Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.

A method of lifting an object, includes the steps of using a flexible sound producing speaker cone mechanism and generating and directing an acoustic sound. The sound thus generated has a predetermined frequency, imparted on the object, at various object locations. The acoustic sound communicates through first and second coils associated with the sound producing mechanism, such as a conical rubber member associated with the coils. The first coil harnesses electrical current and the second coil harnesses frequency, producing a force causing the rubber sound producing speaker cone mechanism to expand its surface area and push air outward. The pushed air provides a force for imparting movement of an object in the vicinity of the flexible sound producing speaker cone mechanism. Lifting by air is augmented by magnetic fields generated.

A method of lifting an object, includes the steps of using a flexible sound producing speaker cone mechanism and generating and directing an acoustic sound. The sound thus generated has a predetermined frequency, imparted on the object, at various object locations. The acoustic sound communicates through first and second coils associated with the sound producing mechanism, such as a conical rubber member associated with the coils. The first coil harnesses electrical current and the second coil harnesses frequency, producing a force causing the rubber sound producing speaker cone mechanism to expand its surface area and push air outward. The pushed air provides a force for imparting movement of an object in the vicinity of the flexible sound producing speaker cone mechanism. Lifting by air is augmented by magnetic fields generated.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

Presented herein are removable pull tabs that are configured to be detachably coupled to pluggable modules in a manner that facilitates removal of the pull tabs from the module without disassembling the modules. In particular, a removable pull tab may comprise a handle and first and second substantially parallel attachment arms extending from the handle. The first and second attachment arms comprise first and second attachment mechanisms, respectively, disposed at a distal end of the respective attachment arm. The first and second attachment mechanisms are configured to detachably couple to first and second apertures, respectively, of a pluggable module.

Presented herein are removable pull tabs that are configured to be detachably coupled to pluggable modules in a manner that facilitates removal of the pull tabs from the module without disassembling the modules. In particular, a removable pull tab may comprise a handle and first and second substantially parallel attachment arms extending from the handle. The first and second attachment arms comprise first and second attachment mechanisms, respectively, disposed at a distal end of the respective attachment arm. The first and second attachment mechanisms are configured to detachably couple to first and second apertures, respectively, of a pluggable module.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.