Abstract: The invention relates to a stroke transmitter for an actuator device. The stroke transmitter comprises a first and a second conversion unit, which are mechanically connected to one another in series, wherein the first conversion unit is designed as a hydraulic conversion unit, it can be connected to an actuator on its drive side and it is connected to the drive side of the second conversion unit on its output side, wherein the second conversion unit is designed as a cable system and has an output element on its output side. The invention also relates to an actuator device comprising an actuator and a stroke transmitter mechanically connected in series with the actuator.

Abstract: A man over board rescue system 100 may comprise a main body 200 with the main body quickly and easily being attached and detached to a ship's bitt. Thus, the system may be quickly set up prior to departing and quickly put away at the end of a voyage. The system allows for the fast and efficient rescue of a person overboard without need for a rescuer to enter the water or to risk bodily injury in retrieving a person in the water. The system provides secure mechanical means allowing for a winch to be used in the support of a person which is a significant departure from the prior art.

Abstract: A man over board rescue system 100 may comprise a main body 200 with the main body quickly and easily being attached and detached to a ship's bitt. Thus, the system may be quickly set up prior to departing and quickly put away at the end of a voyage. The system allows for the fast and efficient rescue of a person overboard without need for a rescuer to enter the water or to risk bodily injury in retrieving a person in the water. The system provides secure mechanical means allowing for a winch to be used in the support of a person which is a significant departure from the prior art.

Abstract: A cable-direction-adaptive ROV winch applied to non-DP-equipped motherships, includes a non-DP-equipped mothership, an A-shaped support and a winch cable-drawing roller provided on the non-DP-equipped mothership, and an underwater vehicle. A pulley is rotatably connected to the A-shaped support, the underwater vehicle is connected to an umbilical cable, the umbilical cable passes around the pulley to be connected to the winch cable-drawing roller, and a locating unit for guiding the umbilical cable is provided on the non-DP-equipped mothership. The A-shaped support is provided with a rod. The pulley includes a sliding section and a rotating section, and the sliding section is annular and slides on the rod along a direction of the rod. The rod has a groove, and a bulge portion is formed on the sliding section. The rotating section is rotatably connected to an outer circle of the sliding section via a shaft bearing.

Abstract: Method for controlling a lifting device to move a load along a trajectory, to move the load in an efficient, automated, and collision-free manner between points, includes a start point and end point of the trajectory and prohibited zones are established which, during motion of the load are avoided. A computing unit calculates a geometric or rounded geometric or smooth geometric path, that kinematic and geometric limit values of the lifting device are predetermined, from which the computing unit, on the basis of the geometric or rounded geometric or smooth geometric path, calculates a dynamic or rounded dynamic or smooth dynamic path which provides time information about motion of the load along the geometric or rounded geometric or smooth geometric path. The geometric or rounded geometric or smooth geometric path and the dynamic or rounded dynamic or smooth dynamic path are combined for producing the trajectory.

Abstract: A deepwater hoisting system includes a synthetic fibre rope winch assembly including a motor driven first winch and a length of synthetic fibre rope driven by said first winch. The synthetic fibre rope has an end remote from the first winch. The system further includes a steel wire winch assembly including a motor driven second winch and a length of steel wire driven by said second winch. The steel wire has an end remote from the second winch. At least the second winch is an active heave compensation motor driven winch. The system further includes a lifting block having a lifting block sheave, through which the synthetic fibre rope is run. The end of the synthetic fibre rope is connected to the end of the steel wire, so that the lifting block is suspended in a double-fall arrangement.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a passive heave compensation arrangement for compensating for heave events in the open water, when loading or offloading/launching objects. The arrangement is part of a system that includes a water vessel that is operating on open water, a davit, and an object to be loaded/offloaded. The davit includes a stanchion, a boom, and a capture head for capturing objects within the head. The arrangement includes first and second winches, as well as a gas spring that applies forces to the boom in response to heave events, the gas spring as a part of the arrangement, passively compensating for every heave event.

Abstract: A method for automatic control of the position of a burden suspended in a main wire of a crane, where the burden is connected with at least two tag lines which respectively is connected to a number of winches. The control of the position and rotation of the burden is performed by actuators on the respective winches which perform ease off/tightening of the respective tag lines from signals of at least tone measuring unit with signal transmitter located on the burden measuring angles. A central monitoring- and control unit performs control of rotation and position of the burden by multiple transmitting of compensatory control signals to relevant actuators for tag lines and the crane main wire. Guiding and control of the position of the burden is possible even when subject external random impacts, as wind and sea. Further the method is useable in positioning the burden in correct mounting position.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus is provided. The drilling apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: first and second moving modules; first to third drawworks for vertically moving the first and second moving modules; a wire for successively connecting the first drawwork, the first moving module, the second drawwork, the second moving module and the third drawwork; a first fixing drum positioned between the first drawwork and the first moving module so as to support the wire; and a second fixing drum positioned between the second moving module and the third drawwork so as to support the wire.

Abstract: The present invention is a reel apparatus, system and method of using same that may utilize accelerometers for determining the rotational direction of an offshore reel as a component of maintaining a constant tension and constant slippage setting on the umbilical of the offshore reel as the radius to the umbilical varies and the deployment direction is reversed.

Abstract: The present invention is a reel apparatus, system and method of using same that may utilize accelerometers for determining the rotational direction of an offshore reel as a component of maintaining a constant tension and constant slippage setting on the umbilical of the offshore reel as the radius to the umbilical varies and the deployment direction is reversed.

Abstract: A system and assembly for providing anti-sway and motion compensation while handling ISO containers in high sea states up to and above sea state four between a lighter or other floating body and a crane ship. The contemplated invention enables the transfer of cargo containers between a container ship and a lighter or other floating body at sea in sea states up to and higher than sea state four by synchronizing the motion of the container and the lighter or floating body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wave energy recovery system comprising at least a wing hinged on its one edge to make a reciprocating motion in response to kinetic energy of waves or tidal currents, a wave energy converter (WEC) unit, a power-take-off (PTO) means and wave behavior monitoring means. The wave energy recovery system comprises at least a control means to instruct the PTO means to resist the reciprocating movement of the wing by a counter moment.

Abstract: A system of lashing a tender assist drilling unit (TADU) to a floating production platform includes a plurality of lashing lines reeved over a hydraulic-pneumatic tensioning system sheave assembly and a plurality of fixed anchor points to the above water line section of the production platform hull structure. The hydraulic-pneumatic tensioning device will, when in tensioning mode, compensate and control the relative movement between the two floating bodies. The hydraulic-pneumatic tensioning system will also enable lashing pre-tension adjustments during operations and fine-tuning of system performance can be done site-specific based on lessons learned. The hydraulic-pneumatic tensioning device will, when in hydraulic lock mode, enable a fixed lashing line system. This will by the means of the first units mooring winch system enable; a winch-in for close proximity during heavy lifting; or an efficient lashing pay put during extreme weather preparation for increased separation between the two units.

Abstract: A lifting system (1) for lifting an item (2) with a vessel (4) comprising a first support (5) and a second support (6), wherein the lifting system comprises an elongate lifting structure (3) comprising a first end (7) and a second end (8), an item connector constructed and arranged to in use connect the lifting structure to the item near or at the first end, a weight (21) connected to a weight connector (10) provided on the lifting structure near or at the second end, a first connector (11) constructed and arranged to connect the lifting structure (31) in use to the first support, a second connector (12) constructed and arranged to connect the lifting structure in use to the second support, wherein the first connector is located at a distance from the item connector in a direction from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A remote heave compensation system associated with a crane on a vessel may include a heave compensator arranged remotely from the crane and configured to translate in association with and to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel, an equalizer arranged on the crane and coupled to an end of a multiline system of the crane, a heave line secured to the equalizer at a first end and secured to the heave compensator at a second end, wherein compensating motion of the heave compensator is transferred to the equalizer by the heave line to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel and stabilize objects suspended from the multiline system of the crane.

Abstract: A system (19; 19, 35) for reducing an amount of a counterweight for a crane comprises a crane (2) having a founding structure (3) being disposed on a base (20), a coupling unit (4), and a superstructure (5) being coupled to the founding structure (3) via the coupling unit (4). The system (19; 19, 35) further comprises a suspension device (21; 21, 36) for suspending the crane (2) at the base (20), said suspension device (21; 21, 36) having a guiding structure (22; 22, 37) defining a guiding direction (23; 23, 38), said guiding structure (22; 22, 37) being attached to the base (20), a displacement device (24) being displaceably attached to the guiding structure (22; 22, 37) along the guiding direction (23; 23, 38), and at least one suspension element (29) being connected with a first end to the crane (2) and being connected with a second end to the displacement device (24).

Abstract: A heave compensated crane is described, comprising a lower vertical beam (10) and an upper horizontal beam (12) which are mutually connected via an articulated piece (20), as the vertical beam is connected at the bottom to a base (14) which in turn comprises a slew ring for rotation of the crane about a vertical axis, and a strut (22) is arranged between the base (14) and the articulated piece (20) at a distance from the vertical beam (10) and largely in parallel with this in a normal position for the crane, and that the vertical beam (10) is driven by, at least, one cylinder (18) and the upper crane beam (12) in its movement in relation to the lower beam (10) is driven by an intermediate cylinder arrangement (16), where the cylinder arrangement (16) comprises, at least, one single working cylinder (30) and, at least, one double working cylinder (32).

Abstract: A heave compensation system comprises a motor-generator to interact with a load and a control unit being arranged to control operation of the motor-generator. The control unit is arranged to: operate the motor-generator to drive the load in a first part of a wave motion cycle, and operate the motor-generator to regenerate in a second part of the wave motion cycle at least a part of the energy with which the load has been driven in the first part of the wave motion cycle. The heave compensation system comprises an electrical storage element to buffer at least part of the regenerated energy for powering the motor-generator in a following cycle of the wave motion.

Abstract: A crane including an inner boom, an outer boom, a plurality of guide assemblies arranged along the length of the inner and outer boom and adapted for guiding a plurality of lines, and a multi-line material handling system including a first line having an outgoing portion extending to a sheave block, and an incoming portion returning from the sheave block to a supported anchor device, and a second line having an outgoing portion extending to the sheave block, and an incoming portion returning from the sheave block to the supported anchor device.

Abstract: The present invention represents a procedure for compensating the heave movement of offshore cranes. The dynamic model of the compensation actuator (hydraulically operated winch) and the load hanging on a rope are derived. Based on this model, a path-tracking control unit is developed. To compensate the movement of the ship/watercraft caused by waves, the heave movement is defined as a time-varying disturbance and is analyzed with respect to uncoupling conditions. With a model expansion, these conditions are satisfied, and an inversion-based uncoupling control law is formulated. To stabilize the system, an observer is used for reconstructing the unknown state by means of a force measurement. Furthermore, the compensation efficiency can be improved by predicting the heave movement. There is proposed a prediction method in which no ship/watercraft models or properties are required. The simulation and measurement results validate the heave compensation method.

Abstract: A heave compensation system provides a direct acting heave compensator that reduces stress and fatigue on a line, the system includes a single sheave system that compensates for heave as it carries a load line and moves along a curve profile of the heave compensator tangent to the point the load line comes off of a line handling system. The length of the line extending from the line handling system to the sheave remains substantially the same length during heave compensation operations, and the point where the line takes off from the line handling system is substantially the only point of changing stress on the line.

Abstract: A hoisting device can be small-sized and energy can be saved. A hoisting device 10 according to the present invention has a hoist 30 and a control unit 32. The hoist 30 rotates a drum 12 having a wire 14 wound thereon by an oil pressure motor 42 rotatable in normal and reverse directions. To the oil pressure motor 42, operating oil is supplied from an oil pressure pump 44. The oil pressure pump 44 is a two-way discharge fixed capacity type, and rotated by a servomotor 46. An acceleration/displacement transducer 34 in the control unit 32 finds a moving direction and a moving speed of a wire hanging point in the vertical direction from an output signal of an acceleration sensor 24.

Abstract: A hoisting device can be small-sized and energy can be saved. A hoisting device 10 according to the present invention has a hoist 30 and a control unit 32. The hoist 30 rotates a drum 12 having a wire 14 wound thereon by an oil pressure motor 42 rotatable in normal and reverse directions. To the oil pressure motor 42, operating oil is supplied from an oil pressure pump 44. The oil pressure pump 44 is a two-way discharge fixed capacity type, and rotated by a servomotor 46. An acceleration/displacement transducer 34 in the control unit 32 finds a moving direction and a moving speed of a wire hanging point in the vertical direction from an output signal of an acceleration sensor 24.

Abstract: A heave or motion compensation system (100) is employed on the crane (20) to compensate for the heave being experienced by a ship (22) on which the crane is mounted. The heave compensation system includes a motion reference unit (102) mounted on a distal end portion of crane arm (36) to measure the movement (acceleration) thereat. This information is transmitted to a programmable logic control processor (104) to control the operation of a winch (50) carried by the crane thereby to pay out or reel in the load line (32) of the crane. The distal end of the load line is connectable to a load being lowered or lifted by the crane.

Abstract: Apparatus for deployment from a base for installing a component (1) at an underwater facility (6), comprises a carriage (2) for suspension from the base in use of the apparatus, the carriage (2) being adapted to releasably retain the component (1) and damping means (7) located between the carriage (2) and the base in use for resisting relative motion of the carriage (2) and facility (6) caused by substantially vertical motion of the base.

Abstract: A hoisting device can be small-sized and energy can be saved. A hoisting device 10 according to the present invention has a hoist 30 and a control unit 32. The hoist 30 rotates a drum 12 having a wire 14 wound thereon by an oil pressure motor 42 rotatable in normal and reverse directions. To the oil pressure motor 42, operating oil is supplied from an oil pressure pump 44. The oil pressure pump 44 is a two-way discharge fixed capacity type, and rotated by a servomotor 46. An acceleration/displacement transducer 34 in the control unit 32 finds a moving direction and a moving speed of a wire hanging point in the vertical direction from an output signal of an acceleration sensor 24.

Abstract: A crane, in particular to an offshore crane, having a hoist rope winch, a hydraulic hoist winch drive and an overload protection which is connected to the hoist winch drive and which, when a predetermined permitted limit load is reached, permits a drawing off of the hoist rope from the hoist rope winch under a predetermined variable restoring force dependent on the radius and/or the permitted working load of the crane. A decoupling of the hoist winch drive and thus a mechanical separation of the powertrain between the hoist rope winch and the hoist winch drive is therefore dispensed with and instead the retention force varying in dependence on the radius and/or the respectively permitted working load of the crane is provided by the hoist rope winch drive motor.

Abstract: The embodied hoisting mechanism has a hoisting cable, a hoisting-cable drive, a frame and a jib that can be topped. Hoisting-cable drive means form a path for the hoisting cable. A displaceable hoisting-cable guide is used with the hoisting cable so that the displacement of the displaceable hoisting-cable guide changes the length of the path. The displaceable hoisting-cable guide has an associated first hydraulic component with a first chamber that can be connected to a second hydraulic component with a second chamber of variable volume. A pressure source is coupled to the second hydraulic component in order to maintain a substantially constant hydraulic pressure in the second chamber. A pressure-limiting valve assembly, which is partially actuated by a topping-means loading sensor, is incorporated in the connection.

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: In a load handling device for use with a load having a lifting attachment, the lifting attachment being so attached to the load that, when the load is suspended by the lifting attachment, the load is free to pivot relative to the lifting attachment about at least one axis. The load handling device engages the lifting attachment raises the load; so that it is suspended by the lifting attachment, and lowers it. The load handling device includes a stabiliser movable between a retracted position in which it is substantially clear of the load and an extended position in which it contacts the load on either side of the said axis to limit or control pivoting movement of the load about that axis. The stabiliser may be moveable by a plurality of hydraulic rams connected in a closed loop system. Restriction of the flow of the hydraulic fluid between the rams acts to damp movement of the load.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a active-over-passive coordinated motion winch designed to be used in combination with a class of existing offshore lifting systems such as A-Frames, booms or cranes to minimize the relative movement between a payload position and a destination position occurring commonly in offshore operations. The configuration of this system allows a remote operated vehicle (ROV) or any other launched load to be firmly captured until it is delivered to the desired destination. The configuration of the system also permits towed loads, such as sonar devices, to closely maintain level tow paths along the sea floor.

Abstract: A tensioning riser system for supporting marine elements such as risers which extend form a fixed lower end at a subsea base or foundation to a moving, floating superstructure. The tensioning system has a lever arm pivotally connected to both the superstructure and the upper end of the marine element and a tension controlling strut member pivotally connected to both the superstructure and the lever arm.

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 dynamic ramp interface system to allow a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ship to unload and load onto a pier, floating storage facility, or other ship during high sea states. The dynamic ramp interface system includes a motion compensation damping system attached to a first platform, a first ramp also attached to the first platform leading up to the motion compensation damping system, and second ramp that is hingedly connected to a second platform and also leading to the motion compensation damping system. The motion compensation damping system includes a top plate, a bottom plate, a series of interconnected hollow bladders, and a pivot support structure. Through this arrangement, the top plate is allowed to pivot relative to the bottom plate, with the bladder system providing a damping effect. The first ramp is slideably in communication with the top plate by means of a set of articulated fingers. The second ramp is also slideably in communication with the top plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for reducing overload and dampening collision energy, for instance, in connection with a container crane, the apparatus comprising a movable bar (16) to receive a load and a resistance device (18) against the predetermined resistance of which the movable bar are able to move in a dampening situation, and the resistance device comprise at least one friction device (18) arranged to cooperate with the movable bar (16).

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a device for transporting cargo between a source position and a destination position utilizing a fixed crane-type device, e.g. an A-Frame, including a pivotal sub A-Frame in conjunction with a heave compensating assembly to which a main lifting cable is attached. The bulk of the lifting capacity is derived from a primary power source mechanically linked to the main lifting cable. As the source and destination positions move relative to each other, compensation for this motion is obtained via the coordinated reciprocal movement of an extensible connector, e.g. a wire rope and a lifting device mechanically linked between the main A-Frame and sub A-Frame, which is operative in response to sensory data input to the power unit's controller. The coordinated reciprocal motion acts to adjust the instantaneous load position thereby neutralizing the relative movement between the source position and destination position.

Abstract: A counterweight installation and removal apparatus for a truck-mounted crane includes a counterweight having a bottom surface, a plurality of rollers attached to either the bottom surface of the counterweight or to a crane carrier deck, and at least one inclined surface positioned on the other of the bottom surface of the counterweight or the crane carrier deck to engage the plurality of rollers when the counterweight is installed and removed.

Abstract: A lift crane having enhanced lifting capability includes a self-installing counterweight system which utilizes actuators forming part of a counterweight assembly for raising the counterweight to an operative position with respect to the rear of the crane. A pair of slidable counterweight beams are slidably supported within main frame members forming part of the upper works of the crane and have their outer ends attached to the counterweight. Fluid pressure operated actuators within the frame members extend and retract the beams in order to move the counterweight rearwardly with respect to the rear of the crane. The upperworks also includes spaced-apart, parallel frame members each having a pair of spaced-apart vertical side plates with integral flange sections extending upwardly. The flanged sections include mounting locations for hoist machinery which utilize pins for easily mounting and dismounting the equipment.

Abstract: A snag load protection system for a train including a guide frame, a sheave housing slidably received within the guide frame, and a hydraulic cylinder connected to the guide frame and to the sheave housing. The hydraulic cylinder serves to exert a compressive force against the sheave housing so as to resist relative movement between the guide frame and the sheave housing when forces exerted by the sheave housing are within a predetermined value. A relief valve is connected to the hydraulic cylinder for releasing hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic cylinder when the force is greater than the predetermined value. Pressure and position limit switches are connected to a motor so as to stop the movement of a hoist rope when forces exceed the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transfer of loads from a vessel that moves with heavy seas to a stationary or mobile installation by the use of at least one lifting cable and at least one hoisting mechanism, where the load, in a starting position, stands on a rack on the vessel. The load transfer takes place at an instant when the load has only insignificant kinetic energy, as the gripping mechanism is activated in a controlled manner at the instant to lock the load to the lifting cable. At the same instant the rack collapses and immediately establishes a distance between the load and the vessel, thereby suspending the load on the lifting cable.