A transport apparatus for use in the transport of a heavy structure includes a shape-adjustable adapter realized to adjust between an initial shape and a mating shape; and an actuator configured to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its initial shape to facilitate positioning of the adapter relative to the structure; and to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its mating shape to engage the shape-adjustable adapter with a surface of the structure. A method of securing a frustoconical structure during transport is further provided.

A transport apparatus for use in the transport of a heavy structure includes a shape-adjustable adapter realized to adjust between an initial shape and a mating shape; and an actuator configured to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its initial shape to facilitate positioning of the adapter relative to the structure; and to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its mating shape to engage the shape-adjustable adapter with a surface of the structure. A method of securing a frustoconical structure during transport is further provided.

A handling unit for hollow glass articles includes a plurality of fingers, each configured to engage a corresponding hollow glass article in correspondence of a gripping area and to drag the article along a connection trajectory between a gripping position and a release position, a displacement mechanism of the plurality of fingers between the gripping position and the release position, wherein each finger of the plurality includes a nozzle which can be supplied by means of pressurized air and arranged in correspondence of the gripping area, the nozzle being configured for the ejection of air in a direction tangent with respect to the gripping area so as to set a depression in correspondence of the gripping area to hold a hollow glass article arranged in the gripping area itself, the handling unit being characterized in that it includes at least two control units of the supply airflow of the nozzles, wherein each control unit of the airflow is configured to control at least one corresponding nozzle independently of the nozzles controlled by remaining control units of the airflow.

A handling unit for hollow glass articles includes a plurality of fingers, each configured to engage a corresponding hollow glass article in correspondence of a gripping area and to drag the article along a connection trajectory between a gripping position and a release position, a displacement mechanism of the plurality of fingers between the gripping position and the release position, wherein each finger of the plurality includes a nozzle which can be supplied by means of pressurized air and arranged in correspondence of the gripping area, the nozzle being configured for the ejection of air in a direction tangent with respect to the gripping area so as to set a depression in correspondence of the gripping area to hold a hollow glass article arranged in the gripping area itself, the handling unit being characterized in that it includes at least two control units of the supply airflow of the nozzles, wherein each control unit of the airflow is configured to control at least one corresponding nozzle independently of the nozzles controlled by remaining control units of the airflow.

In embodiments, motion may be arrested and/or dampened using a motion arresting and dampening device comprising a lifting spreader bar, one or more bar mounted winches, deployment wire, a restorative inflation device, restraining wires and winches, hoses and controller, mechanical connection release system circuitry. Multiple restraints from winches mounted strategically on a vessel crane's boom may be applied to the spreader bar to restrain the bar during the lifting operation. The forces induced into the lifted object by the movement of the crane as it deploys the object into installation position are attenuated by the physical restrain of the adjustable wires. These adjustable wires may also be used to provide rotation of the object during final alignment of the object during installation.

In embodiments, motion may be arrested and/or dampened using a motion arresting and dampening device comprising a lifting spreader bar, one or more bar mounted winches, deployment wire, a restorative inflation device, restraining wires and winches, hoses and controller, mechanical connection release system circuitry. Multiple restraints from winches mounted strategically on a vessel crane's boom may be applied to the spreader bar to restrain the bar during the lifting operation. The forces induced into the lifted object by the movement of the crane as it deploys the object into installation position are attenuated by the physical restrain of the adjustable wires. These adjustable wires may also be used to provide rotation of the object during final alignment of the object during installation.

Provided is a method for handling a section of a wind turbine, including the steps: Inserting an inner part) of a first tool into an open first end of the section and/or inserting the first end of the section into an outer part of the first tool, actuating the first tool to exert pressure onto an inner surface and/or an outer surface of a wall of the section along the entire circumference or in multiple areas spaced along the circumference of the wall, and moving the first tool while the first tool is exerting the pressure on the inner and/or outer surface to move the section.

Provided is a method for handling a section of a wind turbine, including the steps: Inserting an inner part) of a first tool into an open first end of the section and/or inserting the first end of the section into an outer part of the first tool, actuating the first tool to exert pressure onto an inner surface and/or an outer surface of a wall of the section along the entire circumference or in multiple areas spaced along the circumference of the wall, and moving the first tool while the first tool is exerting the pressure on the inner and/or outer surface to move the section.

In embodiments, motion may be arrested and/or dampened using a motion arresting and dampening device comprising a lifting spreader bar, one or more bar mounted winches, deployment wire, a restorative inflation device, restraining wires and winches, hoses and controller, mechanical connection release system circuitry. Multiple restraints from winches mounted strategically on a vessel crane's boom may be applied to the spreader bar to restrain the bar during the lifting operation. The forces induced into the lifted object by the movement of the crane as it deploys the object into installation position are attenuated by the physical restrain of the adjustable wires. These adjustable wires may also be used to provide rotation of the object during final alignment of the object during installation.

It is common to store decayed radioactive waste in waste packages, lowered into vertical concrete cylindrical storage containers called tile holes. These containers of these packages decay over time and may become fragile, making it difficult to remove them using conventional methods. A retrieval tool has been developed, comprising a cylinder that fits between the tile hole internal diameter and the outside diameter of the waste package inside the tile hole. Inflatable air wedges are equally spaced inside the cylinder. The air wedges are inflated to a low pressure (2.1 psig) to provide uniform grip to the outside of the packages, minimizing the risk of damage to the decayed containers. A back-up system uses horizontal safety bars at the bottom of the cylinder, which may be rotated to form a partial platform under the waste package, preventing the package from falling in the event of a failure.