Abstract: A hydraulic piston spud pole for anchoring a vessel may comprise an elongate sleeve having a top, a hydraulic inlet, and a bottom terminating in a bottom aperture, a portion of the elongate sleeve being formed to contain a hydraulic column; a spud pole having a piston vertically-movably seated within the elongate sleeve; and a pump assembly connected to the hydraulic inlet that is preferably activated by a controller to lift or drop the spud pole. The elongate sleeve may comprise a vertically-extending inner surface and a sleeve bearing, and the spud pole may comprise a vertically-extending outer surface configured to fit closely against the sleeve bearing while the piston fits closely against the elongate sleeve's vertically-extending inner surface. The hydraulic column may be defined between the vertically-extending outer surface of the spud pole, the vertically-extending inner surface of the elongate sleeve, the piston, and the sleeve bearing.

Abstract: A hydraulic piston spud pole for anchoring a vessel may comprise an elongate sleeve having a top, a hydraulic inlet, and a bottom terminating in a bottom aperture, a portion of the elongate sleeve being formed to contain a hydraulic column; a spud pole having a piston vertically-movably seated within the elongate sleeve; and a pump assembly connected to the hydraulic inlet that is preferably activated by a controller to lift or drop the spud pole. The elongate sleeve may comprise a vertically-extending inner surface and a sleeve bearing, and the spud pole may comprise a vertically-extending outer surface configured to fit closely against the sleeve bearing while the piston fits closely against the elongate sleeve’s vertically-extending inner surface. The hydraulic column may be defined between the vertically-extending outer surface of the spud pole, the vertically-extending inner surface of the elongate sleeve, the piston, and the sleeve bearing.

Abstract: An edifice such as a sports stadium is adapted for open use during good weather as well as for covered use during poor weather by having at least one movable roof member. Each movable roof member includes a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to permit the roof member to move in a predetermined path with respect to the underlying structure of the edifice. The transport mechanism includes structure for supporting both ends of the roof member, which bridges an otherwise open area of the edifice. In order to permit some flexure and movement of the roof member with respect to the underlying edifice, as will inevitably occur as a result of natural forces such as winds, orientation structure is provided for maintaining the transport mechanism in a predetermined orientation while simultaneously permitting a limited amount of movement of the roof member in a direction that is nonparallel to the predetermined path of movement.

Abstract: A stadium that is adapted for open use during good weather as well as for covered use during poor weather includes a foundation and a pair of movable end roof members that are movable between first, retracted positions and second, operational positions for covering first and second end areas, respectively, of the stadium. The stadium also includes a center roof member that is movable between a retracted position and an operational position for covering a center area of the stadium. All of the roof members are supported for movement between the retracted positions and the operational positions by a guide and support assembly that includes at least one rail member that is secured to the foundation and a plurality of independently suspended follower assemblies that are mounted to the respective roof member.

Abstract: A stadium that is adapted for open use during good weather as well as for covered use during poor weather includes a foundation and a pair of movable end roof members that are movable between first, retracted positions and second, operational positions for covering first and second end areas, respectively, of the stadium. The stadium also includes a center roof member that is movable between a retracted position and an operational position for covering a center area of the stadium. All of the roof members are supported for movement between the retracted positions and the operational positions by a guide and support assembly that includes at least one rail member that is secured to the foundation and a plurality of independently suspended follower assemblies that are mounted to the respective roof member.

Abstract: An improved facility for supporting the main landing gear assembly and the nose wheel assembly of a commercial jetliner is quickly adjustable so as to be able to accommodate different aircraft models. The facility includes a nose wheel lift platform system that includes an elongated pit, a support platform that is supported in the pit and is adapted to support an aircraft's nose wheel assembly, and a number of spacer blocks for covering portions of the elongated pit that are not covered by the support platform. The support platform is mounted on a trolley which is equipped to move the support platform up or down as well as lengthwise along the pit. The spacer blocks are slidable along the upper opening of the pit. By moving the trolley beneath a spacer block and engaging the spacer block with the support platform, an operator can move the spacer blocks with the support platform.

Abstract: An improved system and method are provided for removing material coatings or contaminants such as paints from a structure. The system and method include a radiant energy source, such as a flashlamp, for irradiating the target area of the structure with the radiant energy sufficient to initiate the pyrolysis and/or ablation of the coating or contaminant and a low temperature carbon dioxide stream which is directed at the target area to disperse the material from the structure, clean the exposed surface and cool the underlying substrate. The low temperature carbon dioxide stream is formed from a liquid carbon dioxide from a liquid carbon dioxide source which undergoes phase transition to yield a predetermined amount of low temperature carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide snow. The system and method eliminate the need for a carbon dioxide pelletizer, a carbon dioxide pellet transport hopper, and a compressed carrier gas which are used in related systems.

Abstract: A system for servicing and maintaining an aircraft includes a fuselage dock assembly having a first ground-supported column, a second ground-supported column and a walkway section supported by the first and second columns. The system also includes a tail dock assembly having a recess defined therein for receiving a tail section of an aircraft, and an engine stand for servicing an engine of the aircraft that is not readily accessible from the fuselage dock assembly or the tail dock assembly. Structure is also provided for adjusting the height and inclination of the walkway section relative to a horizontal plane, so that the walkway section will conform to the natural inclination of a particular aircraft. The system includes several other novel and advantageous features for increasing the safety and efficiency of aircraft maintenance.

Abstract: A system for servicing and maintaining an aircraft includes a fuselage dock assembly having a first ground-supported column, a second ground-supported column and a walkway section supported by the first and second columns. The system also includes a tail dock assembly having a recess defined therein for receiving a tail section of an aircraft, and an engine stand for servicing an engine of the aircraft that is not readily accessible from the fuselage dock assembly or the tail dock assembly. Structure is also provided for adjusting the height and inclination of the walkway section relative to a horizontal plane, so that the walkway section will conform to the natural inclination of a particular aircraft. The system includes several other novel and advantageous features for increasing the safety and efficiency of aircraft maintenance.

Abstract: A system for servicing and maintaining an aircraft includes a fuselage dock assembly having a first ground-supported column, a second ground-supported column and a walkway section supported by the first and second columns. The system also includes a tail dock assembly having a recess defined therein for receiving a tail section of an aircraft, and an engine stand for servicing an engine of the aircraft that is not readily accessible from the fuselage dock assembly or the tail dock assembly. Structure is also provided for adjusting the height and inclination of the walkway section relative to a horizontal plane, so that the walkway section will conform to the natural inclination of a particular aircraft. The system includes serveral other novel and advantageous features for increasing the safety and efficiency of aircraft maintenance.