Methods and systems are disclosed for the deployment and operation of shipping container scanning systems that enables scanning of containers passing through a modern, highly automated port without impeding the flow of commerce. Locating the scanners where container dwell time is already longest, and configuring scanners to scan up to several containers in parallel but under separate scanning control, minimizes any delay associated with scanning. Operationally integrating scanning systems with the automated logistical port systems ensures smooth, delay-free operation. Controlling the flow of information so that scanning results, including but not limited to images and assessments of the presence or absence of threat material or contraband, are sent only to government Customs and/or security facilities adjacent to but separate from the port insulates port operators from involvement in activities that could slow container throughput.

A station for a hyperloop transportation system includes a tube comprising a low-pressure environment, a plurality of tracks within the tube, each track adapted to carry a hyperloop capsule, and a turntable joined to an end of the tube, adapted to rotate a capsule one hundred and eighty degrees. The station also includes a platform disposed on a side of the tube, adapted to hold a plurality of people, and a plurality of gates disposed in one side of the tube. Each gate includes a door forming a barrier between the low-pressure environment of the tube and an exterior of the tube, and a sealing mechanism adapted to form a seal with a hyperloop capsule.

Techniques involve utilizing a multi-track cargo handling assembly to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of a deck of an amphibious air cushion vehicle when unloading from the aft end. Such a multi-track cargo handling assembly includes a framework constructed and arranged to couple with the deck of the amphibious air cushion vehicle, and a set of guide rails coupled with the framework. The set of guide rails defines the parallel tracks and is constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks.

The present disclosure is directed to a helical conveyor for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include a case having a cylindrical portion. A cap is positioned adjacent to a first end of the case. A conveyor having a helix structure is provided within the case. The conveyor can receive an ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) unit at a first end of the conveyer and transport the OBS unit via the helix structure to a second end of the conveyor to provide the OBS unit on the seabed to acquire the seismic data.

The present disclosure is directed to loading a helical conveyor for underwater seismic exploration. The system includes a case and a first conveyor having a helix structure provided within the case to support one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units. The case can include a first opening at a first end of the first conveyor and a second opening at a second end of the first conveyor. The system can include a base to receive at least a portion of the case. The system can include a second conveyor positioned external to the case that can move an OBS unit into the first opening at the first end of the first conveyor. The first conveyor can receive the OBS unit and direct the OBS unit towards the second opening at the second end of the first conveyor.

The offshore jack-up has a hull and a plurality of moveable legs engageable with the seafloor. The offshore jack-up is arranged to move the legs with respect to the hull to position the hull out of the water. The method comprises moving at least a portion of a vessel underneath the hull of the offshore jack-up or within a cut-out of the hull when the hull is positioned out of the water and the legs engage the seafloor. A stabilizing mechanism mounted on the jack-up is engaged against the vessel. The stabilizing mechanism is pushed down on the vessel to increase the buoyant force acting on the vessel.

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 crane system includes an elevated track spanning a first location to a second location; at least one spreader assembly configured to move along the elevated track using a tram assembly unit, and to move a shipping container from a first storage area to a second storage area, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are between the first location and the second location; and a controller configured to identify the shipping container and control a movement of the shipping container using the at least one spreader assembly.

Techniques involve utilizing a multi-track cargo handling assembly to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of a deck of an amphibious air cushion vehicle when unloading from the aft end. Such a multi-track cargo handling assembly includes a framework constructed and arranged to couple with the deck of the amphibious air cushion vehicle, and a set of guide rails coupled with the framework. The set of guide rails defines the parallel tracks and is constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks.

The offshore jack-up has a hull and a plurality of moveable legs engageable with the seafloor. The offshore jack-up is arranged to move the legs with respect to the hull to position the hull out of the water. The method comprises securing the vessel with respect to the hull of the offshore jack-up when the hull is positioned out of the water and the legs engage the seafloor. A lifting mechanism mounted on the offshore jack-up engages with a cargo carrying platform positioned on the vessel. The platform is lifted with the lifting mechanism between a first position on the vessel and a second position clear of the vessel.