Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for powering and controlling the operation of large diesel-electric off-road haulers of the type in which hauler drive wheels are propelled and retarded by DC electric wheel motors powered from on-board generators, optionally supplemented by DC power, from external trolley lines. In the disclosed system, thyristor-type converters connected into the system AC power grid are used to receive supplemental external power from DC trolley lines and supply it into the AC power distribution grid in the propel mode. The use of such thyristor-type converters makes possible the use of supplemental trolley line power without provision of separate switching or control gear to operate the DC wheel motors when trolley line power is received.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for powering and controlling the operation of large diesel-electric off-road haulers of the type in which hauler drive wheels are propelled and retarded by DC electric wheel motors powered from on-board generators, optionally supplemented by DC power, from external trolley lines. In the disclosed system, thyristor-type converters connected into the system AC power grid are used to receive supplemental external power from DC trolley lines and supply it into the AC power distribution grid in the propel mode. The use of such thyristor-type converters makes possible the use of supplement trolley line power without provision of separate switching or control gear to operate the DC wheel motors when trolley line power is received.

Abstract: A semi-submersible platform supported on columns with pontoons extending between and outboard of the columns. Damper plates are provided by flat surfaces either on top of the outboard section of the pontoons or by plates positioned on the columns above the pontoons to provide heave and pitch stabilization and motion phase control in relation to the wave action such that when the platform is in the drilling mode, the heave phase of the platform is approximately one hundred eighty degrees out of phase with wave action, and in the survival mode, heave action of the platform is substantially in phase with wave action, such that the platform will ride with the storm waves allowing the use of shorter columns than the current art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for load weight determination of the truck including the steps of loading the truck, sensing the pressure of the tilting cylinders to determine the amount of load, indicating the load weight, providing feedback on the affect of variations in the center of gravity of load to correct the load weight determined and providing a corrected load weight. The apparatus includes a tilting bed truck with the bed hinged to the truck frame and tilted to its dumping position by tilting cylinders, a sensing device for sensing the pressure in the tilting cylinders when they are supporting the bed above its support pad, a data processor having data on truck loading and receiving information on the pressure sensed by the sensing device and having an output to indicating devices of the load weight.

Abstract: A self-mobile gantry frame has disposed thereon a trolley suspending a load lifting frame. The load lifting frame is stabilized against sway in a direction perpendicular to the gantry beam by a stabilizing beam selectively engageable with the load lifting frame.

Abstract: A self-mobile electrically powered machine is provided with an electric cable for supplying power to the machine. The cable is suspended between a rotatable turret, which may include a reel, on the machine and a portable cable tower spaced from the machine. From the cable tower, the cable extends to a remote power source. Constant cable tension is provided by the turret reel, or by a sheaving arrangement on the cable tower. The cable tower base is provided with a slot whereby the machine is used to move the tower to different locations while still being supplied with electricity therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for stabilizing against sway a body suspended by cables from an overhead support. The apparatus includes first and second opposed rigid stabilizing members pivotally connected at their lower ends to the body, guides carried by the overhead support for guiding the upper ends of the stabilizing members for pivotal and longitudinal movement relative to the overhead support and force transmission means interconnecting the stabilizing members for transmitting forces therebetween so as to generate substantially equal and opposed forces for stabilizing the body against sway, without interfering with the raising and lowering of the body by the suspension cables. This abstract is not to be construed in any way to define or limit the invention set forth below.

Abstract: A movable hoisting apparatus having a pair of spaced apart legs with each leg having two substantially vertical columns, beams extending between the forward columns and the rear columns of each leg, a trolley movable along each of the beams, a lifting frame, sheaves mounted on the lifting frame and trolley sheaves mounted on the trolley, a power drum, a cable extending from the power drum in opposite directions, over the trolley sheaves, downward and around the lifting frame sheaves, upward over the trolley sheaves and forming a crossover portion of the cable between the trolley sheaves and variable brake means retarding the movement of the crossover cable portion to reduce swaying motion of the lifting frame and its load without interfering with the raising and lowering of the lifting frame and load.

Abstract: Apparatus which renders a self-elevating drilling platform self-mobile on land and a method of moving the drilling platform employing the apparatus. The self-elevating platform includes a body, forward and rear legs, and means for adjusting the legs by moving the legs with respect to the body and moving the body with respect to the legs. The apparatus includes a launch pad which will be pivotally mounted to the platform beneath the body. In operation, the legs of platform are adjusted so that, alternatively, the launch pad swings forward beneath the body when the pad is elevated off the ground and the body pivots forward around the pad when the pad is on the ground.