Abstract: A flow controller for the hopper of a self-unloading ship controls the flow of particulate material from the hopper. The controller is a throat having an opening and a movable gate to open and close the opening. The gate has a sloped central surface that blocks the opening. When the gate is open, particulate material in the hopper flows out of the hopper through the opening and onto the central surface. From the central surface the particulate materials flow onto the conveyor system of the self-unloading ship. The throat has a seal surrounding the opening with a corresponding bead surrounding the central surface on the gate. When the gate and throat are in a closed position, the gate is water-tight. When the gate is open, the seal is located away from the flow of material.

Abstract: An unloading marine leg for a self-unloading ship including a bucket conveyor for removing granular material from the hold of a ship, the marine leg including a distal end and a discharge end with the discharge end being pivotally mounted to a carriage on a travelling bridge on the deck of the ship. The travelling bridge includes tracks extending athwartship on which the carriage is mounted for athwartship movement and the marine leg can pivot between a vertical position with the distal end near the bottom of the hold and a rest position with the marine leg parallel with the travelling bridge.

Abstract: An oil retriever for recovering heavy oil, including bunker c, from a body of water is a self-contained unit that is maneuverable independently of land. The retriever has two pontoons that are spaced apart and parallel from one another. Across the front of the pontoons, there is rotatably mounted a cylindrically-shaped drum with closed ends. The drum is light enough to float on the oil and/or water. The drum is rotated about its longitudinal central axis by a reversible variable speed motor. There are two scrapers extending along the entire rearward side of the drum. A first scraper forms a line of contact with the drum but a second scraper is out of contact with the drum. Between the pontoons to the rear of the drum is a storage tank that is initially filled with water. Most of the storage tank is located below the water surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for containing and feeding particulate material tending to pack into a mass from an elongated hopper having opposed sloping walls converging downward and inward towards each other to terminal margins presenting between them an elongated laterally restricted outlet for directing material onto a conveyor below. Gates are provided to close the outlet for containing the material and to open the outlet to discharge it onto the conveyor belt. Baffles within the hopper are provided to divide the cargo at a level spaced above the outlet into several piles which merge above and below the outlet. In this way the material is channelled to the outlet so that lateral arches which may be formed in the material are prevented or broken up to assure feeding. Pressure may be relieved on some of the piles by flanges extending laterally of the baffles. The invention also includes the combination of gates equipped to break up longitudinal arches with baffles to prevent the formation of lateral arches.

Abstract: The off loading of bulk particulate cargo from self unloading ships creates considerable dust. A self erecting canopy arrangement is described which connects between a ship's boom and a dockside hopper and which can adjust to sudden movement of the boom created by the effect of wind and waves on the ship. The canopy comprises a pliant skirt and resilient, self supporting means such as an inflatable framework for supporting the skirt.

Abstract: In a hopper or the like wherein the flow of particulate material is controlled by a gate the improvement wherein the gate is mounted to be swingable towards an open position within the hopper so as to break arches and rat holes which form in the material above the gate or a gate adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Conveyor apparatus in which there is a first conveyor for transporting material in one direction and a second conveyor for transporting material in a different direction. Between the respective conveyors there is a rotatable deflector dish having a concave surface in a position to intercept material discharged from the first conveyor and to deliver it to the second conveyor. The deflector dish is mounted so that it is rotated, at least partially, by the momentum of the material received from the first conveyor.

Abstract: A navigation channel is made in the ice covering the surface of a waterway by propelling a vessel so that its bow breaks the ice to form a channel having a width of the beam of the ship and an auxiliary channel is similarly formed at each side of the ship in rear of its bow to provide leeway for the ship to turn. As the ship is turned, the auxiliary channel is enlarged by breaking the ice on the edge of the auxiliary channel toward the stern of the ship to give it greater leeway to turn. The auxiliary channel may be broken out by fin means projecting from the side of the ship effective to exert forward, upward and outward force against the ice blanket to break pieces from it.

Abstract: A reclaimer apparatus is positioned in an elongated bulk material containing hopper or cargo hold of the type having opposed side walls which slope downwardly and inwardly toward the hopper bottom, the latter having a series of longitudinally extending discharge openings therein for discharging the bulk material on to a conveyor running lengthwise of the hopper. The reclaimer apparatus includes a rigid frame adapted to be located above the discharge openings and means for propelling the frame along the hopper bottom. The reclaimer has cutters thereon adapted to cut through bulk material, such as coal, in planes lying generally parallel to and adjacent the sloping side walls whereby to undercut the bulk mateial and to cause same to cascade downwardly and along the side walls and through the discharge openings.