Abstract: A self-leveling hydraulic motor driven boat lift includes proximal and distal support structures disposed on respective longitudinal sides of a lift platform. A pair of proximal and distal hydraulic motors are operably mounted to the proximal and distal support structures respectively. Each hydraulic motor is operably connected to a respective winder mechanism. A lift cable assembly is operably interconnected between the winder mechanism and a respective side of the lift platform. Each hydraulic motor is reversible and communicably connected to a respective hydraulic pump, which transmits hydraulic fluid between the pump and the connected motor for operating the motor and selectively driving the connected winder mechanism and cable assembly to selectively raise and lower the lift platform. A respective restrictor valve interconnects each hydraulic pump and that pump's corresponding hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A cylinder mounting assembly for a hydraulic boat lift includes a plurality of H-frame components for pivotally connecting a pair of bunks to side beams of the lift. A trailing pair of hydraulic cylinder actuators pivotally interconnect the side beams to respective trailing H-frame components. The cylinders are selectively operated to pivot the trailing H-frame components closed such that a first longitudinal channel of each trailing H-frame component receives a respective actuator and an opposite, second longitudinal channel of the trailing H-frame component receivably interengages a respective side beam, which lowers the bunks of the lift sufficiently to facilitate driving a vessel onto and launching a vessel from the lift in shallow water conditions.

Abstract: A method for managing and delivering content associated with a communication channel is disclosed. The method may include uploading multiple pieces of content to a server. The method may further include sending messages to corresponding subscribers to the communication channel. The messages may include links to a given piece of content uploaded to the server. The method may also include monitoring access to a particular piece of content uploaded to the server and, in response to determining that the particular piece of content has been accessed, sending a follow-up message to a particular subscriber who accessed the particular piece of content.

Abstract: A method for managing and delivering content associated with a communication channel is disclosed. The method may include uploading multiple pieces of content to a server. The method may further include sending messages to corresponding subscribers to the communication channel. The messages may include links to a given piece of content uploaded to the server. The method may also include monitoring access to a particular piece of content uploaded to the server and, in response to determining that the particular piece of content has been accessed, sending a follow-up message to a particular subscriber who accessed the particular piece of content.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of vehicles, each having disposed onboard a location device, a communication device, a control system, and an energy storage device. Thea control system may determine vehicle locations of one or more vehicles of the plurality of vehicles and states of charge of the energy storage devices onboard the one or more vehicles. The control system may communicate with the communication devices of the one or more vehicles and may direct which of one or more vehicles are to couple with each other, and thereby be powered by electric energy stored in the energy storage devices onboard the one or more vehicles directed to couple. The control system may direct which of the one or more vehicles are to couple with and be powered by the electric energy of the energy storage devices based on one or more of: the vehicle locations and the states of charge of the vehicle energy storage devices.

Abstract: A hydraulic boat lift includes an underlying framework and a pair of elongate bunks. Each bunk is pivotally connected to the framework by a respective pair of leading and trailing vertical support beams. A respective hydraulic cylinder actuator operatively interengages each trailing vertical support beam and its connected bunk. The actuators operate to selectively alternate the lift between raised and lowered conditions.

Abstract: A control system including one or more processors that may determine vehicle locations of one or more vehicles and states of charge of vehicle energy storage devices onboard the one or more vehicles. The control system may include an energy chassis having a fuel source holding a supply of fuel, an energy converter to convert at least a portion of the supply of the fuel from the fuel source into electric energy, and a communication device to communicate with the processors. The processors may direct which of the one or more vehicles are to couple with and be powered by the electric energy of the energy chassis based on one or more of: the vehicle locations, the states of charge of the vehicle energy storage devices, an amount of the supply of the fuel of the energy chassis, and a chassis location of the energy chassis.

Abstract: A boat lift bunk includes elongate bottom and top walls and a pair of elongate first and second side walls that interconnect the bottom and top walls. The first side wall includes at least one longitudinal T-slot for receiving and retaining the head of a threaded connector such that a threaded post of the connector extends exteriorly of the first wall of the bunk for connecting the bunk to a cradle beam or other underlying supportive boat lift structure.

Abstract: A limit switch device for a boat lift includes a lower gear connected to and rotated by a drive shaft of the boat lift, and an interengaged upper gear operatively connected to an electronics module of the limit switch. The interengaged gears are enclosed within a gear housing that is sufficiently narrow to restrict the gears from laterally disengaging one another. The limit switch electronics module is mounted above the drive shaft and disposed interiorly of the gear mechanism. The module does not protrude beyond the frame bearing blocks that rotatably support the drive shaft and winder of the boat lift.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking unit fractionator comprising a fractionator column having a slurry pumparound section and a bottom liquid section. The slurry pumparound section comprises an upper bed and a lower bed each disposed in the fractionator column. The slurry pumparound section further comprises an upper liquid distributor (such as a spray header comprising a plurality of upper nozzles) disposed above the upper bed and configured to distribute liquid from the bottom liquid section onto the upper bed. The slurry pumparound section also comprises a lower liquid distributor (such as a spray header comprising a plurality of lower nozzles) disposed below the upper bed and above the lower bed and configured to distribute liquid from the bottom liquid section onto the lower bed.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking unit fractionator comprising a fractionator column having a slurry pumparound section and a bottom liquid section. The slurry pumparound section comprises an upper bed and a lower bed each disposed in the fractionator column. The slurry pumparound section further comprises an upper liquid distributor (such as a spray header comprising a plurality of upper nozzles) disposed above the upper bed and configured to distribute liquid from the bottom liquid section onto the upper bed. The slurry pumparound section also comprises a lower liquid distributor (such as a spray header comprising a plurality of lower nozzles) disposed below the upper bed and above the lower bed and configured to distribute liquid from the bottom liquid section onto the lower bed.

Abstract: A floating marine dock employs a plurality of spaced-apart suction float elements. Each element includes a foam filled plastic shell having a plurality of suction pockets that extend vertically upwardly through and beyond a bottom wall section of the shell to an upper end within the shell.

Abstract: A cylinder mounting assembly for a hydraulic boat lift includes a plurality of H-frame components for pivotally connecting a pair of bunks to side beams of the lift. A trailing pair of hydraulic cylinder actuators pivotally interconnect the side beams to respective trailing H-frame components. The cylinders are selectively operated to pivot the trailing H-frame components closed such that a first longitudinal channel of each trailing H-frame component receives a respective actuator and an opposite, second longitudinal channel of the trailing H-frame component receivably interengages a respective side beam, which lowers the bunks of the lift sufficiently to facilitate driving a vessel onto and launching a vessel from the lift in shallow water conditions.

Abstract: A dock stabilizing pile guide device includes a frame attached to a floating dock and enclosing a respective piling. The frame carries a plurality of rollers that rotatably interengage the piling and guide the dock upwardly and downwardly along the piling as the depth of the underlying water changes.

Abstract: A control system including one or more processors that may determine vehicle locations of one or more vehicles and states of charge of vehicle energy storage devices onboard the one or more vehicles. The control system may include an energy chassis having a fuel source holding a supply of fuel, an energy converter to convert at least a portion of the supply of the fuel from the fuel source into electric energy, and a communication device to communicate with the processors. The processors may direct which of the one or more vehicles are to couple with and be powered by the electric energy of the energy chassis based on one or more of: the vehicle locations, the states of charge of the vehicle energy storage devices, an amount of the supply of the fuel of the energy chassis, and a chassis location of the energy chassis.

Abstract: A control system and method determine an energy demand associated with delivery of cargo in a trip. The energy demand represents how much electric energy is needed to move cargo vehicles that carry the cargo through the trip. Locations of energy tenders and states of charge of the energy tenders are determined. A schedule for the cargo vehicles to deliver the cargo to a delivery location within a delivery time slot is determined. This schedule is determined based on the energy demand, the locations of the energy tenders, and the states of charge of the energy tenders. The system and method direct which of the energy tenders that the cargo vehicles are to couple with, be powered by, and move with for powering the cargo along routes to the delivery location of the trip within the designated time slot.

Abstract: An illuminated guide pole for a watercraft-supporting structure includes an elongate LED light source enclosed within a waterproof housing mounted to the supporting structure. The housing includes a transparent pipe for surrounding the LED light source. The light source is electrically connected to a source of power and may include an LED whip light device.

Abstract: A limit switch device for a boat lift includes a lower gear connected to and rotated by a drive shaft of the boat lift, and an interengaged upper gear operatively connected to an electronics module of the limit switch. The interengaged gears are enclosed within a gear housing that is sufficiently narrow to restrict the gears from laterally disengaging one another. The limit switch electronics module is mounted above the drive shaft and disposed interiorly of the gear mechanism. The module does not protrude beyond the frame bearing blocks that rotatably support the drive shaft and winder of the boat lift.

Abstract: A system includes a location unit to direct one or more distributions of electrical signals through different conductive pathways of conductive pathways to plural components of an electric system. The location unit receives a modified version of one or more of the electric signals that is modified by passage through one or more of the conductive pathways. The location unit determines a location of an electric fault based on a position where the modified version is measured in its passage through one or more conductive pathways. A coupling unit couples the location unit to the electrical system. A method includes distributing plural electrical signals through different conductive pathways to several components of an electric system, receiving a modified version of one or more electric signals, and determining a location of an electric fault in the electric system based on a position where the modified version is measured in its passage.

Abstract: A dock stabilizing pile guide device includes a frame attached to a floating dock and enclosing a respective piling. The frame carries a plurality of rollers that rotatably interengage the piling and guide the dock upwardly and downwardly along the piling as the depth of the underlying water changes.