Abstract: Sand molds stored in a prepour storage system are retrieved and conveyed to a pouring station with a total mold cavity capacity equal to the amount of molten metal to be poured. Despite the fact that the mold cavities vary in size they are delivered to the pouring station in a sequence that accomodates delivery of the molds having variable metal capacity to one of a plurality of cooling conveyor lines so that each cooling line conveys molds which require variable lengths of time to cool before such molds can be conveyed into a punchout where the cope flask is stripped and the sand mass and castings are pushed up from the drag flask and onto a shakeout which conveys sand to a reclaim system and castings to a processing area where the castings are shot blasted, gates and risers are removed, the castings are inspected, flame washed, welded (as needed), ground, chipped, heat treated and then blast cleaned a second time before final grinding, chipping, gauging, final inspection, assembly and storage.

Abstract: A parts handling apparatus is provided for moving parts from a pick up and loading station into a machining station. A parts supply and feeding device is mounted on a main frame adjacent a parts turnaround device also mounted on the main frame. A swing arm assembly is rotatably mounted to the frame and includes two arm chucks at the end of the swing arm opposite the rotatably mounted end. The swing arm chucks are themselves capable of rotation so as to load and unload parts from the parts feeding device and the parts turnaround device as well as to deliver parts to the machining station.

Abstract: An anti-cavitation arrangement for a rotary valve including a conduit by-passing the valve passage and connecting the upstream end to the downstream end of the valve passage. A normally closed pressure controlled or manual valve is disposed in the conduit and is open upon sensing a vacuum on the downstream end of the valve or by manual means so that process fluid is free to flow into the vacuum and thereby prevent cavitation.

Abstract: A pressure filter apparatus with media mounting assemblies is provided. The pressure filter tank is generally cylindrical with a cylindrical inner wall having a filter screen therein. A filter media is mounted on the inner wall with seal assemblies above and below the filter screen. Each seal assembly includes a spacer rod and bar continuously welded to the inner wall of the filter and a resilient ring mounted thereon. Each upper and lower edge of the media is sewn to the resilient ring to form a seal therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter apparatus having a filter vessel into which liquid to be filtered is inlet near the bottom of the vessel. The liquid rises in the vessel and is forced through a filter screen running the height of the vessel. After flowing through the filter screen, the filtered liquid enters an annular enclosure outside the filter screen. The filtered liquid rises in the enclosure to the height of a discharge outlet near the top of the enclosure wall. This assures the even depositing of solids filtered from the liquid along the entire height of the filter screen.

Abstract: Airflow to the interior portions of large counterflow cooling towers is improved by the provision of passageways from about the perimeter of the tower which passageways are free of fill and descending water so as to not obstruct inward movement of air from the perimeter, and which passageways also segregate fill against the possible spread of combustion.

Abstract: A bolster having a plurality of flat surfaces on the opposite side thereof arranged to provide a surface on which the saddles of an air brake assembly are fastened.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring the hardness of a metal object such as a railway wheel. The wheel is rolled along a rail to a notched receiving assembly into which the wheel is lowered to stabilize the wheel in a longitudinal direction. A frame with a bracing device is then pressed against the wheel hub to stabilize the wheel in a lateral direction. A secondary frame including both a grinding device and a hardness testing device is then swung about a pivot axis such that the grinding device grinds a section of the metal railway wheel. Upon the continuation of the pivoting movement of the secondary frame, a hardness testing device is brought into alignment with the ground section of the railway wheel whereupon the hardness test of the wheel is performed.

Abstract: A side bearing for railway cars mounted horizontally between truck and body bolsters to provide frictional engagement in a substantially vertical plane and having an elastomeric member to accommodate lateral movements. The elastomeric member is a resilient cartridge which is mounted to an upstanding flange of the side bearing's base. A friction member covers the end of the elastomeric member and also attaches to the upstanding flange.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid filtering apparatus wherein solids suspended in the liquid are accummlated to form a cake on the filter media as the liquid passes through the media. Upon the buildup of such solids, pressurization upon the liquid forces remaining liquid through the media. Such pressurization is inactivated upon excessive cake buildup, and a conduit helically wound about the outside of the filter media is expanded by air pressure. The conduit is attached at various points about its length so that it forms chord lines between such connection points. Such expansion and chording of the conduit breaks the cake from the media.

Abstract: An improved post assembly for operating an inaccessible valve having upper and lower connecting shaft portions within respective upper and lower column sections wherein each of the shaft portions and column sections are connected by breakaway means enabling the parts to be separated by impact, and replaceable, at a level above grade, and also having an attachment between the lower connecting shaft and a valve shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary drum filter wherein one or preferably two rotary drum filters are submerged in a tank of liquid to be filtered. Each rotary drum filter is comprised of a generally cylindrical tank having a perforated outer wall plate over which is applied a cloth type filter media. A suction pipe is included inside the rotary drum filter so that filtered liquid can be drawn into the rotary drum filter through the pressure differential established by the suction pipe. Clean filtered liquid exits the suction pipe to the industrial apparatus with which the filter apparatus is used. A backwash vacuum box extending generally the length of the rotary drum filter media is in contact with a portion of the rotary drum filter media. A partial vacuum is established in the vacuum box such that filtered liquid can be drawn outwardly from the rotary drum filter such that solids accumulated on the filter media are drawn off from the filter media thereby cleaning that section of the filter media.

Abstract: A post assembly for a remotely placed valve and valve actuator includes a post with a hinged cover cap and multiple windows evenly spaced below the cap and a target axially movable past said windows on an operating stem fully contained within the post and with the operating nut on said stem below the cover cap and substantially within the target.

Abstract: A railway coupler connection is provided for slackless arrangements wherein spacer lugs are provided between the coupler shank and the sill side castings to restrain lateral movement of the coupler member at about the draw key; and access ports are provided in a pocket casting to facilitate withdrawal of a wedge holding the coupler parts together whereby the parts may be disassembled.

Abstract: The invention comprises a high performance segmented baffled shell and tube heat exchanger in which baffles are oriented at angles less than 180.degree. adjacent one another.

Abstract: A filter apparatus and method is provided wherein a tank is adapted to receive unfiltered liquid. An outlet chamber is located adjacent the bottom wall of the filter tank and is separated therefrom by a perforated plate. A filter media is movable across the rear, bottom and front walls of the filter tank and accordingly, unfiltered liquid must pass through the filter media as well before entering the outlet chamber. A chain flight assembly is provided which is movable across the filter media along the rear, bottom and front walls of the filter tank. As the chain flight assembly is continuous, a return path is across the top of the tank above the unfiltered liquid. A baffle plate is provided near the rear wall within the filter tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved sealing means for shell and tube heat exchangers which means use only components which are external to the heat exchanger shell to mechanically compress a series of rubber type gaskets and incompressible tube sheets to thereby seal the tube to tube sheet joints and the tube sheet to shell joints in such a manner as to precisely control the degree of compression of the rubber type gaskets and eliminate the need for the retightening of bolts by the use of confining elements on the outer periphery of said gaskets.

Abstract: A closed circuit evaporative fluid cooler/evaporative condenser utilizing a cross flow water-air fluid flow relationship is provided. An evaporative liquid recirculating system includes a liquid distribution spray assembly mounted above a bundle of fill sheets. A closed circuit fluid cooling/condensing heat exchanger is supported below the bundle of fill sheets. Each heat exchanger comprises a plurality of parallel coil circuits or modules, wherein the inlet of each coil circuit is at a higher elevation adjacent the air outlet side of the heat exchanger, and the fluid outlet manifold of each coil circuit is at the lowest elevation adjacent the air inlet side of the heat exchanger. This arrangement assures the coolest liquid falling from the fill sheet assembly contacts the coil assembly containing the coolest fluid and that the coolest air entering the air inlet contacts the coil assembly portion containing the coolest fluid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for gauging railroad wheels for warpage and rotundity and tape size wherein each wheel is received in an upright posture, where it is weighed, and then turned and lowered to rest horizontally on cushioned rotatable supports where it is gauged while being rotated about its axis by projecting light across its surfaces.

Abstract: A grinding apparatus is provided with an automatic adjustment device. After each grinding operation, the grinding wheel position is adjusted to a light beam position by the activation of a carriage movement device. This assures that the grinding wheel will grind each object to the same depth irregardless of wheel wear, which is compensated for in the position adjustment operation.