An unmanned aerial device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an aerial device body capable of flying in an unmanned manner, and a load-lowering device mounted to the aerial device body and configured to lower a load from the aerial device body. The load-lowering device has a linear member holder for holding a linear member having one end portion connectable to the load, the linear member holder holding at least the other end portion of the linear member, and a speed limiting mechanism that limits a speed at which the linear member is pulled out of the linear member holder, under a weight of the load.

The present specification provides a device and method for controlling a winch parcel delivery system through an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone. The example apparatus contemplates the use of a winch that will attach to a hook with active and passive release mechanisms through a winch line. The apparatus is enabled to attach to a parachute recovery system. The apparatus can detect when the ground has been reached to enable safe delivery of parcels. The apparatus can removably attach to various types of drones.

The present embodiments relate to launch and recovery systems for a remotely operated vehicle. The embodiments eliminate or minimize the need for load lines, and provide virtually unlimited excursion distances for remotely operated vehicles, limited only by the amount of tether available at the launch point. Further, the embodiments allow for extended deployments of ROVs by allowing recharging of a tether climbing component while submerged. The system can include a launch and recovery assembly, a tether climbing component, and a remotely operated vehicle attached to a remotely operated vehicle tether. The launch and recovery assembly deploys the remotely operated vehicle and the tether climbing component overboard, and the remotely operated vehicle is configured for tethered operation while maintaining the tether climbing component at a desired depth.

A multi-cable subsea lifting system including two or more load-cable lifting apparatus (2a, 2b); a load cable (4a, 4b) extending from each load-cable lifting apparatus (2a, 2b) to a subsea attachment point; a torque measuring device (22) associated with each load cable (4a, 4b); one or more subsea anti-cabling devices (20), each anti-cabling device (20) including a motor (24) connected to a respective load cable (4a, 4b); and a controller (30) in communication with each motor (24) and torque measuring device (22); wherein the controller (30) is configured to actuate each motor (24) to impart a rotational force to its respective load cable (4a, 4b) in response to measurements obtained from the torque measuring device (22) with the aim to limit cabling, remove cabling or control heading either automatically or from external control.

The invention relates to a compensating device (200) for maintaining specifiable target positions of a load (206) which can be handled using a cable hoist (202) and which is attached to a cable (216) of the cable hoist, the respective specifiable target position of the load changing unintentionally to an actual position deviating from the target position. The compensating device consists of at least one sensor device (240, 242) for detecting the respective actual position of the load (206); a rotational drive (226, 228, 230) for specifying a cable length of the cable hoist (202); and at least one controller (244) which changes the cable length after the respective actual position has been detected until the load (206) re-assumes its target position. The respective drive (226, 228, 230) can be controlled at least partly by at least one hydraulic motor (226, 228, 230) with opposite rotational directions, said motor being connected to an actuating device (246) which has at least two separate pressure chambers (250, 252) with pressure levels that differ during operation, thereby forming a drive section (248) for the respective hydraulic motor (226, 228, 230), and which can be actuated by the controller (244).

The present embodiments relate to launch and recovery systems for a remotely operated vehicle. The embodiments eliminate or minimize the need for load lines, and provide virtually unlimited excursion distances for remotely operated vehicles, limited only by the amount of tether available at the launch point. Further, the embodiments allow for extended deployments of ROVs by allowing recharging of a tether climbing component while submerged. The system can include a launch and recovery assembly, a tether climbing component, and a remotely operated vehicle attached to a remotely operated vehicle tether. The launch and recovery assembly deploys the remotely operated vehicle and the tether climbing component overboard, and the remotely operated vehicle is configured for tethered operation while maintaining the tether climbing component at a desired depth.

A method for securing a lifting movement of a load mechanically coupled to a hook of a lifting device by flexible links, wherein the flexible links can be, when the load is placed on the ground, either in a stretched state or in a relaxed state. The method includes detecting an initiation of a transitional phase between an initial instant when the load is placed on the ground and a final instant when the load is suspended in the air; and emitting a detection signal of a proscribed lifting situation, if the flexible links are, at least at an instant of the transitional phase, in the relaxed state.

A knuckle boom crane at least comprising: a pedestal; a tower 2 arranged on top of the pedestal; an operator cabin 4 fixed to the tower 2; a machine house 3; a winch 5 with a wire 6 positioned at an upper end of the tower 2 so that the upper rim of the reel of the winch 5 protrudes above the top of the tower 2; or an alternative wire routing with a winch with a wire arranged external to the crane where the wire is fed to a first sheave arranged at an upper end of the tower 2 so that the upper rim of the sheave protrudes above the top of the tower 2; a main boom 14 which is at its first end is pivotally connected to the tower 2 at its second end the main boom 14 is pivotally connected with a first end of a knuckle boom 12, the second end of the knuckle boom is provided with at least one second sheave 10, where the main boom 14 is provided with an aperture 7 proximate to its first end.

A compact and simplified heave compensation system for reducing the effect of waves or wavelike movements on a lifting device. The system can have active and passive heave compensation components. An overload protection to protect lifting equipment can also be implemented. The system enables accurate load and displacement calculations, as well as simplifying the control schemes utilized for lifting devices.

A winch system for driving an output includes a gear connected to the output, an electric motor connected to the gear, and a hydraulic motor connected to the gear. The electric motor and the hydraulic motor are distribute energy via the gear to the output.