Abstract: The personal cooling misting system disclosed provides for a wearable fluid reservoir to contain a volume of misting fluid, and an electrically operated pump proximate to the reservoir to pump the misting fluid from the reservoir to a misting head. The misting head facilitates atomizing the misting fluid. The system further provides for feed tubing to direct the misting fluid from the reservoir to the pump, and distributive tubing to direct the misting fluid from the pump to the misting head. The system also includes a pump control to control at least one of a pressure and a flow rate of the misting fluid through at least one of the feed tubing and distributive tubing, and the system includes a programmable circuit board to facilitate system control via the pump control, as well as directing to the pump control a misting distribution pattern for at least one of a consistent or intermittent misting pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for safely and efficiently transporting granular material. In one embodiment, a container for granular material is provided. The container can have a top plate and a bottom plate that are coupled to one another via one or more high-strength fabric sleeves. The bottom plate can include a discharge valve for discharging the granular material in the container. The container can also include a discharge bladder that, when inflated, biases granular material within the container toward the discharge valve. The container can also include at least one barrier positioned proximate the discharge valve such that the barrier prevents at least a portion of the discharge bladder from entering the discharge valve. The barrier can allow sand or other granular material to pass through the barrier and exit through the discharge valve.

Abstract: A tank fitting apparatus and method is provided. The tank fitting apparatus includes a bottom plate apparatus. The bottom plate apparatus includes a bottom plate having a bottom surface, a top surface, and a bottom plate passageway. The bottom plate apparatus further includes a bolt connected to the bottom plate and extending from the top surface of the bottom plate. The tank fitting apparatus further includes a valve apparatus. The valve apparatus includes a pipe and a valve integrally formed with the pipe. The valve is movable between an open valve position and a closed valve position. A top plate integrally formed on the pipe and extends outwardly from the pipe. The valve apparatus has a connected tank fitting position where the bolt of the bottom plate apparatus extends through the top plate of the valve apparatus to connect the valve apparatus with the bottom plate apparatus.

Abstract: A lightweight cargo container and methods of use, assembly, and repair are disclosed herein. Individual panels, frame components, base, and joints may be customized with composite materials to further improve strength-to-weight ratio. Some embodiments provide for a simplified manufacturing and assembly of cargo container, through standardization, while improving cost, time-to-produce, durability, and strength-to-weight ratios. The embodiments described herein provide a significant weight savings for all cargo containers, modern present-day composite containers included.

Abstract: A device that directs cooled and otherwise wasted water to storage for reuse is disclosed. The valve incorporates a single flow stream through internal piping around a thermally sensitive coil which imparts rotation for automatic closing of a valve upon arrival of heated water to the valve. Once closed, the device resets itself for the next activation and use. The device is basically self contained and requires only single point installation. The unit provides for many households to experience substantial saving on daily energy and water expenses. The installation can be readily retrofitted to existing structures or incorporated in new construction whether any be homes, apartments, hotels, condominiums and businesses with water distribution requirements. Further, the present invention, requiring no external energy input, offers an alternative to expensive circulating hot water systems incorporating substantial initial cost and extended energy consumption.

Abstract: A water storage system comprising a tank having a first inclined or conical floor at the bottom of the tank, a second inclined or conical floor above the first inclined or conical floor, dividing the tank into upper and lower compartments, one or more inlet(s), an overflow outlet, a first draining outlet located at the sloping end of the first inclined floor or at the convergence of the first conical floor, a second draining outlet located at the sloping end of the second inclined floor or at the convergence of the second conical floor, and a consumer supply outlet located above the second inclined floor or above the second conical floor, wherein the upper compartment holds potable-grade water and the water from the lower compartment is reserved for fire fighting needs and used for non-potable purposes with periodic replenishment from upper compartment

Abstract: A vertical hydraulic tank includes an upper cylindrical section and a lower conical section, with an outlet in the lower conical section. A lower multi-path manifold is attached to the outlet, the manifold including a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the outlet and a plurality of horizontal conduits in fluid communication with the vertical conduit. An upper multi-path manifold can also be attached to the tank with a plurality of upper horizontal conduits and a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the upper cylindrical section of the tank. Valves may be provided along the vertical conduit and the horizontal conduits to regulate flow of material through the conduits. A pump may be connected to either the upper manifold or the lower manifold, or both by way of a pump conduit. Multiple tanks can be connected together by way of tubing between the manifolds of each tank.

Abstract: A drain assembly for a tank or containment vessel of the type having a flexible and removable interior liner. The drain assembly comprises a drain intake in fluid communication with a wall traversing portion. The drain intake is operatively deployable in proximity to the bottom of the tank and the wall traversing portion is operatively deployable through a wall of the tank. The wall traversing portion includes a conduit portion in fluid communication with the drain intake and with a location exterior to the tank. The conduit portion includes an interior stopper plate and a threaded portion.

Abstract: A gas tank container having increased volume is disclosed. The gas tank container for storing and/or transporting gas and/or liquid, includes a tank vessel, a frame and at least one outlet valve. The end of the outlet valve is attached to a tank flange, which is sunk in a recess at the end of the tank vessel. By recessing at least one outlet valve of the gas tank container, the length of the tank vessel can be optimized within the frame.

Abstract: An interlock vessel has an air-tight body having open opposing ends. A portion of the body is designed to fit into a decompression (hyperbaric) chamber, wherein a diver or a patient undergoing a decompression treatment is positioned. The opposing ends are closed by pivotally moveable doors and latching assemblies that retain the door in a closed position until the pressure inside the decompression chamber and the exterior of the chamber is equalized. Both latching assemblies are manually operated.

Abstract: A gas storage tank (1) has a high pressure resistant shell (10) and a fluid control system (5). The fluid control system (5) has an inlet fluid branch (20) and an outlet fluid branch (30). The inlet fluid branch (20) comprises a check valve (21) and the outlet fluid branch (30) comprises a pressure regulator (32) and a pressure assisted check valve (31). Preferably, the fluid control system (5) also comprises an inlet filter, an outlet filter and flow restriction. The fluid control system (5) is preferably situated entirely on the inside of the high pressure resistant shell (10). The fluid control system (5) is preferably provided as a miniaturized system realised in a stack of bonded wafers, where part devices are formed by micromachined geometrical structures. A method for gas handling with the gas storage tank (1) and a manufacturing method for the gas storage tank (1) are also presented.

Abstract: A rainwater collection device for collecting rainwater from a gutter for later usage. The rainwater collection device includes a housing having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The peripheral wall has a top edge defining an opening extending into the housing. A top wall defines a cover which is positionable on the housing for selectively opening and closing the opening in the housing. A supply pipe extends through and is attached to the top wall. The supply pipe is removably coupled to the gutter such that water in the gutter may enter the housing through the supply pipe. A drainage pipe is in fluid communication with the housing. The drainage pipe extends into the peripheral wall and is positioned generally adjacent to the bottom wall. A valve is positioned in the drainage pipe for selectively opening and closing the drainage pipe.

Abstract: A bulk milk tank having a ladder that provides access to a raised platform in a lowered position and moves to a raised position to provide ample operating room around the tank outlet valve.

Abstract: A canister containing spent fuel assemblies is contained in a body of a transportation cask. A top opening of a vessel body of the canister is closed by a lid welded to the vessel body. A ring-shaped elastic tube is provided between the inner surface of the upper end portion of the body and the outer surface of the upper end portion of the vessel body. The tube seals the gap between these surfaces to prevent a fluid from getting into the gap between the surfaces through the top opening of the body. An inspection space for the insertion of a tester for detecting the welding state of the lid is defined between the inner surface of the upper end portion of the body and the outer surface of the upper end portion of the vessel body.

Abstract: A bulk milk tank having a ladder that provides access to a raised platform in a lowered position and moves to a raised position to provide ample operating room around the tank outlet valve.

Abstract: A fluid filter for liquid media with a removable filter insert and a drain opening having a spring-loaded closure element associated therewith. The closure element is held by the filter insert in a closing position that seals the drain opening, and separates from the drain opening when the filter insert is loosened or is removable. The spring is designed as an elongated spring having a U-shaped design.

Abstract: A vehicular fuel supply apparatus in which a sub-tank 21 that is inserted into and attached to the bottom wall opening 1b of the fuel tank 1 has integrally formed therein by molding a fuel chamber 24, support cavities 7c, 22c, 23c and a fuel flow paths 27 and 29, and a fuel pump 7, a fuel filter 22 and a pressure regulator 23 are accommodated and supported within the respective support cavities. The fuel chamber 24 is substantially closed against a rush flow of the fuel except for the air vent hole 24b and the fuel inlet port 24a through which the fuel flows at a predetermined flow rate per time, and has formed in the wall surface of the fuel pump support cavity 7c a groove 38 for accommodating and supporting a power supply line 11. Parts for assembling the components or elements of the apparatus are not necessary and the weight and the parts number is decreased, resulting in an easy assembly and a small cost.

Abstract: A safety device for use in a suction outlet assembly of a swimming pool, whirlpool, spa or the like is disclosed. More particularly, the outlet assembly has an opening therein in communication with a pump adapted to create sufficient suction for causing fluid flow through the outlet assembly and a cover mounted over the opening without substantially obstructing fluid flow therethrough. The safety device includes an obstructing mechanism for obstructing the opening when the cover is not properly positioned or affixed to the outlet assembly, whereby fluid flow through the outlet assembly is substantially prevented even if the pump is in operation.

Abstract: The invention is to a method and apparatus that provide a removable container that functions both as a filtration unit and as a removable and transportable container for transferring fuel from a Filtration Fuel Technology (FFT) process to a fuel receiving facility.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a tubular fitting for connection to an overflow pipe on a sanitary silo in order to introduce sanitary air into any siphonal discharge therefrom and thereby reduce vacuum in the silo to prevent its collapse by implosion. The fitting (5) is generally tubularly Y-shaped with branch passageways (13) and (14) connecting an upper portion of an overflow pipe (3) with a sanitary air intake pipe (12), said branch passageways extending downwardly into an enlarged confluence region (15) which terminates in a single downwardly tapered passageway (16) for connection to a lower portion of said overflow pipe (3). The other object is to provide a sanitary air intake pipe (12) extending upwardly from an enclosed sanitary structure (4) into the fitting (5) thereby preventing unclean matter from entering the silo (1) during normal operation or when the silo is overfilled.

Abstract: A tube well extends through a fluid containment compartment and is secured at both ends thereof to the compartment shell. Both ends of the well communicate with respective shell openings. Compartment fittings and/or equipment are positioned in the tube and are accessible through at least one of the openings. Both openings can be sealed and the well pressurized, to prevent pressurized fluid in the compartment from leaking through the equipment and into the tube well.

Abstract: A tube well extends through a fluid containment compartment and is secured at both ends thereof to the compartment shell. Both ends of the well communicate with respective shell openings. Compartment fittings and/or equipment are positioned in the tube and are accessible through at least one of the openings. Both openings can be sealed and the well pressurized, to prevent pressurized fluid in the compartment from leaking through the equipment and into the tube well.

Abstract: A fluid apparatus including a fluid tank having a shell and defining a fluid containment compartment. A well is recessed into the fluid tank at an opening in the shell. The well has a well wall secured to the shell and a support ring at the shell opening and secured to and inside of the well wall. A cover plate is removably securable to the support ring to form a pressure-tight connection relative to the interior of the well such that the cover plate can retain in the well a pressure at least as great as the working pressure of the fluid in the compartment. This pressure-tight securement is preferably made by threading bolts through the plate and into drilled, tapped blind holes in the ring. The well can have a well head secured to the well wall and opposite to the shell opening. The well head in turn can be equipped with an internal manway cover openable into the tank and closable in a pressure-tight manner relative to the well wall.

Abstract: A fuel or other liquid tank for, for example, a motor cycle, comprises a nonreturn vent arranged to vent the tank when the tank is in a generally upright attitude, a filler arranged to admit liquid into the tank below the upper surface thereof, whereby in use an air space remains in the tank at all times, and a pipe for supplying liquid from the tank, said pipe extending from the base of the tank at a first side thereof and terminating as an open-ended vent in the region of the top of the tank opposite said first side, said pipe including a supply portion extending as a branch from a part of the pipe opposite said first side in the region of the base of the tank.

Abstract: A hydrostatic gradient generator has a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber detachably attached to a base provided with a pressure regulator. The regulator has inlets, one for each chamber and in communication with the lower end thereof with the two inlets opening into the regulator close to its upper end and at the same level to provide a pressure reference plane inclusive of the bottom of the gradient producing portion of the liquid in the second chamber. The portions of the chambers for the gradient forming volumes are of the same volumetric capacity with their cross sectional areas constantly increasing from a minimum at one end to a maximum at the other end, the minimum at the lower end of the first chamber and the maximum at the lower end of the second chamber. Means are provided to enable the first chamber to be offset vertically relative to the second chamber.