The invention relates to a lifting system for lifting elongated objects, comprising a sensor device arranged to identify position and location of an elongated object, a lifting and rotating device, and a control unit for controlling the movement of the lifting and rotating device in response to signals from the sensor device which indicate the position and location of the object. In order to lift elongated objects regardless of object's material, profile or position, the lifting and rotating device is provided with an elongated gripping device including a first gripping arm, and the control unit is configured to control the lifting and rotating device to insert a part of the first gripping arm into the object from one end of the object in order to lift and rotate the object with the inserted part.

A gantry system has at least one crane assembly, at least one support post, and at least one hoist. The crane assembly has a stationary base, a rotating base, and a crane arm. The rotating base is attached to both the stationary base and the crane arm in such a ways as to allow the rotating base and the crane arm to rotate while the stationary base remains stationary. The crane arm is supported on its far end by a support post. The crane assembly is configured such that the support post rests on an in-place girder. A hoist is attached and can move along the crane arm to position a railway component, such as a replacement girder and/or a precast panel.

A gantry system has at least one crane assembly, at least one support post, and at least one hoist. The crane assembly has a stationary base, a rotating base, and a crane arm. The rotating base is attached to both the stationary base and the crane arm in such a ways as to allow the rotating base and the crane arm to rotate while the stationary base remains stationary. The crane arm is supported on its far end by a support post. The crane assembly is configured such that the support post rests on an in-place girder. A hoist is attached and can move along the crane arm to position a railway component, such as a replacement girder and/or a precast panel.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a guiding assembly and a vehicle. The guiding assembly includes a first guiding system arranged in a first horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second guiding system arranged in a second horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, and a plurality of storage containers stacked on top of one another to form stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns below the first and second guiding systems. Each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening of a plurality of adjacent grid cells, the grid cells forming a grid pattern in the horizontal plane. The vehicle includes a lifting device for picking up storage containers from the storage columns to a position above the highest level of the storage columns. The lifting device includes a lifting frame connectable to a storage container via lifting bands including powering and control cables for controlling a gripping device on the lifting frame. The vehicle includes a transport mechanism for transporting the vehicle along the first and second guiding systems in the first and second directions. The vehicle includes at least one reader and the system further includes a storage container with at least one label. The at least one label includes storage container information. The at least one reader is configured to read the at least one label such as to identify the storage container. The at least one reader is arranged on the lifting frame of the vehicle and is power and signally connected to onboard controls and communications systems of the vehicle via cables arranged in the lifting bands.

A system for servicing a nuclear reactor module comprises a crane operable to attach to the nuclear reactor module, wherein the crane includes provisions for routing signals from one or more sensors of the nuclear reactor module to one or more sensor receivers.

An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor engaged with a lifting mechanism on the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.

A suspension rail type greenhouse comprehensive information automatic cruise monitoring device, includes a sliding rail a sliding platform, and a lifting and lowering mechanism suspended on a greenhouse truss; a multi-sensor system which includes a binocular vision multifunctional camera, a laser ranging sensor, an infrared temperature measuring sensor, an illumination intensity sensor, and a temperature and humidity sensor, and an electronically controlled rotary pan-tilt mounted below the lifting and lowering mechanism of the sliding platform; a detection azimuth overlooks plant canopies; and a multi-sensor system configured to perform stationary point detection on the plant canopies one by one along planting lines of plants under the driving of the sliding platform.

A suspension rail type greenhouse comprehensive information automatic cruise monitoring device, includes a sliding rail a sliding platform, and a lifting and lowering mechanism suspended on a greenhouse truss; a multi-sensor system which includes a binocular vision multifunctional camera, a laser ranging sensor, an infrared temperature measuring sensor, an illumination intensity sensor, and a temperature and humidity sensor, and an electronically controlled rotary pan-tilt mounted below the lifting and lowering mechanism of the sliding platform; a detection azimuth overlooks plant canopies; and a multi-sensor system configured to perform stationary point detection on the plant canopies one by one along planting lines of plants under the driving of the sliding platform.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.