Abstract: The present invention is typically embodied to exert active control of two same-shipboard cranes performing joint lifting of a payload. Sensory signals indicative of ship motion, and of luff angle and hoist line length of both cranes, are transmitted to a computer. The sensory signals are processed by the computer using a ship motion cancellation algorithm, which solves for values of the respective luff angles and hoist line lengths of both cranes, such values achieving static equilibrium (e.g., zero motion horizontally, vertically, and rotationally in the same vertical geometric plane) of the suspended payload. Inverse kinematic control signals in accordance with the mathematical (e.g., minimum norm) solutions are transmitted by the computer to respective luff angle actuators and hoist line length actuators of both cranes so that the suspended payload tends toward steadiness. Inventive control thus acts on a continual basis to significantly reduce pendulation during the two-crane lifting operation.

Abstract: A system on land for transfer of containers between ship and land includes cranes for container loading or unloading and stations for transfer of containers operationally associated with the cranes. The transfer stations include an upper platform for reception and support of a container from and to a crane and a lower platform for loading or unloading of containers within and outside of the station. Between the upper platform and the lower platform there are centering and elevator devices which perform the transfer of a container between the two superimposed platforms without intervention of the crane.

Abstract: The invention is a method for lifting and transporting a heavy load comprising using a heavy lift vessel with at least two heavy lift cranes adapted to operate simultaneously; mounting a deep water deployment system on each crane adapted to increase hook travel the crane; shifting the load from the first location to over a second location on the heavy lift vessel; placing the load on the second location; moving the heavy lift vessel to a second position; using a conventional mooring system to maintain the heavy lift vessel at the second position; picking up the load from the second location using the cranes simultaneously; shifting the load from a second location to over a third location; and placing the load on the third location.

Abstract: In a method of automating the loading and unloading of container ships in container terminals, a stowage plan of a ship cargo compartment to be handled by a container crane is transmitted from a harbor-side master computer via a data link to a PC of a crane automation system which renders the container crane operative in response to the stowage plan for transporting containers between a container ship and a repository location in a container storage area of the container terminal. The stowage plan is displayed on a touch screen of the crane automation system, whereby a next following repository location to be handled in the stowage plan is indicated on the touch screen, e.g. through a change in color.

Abstract: A control system for reducing cargo pendulation. The control system calculates a correction factor and adds the correction factor for the operator input motions in addition to the motion of the platform in order to provide a reference position of the suspension point of the hoisting cable. The reference position is then provided to a tracking controller so that the crane can be forced to track the needed motions for reducing the cargo pendulation.

Abstract: A platform container transfer terminal (10) functions as an efficient hub port. Sea Point™ Transfer station modules (21, 22, 23) can be moved intact across oceans for rapid erection in remote or strategic locations to provide high speed loading and unloading of large container vessels (31, 32) to lighters or feeder vessels (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and/or to facilities adjacent.

Abstract: A loading device for ISO containers in a container terminal with a container bridge for the loading and unloading of ships and with automatic incoming and outgoing transfer of the containers by means of automatic guided vehicles, with at least one container load suspension device in the form of a spreader and devices for the intermediate positioning of the container within the loading device to allow the installation or removal of the twistlocks, and with platforms for the workers performing this task. The loading device consists of a polar bridge crane, which can rotate around its center vertical axis, and which is designed as a bridge crane with a trolley capable of traveling on a crane bridge supported on a circular track located in the rear area of the land-side rail of the container bridge.