Abstract: A dual rate spring device particularly adapted for use in a suspension system of a railroad car truck includes a vertically mounted light duty spring means positioned, for example, between a side frame of the truck and a load carrying bolster of the truck to support the bolster when in a lightly loaded condition. Positioned around the light duty spring means is a shorter heavy duty spring which with the light duty spring supports the bolster when in a heavily loaded condition. To insure that the device functions properly under varying load conditions, a lower end of each spring is connected by a spring retainer.

Abstract: A filter device wherein inlet and outlet chambers are spaced from each other by a segment of filter media is positively locked in a condition whereat the chambers are sealed with respect to each other and the atmosphere by a hydraulic power device to which hydraulic pressure fluid is delivered at a predetermined pressure value. Filtrate is then delivered to the inlet chamber at a pressure which increases in value as the filter media becomes fouled with particulate.

Abstract: A truck for a railroad car includes two spaced side frames which resiliently support ends of a transversely positioned bolster in a window formed in each side frame. On each side of the bolster is a vertical recess formed having opposing convex-shaped sides which engage with end walls of vertical ribs formed on the inner and outer side of spaced sidewalls of the side frame window. In downwardly projecting pedestal jaws formed at each end of each side frame and having selectively spaced sidewalls are journaled axle ends of a front and a rear wheelset. Interposed between each axle end and a roof of the pedestal jaw is a bearing adapter having a convex top surface to engage with a concave surface of the roof of the side frame pedestal jaw.

Abstract: A pipe coupling including an annular lip seal that wipes the contacted pipe portion clean, when inserted therein. The lip seal also, while the pipe is situated in place while in use, precludes the entry of foreign material, such as sand or dirt, between the pipe and coupling. An inner seal further prevents leakage between the pipe and the coupling.

Abstract: A pair of elongated latches positioned transversely to a longitudinal axis of a railroad car particularly adapted to be rotated to an upside down position for gravity release of contents within the car, are pivotally attached respectively on each side of a top of a coupler lock. The coupler lock is an operative part of a coupler for the railroad car. The lock is movable within a lock chamber formed in a head of the coupler and is defined in part by vertical sidewalls and a roof or top wall. A configuration of each latch and relative position to the lock chamber sidewalls is such that a center of gravity of each latch lies above its pivot connection which insures that regardless of the direction of rotation of the car, at least one of the latches readily swings to an extended position to engage the top wall of the lock chamber and thereby prevent an inadvertent release of the lock when the car and at least one pair of mated couplers are rotated toward an inverted position for emptying contents of the car.

Abstract: A local zone only of a powdered metal part is hardened by heating the part, in contact with a powdered metal alloy briquette with a surface of the zone to be locally hardened, to the liquidus range of the briquette and holding the part and the briquette at the liquidus range for a length of time sufficient for the liquid metal and hardening elements of the briquette to infiltrate into the local zone of the part.

Abstract: An apparatus for the quick connection and disconnection of a movable filter belt to a conveyor chain. A projection arm is attached to the conveyor chain, with a portion of the arm extending over the filter belt. A plate is attached to the filter belt. The plate has deflectible arms, and one of the arms has an aperture for receiving a portion of the projection arm.

Abstract: Composition friction materials particularly adapted for use in making railroad brake shoes include an elastomer such as synthetic rubber or natural rubber. The elastomer forms part of a bond for the remaining friction ingredients. The elastomer, solvent and nonsolvent absorbing granular abrasive materials of the composition are mixed in a manner such that the elastomer is quickly reduced to a paste-like consistency to which the remaining ingredients are added and mixed to form pellets which can be conveniently formed into brake shoes.

Abstract: A three-piece dampener assembly provides means to depress vertical and horizontal oscillations between ends of a bolster of a railroad car truck and side frames of the truck. This assembly includes a control or friction shoe having an outer vertical engaging surface for contact with a vertical wear plate of a pocket formed in the side frame and an inner projecting triangular-shaped segment. The triangular segment is covered by a relativley low friction adapter and engages a like triangular-shaped wedge slot formed in a control or friction shoe housing. The housing further includes an inclined wear surface for engaging with a complementary inclined friction surface formed in the bolster and a bottom surface for supportive engagement with a coil spring carried in the side frame pocket below the bolster.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for determining the Brinell hardness of railway vehicle wheels comprising a receiving means to accept and retain the wheel in a substantially vertical position; an elevator to raise and lower the receiving means in a substantially vertical plane; a polishing attachment to polish at least a portion of the wheel being held by the receiving means; and a Brinell testing device to determine the hardness of the wheel at one or more points which have previously been polished by the polishing attachment.

Abstract: Filter apparatus and method comprising a pair of filter shells having communicating flow passages and a filter media between the shells. Upon the clogging of the filter media, the inflow of liquid is stopped, the shells drained of remaining liquid and separated to allow the filter media to be removed and replaced. The shells can be interlocked when closed, and a mechanism is provided to hold one shell in locked engagement against the other when filtering. The one shell can then be released to allow the shells to separate when the filter media is to be replaced.

Abstract: A method of producing a high density iron-base material by a powdered metal process includes blending powder of a substantially eutectic alloy with carbon particles to increase the difference between the solidus and liquidus temperatures of the blend. The blend is then compacted and sintered at a temperature between the solidus and liquidus temperatures to achieve the desired high density.

Abstract: A plurality of articles to be conveyed and stored for selective delivery to meet an intermittent demand each has an upper end in selective contact with a pair of elongated fixed ride bars extending from a load station to a distant unload station. The upper ride bars form in part a support for the upper ends of the articles. A lower end of each article is in contact with and supported on an elongated movable ride bar positioned below the upper bars so as to maintain the articles in an inclined orientation. By reciprocating the lower ride bar, the articles are walked from the load station to the unload station where they may be accumulated and stored in a damage-resistant stacked condition ready for selective release as required.

Abstract: A braking system for a railroad car truck having its front and rear wheelsets so connected to permit each wheelset to yaw as the truck proceeds about curved trackage includes a front and rear brake beam and brake shoes attached thereto for engagement with the front and rear wheelsets. Each brake beam is pivotally connected to a front and rear brake lever, respectively, which are in turn pivotally connected to a front and rear swingable arm of the truck. During yawing or horizontal rotational movements of the wheelsets and the swingable arms in which the wheelsets are journaled, the brake beams and truck levers move complementary to each other so that when a braking force is applied to the truck levers, the rotational position of the wheelsets is unaffected by the braking force as the brake shoes engage the wheelsets.

Abstract: A filter device wherein inlet and outlet chambers are spaced from each other by a segment of filter media is positively locked in a condition whereat the chambers are sealed with respect to each other and the atmosphere by a hydraulic power device to which hydraulic pressure fluid is delivered at a predetermined pressure value. Filtrate is then delivered to the inlet chamber at a pressure which increases in value as the filter media becomes fouled with particulate.

Abstract: An improved railroad car truck side bearing assembly comprising two spring means spaced apart in a manner so as to concentrically envelop the side bearing mounting holes of a railroad car truck bolster; a base for mounting to a railroad car truck bolster and having pockets at each of its longitudinal extremities for receiving one end of a spring means so as to retain the spring means in its desired location, the base further having a centrally located upstanding projection partially enveloping the two spring means and also provided with a side wall having angularly and laterally disposed surfaces; a cap having pockets in its longitudinal extremities to receive and retain the other ends of the spring means, the cap having a pair of centrally located depending members which co-operatively interengage the projection of the base, the cap also being provided with a side wall having angularly and laterally disposed surfaces to co-operatively engage the similar surfaces located on the base.

Abstract: The head portion of a railway car coupler is provided with forwardly projecting horizontal upper and lower shelves. The leading edge of the top shelf is angled upwardly and rearwardly to provide clearance for coupler droop. Additionally, the leading angle of the coupler can be extended upwardly to establish an improved relation between the leading edges of the mating couplers, thereby minimizing the tendency to have one leading edge slipping under the other during a droop condition of the couplers.

Abstract: A filter method and apparatus removes tramp oils and fine particulate contaminants from an electrically conductive liquid coolant which is utilized in metal forming, or other comparable, operations. The disclosed method includes flowing the liquid coolant into a separation vessel having a plurality of alternating, oppositely charged plates. The tramp oils and particulate contaminants have an electrical surface charge and are therefore attracted toward one of the charged plates to effect a contaminant migration. This migration results in an agglomeration of the contaminants, but does not necessarily result in an accumulation of the contaminants on the attracting plate. The other charged plate is simultaneously generating a myriad of gaseous bubbles by electrolysis of the liquid coolant. The generated bubbles entrain at least a portion of the agglomerated contaminants into an upward flow to the liquid surface where those contaminants can be conventionally removed.

Abstract: A method for forming high carbon hard alloys using powdered metal techniques wherein the carbon content of the atomized powdered metal particles is minimized and the carbon content to achieve the desired composition is provided by blending carbon or carbon containing powder with the powdered metal particles prior to compaction and sintering. The compact may be sintered just above the solidus temperature of the alloy.

Abstract: A wire rope, and method of making same, is provided wherein the wire core is lubricated with a heavy viscous lubricant and impregnated with thermoplastic material. The wire rope strands are embedded in the thermoplastic material which holds these strands in a spaced relationship from the core and from each other.