A disconnect assembly for operationally attaching a hose or other fluid conduit to a fluid inlet, and selectively decoupling the hose or conduit from the fluid inlet. In a first locked position, a fluid pressure seal is formed permitting pressurized flow of fluids through the disconnect assembly. In a second unlocked position, the hose or other fluid conduit can be quickly, safely and efficiently decoupled from the disconnect assembly such as, for example, during an emergency or unforeseen crisis. Following such decoupling, fluid is automatically contained and prevented from discharging into a surrounding environment.

A system is disclosed for cleaning the interiors of tubes in heat exchangers such as condensers and other devices having numerous substantially parallel tubes which periodically become fouled, scaled, or otherwise encumbered with deposits. An air-actuated seal resides on the end of a nozzle which is projected into the open end of a condenser tube or other heat exchanger tube to be cleaned. An air cylinder and piston retract the end of the nozzle on actuation of a single trigger valve on a manually operated water gun, which both begins high pressure water flow and operates the piston. On actuation of the trigger valve, the segment of the nozzle which has been inserted is retracted a short distance, crimping a flexible sleeve which surrounds it into a tight seal on the inner surface of the tube, thus preventing backflow or back spray. The system may employ projectiles designed to pass through the tubes under pressurized water, released by the gun, in close proximity to the interior surfaces of the tubes so that they may remove the deposits with a scraping or abrading action. The air-actuated sealing nozzle relieves the operator from arduous, repeated forcing of the nozzle into the tubes to maintain sealing contact with the interiors of the tubes. The system is readily adaptable to, and includes, a multi-nozzle arrangement actuated by a single trigger.

A system is disclosed for cleaning the interiors of tubes in heat exchangers such as condensers and other devices having numerous substantially parallel tubes which periodically become fouled, scaled, or otherwise encumbered with deposits. An air-actuated seal resides on the end of a nozzle which is projected into the open end of a condenser tube or other heat exchanger tube to be cleaned. An air cylinder and piston retract the end of the nozzle on actuation of a single trigger valve on a manually operated water gun, which both begins high pressure water flow and operates the piston. On actuation of the trigger valve, the segment of the nozzle which has been inserted is retracted a short distance, crimping a flexible sleeve which surrounds it into a tight seal on the inner surface of the tube, thus preventing backflow or back spray. The system may employ projectiles designed to pass through the tubes under pressurized water, released by the gun, in close proximity to the interior surfaces of the tubes so that they may remove the deposits with a scraping or abrading action. The air-actuated sealing nozzle relieves the operator from arduous, repeated forcing of the nozzle into the tubes to maintain sealing contact with the interiors of the tubes. The system is readily adaptable to, and includes, a multi-nozzle arrangement actuated by a single trigger.

Connection systems and connecting methods for transferring fluids. According to one embodiment, the connection system includes an active unit having an active connection assembly connected to a first supply conduit and a passive unit including a passive connection assembly connected to a second supply conduit. The active connection assembly includes a first connector coupled to the first supply conduit, an active sleeve externally coupled to the first connector, and sealing means fixed inside the active sleeve which, in a fluid disconnection position, surrounds the first connector, preventing the outflow of fluid from the first connector. The passive connection assembly includes a second connector connected to a second supply conduit, the active unit including drive means for causing the movement of the active sleeve between the fluid disconnection position and a fluid connection position without axially moving the first and second connectors.

An apparatus for working a sheet material has a supporting frame, a supporting head connected to the supporting frame, a plurality of tools supported on a working device, a waterjet cutter, first and second male fast-couplers, and first and second female fast-couplers disposed on the supporting head. The first male fast-coupler is disposed on the working device. The second male fast-coupler is disposed on the waterjet cutter. The first and second female couplers are configured to alternately couple the first and second male fast-couplers.

An air-to-air coupling 13 (e.g. for receiving a probe in probe-and-drogue refuelling) comprises retaining members 19, 27 for interacting with a further member (e.g. a refuelling probe) to hold the further member in place. An active drive system 39, 21 may drive the holding members and may thereby also actively drive the further member into place. Alternatively the active drive 39, 21 may drive another member such as a locking member 31 to hold the retaining members 19, 27 in position once the further member is in place. The active drive releases the retaining members 19, 27 or moves them out of position to allow the further member to be removed. This allows the further member to be inserted and removed with a lower force than is used to hold it in place. The coupling may also be used for in-air recovery of an unmanned aircraft.

Fracturing fluid delivery systems having flexible fracturing fluid delivery conduits secured with quick connectors are provided. In one example, a fracturing system includes a wellhead assembly and a fracturing fluid conduit coupled to the wellhead assembly to route fracturing fluid to the wellhead assembly. The fracturing fluid conduit includes a flexible body defining a bore for conveying the fracturing fluid to the wellhead assembly. The fracturing fluid conduit is coupled to the wellhead assembly via an actuated connector including one or more locking members that move from an unlocked position to a locked position to secure the fracturing fluid conduit to the wellhead assembly. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Fracturing fluid delivery systems having flexible fracturing fluid delivery conduits secured with quick connectors are provided. In one example, a fracturing system includes a wellhead assembly and a fracturing fluid conduit coupled to the wellhead assembly to route fracturing fluid to the wellhead assembly. The fracturing fluid conduit includes a flexible body defining a bore for conveying the fracturing fluid to the wellhead assembly. The fracturing fluid conduit is coupled to the wellhead assembly via an actuated connector including one or more locking members that move from an unlocked position to a locked position to secure the fracturing fluid conduit to the wellhead assembly. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

A disconnect assembly for operationally attaching a hose or other fluid conduit to a fluid inlet and selectively decoupling the hose or conduit from the fluid inlet. In a first locked position, a fluid pressure seal is formed permitting pressurized flow of fluids through the disconnect assembly. In a second unlocked position, the hose or other fluid conduit can be quickly, safely and efficiently decoupled from the disconnect assembly such as, for example, during an emergency or unforeseen crisis. Following such decoupling, fluid is automatically contained and prevented from discharging into a surrounding environment.

A disconnect assembly for operationally attaching a hose or other fluid conduit to a fluid inlet and selectively decoupling the hose or conduit from the fluid inlet. In a first locked position, a fluid pressure seal is formed permitting pressurized flow of fluids through the disconnect assembly. In a second unlocked position, the hose or other fluid conduit can be quickly, safely and efficiently decoupled from the disconnect assembly such as, for example, during an emergency or unforeseen crisis. Following such decoupling, fluid is automatically contained and prevented from discharging into a surrounding environment.