1210results about "Slipways" patented technology

Apparatus for painting hulls of boats includes at least an anthropomorphic robot having paint dispensing elements, at least a supporting body which defines a chamber for containing the robot and which includes at least an opening for applying paint on a reference surface, handling elements of the body along at least a direction of moving close to / away from the surface, air suction elements to form a suction stream substantially along the entire surrounding edge of the opening, according to a preset suctionable air flow, command and control elements operatively connected to the handling elements to control movement of the body along the moving direction, sensor elements associated with the body to detect the distance of the surrounding edge from the reference surface and operatively connected to the command and control elements, the latter being programmed to adjust the distance of the surrounding edge of the opening from the reference surface.

The present invention leverages iterative transformations of search query strings along with statistics extracted from search query logs and / or web data to provide possible alternative spellings for the search query strings. This provides a spell checking means that can be influenced to provide individualized suggestions for each user. By utilizing search query logs, the present invention can account for substrings not found in a lexicon but still acceptable as a search query of interest. This allows a means to provide a higher quality proposal for alternative spellings, beyond the content of the lexicon. One instance of the present invention operates at a substring level by utilizing word unigram and / or bigram statistics extracted from query logs combined with an iterative search. This provides substantially better spelling alternatives for a given query than employing only substring matching. Other instances can receive input data from sources other than a search query input.

The spoken dialogue interface apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a speech recognition module for recognizing a human's speech from a sound signal; a user intention interpretation module for extracting a sentence from the recognized speech and interpreting a user's intention based on the sentence; a user intention selection module for determining user intention using the interpreted user's intention and a predetermined domain action frame; and a system response generation module for generating a system response sentence corresponding to the selected user intention, wherein the domain action frame includes service information which the user requests, and parameter information which is used to perform a service, and the domain action frame is constructed to have a hierarchical tree structure.

In a method of forming a target error model to facilitate correcting or suggesting corrections to misspelled input text related to a target data collection, a source query log containing user queries to at least one source data collection is provided. Next, target relational data is generated based on the source query log including corrective substring suggestions that relate to the target data collection and corresponding misspelled substrings extracted from the source query log. A target error model is then built using the target relational data. The target error model includes target statistical occurrence data for the substrings of the target relational data derived from the source query log. Finally, the target error model is stored on a computer readable medium. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to a system configured to implement the method.

A worklight support includes a platform for mounting thereon worklights and has an extension extending from on a bottom of the platform for extension into one of the stand sections. A stand includes couplers applied for combination of each of the stand sections. Each coupler includes an annular ring for receiving therein a portion of one of the stand sections and a portion of the extension of the worklight support and a pivotal handle pivotally connected to the annular ring via a threaded bolt to selectively reduce an internal diameter of the annular ring to abut an outer periphery of the extension so as to fix the extension relative to one of the stand sections.

A disclosed substrate processing apparatus comprises a heat exchange plate configured to heat and / or cool the substrate; plural protrusions provided on the heat exchange plate so as to allow the substrate to be placed on the plural protrusions, leaving a gap between the substrate and the heat exchange plate; a suction portion configured to attract the substrate onto the plural protrusion by suction through plural holes formed in the heat exchange plate; and a partition member that is provided on the heat exchange plate and lower than the plural protrusions, wherein the partition member is configured to divide the gap into two or more regions including at least one of the holes so that at least one of the two or more regions is two-dimensionally closed by the partition member.

A convertible wheelchair is provided along with a separable lift module for engaging and elevating the convertible wheelchair to a selected elevation. A coupling assembly is operative associated with the lift module and adapted to extend therefrom to where the coupling assembly attaches to the convertible wheelchair. In one embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a three-point attachment that results in the wheelchair being connected to the coupling assembly and hence the separable lift system at three points. Once coupled to the lift system, the convertible wheelchair, with a patient supported therein, can be raised to a selected elevation. Thereafter, the wheelchair can be converted from a chair configuration to any one of several examination configurations.

Devices, apparatus and systems for raising and lowering watercraft such as personal watercraft, jet skis, inflatables from transoms on boats, from bulkheads and from docks, and for raising and lowering other types of vessels. A single actuator such as a fluid operated cylinder and single piston can raise and lower a cradle that supports the personal watercraft. An crank bracket can be fixably attached to a crank shaft, and an arm which supports the cradle can be fixably attached to the crank shaft. The arm can be extendable to different lengths. The cradle can include a self-leveling carriage that uses rollers to roll on a curved surface of the cradle allowing the supported watercraft to remain in a substantially level position thereon. An adjustable swivel mount can also be used to lock the cradle to the arm in a fixed orientation.

Provided is a method for building a ship on the ground and launching a ship using a skid launching system. The method includes dividing the ship into two through four sections and semi-assembling the divided sections into hull blocks in a hull block assembly yard on the ground, fixing a barge at a quay wall adjacent to the hull block assembly yard in a longitudinal direction, transporting the semi-assembled hull blocks to the barge in a longitudinal direction, completing a hull by assembling the semi-assembled hull blocks on the barge, moving the barge to a launching point and sinking the barge through ballasting, and launching the built ship and floating the barge. Therefore, large-scale ships can be constructed without a dry dock facility while improving the efficiency of shipbuilding.

A device and method for raising sunken objects such as crates, small boats, vessels and ships including a platform equipped with winches to lower down a basket net and a frame supporting a cryogenic apparatus to the vicinity of the object. The cryogenic apparatus is adapted to pump surrounding water through a freezing unit to reduce its temperature to below freezing and then form a stream of overcooled water directed over the sunken object to form a layer of ice about it. The basket net contains provisions to allow its closure under the object once it is lifted off the sea floor. Once enough ice is formed, the object is lifted to the surface. On average, the capacity of the cryogenic apparatus is such that a 1 ton object can be lifted in about 3 hours. Remote monitoring and control means are provided for the operator to observe and direct the operation of the device. The device is especially advantageous in dealing with explosive objects such as old and unwanted sea mines, torpedoes and alike.

The present document describes a dock unit attachable to another dock unit with a fastener for forming a floating dock. The dock unit comprises a floating body having a mating surface and an attachment adapted to receive the fastener. Thereby attaching the floating body is able to be attached to the other dock unit. The dock unit further comprises a cover for covering the mating surface, the cover having a contact surface adapted to contact the fastener. In use, the contact surface is positioned proximate the attachment so that, when the attachment receives the fastener, the contact surface is contacted by the fastener, thereby limiting the movement of the cover with respect to the floating body.

A modular buoyant support apparatus is comprised of buoyant support modules of inflatable pontoons. The pontoons comprise inflatable tubular chambers, typically fabricated of polymer coated fabric sheet material. A buoyant support module comprises a rigid frame connected to an inflatable pontoon. A means is provided to interconnect buoyant support modules to form a modular buoyant support apparatus of varied support area and configuration. Means are provided to attach an appropriately configured dock surface to the modular buoyant support apparatus.

The invention is a high-intension gas cell and its facture. The gas cell comprises the cell body, the cell head and the air gate mouth. The cell body is composed of the inner sleeving layer and plural layers of curtain cloth. The cell head and the cell body are jointed together to form the conoid shape, the cell head is solidified with the air gate mouth. The facture is to longitudinal arrange the curtain cloth, adhere the two sides and roll them to barrel shape to be the inner sleeve. The demolishing inner pressure of the gas cell is higher than 1.11 MPa, and the cell wall is sealed well. The invention has a wide range of appliance.

A preferred embodiment alarm device for use with fall protection equipment includes an elongating member, an alarm, an activation member, and a connecting member. The elongating member has a first end and a second end and extends in length as the first end and the second end are pulled in different directions. The alarm is operatively connected to the first end of the elongating member, and the activation member is releasably connected to the alarm. The activation member activates the alarm when disconnected from the alarm. The connecting member interconnects the activation member and the second end of the elongating member, and the activation member becomes disconnected from the alarm when the elongating member is extended in length as the first end and the second end are pulled in different directions thereby activating the alarm when the elongating member is extended.

A system for automatically launching and recovering marine or underwater vehicles from a carrier ship which remains under way to limit pitching and rolling movements. The system includes an inclinable articulated ramp including a bottom and edges, and hauling means for controlling sliding of the vehicle along the ramp during launch and for hoisting the vehicle up along the ramp during recovery. The ramp has a free end which varies between an immersed position in water and an emerged position in a horizontal position. The system includes buoyancy means allowing the free end of the ramp to float at the surface or near the surface of the water when lowered. The bottom of the articulated ramp also has an external face that is configured to form streamlining ensuring fluidity of the end of the ramp with the water and limiting vertical dynamic movements caused by waves.

An improved winch assembly adaptably configured for use with a new or existing lift structure suitably dedicated for short- and long-term storage of a recreational boat and related watercraft. The winch assembly comprises three drive assemblies housed and mounted within a chassis. The first drive assembly comprises a first plate sprocket and a pair of cable guards collectively mounted onto a cable hub to form a spool assembly for accepting and winding thereon a predetermined length of cabling. The second drive assembly comprises a stepped hub having three discrete cylindrical surfaces to form first and second annular walls for mounting thereagainst primary and secondary plate sprockets and an inner bore extending therethrough for receiving therein an intermediate axle having ends affixed to the chassis, wherein the primary plate sprocket is connectively coupled with the first plate sprocket by a drive chain. The third drive assembly comprises a motor hub mounted to the chassis by means of a mount plate and having primary and secondary cylindrical surfaces each of differing diameter to form an annular wall for mounting thereagainst a plate sprocket connectively coupled to the secondary plate sprocket by a motor drive chain and first and second elongate bores extending longitudinally through the primary and secondary cylindrical surfaces for receiving and housing therein an output shaft of either a 110 / 220- or 12 / 24-volt electric motor and an axle having a hex-shaped head positioned externally to the mount plate for manual turning of the drive assemblies in the event of the electric motor's failure, respectively.

The invention is a method for lifting and transporting a heavy load by using a heavy lift vessel with at least two heavy lift cranes adapted to operate simultaneously; mounting fly-jibs on the heavy lift crane to increase reach and height of the heavy lift crane; picking up a load from a first location using the fly-jib modules simultaneously; 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 mooring system to maintain the heavy lift vessel at the second position; picking up the load from the second location using the fly-jib modules simultaneously; shifting the load from a second location to over a third location; and placing the load on the third location.

A portable marine lift capable of multi-directional off-loading of yachts, ships, and other marine vessels at ground level to dry-dock them. It is compact and barge-like, and can be shared by independent shipyards, or used to expand the work area within a single port facility or shipyard. It is also self-contained when fitted with generators and / or propulsion means via add-on pods, and comprises independent platform sections joined together to meet any hull design, length and water depth. Platform sections have the ability to submerge, and may also be employed to capture and temporarily contain environmentally hazardous materials commonly produced by shipyards. In addition, the platform sections are preferably open-framed for weight savings. Computerized lifting, via multiple lift modules secured to platform sections, assures lifting of vessels in substantially level orientation. Optionally, platform sections can be configured for shallow water operation, with locking devices, and / or guides usable for off-loading railway alignment.

A boat lift canopy comprises a truss type framework with a base frame. Joined to the base frame and circumscribed by it is a tie tube frame, which may be discontinuous. A fabric cover, which in preferred embodiments is decorative as well as functional, snugly encloses the outside of the framework, wraps around the base frame and is secured to the tie tube frame. The boat lift canopy is held above the boat lift vertical members, which in some embodiments are vertical extensions of the legs of the boat lift. Advantageously, the canopy is releasably coupled to the vertical members at the tie tube frame, thereby enabling simple adjustment of the position of the canopy with respect to the vertical members, permitting adjustment of canopy overhang or length with ease. Embodiments of the canopy allow adjustment of the length of the canopy by the addition of frame members extending the canopy framework, such adjustment facilitated by the releasable coupling of the canopy to the vertical members. The framework of the canopy employs an improved truss design such as Howe Kingpost to maximize framework strength, thereby enhancing endurance of the canopy and permitting substantial cantilevered canopy overhangs.

A roller assembly facilitates travel of a watercraft hull on a floating dock having a longitudinal, keel-receiving valley with a pair of flanking ridges supporting opposite sides of the hull during docking and launching of the craft. Pockets in the ridges contain wheels mounted on circumferential planes parallel to the ridges for rotation on axles seated in the pockets. The upper portions of the wheels protrude above the crests of the ridges and the axle end bearing portions cooperate with the seats in the pockets to list the circumferential planes toward the valley and approximately perpendicular to the hull sides. For optimal performance, two or more roller assemblies can be arranged in-line and spaced apart longitudinally in each of the ridges. A brake stops the docking motion of the watercraft onto the dock. Multiple docks can be serially connected without use of special tools or underwater assembly steps.

Disclosed herein are an underwater docking system and a docking method using the system. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for docking a target body on a docking station under water, the system comprising: a guide unit provided to the docking station to transmit at least one guide signal to the target body; an agent unit connected to the docking station by a smart cable and disposed at a position spaced apart from the docking station so that the agent unit is moored under the water in a direction corresponding to a tidal current; and the target body configured to be guided toward the agent unit by the guide signal and then connected to a portion of the agent unit.

The gravitationally balancing vertical ship elevator for launching and upsloping ship in ship yard includes tower columns on two sides, driving pulley devices on the tower columns, steel cables configured in the driving pulley devices and with one end connected to the under carriage inside the tower column and the other end connected to balance weight, and locking device inside the tower column and fitting the under carriage, as well as floating pontoon, which is connected via movable connecting device to the under carriages and has ballast tanks connected with water feeding and draining device. The present invention completes the ascent and descent of ship in gravity balancing mode and converts the gravitational potential energy to reduce the needed driving power for the ship ascending process. The present invention has the advantages of reduced and simplified driving configuration, low power consumption, and low cost, etc. and is especially suitable for launching and upsloping ship in steep berth.

The invention discloses a mobile operation platform device for ships, in particular to an operation platform device which is provided to personnel for ship structure examination, maintenance and repair, cleaning and sweeping hold operation and other operations and can conveniently move along the cargo hold wall or the operation surfaces of other places to reach specific location and work in cargo holds and other high places. The mobile operation platform device is mainly composed of a crane rail, a cradle crane, a lifting mechanism, an operation cradle and other members. The invention aims to provide operation personnel with an operation platform which has convenient installation, convenient use and safe operation and can conveniently move along the cargo hold wall or the operation surfaces of other places in the high places for close-up inspection, maintenance and repair and cleaning and sweeping hold operation so as to greatly lower the labor intensity of operators, save operation time and ensure operation safety. Meanwhile, the device conforms to the requirement of other available paths specified in the mandatory documents, such as the II-1 / 3-6 of the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention, technical requirements and the like, can replace the permanent path required by the document and can lower the construction cost for the detection path.

A canopy covering for a watercraft to protect the watercraft from natural elements while allowing a substantial amount of light to be transmitted through the covering so as to not significantly adversely impact the marine habitat below the canopy by light reduction.

The invention discloses a fabricated scaffold and a using method thereof. The fabricated scaffold comprises a plurality of fixing parts, bearing parts and a plurality of scaffold platforms, wherein the plurality of fixing parts are vertical to a mounting surface; one bearing part is arranged on each fixing part; and the plurality of scaffold platforms are paved between two or among more than two bearing parts. The using method thereof comprises the following steps of: a ship segment stage, namely vertically and fixedly arranging the plurality of fixing parts on the mounting surface at preset intervals; and a general assembly and carrying phase, namely arranging one bearing part on each fixing part and arranging one scaffold platform on the adjacent bearing part. In the invention, a conventional operating mode that a tubular scaffold is needed to be erected in a whole cabin space so as to help a worker reach a higher operation point is changed, a method for extendedly arranging the scaffold clung to the mounting surface is adopted so as to release most of the space in the cabin, shorten the construction period, improve the use ratio of a dock, and reduce the hazard index of workersbelow the scaffold; and the fabricated scaffold has very obvious effect on backing construction in the ship building.

A float which may be utilized individually or which may be joined to other such floats or used with other elements to provide flotation for a deck or dock unit. Though the particular shapes and attributes of the float may vary for the particular use, the basic float consists of a hollow, preferably rotocast, unit which combines an exterior skin with attachment accommodations having a selectable top surface and a first and second flotation concept. The first flotation is provided by the buoyancy of the hollow structure with the second achieved through a plurality of selectively shaped and positioned cavities extending upwardly from the bottom surface of the float to a location at or adjacent the upper surface of the float. With this dual flotation provision, should the exterior skin of the float be pierced, allowing water to fill the interior thereof, flotation is provided by air entrapment within the formed cavities. The float provides for selective upper surface arrangements dependent upon the desire of the user and may include a flat, or otherwise formed surface.

A boat lift canopy comprises a truss type framework with a base frame that may be rectangular, comprised of side and end horizontal members. The framework is comprised of channel-ridge interlocking extruded components, enabling easy construction with minimal or no welded parts. Joined to the base frame and circumscribed by it is a tie bar frame, which may be discontinuous. A fabric cover snugly encloses the outside of the framework, wrapping around the base frame and secured to the tie tube frame with canopy ties. The boat lift canopy is held above the boat lift by vertical members connecting to supporting legs. The canopy is releasably coupled to the vertical members at the tie tube frame, facilitating adjustable extension of canopy overhang or length by the addition of frame members extending the canopy framework. The framework of the canopy employs a truss design such as Howe kingpost to maximize framework strength to support substantial cantilevered canopy overhangs. Modular, easily assembled components enable provision of the canopy as a kit of components for user assembly.