Methods and apparatus for constructing refractory structures, e.g., glass furnace regenerator structures and/or glass furnace structures having walls formed of refractory block and buck stays externally supporting the walls are provided. Opposed pairs of supports are connected to at least a respective one of the vertically oriented buck stays with cross-support beams spanning the refractory structure between a respective pair of the supports. An overhead crane assembly is supported by the cross-support beams. In such a manner, refractory components of the refractory structure (e.g., refractory wall blocks and/or refractory checker bricks) may be installed using the overhead crane assembly.

A portable derrick system for use in hoisting and lowering loads at a plurality of job sites, comprising, in combination: a boom subassembly, a boom head subassembly, a mast support subassembly, a mast head subassembly, a load-carrying line, a winch capable of cooperating with said line, power means for driving the winch, means for pivoting the boom assembly, means for controlling said pivoting means, the foregoing elements of the invention capable of being transported by humans to elevated positions such as, without limitation, rooftops and terraces, and wherein the aforementioned are capable of repeated assembly and disassembly at a plurality of job sites and serving to facilitate the elimination of the need for a street-level crane.

A structure for modular utilities units includes a skeletal frame forming multiple bays, each configured for receiving a respective utilities unit. A placement subassembly is mounted on the frame and includes a utilities unit connector configured for connecting to a respective utilities unit and a lifting device configured for attachment to the connector and raising and lowering a respective utilities unit. The utilities units can provide power, telecommunications, water, data processing and other utility functions. A logistics system includes vehicles for conveying the utilities units to and from the structure. The logistics system interfaces with ground, marine and air transportation resources.

Methods and apparatus for constructing refractory structures, e.g., glass furnace regenerator structures and/or glass furnace structures having walls formed of refractory block and buck stays externally supporting the walls are provided. Opposed pairs of supports are connected to at least a respective one of the vertically oriented buck stays with cross-support beams spanning the refractory structure between a respective pair of the supports. An overhead crane assembly is supported by the cross-support beams. In such a manner, refractory components of the refractory structure (e.g., refractory wall blocks and/or refractory checker bricks) may be installed using the overhead crane assembly.

An unmanned cleaning apparatus for cleaning structures such as buildings, more specifically windows on buildings includes a carriage, a cleaning element rotatably mounted on the carriage, at least a pair of support arms, at least a pair of electric ducted fans, a motor that in use is operable remotely to rotate the cleaning element about its horizontal axis across the surface to be cleaned, and a spray boom that is mounted on the carriage. A cleaning system includes the unmanned cleaning apparatus as described and a portable winching member.

A portable crane for removable attachment to a safety rail system. The portable crane attaches to one or more guide rails on the safety rail system and is configured to raise and lower payloads without obstructing the roof hatch. The portable crane includes a planar ballast platform that lays flat on a roof, a winching mechanism affixed to a vertical post, and a boom extending at an angle from the vertical post. A pulley at an end of the boom permits the raising and lowering of a payload through the roof hatch. The ballast platform and vertical post may be removably attached to the guide rails with one or more U-bolts.

A tower for a concentrated solar power plant includes: an upper external platform on which is arranged an essentially cylindrical solar receiver with an external side surface and an upper base, the side surface of the receiver including a plurality of removably mounted receiving panels; and a placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels. The placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels includes a crane mounted so as to be rotatable 360 and guided using at least two concentric rails, on the upper base of the receiver.

This invention relates generally to a method for making a deck for use in construction. In one embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, positioning a first box tube substantially parallel to a second box tube; attaching a plate to the first box tube and the second box tube, the plate extending between the first box tube and the second box tube; coupling a hydraulic cylinder to the plate; slidably inserting a first extension member at least partially into the first box tube; slidably inserting a second extension member at least partially into the second box tube, the first and second extension members having a beam extending therebetween; coupling the hydraulic cylinder to the beam; positioning a platform having one or more wheels on the plate and over the hydraulic cylinder such that the platform is rollable relative to the plate; and attaching the platform to the beam such that the platform is operable to retractably extend beyond an edge of a floor of a building in conjunction with the first and second extension members in response to actuation of the at least one hydraulic cylinder.

An aerial vehicle operation system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle in which a cable is connected, a processor, a fulcrum position adjustment mechanism, and a cable winding device. The processor determines a fulcrum position at which to support the cable to be above the unmanned aerial vehicle and to be on an extended line in a direction within a prescribed scope of angles with respect to a reference extension direction in the unmanned aerial vehicle. The processor determines control information about an operation of an arm of a crane that changes a position of a cable support included in the crane, and a length of a cable from the fulcrum position to the unmanned aerial vehicle. The fulcrum position adjustment mechanism controls an operation of the arm using the control information. The cable winding device changes a length of the cable using the determined length of the cable.

This invention relates generally to a method for making a deck for use in construction. In one embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, positioning a first box tube substantially parallel to a second box tube; attaching a plate to the first box tube and the second box tube, the plate extending between the first box tube and the second box tube; coupling a hydraulic cylinder to the plate; slidably inserting a first extension member at least partially into the first box tube; slidably inserting a second extension member at least partially into the second box tube, the first and second extension members having a beam extending therebetween; coupling the hydraulic cylinder to the beam; positioning a platform having one or more wheels on the plate and over the hydraulic cylinder such that the platform is rollable relative to the plate; attaching the platform to the beam such that the platform is operable to retractably extend beyond an edge of a floor of a building in conjunction with the first and second extension members in response to actuation of the at least one hydraulic cylinder; and forming a rectangular cuboid basket comprised of six faces with a connecting mechanism on a top face.