Abstract: The present invention has been developed to improve the way a payload support platform, such as a mole, is driven between one site and another, particularly when the second site is the interior of a Lift which interfaces with a Pallet Handling System (PHS) of a ship. In a first aspect the invention proposes that the driving means which drives the payload support platform along a rail (10) is also used to move that rail (10) relative to the payload support platform and a support rail (22) so that the position of the rail can be changed during the movement of the payload support platform between one site and another. The payload support platform is lockable to the support rail (22), such that the force which drives the payload support platform along the rail (10) changes to driving the rail (10) relative to the support rail (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing motion of a surface comprises a stabilized platform comprising a support structure and a moveable mass resiliently suspended with respect to the support structure; a transmitter transducer and a receiver transducer mounted on the moveable mass, the transmitter transducer arranged to transmit an electromagnetic wave towards the surface, and the receiver transducer arranged to receive a reflected wave from the surface, and detection means for measuring motion of the surface based on a Doppler shift in the reflected wave. The detection means may comprise an amplifier arranged to receive a Doppler modulated signal from the receiver transducer, and a phase detector arranged to receive an amplified signal from the amplifier and to provide a demodulated output signal indicative of the motion of the surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cooling, preferably liquefying a boil off gas (BOG) stream from a liquefied cargo in a floating transportation vessel, said liquefied cargo having a boiling point of greater than ?110° C.

Abstract: A buoy (1) has a main body (5) and a moveable mass (2) positioned inside the main body. The buoy may be tethered to a submarine vessel and used as a communications buoy. The buoy may be configured for floating in a generally upright orientation at the water surface (7) in a position ready for communication, when the mass (2) is in a first position (FIG. 1a) in which the center of mass is offset from the center of buoyancy to improve stability in the water. The buoy may be configured for being towed underwater at speed, when the mass is in a second position (FIG. 1b), in which the center of mass is closer to the center of buoyancy, to improve towing stability in the water, thereby allowing the buoy to be towed with its long axis substantially aligned with the direction of motion, thereby reducing wake/plume in the water.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a self sustaining and combined dual biomethanation process to produce biogas and manure. The said biomethanation process comprises two or more different biogas reactors using mixed and/or multiple solid biomass as feed. The leachates generated from the solid digester are utilitzed by recirculating the leachates produced, thereby ensuring optimum biogas generation.

Abstract: A stowage unit for a payload such as a weapon, countermeasure or unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), and a method for using the unit to deploy the payload are described. The unit comprises an inner tube for holding the payload, wherein the inner tube is mounted in an outer vessel and so defines a volume between the outer vessel and inner tube. The volume has a first sealing element, which can be used to open or seal the volume at one end, and a valve enabling fluid communication between the volume and inner tube. After deployment of the payload, a weight of fluid equivalent to the deployed payload can be allowed to enter the volume from the inner tube, thus enabling the weight of the unit to remain substantially unaltered from before deployment to after deployment.

Abstract: A submarine (1) has an assembly (3) for deploying a life raft (5), the assembly (3) being located in a well (7) formed outside the submarine's pressure hull (11). The assembly includes a pressure vessel (4) for storing the life raft (5) in a pressurized state. To deploy underwater, a lid (71) covering an opening to the well (7) is released to permit the assembly (3), which is buoyant, to ascend towards the water surface. A sensor (43) determines proximity to the water surface, whereby a pneumatic ram (42) in the pressure vessel is activated to eject the life raft (5) from the pressure vessel (4).

Abstract: A platform for the aerial delivery of payloads into aquatic environments has a staged v cross-section formed by two walls extending from an end part. The portions of the two walls adjacent to the end part diverge from it at an angle ? and, together with the end part, form the tip of the platform. The remaining portions of the two walls, remote from the end part, form the body of the platform, and diverge at an angle ? that is greater than the angle ?. When the platform is deployed onto the surface of a fluid, it initially experiences a period of low deceleration as the tip penetrates the surface, followed by a period of higher deceleration, as the body contacts the surface.

Abstract: A payload deployment system for a vessel, such as a submarine, which includes a cable extending between a piston in a piston tube and an ejection element in an ejection tube, wherein the ejection tube is suitable for holding the payload, such as a torpedo. The system is arranged such that movement of the piston in the piston tube causes movement of the cable which, in turn, exerts a force on the ejection element to move it in the ejection tube to eject the payload from the ejection tube.

Abstract: Road surfacing machine having a front support (e.g. wheels) and a rear support (e.g. a rotatable roller) on which it can move along a road to be surfaced thereby. The body of the machine, which includes a hopper for storing material to be laid and an outlet for discharging it, is supported on the supports. Metering means (e.g. a screed plate) is positioned between the supports and serves to form a layer of selected thickness and shape of the said material on the road base. Bearing means (e.g. horizontal pivots) enable free relative angular movement between the front support on the one side and the metering means and a rear support on the other side about a longitudinal axis and about a transverse axis. Also a road surfacing machine having a front support, a hopper and a screed member, and including profiling means which comprise means for indicating the height and means for indicating the angle of inclination of the screed member.