Abstract: A choke for fluid connection between a manifold and a pump. The choke includes a fluid passage having an inlet, a contraction portion, a throat, an expansion portion, and an outlet. The inlet has a first diameter and the outlet has a second diameter. The throat is substantially cylindrical, having a third diameter that is substantially less than the first and second diameters. The contraction portion connects the inlet and the throat and gradually decreases from the first diameter to the third diameter along a longitudinal axis of the fluid passage. The expansion portion connects the throat and the outlet and includes a substantially cylindrical chamber having the second diameter.

Abstract: A choke for fluid connection between a manifold and a pump. The choke includes a fluid passage having an inlet, a contraction portion, a throat, an expansion portion, and an outlet. The inlet has a first diameter and the outlet has a second diameter. The throat is substantially cylindrical, having a third diameter that is substantially less than the first and second diameters. The contraction portion connects the inlet and the throat and gradually decreases from the first diameter to the third diameter along a longitudinal axis of the fluid passage. The expansion portion connects the throat and the outlet and includes a substantially cylindrical chamber having the second diameter.

Abstract: A docking station for mobile electronic devices with an automated cleaning feature is provided. The docking station includes a receiver for receiving an electronic device, a base, a piston, a nozzle, and electrical contacts for connecting to the electronic device. The piston has a plunger and an air chamber. The receiver is mounted to the plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber. The nozzle is mounted on the air chamber. Air passes through the nozzle when the air in air chamber is compressed. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver. The nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby air is directed over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.

Abstract: A docking station for mobile electronic devices with an automated cleaning feature is provided. The docking station includes a receiver for receiving an electronic device, a base, a piston, a nozzle, and electrical contacts for connecting to the electronic device. The piston has a plunger and an air chamber. The receiver is mounted to the plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber. The nozzle is mounted on the air chamber. Air passes through the nozzle when the air in air chamber is compressed. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver. The nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby air is directed over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.

Abstract: A packing assembly adapted to be mounted on and seal a reciprocating shaft includes a packing nut, an elastomeric sealing member releasably coupled to the packing nut, and a keeper to facilitate the releasable coupling between the elastomeric sealing member and the packing nut, wherein the entire assembly is removable from the reciprocating shaft as a unit.

Abstract: A packing assembly adapted to be mounted on and seal a reciprocating shaft includes a packing nut, an elastomeric sealing member releasably coupled to the packing nut, and a keeper to facilitate the releasable coupling between the elastomeric sealing member and the packing nut, wherein the entire assembly is removable from the reciprocating shaft as a unit.

Abstract: A method for selecting an optimal balance between direct cost and a number of suppliers, including soliciting bids from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots, receiving at least one bid from a supplier for each lot, storing the bids from each supplier in a database, and generating at least a first and second optimal solution from the bids in the database, the first optimal solution having a different number of suppliers than the second optimal solution.

Abstract: An application program and method for determining the strength of electronic products exposed to mechanical shock, including application program steps of (i) describing the mechanical configuration of the electronic product; (ii) describing the stock response; (iii) calculating natural response modes of the circuit card; (iv) calculating stress functions for each component, each response mode; (v) using stress functions to determine modal component stresses at peak response; (vi) removing computer calculation error by comparing the stresses for all components to expectations; (vii) expectations numerically defined by performing equivalent analyses on test experience.

Abstract: An improved lightweight, compact, multi-layer thermoplastic insulation blanket for thermally insulating a building structure, the blanket comprising a laminate of a first thermoplastic layer; a second thermoplastic layer; a thermoplastic bubble layer; and a third thermoplastic layer, the improvement comprising a scrim laminated to the first and second layers as to be visible through the first layer. The blanket provides an aesthetically-pleasing visible appearance to employees and shoppers in retail and bulk-warehouse buildings without the need for non-thermoplastic materials, such as fibreglass or like insulation materials.

Abstract: A multilayer cover for a pool containing water comprising (a) an uppermost layer having a solar heat reflective material; and (b) a lower layer having a first thermoplastic film (i) having a plurality of portions wherein each of the portions defines a cavity; and (ii) is in sealing engagement with the uppermost layer to provide a plurality of closed cavities; wherein the uppermost layer provides an effective reflective barrier to the ingress of solar radiation through the cover to the water in the pool to prevent or reduce the rate of the water temperature increase.

Abstract: A method for selecting an optimal balance between direct cost and a number of suppliers, including soliciting bids from a plurality of suppliers for a plurality of lots, receiving at least one bid from a supplier for each lot, storing the bids from each supplier in a database, and generating at least a first and second optimal solution from the bids in the database, the first optimal solution having a different number of suppliers than the second optimal solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for preparing a purified lactic acid solution suitable for use in connection with a source of lactate material a pH within the range of 0.8 to 9.0. The process includes the steps of providing a source of lactate material which includes a calcium salt; acidulating the concentrated broth with sulfuric acid to form an acidulated solution which includes lactic acid and calcium sulfate; reducing an amount of calcium sulfate from the acidulated solution; extracting the acidulated solution with an amine extractant to form a loaded solvent; and back extracting the loaded solvent with an aqueous solvent to provide a purified solution of lactic acid. Optionally, the source of lactate material can be concentrated prior to the step of acidulating. Alternately, the amine extractant can include sulfate anion. The sulfuric anion in the amine extractant can be residual sulfuric acid from the acidulation step.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids are recovered from wet organic solutions by reducing the solutions' water content thus causing the acids to precipitate as recoverable crystals.

Abstract: An anchor is provided for securing the upper extremity of a bunk ladder to an elevated support. A bracket is attached to the upper extremity of the ladder and has a configured hook extending downwardly and outwardly. A socket attached to the overhead support has an overhanging lip and a shoulder located therebeneath and spaced therefrom. The bracket hook is inserted between the lip and shoulder which together vertically immobilize the bracket and prevent withdrawal of the bracket hook therefrom when the foot of the ladder is in a supporting position.

Abstract: A ladder is provided for use with a recreational vehicle in which step treads are formed in two parts. The treads are divided generally along a plane defined by the disposition of the upright ladder rails. The two parts of the stair treads are positioned on either side of the rails and are clamped together in interlocking fashion by means of engageable arms on each step portion which extend toward each other to latch together. Positioned on the upright ladder rails, the ladder steps are securely attached thereto by means of self tapping screws which pass through the opposing step sections and through the ladder rails to sandwich the ladder rails between the step sections.