Abstract: A system for handling an aircraft on a nautical vessel includes a plurality of winches each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of electromotors and a plurality of cables associated with the plurality of winches. Each of the plurality of cables is configured to attach to an aircraft positioned on a deck of the nautical vessel. A control system is configured to receive a target aircraft hauling speed and direction and operate the winches to achieve the target speed in the selected direction while maintaining load on the aircraft to below a maximum limit and also maintaining the cables in tension.

Abstract: A system for handling an aircraft on a nautical vessel includes a plurality of winches each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of electromotors and a plurality of cables associated with the plurality of winches. Each of the plurality of cables is configured to attach to an aircraft positioned on a deck of the nautical vessel. A control system is configured to receive a target aircraft hauling speed and direction and operate the winches to achieve the target speed in the selected direction while maintaining load on the aircraft to below a maximum limit and also maintaining the cables in tension.

Abstract: The invention provides a snorkel valve (2) for controlling a flow of fluid into a deployable submarine mast, the snorkel valve comprising: a valve body (30) having: a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface on the reverse side of the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner bore (32); a valve inlet (38) extending through the tubular wall to fluidly connect the outer surface and the inner bore; and a valve outlet (40) in fluid communication with the inner bore, and a sleeve (42) slidable within the said inner bore between a closed position in which it covers the said valve inlet to thereby inhibit water from flowing into the inner bore through the valve inlet, and an open position in which at least a portion of the said valve inlet is uncovered by the sleeve to thereby allow air to flow into the said inner bore through the said valve inlet.

Abstract: An engagement apparatus for use in the deployment and recovery of a marine craft from a mother ship comprises a receptacle provided on one of the marine craft and the mother ship and an engagement probe provided on the other of the marine craft and the mother ship. The receptacle has a number of spaced channels which receive the engagement probe, engagement between the probe and the channels facilitating alignment between the marine craft and the mother ship. A locking device is also provided to secure the probe to the receptacle to secure the marine craft to the mother ship for recovery. The locking device may be activated by full engagement between the probe and the receptacle.

Abstract: A marine craft recovery system for recovering a marine craft to a mother ship comprises a marine craft engagement apparatus and at least a pair of tensile members between the marine craft engagement apparatus and the mother ship. The marine craft engagement apparatus is configured to engage at least a portion of the marine craft, such as the hull. The pair of tensile members is configured to pull the marine craft engagement apparatus towards respective first and second anchor points on the mother ship. The system is configured to transport the marine craft engagement apparatus across a body of water towards the mother ship.

Abstract: A gearbox test rig is provided for testing first and/or second gearboxes having power ratings of 1 MW or more. The gearbox test rig comprises a first coupler for coupling a low-speed shaft of a first gearbox to a low-speed shaft of a second gearbox such that forces can be transmitted between the low-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes. The gearbox test rig further comprises a second coupler for coupling a high-speed shaft of the first gearbox to a high-speed shaft of the second gearbox such that forces can be transmitted between the high-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes, wherein the second coupler comprises a hydraulic rotary actuator for regulating a torque which is applied to the high-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes. Such a gearbox test rig is particularly useful for testing heavy duty gearboxes, such as those used in wind turbines.

Abstract: A marine craft recovery system for recovering a marine craft to a mother ship comprises a marine craft engagement apparatus and at least a pair of tensile members between the marine craft engagement apparatus and the mother ship. The marine craft engagement apparatus is configured to engage at least a portion of the marine craft, such as the hull. The pair of tensile members is configured to pull the marine craft engagement apparatus towards respective first and second anchor points on the mother ship. The system is configured to transport the marine craft engagement apparatus across a body of water towards the mother ship.

Abstract: An engagement apparatus for use in the deployment and recovery of a marine craft from a mother ship comprises a receptacle provided on one of the marine craft and the mother ship and an engagement probe provided on the other of the marine craft and the mother ship. The receptacle has a number of spaced channels which receive the engagement probe, engagement between the probe and the channels facilitating alignment between the marine craft and the mother ship. A locking device is also provided to secure the probe to the receptacle to secure the marine craft to the mother ship for recovery. The locking device may be activated by full engagement between the probe and the receptacle.

Abstract: An actuator (10) for use in controlling movement of a component (22) of a seagoing vessel comprises a cylinder (12) for coupling to a vessel hull (14) and an actuator shaft (18). A distal end (20) of the shaft (18) is coupled to the component whose movement is to be controlled and, in use, a control force (Fc) is applied to the shaft (18) to control movement of the shaft (18) from a first position, retracted, position to a second, extended, position. The actuator (10) is compliant in response to an opposing force exceeding a selected force to prevent or mitigate damage to the component (22) and/or the actuator 10 which may otherwise result from the opposing force.

Abstract: An energy converter device includes a reactive hydraulic power transformer (16) for converting periodic and variable hydraulic energy into coherent hydraulic energy. The device may also form a sub-system in energy converter systems for converting kinetic energy, for example from a wave (12), into electricity. The system has a power takeoff (14) including an energy capture device (22) for capturing energy from the wave (12), or other power source, and the power takeoff transfers this captured energy to the transformer (16). An accumulator (18) may be provided for storing and selectively discharging the captured energy to a generator (20) to produce electricity. At least part of the captured energy may be fed back through the transformer (16) to facilitate control over the phase and/or position of the energy capture device (22) relative to the wave (12) or other energy source.

Abstract: A marine craft recovery system for recovering a marine craft to a mother ship comprises a marine craft engagement apparatus and at least a pair of tensile members between the marine craft engagement apparatus and the mother ship. The marine craft engagement apparatus is configured to engage at least a portion of the marine craft, such as the hull. The pair of tensile members is configured to pull the marine craft engagement apparatus towards respective first and second anchor points on the mother ship. The system is configured to transport the marine craft engagement apparatus across a body of water towards the mother ship.

Abstract: An engagement apparatus for use in the deployment and recovery of a marine craft from a mother ship comprises a receptacle provided on one of the marine craft and the mother ship and an engagement probe provided on the other of the marine craft and the mother ship. The receptacle has a number of spaced channels which receive the engagement probe, engagement between the probe and the channels facilitating alignment between the marine craft and the mother ship. A locking device is also provided to secure the probe to the receptacle to secure the marine craft to the mother ship for recovery. The locking device may be activated by full engagement between the probe and the receptacle.

Abstract: An engagement apparatus for use in the deployment and recovery of a marine craft from a mother ship comprises a receptacle provided on one of the marine craft and the mother ship and an engagement probe provided on the other of the marine craft and the mother ship. The receptacle has a number of spaced channels which receive the engagement probe, engagement between the probe and the channels facilitating alignment between the marine craft and the mother ship. A locking device is also provided to secure the probe to the receptacle to secure the marine craft to the mother ship for recovery. The locking device may be activated by full engagement between the probe and the receptacle.

Abstract: A marine craft recovery system for recovering a marine craft to a mother ship comprises a marine craft engagement apparatus and at least a pair of tensile members between the marine craft engagement apparatus and the mother ship. The marine craft engagement apparatus is configured to engage at least a portion of the marine craft, such as the hull. The pair of tensile members is configured to pull the marine craft engagement apparatus towards respective first and second anchor points on the mother ship. The system is configured to transport the marine craft engagement apparatus across a body of water towards the mother ship.

Abstract: An actuator (10) for use in controlling movement of a component (22) of a seagoing vessel comprises a cylinder (12) for coupling to a vessel hull (14) and an actuator shaft (18). A distal end (20) of the shaft (18) is coupled to the component whose movement is to be controlled and, in use, a control force (Fc) is applied to the shaft (18) to control movement of the shaft (18) from a first position, retracted, position to a second, extended, position. The actuator (10) is compliant in response to an opposing force exceeding a selected force to prevent or mitigate damage to the component (22) and/or the actuator 10 which may otherwise result from the opposing force.

Abstract: An energy converter device includes a reactive hydraulic power transformer (16) for converting periodic and variable hydraulic energy into coherent hydraulic energy. The device may also form a sub-system in energy converter systems for converting kinetic energy, for example from a wave (12), into electricity. The system has a power takeoff (14) including an energy capture device (22) for capturing energy from the wave (12), or other power source, and the power takeoff transfers this captured energy to the transformer (16). An accumulator (18) may be provided for storing and selectively discharging the captured energy to a generator (20) to produce electricity. At least part of the captured energy may be fed back through the transformer (16) to facilitate control over the phase and/or position of the energy capture device (22) relative to the wave (12) or other energy source.

Abstract: A cable handling device for use in the deployment and/or retrieval of a cable comprises a drum which provides mounting for a number of grooved rings, the rings receiving a cable thereabout. The drum forms an inner bearing race with each ring forming an outer bearing race such that the rings are independently and rotatably coupled to the drum. A second drum having one or more grooved ring is provided and the cable can be wound around the first and second drums. In use, one or both of the drums is rotated and the device is adapted to control the tension in the cable and/or to mitigate distortion in the cable caused by slippage between the cable and the device.

Abstract: Turning gear apparatus for rotating a shaft comprises a rotary drive arrangement and a transmission system including a pivot arm. The rotary drive arrangement is fixed, for example to a vessel hull, and the pivot arm is pivotable between a first, shaft-disengaged, position and a second, shaft-engaged position where the rotary drive arrangement is operably coupled to the shaft, thereby permitting control over rotation of the shaft by the rotary drive arrangement.

Abstract: A cable handling device for use in the deployment and/or retrieval of a cable comprises a drum which provides mounting for a number of grooved rings, the rings receiving a cable thereabout. The drum forms an inner bearing race with each ring forming an outer bearing race such that the rings are independently and rotatably coupled to the drum. A second drum having one or more grooved ring is provided and the cable can be wound around the first and second drums. In use, one or both of the drums is rotated and the device is adapted to control the tension in the cable and/or to mitigate distortion in the cable caused by slippage between the cable and the device.

Abstract: A method and system is utilized to produce an output corresponding to a safety level, particularly in relation to an activity on a moving body. The method involving producing an output corresponding to the ability to perform an operation within a safe limit on a moving vessel. The method comprising the steps of acquiring real time data from instrumentation on the vessel indicative of first and second elements of vessel motion relevant to the safety of the operation. Processing the data relating to each element of motion. Scaling the data relating to each element to a common scale to provide first and second values relating to the respective elements of vessel motion. Determining which value is of greatest significance and providing a output indicative of the greatest value.