Abstract: In order to measure a fluid flow or flow conditions of a fluid flow through an apparatus, electrodes are provided across which capacitance values are determined. The capacitances are used in conjunction with a predetermined model to determine a revised model for the system. If the modelled to be satisfactory, then the values representative of the flow conditions are output. If it is not, then the model is tuned to reduce the error. A novel arrangement of electrodes is also provided along with apparatus embodying the method. The invention also provides a way of determining fluid properties, for example, density, volume present contained within a vessel or tank whether flowing or stationary.

Abstract: A cushioned protection device may protect a tailgate of a tow vehicle from damage from a trailer. The cushioned protection device may be made from a polyethylene foam block having an internal cavity sized to fit snugly around a top portion of a crank jack attached to the trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a first tank and a second tank. The body includes a front side, a back side, a top side and a bottom side. The body also includes a first fluid output, a first air passage, a second air passage, and a third air passage. A nozzle is removably attached to the front side of the body. The nozzle includes a fourth air passage proximate the bottom side of the body and a fifth air passage proximate the top side of the body. The fifth air passage is communicatively coupled with the fourth air passage. The nozzle is attached to the body such that the first air passage and the fifth air passage are substantially aligned. The apparatus also includes a handle coupled with the body, a vacuum motor, a fluid pump and a controller configured to activate the fluid pump and/or the vacuum motor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle having a handle fluid input, a handle fluid output, a first handle electrical contact, a second handle electrical contact, a first handle air passage, and a second handle air passage. The apparatus also includes a shaft having a shaft fluid input, a shaft fluid output, a first shaft electrical contact, a second shaft electrical contact, a first shaft air passage, a second shaft air passage, and a first shaft coupling including the shaft fluid input, the first shaft electrical contact and the first shaft air passage. The first shaft coupling is configured to mate with the handle to connect the shaft fluid input with the handle fluid output, connect the first shaft electrical contact with the second handle electrical contact with the second handle electrical contact, and connect the first shaft air passage with the second handle air passage.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a first tank, a second tank, a vacuum motor, a fluid pump, and a controller. The body comprises a handle and an accessory connection receptacle comprising a fluid output and an electrical contact. The first tank comprises a first vessel configured to accommodate a fluid. The second tank comprises a second vessel separated from the first vessel. The controller is configured to activate the fluid pump to cause fluid contained in the first tank to be supplied to the fluid output, and to activate the vacuum motor to draw one or more of air, debris, a liquid or a portion of the fluid into the second tank. The accessory connection receptacle is configured to accommodate a correspondingly shaped accessory connector configured to mate with the accessory connection receptacle and be communicatively coupled with the fluid output and with the electrical contact.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a first tank and a second tank. The body includes a first fluid coupling and a first air passage. The first tank includes a first vessel configured to accommodate a fluid and a second fluid coupling communicatively coupled with the first fluid coupling. The second tank includes a second vessel separated from the first vessel and a second air passage communicatively coupled with the first air passage. The apparatus also includes a tank base over the body. The tank base includes a first tank seat configured to accommodate the first tank and a second tank seat configured to accommodate the second tank. The tank base is configured to be separated from the body with at least one of the first tank in the first tank seat or the second tank in the second tank seat.