Abstract: A bulk material unloader includes parallel, spaced-apart main and back barges or pontoons which are held in fixed relationship with respect to each other by four collar frames. Two parallel cargo lighters are positioned between pontoons and the unloader is moored alongside ship. The two midship collar frames support a two-legged main tower over the main barge and a two-legged back tower over the back barge. A horizontal boom assembly includes a back bridge extending between the towers and an outboard boom supported by the towers and normally extending away from the back bridge and over the ship in parallel, end-to-end alignment with the back bridge.

Abstract: A barge unloading terminal comprises a floating dock having platforms and a trough therebetween, a carrier in the nature of a plurality of rings is positioned within the trough, a barge is secured within the carrier, both the carrier and barge are adapted to ride upwardly along a ramp on one side of the trough, a plurality of hoppers in the one of the platforms, an A-frame on the platforms spanning the trough, and cables attached to the carrier at their ends and to a power source at their opposite ends whereby operation of the power source causes the carrier and barge to rise out of the trough and water and roll upwardly along the ramp to a point where the contents of the barge are discharged into the hoppers.

Abstract: Acid industrial waste containing calcium sulfate is reacted and neutralized with another alkaline industrial waste preferably containing iron oxide and aluminum oxide, mixed with water and stabilized with either Portland cement of fly ash to produce a chemically neutral and useful product in the form of soil cement.

Abstract: A crane structure is mounted on a platform and has a tower assembly with spaced apart columns spanned at their upper extremities by an upper structure. A gantry includes a central section, fixedly secured on the upper structure, and first and second outer gantry sections. The outer sections are pivotally connected to the central section, and are movable between horizontal operating positions and generally vertical transport positions. The gantry sections have at least two vertically spaced series of tracks thereon. In the upper tracks a counterweight is mounted on casters or rollers, and a lift trolley is similarly disposed on the lower tracks. A sheave and winch assembly interconnects the counterweight and the lift trolley through a cable arrangement, whereby corresponding movements of the counterweight and the lift trolley are effected through operation of the winch. The lift trolley is adapted to travel substantially the full lengths of the gantry sections when the sections are in operating positions.

Abstract: A constant balance crane has a control tower and a plurality of gantry members mounted on the tower between its base and its upper section. Trolleys on the gantries are movably mounted, and a lift mechanism is provided on at least one trolley. On at least one other trolley a counterweight is carried. The lift and counterweight trolleys are propelled on the gantries by a hydraulic system or the like which is partially manual and partially automatically responsive to the downward moments on the gantry to adjust the counterweight trolley to a load balancing position, and to continuously adjust the counterweights relative to the load such that constant balance is maintained. In modified embodiments, the counterweight trolley travels in a horizontal plane that is vertically spaced from the plane of travel of the load trolley.

Abstract: A crane assembly mounted on a buoyant barge has a vertical column with a cross boom, the boom including outer extremities. A trolley is movably mounted on the boom, and has lift means for engagement with articles to be loaded and unloaded. A buoyant counterweight is attached to one of the extremities of the boom by a cable of fixed length, and the other extremity of the boom is secured to the loading and unloading site. The counterweight resists tilt moments on the boom responsive to movement of the weight of the lifted article along the boom, and overturn is prevented in other positions of the article weight by the attachment of the boom to the site.

Abstract: A buoyant barge mounted crane has a vertical tower with a horizontal gantry. On the gantry is a cargo transfer assembly including a trolley and lift mechanism. A balance load is mounted on one end of the gantry, and the opposite end of the gantry is connected by a cable to a floating counterweight barge. As the trolley travels horizontally on the gantry, the counterweight barge maintains equilibrium of the crane through the transfer of weight through the cable.

Abstract: A crane for lifting of objects has a base and a substantially vertical column assembly extending from the base. A cross truss is mounted on the column, and cables are pivotally secured to the truss and fixed to the top of the column. Movably mounted on one side of the column on the truss is a lift assembly which includes a hoist cable and winding means, and a movable counterweight assembly is operatively disposed on the truss on the opposite side of the column. Tilt sensors on the column result in movement of the counterweight assembly to compensate for weight applied at the hoist cable, and thus balance the truss.The crane is either land mounted, or attached to a buoyant vessel.The truss has a track and rollers for hanger arms of the counterweight and lift assembly.

Abstract: A horizontal gantry centered on the vertical tower of a crane supports on each side of the tower trolleys which move in unison in opposite directions at similar speed towards and away from the tower. Bulk material buckets are suspended from respective trolleys by vertical hoist cables. Sensors sense the loads of the buckets which are then compared, and the hoist and trolley drive motors are controlled to maintain load equilibrium on the crane to permit the buckets to be raised and the trolleys moved only when substantially equal loads are carried by the buckets.