Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a clocking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the tie down member may be capable of being located and rotated within the receiving member. The tie down member may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The locking member may include at least one leg capable of being housed within the aperture. The locking member may engage the receiving member once the tie down member is rotated, thereby trapping the item within the tie down apparatus.

Abstract: A subsea suction pile crane system comprises a suction pile and a crane mounted on the suction pile. The crane comprises a rotatable mounting surface, a winch, and a boom having a proximal section attached to the rotatable mounting surface such that the boom can pivot with respect to the mounting surface, and a distal section opposite the proximal section. In embodiments, a plurality of suction piles may be sed. The crane system is typically hydraulically operated. A preferred embodiment of the invention may further comprise a remotely operated vehicle comprising a hydraulic power supply operatively coupled to the crane, and a manipulator arm mounted on the distal section of the boom and operatively coupled to the hydraulic power supply.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a position of an articulated member with respect to a predetermined plane comprise a multi-axis accelerometer mounted to a first movable member of an articulated set of members. The multi-axis accelerometer produces a sinusoidal signal in proportion to a position of the member with respect to a predetermined set of axes of a predetermined plane. An motion controller operatively in communication with the multi-axis accelerometer determines the angle of inclination as the arctangent of two readings obtained from the accelerometer.

Abstract: A jaw for a fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a jaw body having a stepped bearing surface. A jaw assembly for a fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a jaw body, a control handle and a connecting link where the connecting link is pivotally connected to the control handle on the jaw body. A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a base assembly for mounting to a towing vehicle, a head assembly carried on the base assembly and a jaw assembly carried on the head assembly. That jaw assembly includes a jaw body having a stepped bearing surface for engaging a king pin of a trailer.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an underwater sediment evacuation system. The invention uses a suction pile and one or more pumps, valves, and lines to evacuate sediment contained within the internal volume of the suction pile.

Abstract: A subsea tool changer comprises a housing; a rotatable carousel rotatably mounted within the housing and adapted to receive a plurality of selectively removable tools; a tool changer that can select a predetermined one of the plurality of tools from the carousel; and a power drive adapted to provide a predetermined function to a tool selected by the tool changer, the power drive further comprising a first power drive interface. In typical use, a selectively removable tool is placed onto the rotatable carousel which is rotated so that a desired selectively removable tool is positioned adjacent to a tool driver which is then mated with the desired selectively removable tool. The tool changer and mated selected removable tool are moved outward toward an outer boundary of the housing and the tool changer extended at least partially outside the housing outward towards a predetermined tool working position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fifth wheel hitch assembly for mounting on a towing vehicle and receiving a king pin of a trailer. The fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a base assembly, a head assembly carried on the base assembly and a jaw assembly carried on the head assembly. The jaw assembly includes a jaw body displaceable between an open position and a closed position and a control handle connected to the jaw body. The fifth wheel hitch assembly also includes a lock for locking the jaw body in the closed position and a king pin indicator. The king pin indicator is displaceable between a home position in which the king pin indicator prevents engagement of the lock and a king pin sensing position which the lock may be engaged to lock the jaw body in the closed position.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an underwater sediment evacuation system. The invention uses a suction pile and one or more pumps, valves, and lines to evacuate sediment contained within the internal volume of the suction pile.

Abstract: A system for monitoring for loads in a subsea structure comprises one or more sensors disposed proximate a subsea structure such as a blow-out preventer. The sensors are configured to detect an induced load on a subsea structure. The detected load is communicated to a sensor data processor operatively in communication with the strain sensor. Using the detected load data, a load generator such as a remotely operated vehicle or other source of thrust has its thrust output adjusted to induce a load equal in force, but opposite in direction, to the detected induced loads.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments for fifth wheel hitch assemblies are described herein. In one embodiment, a remotely controlled fifth wheel hitch assembly comprises a mounting rail, a head assembly, a locking arm, an actuation mechanism, and a remote control device. The mounting rail is coupled to a towing vehicle and the head assembly is slidably coupled to the mounting rail. The head assembly is capable of securing a trailer to the towing vehicle. The locking arm includes a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the head assembly is statically secured to the mounting rail. The actuation mechanism is coupled to the locking arm to move the locking arm between the locked and unlocked positions. The remote control device is coupled to the actuation mechanism such that the remote control initiates the actuation mechanism to move the locking arm between the locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manipulator arm and drive system that can be operated in multiple modes, including an on or off mode, referred to herein as a “rate mode” or a spatially correspondent (“SC”) mode. The multi-mode manipulator arm and drive system of the present invention can be hydraulically operated subsea.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for distributing the weight of a trailer to a towing vehicle and controlling the sway of that trailer relative to the towing vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention includes a spring arm coupled to the towing vehicle and an attachment mechanism for selectively placing the spring arm in mechanical communication with the trailer. The attachment mechanism includes a bracket assembly reversibly attachable to the trailer; a shoe bracket reversibly attachable to the bracket assembly; and a friction pad coupled to the shoe bracket.

Abstract: Angular movement detectors may be disposed within or proximate to joints in one or more members of articulated arms and linked via one or more communications networks to a controller to provide angular movement data to the controller for use in controlling movement of the articulated arm. The communications networks may be redundant. In an embodiment, the angular movement detector comprises a hydraulic motor drive sensor adapter which uses an eccentrically rotating main shaft to rotate a drive shaft to which the main shaft is loosely connected to further rotate a socket housing about a constant central axis. A trigger mounted in the socket housing generates a detectable field.

Abstract: A multipositionable apparatus for mounting on a receiver assembly carried by a vehicle includes a support frame, a platform carried on the support frame and a linkage for displaceably mounting the platform relative to the frame and positively holding the platform in at least two different positions.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a mounting assembly, an arched base assembly, a head assembly and a jaw assembly carried by the head assembly. The jaw assembly includes a stepped jaw body. The head assembly includes a single piece, weldless and seamless skid plate. The base assembly is modular and includes a pair of legs and a central housing. The base assembly includes feet that are received in cooperating sockets carried by the mounting assembly. The feet may be locked in those sockets.

Abstract: Typical fifth wheel hitch assemblies require the operator to leave the cab of the vehicle to put the fifth wheel hitch assembly into position to receive a king pin of a trailer. The present invention is a fifth wheel hitch assembly that comprises a base assembly, a head assembly pivotally connected to the base assembly about a generally horizontal axis, the head assembly being pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position, and at least one biasing member urging the head assembly into the raised position.

Abstract: Angular movement detectors may be disposed within or proximate to joints in one or more members of articulated arms and linked via one or more communications networks to a controller to provide angular movement data to the controller for use in controlling movement of the articulated arm. The communications networks may be redundant.

Abstract: Vehicle accessory mounting systems are limited in the accessories mountable thereto and interfere with the use of the bed. The present invention, however, is a vehicle accessory mounting system that comprises a frame assembly having an opening and a locking cavity being in communication with the opening, and at least one accessory mounting member capable of being removably mounted within the opening to removably mount an accessory to a vehicle. The accessory mounting member comprises a body, a locking element aperture within the body, and a locking element held within the aperture, the locking element being moveable between a retracted, unlocked position wherein the locking element does not engage the locking cavity and an extended, unlocked position wherein the locking element engages the locking cavity to prevent removal of the mounting member from within the opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer hitch receiver including a cross member, a first mounting flange carried on the cross member between the midpoint and a first end thereof and a second mounting flange carried on the cross member between the midpoint and a second end thereof. The trailer hitch receiver also includes a pair of opposed mounting brackets. Each of the opposed mounting brackets includes a first mounting arrangement or series of apertures that secures the mounting brackets to the cross member in a first position and a second mounting arrangement or second set of mounting apertures for securing the mounting brackets to the main frame member in a second position.