while reaching loads, the vehicle incorporates selectively actuable outriggers. Additionally, the vehicle includes selectively actuable hydraulic cylinders or the like for adjusting the lateral position of a lifted load.

Abstract: A self-propelled straddle carrier for straddling, lifting, supporting and carrying heavy loads directly under the structure of the vehicle. A main frame including a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending side beams and arch-shaped cross beams is supported on wheels and strut assemblies. The interior sides of the wheels, strut assemblies, side beams and the cross beams form a tunnel-shaped load carrying space defining the inner envelope of the carrier, while their exterior sides define the outer envelope of the carrier. A tong assembly, including a tong actuator and a pair of depending tongs is suspended from the main frame for vertical movement up and down in the tunnel-shaped load carrying space. All components are removable from the tunnel for straddling loads, yet remain within the outer envelope during normal transport.

Abstract: A coke box for dry quenching and indirectly cooling a charge of coke received from the discharge end of a coke oven. The coke box includes a chamber for receiving the coke and a seal engageable with the discharge end of the oven to substantially prevent the escape of combustible gases and particulate matter therefrom. A door encloses the coke within the receiving chamber to substantially isolate the coke from the atmosphere and an external cooling media which is passed over the exterior surfaces of the receiving chamber to indirectly cool the charge of coke enclosed in the receiving chamber. A burner chamber is connected to the receiving chamber for burning combustible gases and particulate matter exhausted from the receiving chamber. Preferably, the burner includes a venturi tube and an air inlet nozzle for drawing atmospheric air into the burner to mix with the combustible gases and enhance the combustion thereof.

Abstract: An improved coke handling apparatus includes a coke box for receiving and indirectly cooling a coke charge from a coke oven in a pollution-free manner and a vehicle for transporting and maneuvering the coke box. The carrier may be self-propelled with at least a pair of rail-engaging wheels and preferably has an upper tilt frame for supporting and dumping the coke box and apparatus for maneuvering the coke box within the tilt frame to assist in alignment of the coke box with the oven face. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes circulating gas within the receiving chamber of the coke box for enhancing the cooling of the coke charge. The apparatus may also include a burner chamber for burning combustible gases exhausted from the receiving chamber of the coke box. Coke oven door removal and cleaning mechanism may also be included.

Abstract: A carrier for lifting and transporting a heavy ladle including a tractor and trailer having a longitudinal center line and a U-shaped frame and a rearwardly opening rigid cradle pivotally mounted on the frame for embracing the ladle and with notches for engaging and lifting the ladle by its trunnions and provided with a hydraulic lift cylinder for vertically pivoting the cradle with respect to the trailer frame wherein the cradle pivot mountings include hydraulic shift actuators aligned parallel with respect to the cradle front cross frame to shift the entire cradle laterally with respect to the trailer center line and the hydraulic lift cylinders are pivotally mounted to the trailer frame and cradle arms with ball connections to permit the limited lateral tilting of the lift cylinders.

Abstract: An improved coke handling and quenching method utilizes a coke box for receiving, cooling and carrying a coke charge from a coke oven in a pollution-free manner and employs a highly maneuverable self-propelled carrier vehicle for transporting and maneuvering the coke box. The coke in the box is indirectly cooled by directing a cooling medium over the external surface of the box. In the preferred method the trapped hot gasses are circulated within the coke box for enhancing the cooling of the coke charge. The method may also include exhausting the combustible gasses from the coke box and burning them in a burner tube.

Abstract: An improved coke handling and quenching apparatus and method comprising a coke box for receiving, cooling and carrying a coke charge from a coke oven in a pollution-free manner and a highly maneuverable self-propelled carrier vehicle for transporting and maneuvering the coke box, the carrier having an upper tilt frame for supporting and dumping the coke box and apparatus for maneuvering the coke box within the tilt frame to assist in alignment of the coke box with the oven face. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a gas circulation system for enhancing the cooling of the coke charge by circulating gas within the coke box. The apparatus may also include an inert gas heat recovery system.

Abstract: A heavy duty slab carrier for lifting and transporting a stack of steel slabs or the like is provided including a self-propelled tractor and a trailer having a longitudinally extending frame supported in front by a tractor hitch and at the rear by a rear wheel assembly having at least two steerable tandemly arranged wheels on each side of the trailer, a plurality of hydraulically controlled tong arms extending downwardly from the trailer frame for gripping a stack of slabs, hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the trailer frame and tong arms relative to the tractor and rear wheel assembly, and an arrangement of steering links and a hydraulic actuator for steering the tandemly arranged wheels of the rear wheel assembly in opposite directions.

Abstract: A carrier for lifting and transporting a heavy ladle including a tractor and a trailer having a longitudinal center line and a U-shaped frame and a rearwardly opening cradle pivotally mounted on the frame for embracing the ladle and with hooks suspended from the cradle for engaging and lifting the ladle by its trunnions provided with a hydraulic lift cylinder for vertically pivoting the cradle with respect to the trailer frame and wherein the cradle legs have extension members hinged thereto and are interconnected by a hydraulic swing actuator for selectively swinging the legs and extension members about the hinges so as to shift the cradle and hooks laterally with respect to the trailer center line.

Abstract: A reach back carrier includes a self-propelled tractor and a wheeled trailer having a generally U-shaped frame with rearwardly projecting side members and a forwardly projecting integral gooseneck pivotally connected to the tractor to permit turning thereof at substantially right angles, a cradle is pivotally mounted adjacent the rear ends of the side members and adapted to engage trunnions on the pot.

Abstract: A carrier for lifting and transporting a scrap bucket supported in a stand having a substantially rectangular lower frame with depending ground engaging legs is provided including a self-propelled tractor and a wheeled trailer having a main frame cross member dimensioned to fit between the stand legs and an integral forwardly projecting tongue with a gooseneck pivotally connected to the tractor to permit turning thereof at substantially right angles, a rear frame member secured to the main frame by a plurality of vertical plates, the trailer wheels being journalled on a plurality of trailing arms each pivotally connected at one end to the main frame and interconnected at the other end to the rear frame by a first hydraulic actuator and links and a second hydraulic actuator interconnecting the gooseneck to the tractor for raising and lowering the trailer tongue to maintain the trailer substantially level as the first and second hydraulic actuators are extended and retracted and the trailer and stand being prov

Abstract: A load handling apparatus particularly suited for incorporation into a vehicle for lifting and transporting heavy loads such as steel billets, comprising a main frame to straddle a load, pivotally mounted lift frame assembly providing the lifting capability to raise a steel billet and suspend it during transport, suspended load engaging and clamping members, hydraulic cylinders to actuate the clamping and lifting members and an hydraulically actuated drag link for stabilizing the load while transporting over uneven terrain. The drag link is pivotally connected at its one end to the main frame and at its other end to the suspended load engaging and clamping assembly so that these pivot points, in conjunction with the pivot points of the lift frame assembly, substantially define a parallelogram relationship. By varying the length of the drag link, the clamping assembly is maintained in proper orientation relative to the ground.

Abstract: A load handling apparatus particularly suited for incorporation into a vehicle for lifting and transporting heavy loads such as steel billets, comprising a main frame to straddle a load, pivotally mounted lift frame assembly providing the lifting capability to raise a steel billet and suspend it during transport, suspended load engaging and clamping members, hydraulic cylinders to actuate the clamping and lifting members and an hydraulically actuated drag link for stabilizing the load while transporting over uneven terrain. The drag link is pivotally connected at its one end to the main frame and at its other end to the suspended load engaging and clamping assembly so that these pivot points, in conjunction with the pivot points of the lift frame assembly, substantially define a parallelogram relationship. By varying the length of the drag link, the clamping assembly is maintained in proper orientation relative to the ground.

Abstract: A low pollution, high yield system for receiving and cooling a hot charge of coke from a coke oven comprising aligning the open end of an otherwise closed coke box having its cross section, volume and surface area substantially equal to that of a charge of coke with the discharge end of a coke oven, pushing the coke directly into the coke box, enclosing the coke within the coke box to substantially isolate the coke from atmospheric oxygen and external cooling media, indirectly cooling the coke within the coke box by passing a cooling medium over the exterior surfaces of the coke box and discharging the cooled coke from the coke box. In a preferred embodiment the coke box is constructed of thin sheet metal panels supported by but not rigidly attached to a support structure and equipped with a cooling water reservoir/metering system for cooling the exterior surfaces of the box from the time the coke is pushed into the box.