Boiler Or Steam Dome Patents (Class 137/346)
  • Patent number: 9623881
    Abstract: A valve interlock system for a railcar including a valve stem locking subsystem that includes a coupling device rotatably coupled to the valve stem. The coupling device is substantially stationary in the longitudinal direction and rotatably translatable about a longitudinal axis and defines an engagement slot thereon. The subsystem also includes a stationary support member extending toward the coupling device in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and includes a locking member that is transversely translatable and complimentary with the engagement slot. The subsystem also includes a biasing device coupled to the locking member that increases an engagement bias as the locking member is transversely translated away from the engagement slot. The subsystem further includes a valve operator assembly that includes a longitudinally and rotatably translatable body configured to regulate the slot engagement bias as a function of a longitudinal position of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: American Railcar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Bertram, Ben Miller, Justin Dobsch, Roger Dalske
  • Patent number: 9091209
    Abstract: A bracket for use with a four bar linkage, has a head portion having a triangular shape, and a shank extending from a corner of the triangular head portion, the shank thickening depthwise and narrowing widthwise along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Edward LeBlanc, Kevin J. Cummings
  • Patent number: 9062603
    Abstract: An actuation system for a bleed valve includes first and second bell cranks connected by a connecting link. The first bell crank has a first arm that is coupled to a bleed valve and a second arm that is coupled to the connecting link. The connecting link has a first end coupled to the second arm of the first bell crank and a second end coupled to a first arm of the second bell crank. A second arm of the second bell crank is coupled to an actuating element. Input is communicated through the actuating element to move the bleed valve between open and closed positions via the first and second bell cranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Edward LeBlanc, Kevin J. Cummings
  • Patent number: 4522242
    Abstract: A log debarker of the hollow-head type having a rotor journaled in a stator for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the rotor. A plurality of debarking tools are attached to the rotor for debarking a log being moved axially through the rotating rotor. Three independently and hydraulically-powered infeed spiked rollers are positioned on the infeed end of the stator for feeding logs into the rotor and three independently and hydraulically-powered outfeed spiked rollers are positioned on the outfeed end. The rollers are powered at differing rotational speeds to accommodate logs of uneven surfaces. An air-operated tensioning system including a quick release valve adjusts the position of the infeed and the outfeed rollers urging them towards the longitudinal axis and automatically jogs the rollers open when they are unable to mount a log. A lubricating system having lubricant filtering and flow control capabilities lubricate and flushes the bearings for the rotating rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Inventor: James H. Hutson