Abstract: A fluid treatment system, for example a membrane filtration system, utilizing means to mechanically vary fluid recovery and energy recovery to optimize fluid production for a given energy input, based on the total dissolved solids concentration in the fluid feed stream.

Abstract: A fold-away wheelbarrow system is for use in moving materials from one location to another. The wheelbarrow has a shell comprised of a front, a back, a right side, and a left side that hinge together in such a way that the front may open for dumping the carried load and/or the front, back, and sides may fold via a plurality of hinges into a flat configuration for storage. The fold-away wheelbarrow is foldable such that it occupies a greatly reduced area for storage.

Abstract: A fold-away wheelbarrow system is for use in moving materials from one location to another. The wheelbarrow has a shell comprised of a front, a back, a right side, and a left side that hinge together in such a way that the front may open for dumping the carried load and/or the front, back, and sides may fold via a plurality of hinges into a flat configuration for storage. The fold-away wheelbarrow is foldable such that it occupies a greatly reduced area for storage.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for coupling high pressure air flow produced by ground equipment to a start nipple having an interior diameter of a particular dimension contained on an aircraft, including, a housing member having an enlarged section with an interior diameter of a dimension greater than the particular diameter of the start nipple and with the housing member having one end adapted for coupling to the ground equipment, a pair of vane members forming a clam shell type restrictor valve located within the enlarged section of the housing member and rotating around positions at the sides of the housing member and with the vane members in a closed position blocking the high pressure air flow through the coupling assembly and with the vane members in an open position forming a continuation of the interior diameter of the start nipple to form a continuous air flow path through the coupling assembly and start nipple, and a locking assembly coupled to the other end of the housing member and adapted for coupling to an

Abstract: A drain plug for axial insertion into a conduit having an inner surface, including a cup-shaped resilient sealing member having a closed end and an open end and having a sidewall having an outer surface conforming to the inner surface of the conduit and with the cup-shaped member normally axially slideable into the conduit, first means intercoupling the closed and open ends of the cup-shaped member for axially compressing the cup-shaped member to flex the sidewall radially outward to engage and seal against the inner surface of the conduit, and second means coupled to the first means for moving between first and second positions for actuating the first means to compress the cup-shaped member with the second means moved from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A quick-release coupling suitable for refueling racing cars and the like which avoids jamming of the coupling parts during rapid disconnection in a condition of misalignment between the coupling parts. A housing connected with a fuel receptacle includes an open passage in which is positioned a valve seat. A plunger is resiliently biased against the downstream side of the valve seat to close it. A hollow probe connected to a fuel supply, such as a dump can, includes a nose connected to the probe by a stem. A sliding sleeve surrounding the probe is resiliently biased into sealing contact with the nose to prevent fluid flow outwardly of the nose. During coupling, the probe is inserted into the passage so that the nose contacts the plunger to unseat it from the valve seat while at the same time bringing an outer surface of the sleeve into sealing relation against the upstream side of the valve seat.