Abstract: A head covering air filtering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the rigid component and the fabric component combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck. The device further comprises an intake filter to filter all intake air entering the device, an exhaust filter to filter all exhaust air exiting the device, and an air mover causing intake air to enter the device and exhaust air to exit the device.

Abstract: A personal air filtering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port from outside the device and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and a controller configured to adjust the rate at which the air mover moves air.

Abstract: A tow bar system for towing a vehicle is described. The system includes a towing vehicle connection member with a first tongue for insertion into a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle. The system also includes a towed vehicle connection member with a second tongue for insertion into a hitch receiver of a towed vehicle. A bar is attached at one end through a first joint to the towing vehicle connection member and is attached at its other end through a second joint to the towed vehicle connection member. At least one of the first and second joints is configured to allow motion in both a horizontal and vertical direction. The system also includes a wiring harness held on the tow bar, having a forward connector adapted to connect to wires in the towing vehicle and a rearward connector adapted to connect to wires in the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A personal air filtration system comprising a rigid component, a flexible component, wherein the rigid component and the flexible component combine to cover at least a user's mouth and nostrils and form a seal therearound, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and an app running on a user's smart device, wherein a smart app is configured to control and monitor operation of the system.

Abstract: A winch drum is disclosed. In a first aspect, a first set of teeth are positioned around an outer perimeter of a drum. The first set of teeth taper from a first crown to a first base. A second set of teeth are positioned around the outer perimeter of the drum. The second set of teeth taper from a second crown to a second base. The second set of teeth are offset from the first set of teeth such that a gap between the first bases and the second bases forms a sinusoidal channel for a line to follow the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth becomes a guide for the line so that the line can engage the sinusoidal channel. The line follows the sinusoidal channel and each change of direction along the sinusoidal path causes the line to engage by friction with the first bases and the second bases. In a second aspect, the drum includes a trough that follows a sinusoidal path and wherein the trough is narrower at its bottom than at its top.

Abstract: A system for measuring the tongue weight of a trailer attached to a hitching component of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a smart device comprising a sensor for determining the angle of the smart device with respect to horizontal and an app running on the smart device. The app is configured to take a signal from the sensor when the smart device is resting on a surface of the vehicle at a point in time when the trailer is not hitched to the vehicle and store a value “Angle Unhitched,” corresponding to the angle of the vehicle without the trailer hitched. The app is also configured to take a signal from the sensor when the smart device is resting on the surface of the vehicle at a point in time when the trailer is hitched to the vehicle and store a value “Angle Hitched,” corresponding to the angle of the vehicle without the trailer hitch attached.

Abstract: A winch drum is disclosed. In a first aspect, a first set of teeth are positioned around an outer perimeter of a drum. The first set of teeth taper from a first crown to a first base. A second set of teeth are positioned around the outer perimeter of the drum. The second set of teeth taper from a second crown to a second base. The second set of teeth are offset from the first set of teeth such that a gap between the first bases and the second bases forms a sinusoidal channel for a line to follow the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth becomes a guide for the line so that the line can engage the sinusoidal channel. The line follows the sinusoidal channel and each change of direction along the sinusoidal path causes the line to engage by friction with the first bases and the second bases. In a second aspect, the drum includes a trough that follows a sinusoidal path and wherein the trough is narrower at its bottom than at its top.

Abstract: An air filtering mask is disclosed which includes a rigid component and a flexible component. The rigid component and the flexible component combine to form a space over a user's mouth and nostrils, to form a seal therearound and to maintain the mask in place. The mask also includes an exhaust port with an exhaust filter and an intake port with an intake filter. The mask further includes an air mover pulling exhaust air out the exhaust port, thereby drawing intake air through the intake port.

Abstract: A device for filtering air for a user comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield that provides a space for air between an inside surface of the face shield and the user's face, an intake port, through which air enters the device, an exhaust port, through which air exits the device, a fabric component affixed to the rigid component that, combined with the rigid component, covers the user's head and seals around the user's neck, an intake filter that filters air passing through the intake port, an exhaust filter that filters air passing through the exhaust port, and an air mover held by the rigid component that moves air through the intake port and out the exhaust port.

Abstract: A head covering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and communication hardware facilitating communication for the user.

Abstract: A head covering air filtering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the rigid component and the fabric component combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck. The device further comprises an intake filter to filter all intake air entering the device, an exhaust filter to filter all exhaust air exiting the device, and an air mover causing intake air to enter the device and exhaust air to exit the device.

Abstract: A trailer hitch is disclosed. A weight distribution hitch includes an attachment member with a forward end which attaches to a vehicle and a rearward end which pivotally connects to a trailer. The weight distribution hitch also includes a moment bar which attaches to the attachment member on one and tension mechanism on the other. The tension mechanism is mounted on a frame of the trailer and provides an upward force on the moment bar which imposes a moment on the attachment member. Center lines of the attachment member, moment bar, and the vehicle are all in a vertical plane. The weight distribution hitch may also include an aperture disposed in the moment bar through which the tension mechanism passes.

Abstract: A device for filtering air, a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the fabric component and the rigid component combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port, an intake filter that filters intake air passing through the inlet port, an exhaust port, an exhaust filter that filters exhaust air passing through the outlet port, an air mover positioned to pull air through the exhaust port, whereby intake air is drawn into the device through the inlet port and whereby the intake air and exhaust air is filtered.

Abstract: A head covering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and an environmental control component to condition air within the device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting batch multi-effect distillation are disclosed. A multi-effect distillation system and one or more isolation devices are provided. A feed stream, consisting of water and a solute, is passed from a feed source into a brine side of the plurality of heat exchangers. The feed source is isolated from the plurality of heat exchangers by closing the one or more isolation devices. A first of the plurality of heat exchangers is heated by the heat source. A steam stream and a brine concentrate stream are produced in all but a last of the plurality of heat exchangers. A condensate stream from the steam stream is produced in all but the first of the plurality of heat exchangers. A warmed feed stream is produced in the last of the plurality of heat exchangers.

Abstract: A device for filtering air for a user comprising a rigid component comprising, a transparent face shield that provides a space for air between an inside surface of the face shield and the user's face, an intake port, through which intake air enters the device, an exhaust port, through which exhaust air exits the device, a fabric component affixed to the rigid component that, combined with the rigid component, covers the user's head and seals around the user's neck, an intake filter that filters intake air passing through the intake port, an exhaust filter that filters exhaust air passing through the exhaust port, and an air mover assembly mounted on the rigid component that moves intake air through the intake port and exhaust air through the exhaust port, wherein the air mover assembly is mounted on the rigid component by vibration absorbing members, to thereby reduce transmission of the vibration of the air mover assembly to the rigid member, thereby reducing noise from the air mover assembly within the devi

Abstract: A personal air filtering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port from outside the device and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and a controller configured to adjust the rate at which the air mover moves air.

Abstract: A personal air filtration system comprising a rigid component, a flexible component, wherein the rigid component and the flexible component combine to cover at least a user's mouth and nostrils and form a seal therearound, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and an app running on a user's smart device, wherein a smart app is configured to control and monitor operation of the system.

Abstract: A personal air filtering device for protecting a user from harm, the device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, one or more sensors, each configured to detect either an environmental condition or a condition of the user, and a processor configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors and execute a protective measure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting batch multi-effect distillation are disclosed. A multi-effect distillation system and one or more isolation devices are provided. A feed stream, consisting of water and a solute, is passed from a feed source into a brine side of the plurality of heat exchangers. The feed source is isolated from the plurality of heat exchangers by closing the one or more isolation devices. A first of the plurality of heat exchangers is heated by the heat source. A steam stream and a brine concentrate stream are produced in all but a last of the plurality of heat exchangers. A condensate stream from the steam stream is produced in all but the first of the plurality of heat exchangers. A warmed feed stream is produced in the last of the plurality of heat exchangers.