Abstract: A method, system and communication arrangement for container handling equipment (CHEs) is described, the CHEs configured to operate within an area comprising a plurality of container spots arranged in rows and columns. A first CHE receives a message from a terminal operating system, the message including a plurality of jobs to be performed by the first CHE within said area, the plurality of jobs comprising instructions to move a container and identifying a container spot of the plurality of container spots. The first CHE receives, from a second CHE within the determined area, a request message to share a job of the plurality of jobs. The first CHE transmits a message to the second CHE responsive to the request message to share a job. Communication with the second CHE may be autonomous from messages received from the terminal operating system and/or manual triggering.

Abstract: A method for laterally moving an industrial machine is provided. The method may include: supporting the industrial machine on a pair of rail elements configured to be positioned laterally below and support the industrial machine, the rail elements allowing the industrial machine to be moved laterally from a first operative position to a second, maintenance position. A pair of linear actuators configured to laterally move the industrial machine from the first, operative position to the second, maintenance position.

Abstract: According to an aspect, an autonomous loading and transfer pad includes a frame having driver assembly configured to transport the frame. The frame includes a surface configured to receive a container. A communications interface is communicatively coupled to the autonomous loading and transfer pad. The autonomous loading and transfer pad also includes an order control system communicatively coupled to the communications interface. The order control system is configured to direct movement of the autonomous loading and transfer pad, via the communications interface, to a pickup point in a storage facility. The autonomous loading and transfer pad receives an item at the pickup point, directs movement of the autonomous loading and transfer pad, via the communications interface, to a transfer point external to the storage facility, and directs an autonomous pick-up and delivery vehicle, via the communications interface, to the transfer point.

Abstract: A handling system for handling objects in a vehicle comprises a storage apparatus that is positionable outside a vehicle cabin, an access device that is positionable in a vehicle cabin, and a transport device for transporting objects between the storage apparatus and the access device. The storage apparatus comprises a storage space and a connection station that is connectable to the transport device, wherein the storage apparatus comprises at least one drive device for moving carriers on which objects to be stored are held. The handling system comprises at least one guiding device that with the drive device guides the carriers on at least one circular path within the storage space. The storage space thus comprises a vertical flat shape that results in a significantly smaller reduction in the available cargo volume in a vehicle, while at the same time maximizing the design space available for passenger seats.

Abstract: Provided are a container terminal and a control method thereof that enhance a cargo handling efficiency by reducing a movement of a yard crane to a minimum possible extent. A first transfer area 44 is provided outside one end portion of a storage lane 20, and a transfer stand 50 is provided to the first transfer area 44. The transfer stand 50 transfers a container k between a circulating transport vehicle 31 and a shuttle vehicle 32. The shuttle vehicle 32 transports the container k between the transfer stand 50 and a yard crane 13 or 14 provided to the storage lane 20 by moving back and forth in a field adjacent to the storage lane 20.

Abstract: A system of single or multiple modules with self driving capabilities specifically for the movement of single or multiple shipping containers with a single operator on foot using a ‘wireless control unit’ to imitate commands to the individual modules, inter-connected to act in concert. As the units are configured from one (1) to forty-five (45) containers, the modules are connected utilizing the specialty pin assembly inherent to the invention. The invention has the capability to articulate in the vertical plane, allowing the complete modular unit to transverse inclines; declines and slight obstructions while in the normal operational environment. This accommodates ramps up or down onto the barges, or onto surfaces in the receiving ports. The ‘wireless control unit’ also allows the operator and the Command and Control operations to visualize the individual module while transversing all surfaces allowing for the visualization of the stack in a three dimensional display.

Abstract: Systems, equipment and processes involving one or more aspects such as extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and/or reducing the overall cost of goods movement are disclosed. In some implementations, storage areas may be accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads.

Abstract: A method is provided for handling loads in a warehouse for containers that may be automatically stored and removed from storage by a container stacking crane, between a storage area and a truck or other vehicle parked in a parking space of a loading and unloading area To optimize the throughput performance and safety of handling loads in a warehouse for containers, it is proposed that after the truck drives into the parking space and after the driver of the truck leaves the parking space, the parking space is secured against the presence of persons including the driver, before a release signal is given to the container stacking crane for the automatic loading or unloading process.

Abstract: A conveyor cargo handling system for the synchronized, computerized loading and unloading of cargo containers from a vessel is comprised of at least two conveyor lines. Individually powered conveyor units, idler conveyor units, translate powered conveyor modules (“TPCM”), and rotate powered conveyor modules (“RPCM”), are remotely computer coordinated to operate in concert to safely and efficiently control traffic flow on the container terminal. The system eliminates much of the ground transportation conventionally utilized to move cargo containers to their storage destination.

Abstract: A method of transferring a plurality of containers to storage is provided, the method comprises providing at least one multi-level structure (12) with an elevator (22) configured to receive and transport one or more containers thereupon and being configured to ascend and descend to a predetermined level (18a), each of the levels (18a) comprising a plurality of bays (24) being sized to receive and store therein one of the containers; providing a plurality of unmanned autonomous guided vehicles (AGV) configured to perform front/back and sideways movements and to receive a container thereupon; receiving each of the containers on a receiving AGV (rAGV) of the AGVs; and positioning the rAGV with the container received thereby in a target bay (24) on a target level (18a) of the structure (12).

Abstract: A platform container transfer terminal (10) functions as an efficient hub port. Sea Point™ Transfer station modules (21, 22, 23) can be moved intact across oceans for rapid erection in remote or strategic locations to provide high speed loading and unloading of large container vessels (31, 32) to lighters or feeder vessels (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and/or to facilities adjacent. A gantry crane (510) combined with one or more rotating boom cranes (11, 12, 17, 18) increases cargo productivity economically. There can be two luffing boom cranes attached to the gantry and two slewing boom cranes attached to the gantry. One can retrofit an existing gantry by attaching a boom crane and frame to a ship-to-shore gantry.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the position of a plurality of containers in a block, including at least one crane configured to move the containers is provided. A crane control unit (CCU) is provided in which the following steps are performed: identifying a selected container to be moved from a current position CP within a sub-section of said block to a new position NP within the sub-section; calculating a number of container moves required facilitating the move of the selected container in previous step; arranging the required number of container moves in a queue for each crane; and performing the container moves as arranged in the queue by controlling said at least one crane. Also provided is a computer program, a computer-readable medium encoded with the computer program, and a system for optimizing the position of a plurality of containers in a block.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include quayside cranes and yard cranes related by a low elevated transfer system and a ground transportation carrier system. The low elevated transfer system includes low elevated transfer subsystems having low elevated rails, the low elevates rails include low elevated crane rails and low elevated flat carrier rails, low elevated cranes are disposed on the low elevated crane rails and low elevated flat carriers are disposed on the low elevated flat carrier rail. The ground transportation carrier system includes ground transportation carrier rails and transportation carriers moving along the ground transportation carrier rails. Embodiments of the present invention transport the containers by rails and use municipal electric as the power supply. A three-dimensional low elevated transfer system and a ground transportation carrier system are provided to implement three-dimensional transportation of containers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an arrangement scheme of a container wharf, in which the containers positioned in the yard is arranged in a direction being perpendicular to the direction of the containers positioned in the ship, comprising: a quayside container crane for loading/unloading containers in the first direction; a low elevated system including low elevated track, low elevated system lifting trolley and low elevated system plane carriers, the low elevated system plane carrier can be operated by the low elevated system lifting trolley and the low elevated system can be operated by the quayside container crane; a transportation carriers system including transportation carrier track along the second direction and transportation carriers being able to rotate 90 degrees together with container put thereon, the transportation system can be operated by the low elevated system; a yard crane having a yard crane track along the second direction for loading/unloading the containers with the yard.

Abstract: A system on land for transfer of containers between ship and land includes cranes for container loading or unloading and stations for transfer of containers operationally associated with the cranes. The transfer stations include an upper platform for reception and support of a container from and to a crane and a lower platform for loading or unloading of containers within and outside of the station. Between the upper platform and the lower platform there are centering and elevator devices which perform the transfer of a container between the two superimposed platforms without intervention of the crane.

Abstract: A method for storing and transferring containers comprises the steps of a container information-receiving step for receiving information of the containers transmitted from a loading/unloading unit while the containers stacked in the container ship are unloaded by means of the loading/unloading unit, a transferring unit-moving step for moving a transferring unit to the loading/unloading unit having transmitted the information of the containers so that the containers are loaded onto the transferring unit, a storage-determining step for analyzing the received information of the containers to determine whether the containers placed on the transferring unit are to be moved to a stacking unit so that the containers can be stored or are to be moved to a taking-in/taking-out unit so that the containers can be removed from a container terminal, and a container-transferring step for moving the transferring unit to a position selected on the basis of the determination as to whether the containers are to be stored or not

Abstract: A method for storing and transferring containers comprises the steps of a container information-receiving step for receiving information of the containers transmitted from a loading/unloading unit while the containers stacked in the container ship are unloaded by means of the loading/unloading unit, a transferring unit-moving step for moving a transferring unit to the loading/unloading unit having transmitted the information of the containers so that the containers are loaded onto the transferring unit, a storage-determining step for analyzing the received information of the containers to determine whether the containers placed on the transferring unit are to be moved to a stacking unit so that the containers can be stored or are to be moved to a taking-in/taking-out unit so that the containers can be removed from a container terminal, and a container-transferring step for moving the transferring unit to a position selected on the basis of the determination as to whether the containers are to be stored or not

Abstract: A container crane includes a movable trolley and a load-carrying frame pendantly connected to the trolley and comprised of a spreader and a head block, for transfer of a container from or to a transport vehicle. Plural optical detectors are mounted on the trolley for identifying longitudinal and transversal edges of the head block or spreader and the transport vehicle. Operatively connected to the detectors is a processing device for determining a spatial position of the edges and calculating a position of longitudinal and transversal center lines of the head block or spreader and the transport vehicle and their spatial positions in relation to one another. In this way a possible offset of the center lines of the head block or spreader with regard to those of the transport vehicle in longitudinal and transversal directions as well as a rotation angle of the center lines can be determined, whereby a detected offset or rotation angle is compensated by displacing the spreader relative to the head block.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a container transportation carrier comprising: a bottom frame; a set of wheels, mounted on said bottom frame, said set of wheels being positioned on a set of tracks so that said container transportation carrier travels along the tracks; wheel driving means, mounted on said bottom frame, for driving said set of wheels; rotary mechanism, mounted on said bottom frame, being rotatable with respect to said bottom frame; a rotary platform, spanned on said rotary mechanism by rotary supporting means, with containers positioned on said rotary platform; rotary driving means, mounted on said bottom frame, for driving said rotary mechanism to rotate said rotary platform. The present invention also discloses a container transportation system and a whole arrangement scheme of container wharf using the above transportation carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cargo transfer. The method and apparatus encompass a shipping terminal with a marine-side and a land-side and a computer-controlled multi-level cargo-sled storage structure placed between the two sides. Cargo is received on the land-side from a land vehicle, transferred onto a cargo sled, which is then stored in the cargo-sled storage structure. When ready for shipping, the cargo sled is retrieved from the storage structure and stuffed into a cargo container on the marine-side, which is then loaded onto a ship. Method and apparatus reduce by up to a factor of eight the required number of cargo containers required to efficiently service shipping vessels.

Abstract: A loading device for ISO containers in a container terminal is arranged below the land-side boom in the rear area of the container bridge and cooperates with container transport vehicles. The loading device comprises at least two bridge members which are movable on the ground independent from one another transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boom, and are oriented parallel to one another and to the boom. Each bridge member forms a loading station for an ISO container and carries in the area of its longitudinal center a receiving platform for an ISO container which can be set down and picked up by load-carrying means, this receiving platform being rotatable about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A transfer installation for piece goods, in particular for ISO containers, including a warehouse having individual linear storage modules, and including at least one loading installation which can be displaced transversely to the storage modules and is intended for land-going means of transport, between which a storage and retrieval unit assigned to each storage module operates. The loading installation includes at least two ground-level leading stations for means of transport, to each of which is assigned one intermediate buffer store which is arranged on the second level, located above the means of transport, and has at least one storage location from which the respective means of transport can be manually loaded/unloaded by means of an associated loading crane. The intermediate buffer stores are connected to one another via a transfer transporter and one of the intermediate buffer stores is connected to the warehouse via the storage and retrieval unit.

Abstract: A radio IC number tag (10) having a container number (1a) inputted is applied on a container (1); a radio document tag (14) having container (1) physical distribution information inputted is set to a trailer (2); and a radio antenna (11) is arranged at a gate of a container terminal. Upon passage of the trailer (2) through the gate, the radio antenna (11) receives the physical distribution information transmitted from the radio IC document tag (14) while reading the container number from the radio IC number tag (10) applied on the container (1). Such information is sent to a physical distribution information center (31). A computer (31a) in the physical distribution information center (31) checks up the container number (1a) with the physical distribution information and the like for confirmation and data-processing to send a command signal for a storage address to the trailer (2) through the radio antenna (11).

Abstract: A terminal and system for the automatic computerized unloading of containerized cargo from container ships to trucks, railroad cars, other ships or storage. The terminal system is equipped to store or transfer unloaded cargo automatically by using independent container transfer vehicles. The cargo ships are moored between quays of a terminal building constructed in or adjacent to a waterway. Independent container transfer vehicles on an overhead transverse beam system lift a container up and away from a ship and transfer it to the elevated ground rail system without changing the container orientation, and then shuttle on elevated ground conveyance rails to other areas of the terminal to distribute the container to the pertinent transportation system or to storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying bulk material generally consisting of a support, a guide member defining a passageway providing a circuitous path, having a base section supported on the support and a section cantilevered relative to the support; at least two sprockets disposed in such passageway and rotatably supported on the guide member, one of such sprockets being disposed in the cantilevered section of the guide member and having a substantially vertically disposed axis of rotation; a rope assembly including an endless rope disposed in the passageway along the circuitous path and reeved around the sprockets, and a plurality of discs spaced along such rope, and a motor for driving one of the sprockets, wherein the guide member includes a inlet communicating with the passageway for feeding material therein and a discharge outlet communicating with the passageway about a portion of the periphery of the one socket.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying bulk material generally consisting of a support, a guide member defining a passageway providing a circuitous path, having a base section supported on the support and a section cantilevered relative to the support; at least two sprockets disposed in such passageway and rotatably supported on the guide member, one of such sprockets being disposed in the cantilevered section of the guide member and having a substantially vertically disposed axis of rotation; a rope assembly including an endless rope disposed in the passageway along the circuitous path and reeved around the sprockets, and a plurality of discs spaced along such rope, and a motor for driving one of the sprockets, wherein the guide member includes a inlet communicating with the passageway for feeding material therein and a discharge outlet communicating with the passageway about a portion of the periphery of the one socket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for transporting larger cargo units, for example containers (5), said method and arrangement comprising standardized individual cargo trolleys (1a, 1b, . . . , 1n) for each pallet (4a, 4b . . . , 4n), and one correspondingly standardized pallet for each cargo unit (5), so as to form a train of a plurality of similar trolleys matching with a similar train of standard pallets, said train of trolleys being further provided with automatic locking and securing means as well as means for running said trolleys through curves and slopes.

Abstract: A wheel supported conveyor having a central platform crane section disposed between opposite end crane sections is positioned in underlying relation to a container holding spreader of a dockside terminal crane for transfer of containers to and from the chassis of trucks moved into loading positions without obstruction along parallel spaced passage lanes formed in the end crane sections. Sections of a roller track are respectively associated with each of the conveyor crane sections for displacement of the containers laterally between a common track path and the truck passage lanes. Container spreaders are slidably mounted on the end crane sections effecting said lateral displacement of containers between the truck passage lanes and the common roller track path.