Abstract: An airbridge having an extendable passageway terminating in a cabin assembly incorporates an elevating support structure provided by a single vertical elevator leg which supports both the cabin assembly and the adjacent end of the passageway. The airbridge has a single elevator leg which preferably projects through the cabin assembly between the floor and the top of the cabin, with the cabin assembly offset partially to one side of the longitudinal axis of the passageway to provide a path which permits traversal of passengers through the cabin assembly on one side of the elevator leg.

Abstract: Separation of admixtures of particles, fluids or gases having different magnetic susceptiblities is effected by subjecting a moving stream of the mixture to simultaneous gravitational and magnetic forces in a manner such that relatively non-magnetic materials respond significantly to the gravitational force and relatively magnetic materials respond preferentially to the magnetic force.

Abstract: Separation of relatively magnetic and relatively non-magnetic particles suspended in a fluid medium is effected by feeding a stream of the medium across at least one end face of a magnet so as to cause the magnetic and non-magnetic particles to diverge and to be directed into separate collector channels.

Abstract: A means for use in providing a connection between a cable and a movable body, more especially for R.A.S. systems, comprises a latching unit having means for attachment to said body and a recess associated with a latch, the arrangement also comprising a terminating member having means for attachment to the cable and being capable of introduction into the recess for engagement by the latch, the latter being associated with locking means for securing it in an operating position in which withdrawal of the terminating member is prevented, and release means for actuating the locking means to permit the latch to move to a release position so as to allow the terminating member to be withdrawn. Means may be provided for preventing inadvertent operation of the latch and accidental release of the member.

Abstract: A gangway designed to extend between a pair of relatively movable bodies (2, 50), such as an off-shore field rescue vessel and a rig or platform has a series of telescopic platforms (36, 37) defining a substantially planar walk-way surface and linked by a lazy-tong form of coupling (17, 18, 19, 20). By this means velocity variations between one region of the walk-way and the next can be kept small despite rapid variations in the overall length of the gangway.

Abstract: A control system for stabilizing a body suspended by a flexible line from a structure such as a ship, which is subject to uncontrolled oscillating movements, such as may be caused by wave motion, incorporates a winch (3) to which the line is attached, a pulley (4) over which the line (2) passes and from which the body is suspended, and a loop in the line between the winch and pulley, an accelerometer (28) being located adjacent the pulley, and the length of the loop being altered in controlled response to a stabilizing signal formed by combining signals derived from the accelerometer, and from the measured amplitude of oscillations of the loop length, and modified by a compensating signal to compensate for the effect of friction in the system.

Abstract: An arrangement for establishing a mechanical connection between two relatively movable structures, such as a fixed or floating marine structure and a vessel for facilitating the transfer of things between them has a double boom assembly carried by a support rotatably mounted on one said structure for enabling the boom assembly to be slewed about a generally vertical axis, the double boom assembly comprising a main boom pivotal on the support so that it can be raised or lowered, and an auxiliary boom pivotal on a trolley movable along the main boom, and, coupling means connecting the outer end of the auxiliary boom to co-operating means of a second structure, and including a universal joint which permits movement between the second structure and the boom assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for physically or chemically treating a substance in a vessel under conditions which make it difficult to ascertain physical and/or chemical changes, comprising means for monitoring the weight of the substance in the vessel and producing a signal indicative of the apparent variations in weight of the substance, which signal includes, as a factor, a variation in weight due to agitation of the substance in the vessel as it undergoes a physical and/or a chemical change, means for extracting and recording that part of the electrical signal produced by the agitation of the substance as a function of time, whereby the treatment of the substance may be altered in accordance with the signal produced by the agitation. When the substance is a molten charge in a steel making process involving the injection of oxygen, the part of the signal produced by the agitation of the molten charge is a frequency band within the range 0.05Hz to 0.5 Hz.