Abstract: A semi-submersible offshore vessel including a rectangular ring-pontoon having a first transverse pontoon section at a first end of the vessel and a parallel second transverse pontoon section at a second end of the vessel, and two parallel pontoon sections extending between the first and the second end of the vessel. Four support columns extend upwardly from respective edge-portions of the ring-pontoon to support an upper deck structure. The first pontoon section has a vertical mean cross-section area (A) which exceeds the corresponding vertical mean cross-section area (B) of the second pontoon section, and the support columns in the second column pair each has a water-plane area (F) which exceeds the water-plane area (D) of each of the support columns in the first column pair.

Abstract: A semi-submersible offshore vessel (1) exhibiting a first end (2), for example constituting the forward end of the vessel, and a second end (4), for example constituting the aft end of the vessel (1), or vice versa, wherein the vessel (1) includes a substantially rectangular ring-pontoon (6) including a first transverse pontoon section (10) located at the first end (2) of the vessel (1); a second transverse pontoon section (12) located at the second end (4) of the vessel (1), the second transverse pontoon section (12) being parallel to the first transverse pontoon section (10), the ring-pontoon (6) further including two mutually parallel longitudinal pontoon sections (14) extending between the first (2) and the second end (4) of the vessel (1); at least four support columns (16, 18, 20, 22) extending upwardly from respective edge-portions (23) of said ring-pontoon (2), the support columns (16, 18, 20, 22) being arranged in a first column pair (24) located at the first end (2) of the vessel (1) and a second co

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable appliance charging system, comprising an adapter unit and a power supply unit, comprising means for coupling the power supply unit to an electrical device, and normal mains coupling means, current being supplied to the electrical device when the power supply unit is coupled to the mains power supply. The adapter unit comprises means for electrically coupling the adapter unit to the mains coupling means of the power supply unit, and adapter mains coupling means for electrically coupling the adapter unit to the mains power supply. The power supply unit and the adapter unit also comprise corresponding releasable connection means for physically securing said adapter unit to said power supply unit to ensure continuous electrical contact therebetween. Preferably, the adapter mains coupling means comprises an adapter pin arrangement which is a conventional pin arrangement specific to a is standard plug socket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery charging unit comprising a housing having a current supply means provided therein for supplying current to an electrical or electronic apparatus located remote from the battery charging unit, coupling means provided on the housing for coupling the current supply means to a mains power supply, means for coupling the remote apparatus to the current supply means, comprising a cable, and a reel provided in the housing for storing the cable in the housing when the battery charging unit is not in use, and allowing the cable to be dispensed when required. This has the advantage that by having a device around which the cable remains wound during storage and from which the cable is simply unwound from the charging unit when it is required eliminates the unsightly and messy bunching of the cable which is a feature of known charging units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery charging unit comprising a housing having a current supply means provided therein for supplying current to an electrical or electronic apparatus located remote from the battery charging unit, coupling means provided on the housing for coupling the current supply means to a mains power supply, means for coupling the remote apparatus to the current supply means, comprising a cable, and a reel provided in the housing for storing the cable in the housing when the battery charging unit is not in use, and allowing the cable to be dispensed when required. This has the advantage that by having a device around which the cable remains wound during storage and from which the cable is simply unwound from the charging unit when it is required eliminates the unsightly and messy bunching of the cable which is a feature of known charging units.