Abstract: The present invention provides a curvilinear transition duct for use with a centrifugal fan that affords optimal fan efficiency without undue duct length. The duct comprises a top section of generally concave planar shape when viewed from above and a bottom section. Side sections join the top and bottom sections to form a four sided structure having an inlet opening at one side and an outlet opening at the other side. The preferred bottom section is of a generally longer longitudinal length than the top section. Further, the preferred duct has a plane in contact with the edges of the inlet opening which intersect a plane in contact with the outlet openings at a level above the duct. The angle formed between the planes would be 1.degree. to 60.degree..

Abstract: This invention provides a composite wire rope comprising a plurality of outer strands laid helically about a helically stranded core. The core is comprised of high strength synthetics, such as polyamide or polyolefin materials to form a unitized lay central member. The method for forming the rope comprises the steps of twisting high strength synthetic monofilament yarns into core elements to provide a high degree of stability and overall tensile strength. Each such element is helically laid in a single operation to form the finished core. Lubricant may be applied and subsequently a protective jacket of steel, natural or synthetic material may be provided to encapsulate the core and lubricant. The rope structure is completed by helically laying a plurality of outer strands about the core.

Abstract: An eccentric plug valve and method for assembly wherein the valve utilizes a replaceable valve seat which is placed against a gasket held in a groove about a rim of a valve opening within the valve body and the valve seat is held in position by means to fasten one side of the insert to the valve body and by a groove in the bottom of the valve cavity and a cam ledge on a valve cover which engage the bottom and top edges of the insert, respectively.

Abstract: The vertical height requirement of a cooling tower is reduced by utilizing trapezoidal shaped fill sheets which are suspended generally in line with the entering air stream so as to form a wedge shaped plenum space beneath the lower sloped edges of the fill sheets. This enables a method of lengthening the vertical air paths through the media as distance from entry is increased thereby promoting vertical air flow near the entry.

Abstract: A diagonally braced railway truck comprising a pair of longitudinal side frames, a bolster extending therebetween and cast support brackets extending downwardly from lower tension members of the side frames and the pedestal jaws. The support brackets have three sides which receive a mounting plate with a precision drilled hole therein to receive the diagonal braces. The mounting plates are connected to flanges on the sides of the support brackets by welding.

Abstract: A fifth wheel for an over the road tractor having an operating rod for the locking mechanism which requires only longitudinal and rotary motion thus facilitating operation thereof in the space between tractor frame and trailer and permitting that space to be reduced in that no vertical lifting motion is imparted to the operating rod.

Abstract: A rotary railway drawbar coupler is provided which comprises two elongated shank members each having a convex butt surface at one end and a generally circular butt surface at the other end. The two elongated shanks are positioned between the two railway cars being coupled such that the circular butt ends are adjacent each other. A connecting collar surrounds the circular flange of which the circular butt surface is a part. Each elongated shank may have a longitudinal cavity extending inwardly from the circular butt surface to accommodate a cylindrical bar that extends between the elongated shanks.

Abstract: An eccentric plug valve and method for assembly wherein the valve utilizes a replaceable valve set which is placed against a gasket held in a groove about a rim of a valve opening within the valve body and the valve seat is held in position by means to fasten one side of the insert to the valve body and by a groove in the bottom of the valve cavity and a cam ledge on a valve cover which engage the bottom and top edges of the insert, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a railway truck bolster with an improved brake attachment assembly. The top web section of the bolster has outer walls extending downwardly therefrom, which outer walls terminate in the lower section of the bolster. A centerplate is located on the top section of the bolster intermediate the ends thereof. Two bolt receiving openings are located to one side of the centerplate in one of the bolster walls. The bolt receiving openings are laterally spaced from each other and are located just below the top section of the bolster. A flange extends upwardly from the wall of the bolster and is located generally laterally between the two bolt receiving openings in the wall. The flange extends upwardly above the top section of the bolster and includes a bolt receiving opening. A recess extends longitudinally from the flange across at least a portion of the top section of the bolster. Furthermore, the underside of the top section of the bolster is reinforced below the recess.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for thermal storage improved to deliver cold liqud refrigerant during a supply cycle by freezing storage liquid envelopes only on tubes defining refrigerant flow paths during an ice production and storage cycle and extending the effective flow paths during the supply cycle through supplementary conduits immersed in free storage liquid which is chilled by the exterior of the frozen envelopes.

Abstract: A pouring tank assembly and transfer tracks are provided whereby a transfer car holding a pouring tank filled with molten metal can be rolled from a loading station to a pouring station. The transfer tracks are of a double rail configuration, with two tracks forming an angle whose vertex is at the pouring station. A third guide rail parallels each set of tracks. The transfer car is equipped with flangeless wheels which roll along the transfer tracks, and has a support arm from which guide rollers extend. Such guide rollers contact the guide rail to provide lateral stability for the transfer car.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction shoe for use in a railway freight car truck. The friction shoe consists of a cast metal body having a generally flat vertical surface adapted to abut a column on the truck side frame and sloped surfaces adapted to abut a corresponding sloped surface of the truck bolster. Resilient, elastomeric pads are adapted to be received on each sloped surface of the friction shoe. The sloped surface of the friction shoe has either a slot or a protrusion running lengthwise parallel to an outer edge of the sloped surface, and the elastomeric pad has either a correspoding protrusion or slot adapted to fit in the complementary sloped surface. The elastomeric pad may be wedge shaped tapering in reduced thickness from its bottom edge toward its top edge, or the pad may comprise two components each of which tapers from its top edge toward its bottom edge with a complementary adapted sloped surface on the friction shoe.

Abstract: Friction shoes are preassembled in each end of a railcar truck bolster by providing openings in the bolster and in the shoes and passing a restraining member through the openings at each bolster end and tensioning and securing the restraining members so as to hold the shoes within respective pockets in the bolster. The shoes and pockets are further provided with cooperating anti-ejection features to prevent ejection of shoes after installation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three axle railway truck. The truck comprises three wheelsets supporting two parallel sideframes. Each sideframe comprises two sections. One wheelset is located near the longitudinal middle of the sideframes, with the two other axle wheelsets located near either end of the sideframes. Two bolsters extend laterally across between these sideframes, with each bolster located between the center axle and an end axle. The bolster ends are received in pockets in the sideframes. Each bolster has a centerplate structure receiving a pin as part of an articulated connection spanning between and connecting the bolsters.

Abstract: A sand dispensing assembly is provided wherein two different sands are held in two bins in a top section. The bins are concentric and generally cylindrical. A middle section of the sand dispensing assembly includes a plurality of inner dispensing tubes at a first diameter from the center of the middle section and a plurality of outer dispensing tubes at a second diameter greater than the first diameter from the center of the middle section. A bottom of the sand dispensing assembly includes a plurality of discharge funnels. When the middle section is at a first position, sand fills the inner dispensing tubes from the first bin while sand exits the outer tubes through the discharge funnels. When the middle section is rotated to a second position, sand fills the outer dispensing tubes from the second bin while sand exits the inner tubes through the discharge funnels.

Abstract: A composition railway brake shoe including a composition body having friction material dispersed therein and a binder formed essentially from rubber and a thermosetting phenolic resin attachable to a metallic back plate. A backing strip is interposed between the back plate and the body and comprises a rubber binder having dispersed therein a high strength and temperature resistant aramid fiber. The back strip and body are molded in the presence of heat to the back plate.

Abstract: A railroad car coupler arrangement particularly suited to cars with single axle trucks including means defining a coupler pocket, a coupler head with a coupler shank and a butt end, a draft gear cushioning device in the pocket with a follower plate captured against transverse movement. The butt end and follower plate include interengaged means to restrain the butt end against transverse movement.

Abstract: A fifth wheel bracket mounting arrangement for fastening the bracket to the frame of a tractor having a frame including spaced channels. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting plate having one edge clamped to the horizontal flange of the channel member adjacent the free edge of the flange and secured to an angle member on the opposing side of the channel.

Abstract: A railway vehicle bolster having an air brake system air reservoir formed integrally in a cavity defined by a top web and side walls of said bolster by enclosing the cavity with end walls and a bottom wall. Air inlet and outlet means provide communication between the air brake system and the reservoir.

Abstract: A flexible seal is used to cover and fill joints between water flume sections wherein the seal is in the form of a continuous web having a central deformable bead and the seal is secured to each section by both adhesive strips and a reinforcement compressing the seal and adhesive against each section.