640results about "Load accommodation" patented technology

A material handling system for use in storing and moving goods within multi-level storage warehouses, ocean going vessels and the like wherein storage areas are provided on at least one of the levels and wherein goods are automatically transferred to and from the storage areas and between the various levels by self-propelled load transfer vehicles. The load transfer vehicles move across the surface of the various levels and deliver are also movable within open vertical trunks between the levels to thereby move goods to any desired area.

An improved trailer for transporting bulk seed boxes is provided. The trailer includes a bed, a hopper extending below the bed for receiving seed from the bulk seed box, and an auger for unloading seed from the hopper. The bed includes upwardly and outwardly extending guide plates to provide self-centering of the seed box when the box is loaded onto the bed with a forklift truck. The bed includes lock bars moveable between locked and unlocked positions to secure the seed box to the bed. The hopper includes a slide gate with a control arm connected to the gate and extending to the auger side of the trailer for moving the slide gate between open and closed position. The auger includes a foldable upper section which is pivotal between a folded transport position and an extended raised operative position. The folding of the upper auger section is facilitated by a gas cylinder and a lever arm.

A system and method for cargo handling is provided. The system includes a transport vehicle including a cargo bay capable of housing a plurality of cargo containers, and a loading dock for coupling to the cargo bay. The system also includes at least one railcar and pylons positioned along a floor of the cargo bay. A predetermined number of pylons are operable to elevate and lower a cargo container within the cargo bay. The present invention also provides a railcar for transporting cargo containers, as well as an apparatus for positioning at least one cargo container within a transport vehicle. The present invention also provides a system for aligning a loading dock and a transport vehicle that includes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the transport vehicle or loading dock, or a plurality of engagement members that are capable of aligning the loading dock and transport vehicle.

In an air conditioner, a target compressor rotation speed is determined based on a target air temperature, which represents an air conditioning load, when an electric compressor is started from a stop state. Thus, an evaporator air temperature can be approximated to a target evaporator air temperature, more quickly as compared with a control method where an incremental rotation speed is added to a present rotation speed of the electric compressor, that is, 0 rpm. Accordingly, a large cooling capacity can be obtained for a short time period. Thus, an air temperature in a compartment can be quickly reduced to a comfortable temperature, when the air conditioner is started, for example.

Supports such as a pallet carrying aircraft passenger seats or a bottom of a freight container are secured to a floor structure in an aircraft. For this purpose the floor structure includes floor stringers (5) supported on and secured to floor joists (11). The stringers (5) are U-rails having an upwardly open U-cross-section with a first interlocking member (8) in the U-cross-section. An adapter (4, 13) having a present existing stud (8) and shear pin system (8A) is secured in the U-rail of the stringers (5). The adapter (4) is secured to or securable to the support by a latching (2, 3). Another adapter (13) carries rotatable rollers or roller balls that project slightly above an upwardly facing floor level to permit, for example, freight containers or seat pallets to roll along the floor. Instead of adapter (13) it is also possible to install a present existing container latch carrier (14) in the present stringer (5).

A cargo loading logistics system for verifying cargo loaded on an aircraft receives a desired restraint configuration from a database and determines an actual restraint configuration on the aircraft by receiving data from a plurality of machine readable identifiers corresponding to a plurality of install points and data from a plurality of machine readable identifiers corresponding to a plurality of restraints. The cargo loading logistics system then compares the desired restraint configuration with the actual restraint configuration and determines if the aircraft is properly configured to be loaded for an upcoming flight.

An under-bed mounting system installed beneath a cargo bed floor of a vehicle includes both a male pin and a female receptacle. A releasable locking mechanism is defined between the pin and the receptacle to permit installation and removal of desired components such as a fifth wheel hitch. The pin including opposing first and second ends and an intermediate portion, a groove being disposed within said intermediate portion and including a stem and a base portion. A portion of the receptacle is received within said groove, selectively contacting said stem during installation and contacting at least the base portion after said installation. In one embodiment, the groove of the pin is generally L-shaped, the receptacle including a rod that is selectively received in the groove. In a second embodiment the pin is a scissor clamp with opposing jaws pivotable about a common hinge. The jaws engage the inner periphery of the receptacle.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a fluid coolant and structure which reduces a pressure of the fluid coolant through a subambient pressure at which the coolant has a cooling temperature less than a temperature of the heat-generating structure. The apparatus also includes structure that directs a flow of the fluid coolant in the form of a liquid at a subambient pressure in a manner causing the liquid coolant to be brought into thermal communication with the heat-generating structure. The heat from the heat-generating structure causes the liquid coolant to boil and vaporize so that the coolant absorbs heat from the heat-generating structure as the coolant changes state. The structure is configured to circulate the fluid coolant through a flow loop while maintaining the pressure of the fluid coolant within a range having an upper bound less than ambient pressure. The apparatus also includes a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the fluid coolant flowing through the loop and a second coolant in an intermediary loop so as to condense the fluid coolant flowing through the loop to a liquid. The apparatus also includes a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the second coolant in the intermediary cooling loop and a body of water on which the ship is disposed.

A utility vehicle for removably mounting and carrying a plurality of different equipment, such as turf maintenance equipment, is provided. The utility vehicle is motorized and has a support frame. A multi-purpose platform is mounted to the support frame. The multi-purpose platform has a plurality of different equipment mounts so configured and arranged to removably mount the plurality of different equipment to the multi-purpose platform. A hydraulic lifting mechanism pivots the multi-purpose platform upward while the equipment is mounted to the multi-purpose platform to provide access to the area of the vehicle underneath the multi-purpose platform.

A mobile base assembly wherein a plurality of wheels 12 are attached to a frame 14 for movably supporting the frame 14 on a support surface 16 and an anchor mechanism 10 lifts the wheels 12 from the support surface 16 and anchors the frame 14 to the support surface 16. A pair of spaced plates (20 or 22) are attached to the frame 14 and an anchor member 34 is pivotally mounted between the plates (20 or 22) for pivotal movement between an anchor position (FIG. 4) and a retracted position (FIG. 3). A lever 70 is pivotally mounted between the plates (20 or 22) and presents a cam 72 for engaging and pivoting the anchor member 34 against the biasing reaction of a spring 60 from the retracted position to the anchor position. A foot 40 is attached to a foot flange extending from the anchor member 34 and has a base 42 for engaging the support surface 16 in the anchor position.

An overhead storage system for a boat bimini top comprising an elongated unitized backing material. The backing material has a front end, a rear end, a left and right side, a top surface, and bottom surface. Attached to the bottom surface of the backing material is a series of storage pockets. The storage pockets are of varying sizes and are generally rectangular in shape and have a hinged lid. Along the bottom left and right side of the backing material is an edge channel housing a telescoping pole. The telescoping poles provide support and structure to the backing material and storage pockets. At the bow end of each telescoping pole is a V-shaped bend, which generally conforms to the contour of a bimini shade cover. Mounted perpendicular to the telescoping poles and below the backing material, are several spreader bars. On the top side of the backing material are a series of support battens and batten sleeves which keep the backing material from sagging. The backing material, storage pockets, and telescoping pole assembly is removably attached to the front end of a bimini shade cover frame by a bow hook and to the rear of a bimini frame by a stern hook assembly. The invention provides convenient, removable, overhead storage without any modifications or alteration to the boat bimini shade cover.

A system achieving a high density of transported natural gas by compressing it to high pressures typically above 5 MPa to transport the gas in a modified composition that permits a very low compressibility factor at near ambient temperature either above or below. This reduces greatly the size of the cooling systems that are required. In some cases cooling of the compressed gas may be achieved in a simple heat exchanger cooled by air or water. The transport of the gas takes place in self propelled ships or non-self propelled barges fitted with a cargo containment system capable of storing the cargo at high pressures, typically above 5 MPa and usually not above 25 MPa. The transport vessel may carry a store of higher molecular weight gases (c2 through c7) that when mixed with the incoming cargo results in a molecular weight of the mixture of at least 22 and possibly as high as 28 or higher. The store of higher molecular weight cargo may be gained from gases that condense during discharge of the vessel at its destination due to the adiabatic cooling of the cargo during discharge. These liquids may be retained aboard and transported back to the origin. If insufficient quantities of heavy gases are available at the origin they may be loaded at the destination. If required, the composition of the heavy gases transported back to the origin may be changed through partial discharge or partial receipt of additional hydrocarbons or a combination thereof at the destination point.

The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for delivery of commercial cargo containers shore side without container terminals. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. These improvements allow the containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, to approach a shore autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location and in a specific order of arrival, thereby reducing the number of cargo handlers required, speeding the delivery process to the shore, and eliminating the need for high-technology pier-side equipment. The present invention allows the transfer of cargo at primitive shore sites as well modern pier facilities, and expedites the delivery of such cargo wherever needed.

An aircraft cargo carrier restraint device that is constructed so that it cannot be accidentally moved from extended, pallet locking position to a retracted position. The device embodies locking pawls of unique design that positively preclude movement of the pawls into a retracted position unless a specific sequence of operation is followed. One of the locking pawls includes a locking notch and the other of the locking pawls includes a locking protuberance, which is closely received within the locking notch so as to positively prevent accidental downward movement of the pawls into their lowered position.

A beam assembly is formed from a hollow beam member which has a pair of slidable channel units installed therein and extend from the opposite ends thereof. The ends of the channel units have guide shoes forming latching assemblies pivotally supported thereon, each guide shoe having a spring loaded lock key mounted pivotally mounted thereon. A pair of tracks are spaced from each other in opposing relationship by a distance equal to the longitudinal extent of the beam member. The tracks have a plurality of aligned apertures and C-shaped runners running along their longitudinal extent. The lock keys of the beam member each has a pair of latching fingers extending therefrom which fit into a pair of adjacent track apertures. The latching fingers may be locked in place in the opposing track apertures by the spring action of their associated springs and may be withdrawn from the apertures by way of a hook shaped tab attached thereon. A tool is provided to move the hook shaped tabs away from the track to release the latching fingers from engagement with the apertures in the track and, is desired to move the hook shaped tabs downwardly to move the guide shoes downwardly to a desired location on the track. The guide shoes further have T-shaped portions which engage the C-shaped runners of the tracks to retain the guide shoes on the tracks for vertical movement. A pair of the beam members may thus be raised and lowered on the track and provide support for pallets, planking or the like.

A target indicator for visual guidance of a container into secured engagement with a support surface by mating of at least one coupling. The coupling includes a support coupling fitting located on the support surface and a container coupling fitting located on the container. The target indicator includes an attachment at least partially formed with a high visibility exterior and configured to at least partially encircle a coupling fitting in use.

A cargo loading logistics system for verifying cargo loaded on an aircraft receives a desired restraint configuration from a database and determines an actual restraint configuration on the aircraft by receiving data from a plurality of machine readable identifiers corresponding to a plurality of install points and data from a plurality of machine readable identifiers corresponding to a plurality of restraints. The cargo loading logistics system then compares the desired restraint configuration with the actual restraint configuration and determines if the aircraft is properly configured to be loaded for an upcoming flight.

A pegboard system for constraining items of cargo in transit has one or more pegboards to cover a cargo support area, the pegboards having an upper surface with openings for pegs, and a plurality of pegs sized to fit into the openings in the pegboards to constrain the items of cargo from substantial lateral movement. In some cases there are elastic top elements for pegs to protect items of cargo, and straps between pegs to aid in constraint of the items of cargo.

In an air conditioner, a target compressor rotation speed is determined based on a target air temperature, which represents an air conditioning load, when an electric compressor is started from a stop state. Thus, an evaporator air temperature can be approximated to a target evaporator air temperature, more quickly as compared with a control method where an incremental rotation speed is added to a present rotation speed of the electric compressor, that is, 0 rpm. Accordingly, a large cooling capacity can be obtained for a short time period. Thus, an air temperature in a compartment can be quickly reduced to a comfortable temperature, when the air conditioner is started, for example.

There are known cargo decks for aircraft that comprise floor beams or an equivalent floor substructure and floor panels, ball mats, roller tracks, or other such transport devices connected thereto for conveying and fixing in position pallets, containers or similar objects. In order to create a tight seal between a cargo space above the cargo deck and a bilge space below the cargo deck, sealing devices are provided, so that the floor panels, ball mats, roller tracks, etc. can be replaced at any time with no need to seal them off.

Apparatus and methods for situating and securing payloads to support structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly includes a support structure, a floor assembly, and a payload assembly. The floor assembly includes a plurality of elongated engagement members coupled to the support structure, the engagement members being spaced apart and mostly parallel, each engagement member including an engagement surface. The payload assembly includes a payload component positioned proximate the floor assembly, and at least one payload support coupled to the payload component and engaged with at least some of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to beam loads from the payload component to the floor assembly and being moveable with the payload component relative to the floor assembly.

Articulated tug and barge arrangements and methods for transportation, storage and regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) aboard barge units and for ballasting the barge units are provided. A barge unit includes a type C tank for the containment of LNG under pressure and a regasification unit fluidly coupled to the type C tank for regasification of LNG aboard the barge unit for offloading natural gas. The barge unit is adapted for loading LNG directly from a liquefaction plant, for transporting LNG by operatively coupling to a tug unit, as well as for storing LNG at a destined off board facility, and for fueling a floating power production facility. The arrangements and methods provide a transport terminal ring. The arrangements and methods provide for the circulation of seawater through the regasification unit and into ballast tanks for ballasting of the barge unit while offloading natural gas.

A system for locking and unlocking containers to transport modes and other containers comprises a plate and spring housed in an upper corner fitting of a container, a cable connected to the plate, and guides to route the cable from the plate to a rotatable locking leg housed in a lower corner fitting of the container. The twist lock of a lifting spreader engages the upper corner fitting of a container, urging the plate and spring in the upper corner fitting downward. The cable is pulled downward by the depression of the plate, accordingly pulling the locking leg, causing it to rotate to an unlocked position.

A container according the present application includes a container auto-lock system. The container auto-lock system is integrated into the outboard apertures of the lower castings of a domestic sized container. The container auto-lock system includes a locking mechanism which is configured to recess when the container is lowered onto a surface lacking an acceptable receiving aperture. The locking mechanism is also configured to automatically lock when placed on top of a domestic sized container. The container auto-lock system is configured to be compatible with international sized container by allowing the inboard apertures on each lower casting to be available for attaching the domestic container on top of an international container with a conventional locking device.

Liquefied natural gas is regasified to form natural gas, including circulation of an intermediate fluid between a vaporizer and an ambient air heater, where the intermediate fluid is warmed by exchanging heat with the ambient air as the intermediate fluid passes through the ambient air heater, and the intermediate fluid is cooled by exchanging heat with LNG as the intermediate fluid passes through the vaporizer. The ambient air heater is subjected to a defrosting cycle by intermittently regulating the temperature of the intermediate fluid fed to the ambient air heater to a temperature greater than zero degrees Celsius using a source of supplemental heat.

A container securement device enables a user to secure a cargo container to a carrier deck. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the lock-actuating opening of the container. A shaft-mounted head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a selected interchangeable spring element within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by engagement of the container with a cam surface on the head. The spring element may be interchanged as may be required by anticipated climactic and / or temperature conditions. Each spring element is actuable by a uniquely configured shaft member having a spring-receiving end capable of cooperating with at least two types of springs.