Abstract: A dolly is particularly adapted to lift, support and maneuver a 20-foot shipping container. A shipping container support frame also supports a shipping container capture assembly. The capture assembly includes a pair of parallel, opposing shipping container capture slides. A pair of hydraulic jacks is attached to each capture slide. The jacks move shipping container engagements pins vertically. The slides move the shipping container laterally and the jacks move it vertically to pick it up and allow the support frame to move under the container. The support frame has steerable wheels for movement. Counterweights or auxiliary container stabilizers are unnecessary.

Abstract: The inventive control system, as typically embodied, includes sensing mechanisms, a computational processing unit, and an algorithm for processing inputs and generating outputs to control a rotating pedestal crane equipped with a Rider Block Tagline System (RBTS). Typical inventive embodiments uniquely feature a processing algorithm that distributes various control modes that operate not only through the crane's hoisting, luffing, and slewing mechanisms but also through the crane's RBTS; the inventive algorithm thereby effectuates motion compensation and pendulation damping with respect to the crane. This algorithmic allocation of control represents a more efficient crane anti-pendulation methodology than conventional methodologies; in particular, the inventive methodology exerts significantly greater control of the payload while exacting significantly less burden upon the hoisting, luffing, and slewing mechanisms of the crane.

Abstract: A method is provided for quantifying design parameters for a moving mass ship roll stimulation system given a maximum angle of roll &thgr;MAX to be induced for a ship, a righting moment RM per degree of list for the ship, a natural roll period TN, a damping ratio &zgr; for the ship and a center of gravity for the ship. A total induced moment expression at the natural roll period TN is determined for the moving mass ship roll stimulation system as a function of a plurality of design parameters therefor. The total induced moment expression is equated to 2&zgr;&thgr;MAXRM and values for the design parameters are selected to satisfy the equality.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing sea state induced vertical motion of a shipboard crane's load. Sea state induced vertical velocity of the crane's suspended load is determined as a function of: i) the horizontal radial distance the load extends from the crane's axis of rotation, and ii) motion of the ship at the crane's axis of rotation. The load is then moved vertically at a speed that is defined as being equal to the vertical velocity in a direction that is opposite that of the vertical velocity.

Abstract: A method is provided to automatically control a cranes's rider block lifte and taglines. Current position of the crane's rider block is determined in terms of its horizontal and vertical coordinates, as well as in terms of the inhaul angle of the liftline. A matrix is then generated that defines i) incremental change in the rider block's horizontal coordinate with respect to incremental change in each of the boom angle, a length of the liftline and a length of the taglines, ii) incremental change in the vertical coordinate with respect to incremental change in each of the boom angle and lengths of the liftline and taglines, and iii) incremental change in the sine of the inhaul angle with respect to incremental change in each of the boom angle and lengths of the liftline and taglines. A vector defining velocity criteria for the rider block is provided. The velocity criteria is defined in terms of horizontal motion of the rider block, vertical motion of the rider block and rate of change of the inhaul angle.