Abstract

A cable spooling apparatus for use with a storage drum for spooling and storing cable. The cable spooling apparatus comprises a tensioning unit for adjusting the tension of a cable as it is being spooled onto the storage drum. The tensioning unit traverses a path between the opposite ends of the storage drum. Methods of spooling and unspooling cable using the apparatus are also disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• B66D 1/38 - Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel
• B65H 57/00 - Guides for filamentary materialsSupports therefor
• B65H 59/00 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators
• B65H 59/18 - Driven rotary elements
• B65H 75/44 - Constructional details
• B66D 1/50 - Control devices automatic for maintaining predetermined rope, cable, or chain tension, e.g. in ropes or cables for towing craft, in chains for anchorsWarping or mooring winch-cable tension control

Abstract

A cable spooling apparatus for use with a storage drum for spooling and storing cable. The cable spooling apparatus comprises a tensioning unit for adjusting the tension of a cable as it is being spooled onto the storage drum. The tensioning unit traverses a path between the opposite ends of the storage drum. Methods of spooling and unspooling cable using the apparatus are also disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• B66D 1/38 - Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel
• B66D 1/50 - Control devices automatic for maintaining predetermined rope, cable, or chain tension, e.g. in ropes or cables for towing craft, in chains for anchorsWarping or mooring winch-cable tension control
• B66D 3/00 - Portable or mobile lifting or hauling appliances
• B65H 75/44 - Constructional details

Abstract

A system for handling an aircraft on a nautical vessel includes a plurality of winches each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of electromotors and a plurality of cables associated with the plurality of winches. Each of the plurality of cables is configured to attach to an aircraft positioned on a deck of the nautical vessel. A control system is configured to receive a target aircraft hauling speed and direction and operate the winches to achieve the target speed in the selected direction while maintaining load on the aircraft to below a maximum limit and also maintaining the cables in tension.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64F 1/00 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations
• B64F 1/08 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for launching aircraft using winches
• B64F 1/12 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for anchoring aircraft
• B64F 1/22 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for handling aircraft

Abstract

A system for handling an aircraft on a nautical vessel includes a plurality of winches each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of electromotors and a plurality of cables associated with the plurality of winches. Each of the plurality of cables is configured to attach to an aircraft positioned on a deck of the nautical vessel. A control system is configured to receive a target aircraft hauling speed and direction and operate the winches to achieve the target speed in the selected direction while maintaining load on the aircraft to below a maximum limit and also maintaining the cables in tension.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64F 1/08 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for launching aircraft using winches
• B64F 1/12 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for anchoring aircraft
• B64F 1/22 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for handling aircraft

Abstract

A system for handling an aircraft on a nautical vessel includes a plurality of winches each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of electromotors and a plurality of cables associated with the plurality of winches. Each of the plurality of cables is configured to attach to an aircraft positioned on a deck of the nautical vessel. A control system is configured to receive a target aircraft hauling speed and direction and operate the winches to achieve the target speed in the selected direction while maintaining load on the aircraft to below a maximum limit and also maintaining the cables in tension.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64F 1/12 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for anchoring aircraft

Abstract

The invention provides a snorkel valve (2) for controlling a flow of fluid into a deployable submarine mast, the snorkel valve comprising: a valve body (30) having: a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface on the reverse side of the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner bore (32); a valve inlet (38) extending through the tubular wall to fluidly connect the outer surface and the inner bore; and a valve outlet (40) in fluid communication with the inner bore, and a sleeve (42) slidable within the said inner bore between a closed position in which it covers the said valve inlet to thereby inhibit water from flowing into the inner bore through the valve inlet, and an open position in which at least a portion of the said valve inlet is uncovered by the sleeve to thereby allow air to flow into the said inner bore through the said valve inlet.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63G 8/36 - Adaptations of ventilation, cooling, heating, or air-conditioning
• F16K 1/12 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with streamlined valve member around which the fluid flows when the valve is opened
• F16K 31/122 - Operating meansReleasing devices actuated by fluid the fluid acting on a piston

Abstract

The invention provides a snorkel valve (2) for controlling a flow of fluid into a deployable submarine mast, the snorkel valve comprising: a valve body (30) having: a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface on the reverse side of the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner bore (32); a valve inlet (38) extending through the tubular wall to fluidly connect the outer surface and the inner bore; and a valve outlet (40) in fluid communication with the inner bore, and a sleeve (42) slidable within the said inner bore between a closed position in which it covers the said valve inlet to thereby inhibit water from flowing into the inner bore through the valve inlet, and an open position in which at least a portion of the said valve inlet is uncovered by the sleeve to thereby allow air to flow into the said inner bore through the said valve inlet.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63G 8/36 - Adaptations of ventilation, cooling, heating, or air-conditioning
• F16K 1/12 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with streamlined valve member around which the fluid flows when the valve is opened

Abstract

A gearbox test rig is provided for testing first and/or second gearboxes having power ratings of 1 MW or more. The gearbox test rig comprises a first coupler for coupling a low-speed shaft of a first gearbox to a low-speed shaft of a second gearbox such that forces can be transmitted between the low-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes. The gearbox test rig further comprises a second coupler for coupling a high-speed shaft of the first gearbox to a high-speed shaft of the second gearbox such that forces can be transmitted between the high-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes, wherein the second coupler comprises a hydraulic rotary actuator for regulating a torque which is applied to the high-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes. Such a gearbox test rig is particularly useful for testing heavy duty gearboxes, such as those used in wind turbines.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01M 13/02 - GearingsTransmission mechanisms

Abstract

A marine craft recovery system for recovering a marine craft to a mother ship comprises a marine craft engagement apparatus and at least a pair of tensile members between the marine craft engagement apparatus and the mother ship. The marine craft engagement apparatus is configured to engage at least a portion of the marine craft, such as the hull. The pair of tensile members is configured to pull the marine craft engagement apparatus towards respective first and second anchor points on the mother ship. The system is configured to transport the marine craft engagement apparatus across a body of water towards the mother ship.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 35/40 - Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting marine vessels
• B63B 23/00 - Equipment for handling lifeboats or the like
• B63C 3/02 - Launching or hauling-out, e.g. by landborne slipwaysSlipways by longitudinal movement of vessel
• B63B 21/56 - Towing or pushing equipment

Abstract

A marine craft recovery system for recovering a marine craft to a mother ship comprises a marine craft engagement apparatus and at least a pair of tensile members between the marine craft engagement apparatus and the mother ship. The marine craft engagement apparatus is configured to engage at least a portion of the marine craft, such as the hull. The pair of tensile members is configured to pull the marine craft engagement apparatus towards respective first and second anchor points on the mother ship. The system is configured to transport the marine craft engagement apparatus across a body of water towards the mother ship.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 35/40 - Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting marine vessels

Abstract

An actuator (10) for use in controlling movement of a component (22) of a seagoing vessel comprises a cylinder (12) for coupling to a vessel hull (14) and an actuator shaft (18). A distal end (20) of the shaft (18) is coupled to the component whose movement is to be controlled and, in use, a control force (Fc) is applied to the shaft (18) to control movement of the shaft (18) from a first position, retracted, position to a second, extended, position. The actuator (10) is compliant in response to an opposing force exceeding a selected force to prevent or mitigate damage to the component (22) and/or the actuator 10 which may otherwise result from the opposing force.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 39/06 - Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movementsApparatus for indicating vessel attitude to decrease vessel movements by using foils acting on ambient water

Abstract

An energy converter device includes a reactive hydraulic power transformer (16) for converting periodic and variable hydraulic energy into coherent hydraulic energy. The device may also form a sub-system in energy converter systems for converting kinetic energy, for example from a wave (12), into electricity. The system has a power takeoff (14) including an energy capture device (22) for capturing energy from the wave (12), or other power source, and the power takeoff transfers this captured energy to the transformer (16). An accumulator (18) may be provided for storing and selectively discharging the captured energy to a generator (20) to produce electricity. At least part of the captured energy may be fed back through the transformer (16) to facilitate control over the phase and/or position of the energy capture device (22) relative to the wave (12) or other energy source.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 13/22 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the flow of water resulting from wave movements, e.g. to drive a hydraulic motor or turbine

Abstract

Turning gear apparatus (10) for rotating a shaft (11) comprises a rotary drive arrangement (12) and a transmission system including a pivot arm (20). The rotary drive arrangement (12) is fixed, for example to a vessel hull (14), and the pivot arm (20) is pivotable between a first, shaft-disengaged, position and a second, shaft-engaged position where the rotary drive arrangement (12) is operably coupled to the shaft (11), thereby permitting control over rotation of the shaft (11) by the rotary drive arrangement (12).

IPC Classes  ?

• B63H 23/32 - Other parts
• B63H 23/06 - Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements with mechanical gearing for transmitting drive from a single propulsion power unit
• B63H 23/10 - Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements with mechanical gearing for transmitting drive from more than one propulsion power unit
• B63H 23/30 - Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements characterised by use of clutches
• B63H 23/34 - Propeller shaftsPaddle-wheel shaftsAttachment of propellers on shafts