Abstract: A heavy-load modular vehicle having at least one axle, one steering, and coupling device not only can be coupled with at least one further heavy-load module and/or further transport apparatuses, but optionally also can be pulled out, particularly also telescoped. It has a central longitudinal support having at least one open face side, in which a pull-out support is guided. The metal cover sheet of the loading surface can take on the function of the upper belt of the central longitudinal support and leads to a self-supporting construction. A box-shaped lower belt counteracts twisting or torsions of the vehicle frame in the case of a trough-shaped design. A universal coupling head, particularly a bolt/tab coupling, makes it possible to couple on heavy-load modules having a different width, different tires and/or a different height, without an additional adapter.

Abstract: An evaporative system for separating solid salt from a saline solution is provided. The system comprises conveyor belts arranged to move the saline solution and evaporate water from it, using natural solar radiation, reflected solar radiation, mechanically induced evaporation and heat storing materials, which accumulate heat during the day and release the heat during the night to allow continuous production. The system may be adapted to different saline solution sources and terrain conditions as well as to varying meteorological conditions. The conveyor belts may be interspaced by separators that remove from the saline solution each type of salt as it solidifies on the corresponding conveyor belt. Conveyor belts may further be used to deliver the solid salt or wastes back to saline solution source.

Abstract: Underwater gas pressurization units and liquefaction systems, as well as pressurization and liquefaction methods are provided. Gas is compressed hydraulically by a rising pressurization liquid that is separated from the gas by a water immiscible liquid layer on top of an aqueous salt solution. Tall vessels are used to reach a high compression ratio that lowers the liquefaction temperature. The pressurizing liquid is delivered gravitationally, after gasification, transport to smaller water depths and condensation. Cooling units are used to liquefy the compressed gas. A cascade of compression and cooling units may be used with sequentially higher liquefaction temperatures, which allow eventual cooling by sea water. The pressurizing liquid, dimensions of the vessels, the delivery unit, the coolants and the implementation of the cooling units are selected according to the sea location, to enable natural gas liquefaction in proximity to the gas source.

Abstract: Underwater gas pressurization units and liquefaction systems, as well as pressurization and liquefaction methods and gas field development methods are provided. Gas is compressed hydraulically by seawater introduced into vessels and separated from the gas by a water immiscible liquid layer. Tall, possibly vertical helical vessels are used to reach a high compression ratio that lowers the liquefaction temperature. Cooling units are used to liquefy the compressed gas, possibly by a coolant which is itself pressurized by a similar mechanism. The coolant may be selected to be liquefied under surrounding seawater temperatures. The seawater which is used to pressurize the gas may be used after evacuation from the vessels to pressurize intrastratal gas in the production stages and broaden the gas field development.

Abstract: With an apparatus for changing the length of the loading surface of vehicles, particularly trailers and semi-trailers, wherein a vehicle can be equipped with a central support configured as a tube or trough and an inner support that can be pushed into and pulled out of the former, the known disadvantages are supposed to be avoided, particularly a solution is supposed to be made available for the fact that the trailing chassis does not have to have any comprehensive preparation for later extensibility. This is achieved in that attachment elements for a ring beam are provided on the vehicle, wherein the inner support is provided with a ring beam that is open on the top side or a ring beam that is closed all around and has an upper brace.

Abstract: An axle suspension has an axle support mounted in a swivel so as to rotate about an axis of rotation and a steering lever that is connected with the axle support in torque-proof manner and can be pivoted about the axis of rotation. The axle support accommodates at least one wheel axle and is mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the axis of rotation, in the wheel axle direction, on an adjustment path.

Abstract: Desalination and rinsing methods and systems are provided, which use a liquid column to efficiently perform freeze desalination and enable recyclable washing of produced minerals or combustible material. The liquid column comprises alternating layers of water immiscible liquids and water solutions which form a vertical density gradient (discrete or continuous) and exhibit a lower freezing zone from which ice floats to an upper melting zone. Cooling of introduced upwards flowing salt solutions is carried out by a countering downwards flow of cold water immiscible liquid. The process is cyclical, involves few if any mechanical moving parts and is easily controllable and adaptable to varying desalination circumstances. Rinsing of minerals or combustible material may be integrated in the heat and matter flows of the desalination system to allow effective rinsing, desalination and recycling of the used water.

Abstract: Methods, systems and units for liquefaction of combustible material are provided. After separating the combustible material from waste rock gravitationally in an aqueous salt solution selected to have a density which is intermediate between a density of the combustible material and a density of the waste rock and after heating and grinding the separated combustible material to yield a paste of purified combustible material, the paste is fluidizing and hydrogenated underground in a hydrogenation chamber including a Segner turbine. The described processes significantly reduce the energy consumption of the process, remove environmental hazards and result in more efficient liquefaction with respect to existing technologies.

Abstract: A heavy-load modular vehicle having at least one axle, one steering, and coupling device not only can be coupled with at least one further heavy-load module and/or further transport apparatuses, but optionally also can be pulled out, particularly also telescoped. It has a central longitudinal support having at least one open face side, in which a pull-out support is guided. The metal cover sheet of the loading surface can take on the function of the upper belt of the central longitudinal support and leads to a self-supporting construction. A box-shaped lower belt counteracts twisting or torsions of the vehicle frame in the case of a trough-shaped design. A universal coupling head, particularly a bolt/tab coupling, makes it possible to couple on heavy-load modules having a different width, different tires and/or a different height, without an additional adapter.

Abstract: An axle suspension has an axle support mounted in a swivel so as to rotate about an axis of rotation and a steering lever that is connected with the axle support in torque-proof manner and can be pivoted about the axis of rotation. The axle support accommodates at least one wheel axle and is mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the axis of rotation, in the wheel axle direction, on an adjustment path.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for sorting crushed material by gravitationally separating components of the crushed material according to component densities in a liquid column having a bottom layer of a heavy water-immiscible liquid, an intermediate layer of an aqueous salt solution and a top layer of a light water-immiscible liquid. The heavy water-immiscible liquid has a higher density than the aqueous salt solution, the aqueous salt solution has a higher density than the light water-immiscible liquid and the light water-immiscible liquid has a higher density than sea water to maintain the intermediate layer on top of the bottom layer, the top layer on top of the intermediate layer and the top layer in the liquid column.

Abstract: Underwater mineral dressing units, systems and methods are provided. Material is milled in a water-immiscible liquid which is heavier than water and lighter than the product material. Gangue material is removed by the milling and floats on the water-immiscible liquid to be removed without further processing. Product containing material sinks and is further milled to remove additional gangue material, until the required level of extraction is achieved. Cascades of milling rolls in the water-immiscible liquid allow ever improving extraction of the product material. The rolls are arranged to regulate material flow through the system to remove floating gangue while directing sinking product material to further processing.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a wheeled base and a portable cleaning unit removably mounted on the wheeled base and comprising at least one cyclonic separation stage comprising a cyclone chamber and a material collection chamber. The material collection chamber is removable from the portable cleaning unit while the portable cleaning unit is mounted on the wheeled base.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage having a cyclone chamber and a handle wherein the fluid flow motor is positioned above the upper end of the cyclone chamber when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on the horizontal surface.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a main body comprising a front end, a rear end, first and second opposed sidewalls, and a suction motor provided in the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly may be provided in the air flow path. The cyclone bin assembly may have opposed end walls and may comprise a cyclone chamber having a diameter. Each of the first and second opposed sidewalls may comprise a wheel having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cyclone chamber.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage having a dirt collection region. The dirt collection region has a bottom that is openable when the wand is mounted to the dirty fluid inlet.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage and the passage defined by the dirty fluid inlet is parallel to the axis of the fluid flow motor.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage. Fluid exiting the wand travels directly into the dirty fluid inlet and, from the dirty fluid inlet, directly into the cyclone chamber.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage and a handle wherein the handle has a handle portion that extends upwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on a horizontal surface. The handle portion is positioned rearward of the first cyclonic cleaning stage whereby a portion of the cyclone chamber is positioned between the dirty fluid inlet and the handle portion.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has two cyclonic cleaning stages and a handle. In one embodiment, the handle has an upper end that is located that is located exterior to the second cyclonic stage and at a height intermediate the first and second spaced apart ends of the second cyclonic cleaning stage and a handle portion that extends upwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on a horizontal surface. In another embodiment, the fluid flow motor and the handle are positioned rearward of the central axes of the first and second cyclonic cleaning stages.