The invention relates to a current collector system (1) for a vehicle (F) which can be moved in a longitudinal direction along a power rail arrangement (S) having at least one current collector trolley (3) and current collector contacts (5) arranged on this, which current collector contacts can be connected to the power rails (ST) of the power rail arrangement (S) and a telescopic arm (2) which can be fixed or is fixed to a vehicle (F), which telescopic arm can be extended and/or retracted by means of an adjustment drive, characterised in that the adjustment drive has at least one rigid chain arrangement (9) which is driven by at least a first rigid chain drive (8).

A portal gantry crane including: two parallel main girders running side by side on respective sides of a midplane, two legs each positioned in the midplane, two couples of trolleys, each couple of trolleys operating on a corresponding girder, each trolley carrying a hoist.

An overhead crane (21, 22) for hoisting and moving containers (2) includes a rail track (23, 24) which rests on the ground via columns (25), and a frame (31, 32) which is displaceable along the rail track (23, 24) and is provided with elements for picking up and hoisting containers (2). In particular, the frame (31, 32) is suitable to accommodate at least one container (2) completely. In an assembly (20) of at least two overhead cranes (21, 22), the rail tracks (23, 24) of the overhead cranes (21, 22) extend at different levels with respect to the ground, substantially parallel with respect to each other, and rest on the ground via common columns (25). One of the advantages of this arrangement is the fact that the overhead cranes (21, 22) can pass each other.

A system for the transfer, storage and distribution of intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The system comprises a first storage area comprising a first plurality of shafts arranged in a grid pattern along a first and second axis, a plurality of gantry cranes slidably disposed along the first axis and extending beyond the storage area, a roof structure disposed at a distance above the plurality of shafts, and a plurality of overhead cranes slidably associated with the plurality of tracks. The shafts disposed in rows along the first axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The shafts disposed in a given row along the second axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a corresponding length. The plurality of gantry cranes are each configured to attach to and transport an intermodal container from a first location to one of a plurality of platforms slidably disposed along the first axis. The platforms delivering the intermodal container to one of the rows of the shafts along the first axis are based on the length of the intermodal container. The roof structure comprises a plurality of tracks corresponding to the rows of the shafts along the second axis. The overhead cranes are each configured to attach to and transport the intermodal container from the platforms to either one of the shafts or to a second location.

A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.

An automated method of unloading a shipping vessel includes: receiving a shipping container from the vessel, the container including multiple connectors; retrieving a pallet able to store the connectors, where the pallet includes multiple receptacles, each receptacle able to accommodate one connector; detaching the connectors from the container; transferring the connectors to the pallet; releasing the container; and transferring a subset of the connectors from the pallet to at least one bin that is able to accommodate multiple connectors. An automated method of loading a shipping vessel includes: receiving a shipping container; retrieving a pallet having multiple connectors, where the pallet includes multiple receptacles, each receptacle able to accommodate one connector; retrieving the connectors from the pallet; attaching the connectors to the container; providing the container to the vessel; and transferring a subset of the connectors from the pallet to a bin that is able to accommodate multiple connectors.

A vertically-adjustable gantry assembly installation adapted for removal or placement of a train bridge-span of the type which spans and is supported by two piers, comprises a gantry assembly positioned on load-bearing first ground-support locations, the gantry assembly comprising a gantry and a ground-engaging vertical support and lift system, the vertical support and lift system adapted for supporting a combined weight of the gantry and a bridge span in at least one operational vertical position above respective bridge span support-surfaces of the piers including a position corresponding to a disembarking plane in which the leg portions are extended from a stowed position to an extent at least sufficient for the gantry assembly to self-liftoff the pre-installation conveyance system onto the first ground-support locations to effect the gantry assembly installation.

A container scanning system includes: a camera/sensor unit movably mounted on a container handling crane, having a camera and/or sensor for scanning the exterior surface of a container; a control unit configured to control movement of the camera/sensor unit; and a rail mounted on a support beam of the container handling crane, the camera/sensor unit being movably mounted on the rail. The container scanning system includes a washing station mounted on the support beam or the rail at a predetermined location. In a washing mode, the control unit moves the camera/sensor unit to the predetermined location and controls the washing station to wash at least a surface of the camera and/or sensor.

A braking system for a rail-mounted traveling unit of a transfer vehicle. A brake arrangement can be adjusted between a braking position and a venting position and which is designed to exert a settable braking torque in the braking position. A control unit is designed to determine a braking torque and to activate accordingly the brake arrangement. A sensor arrangement detects an operating state of the transfer vehicle and external operating influences and transmits these to the control unit. During operation of the transfer vehicle the sensor arrangement detects the operating state of the transfer vehicle and the external operating influences on the transfer vehicle at periodic intervals and transmits these to the control unit as operating state data and operating influence data. During a braking process, the control unit determines a braking torque to be applied and activates the brake arrangement.

An improved method for controlling a lifting device, which moves a load along a first movement direction and along a second movement direction within a specified working area of the lifting device from a starting point to an end point. Individual movements are planned for the first movement direction and for the second movement direction, by which the load is moved further along the movement directions and brought to a newly specified end point.