Abstract: A bottom fed fluid distribution system is provided which may be used to uniformly distribute fluid to an underlying structure. The distribution system comprises a distribution pan, fluid transporting flume, and inlet chamber. The fluid transporting flume is positioned inside the back edge of the distribution pan and is elevated above the bottom of the pan. The flume has an opening in its bottom to allow fluid to flow downwardly into the distribution pan. The inlet chamber is located at the back edge and at one side of the distribution pan. Fluid flows into the bottom of the inlet chamber and then into the flume. As the fluid is flowing all along the length of the flume, a portion of the fluid flows downwardly through the opening in the bottom of the flume and into the distribution pan.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for conditioning air utilizing a desiccant based air conditioning system requiring substantially less regeneration energy than typical systems. This regeneration energy reduction is accomplished through the use of two separate desiccant devices and an indirect evaporative cooler having both a wet and dry side for air flow-through. The first desiccant device regeneration air is first passed through the wet side of the indirect evaporative cooler wherein it is humidified and heated. This air is then dehumidified by passing through the second desiccant device which operates at a high moisture content. This results in a substantial amount of moisture being absorbed from the first regeneration air stream causing a substantial air temperature increase and thereby, reducing the auxiliary heat required. The second desiccant device may be regenerated with ambient air.

Abstract: An accessory fluid cylinder and cam apparatus mounted under a fifth wheel may be energized by a tractor compressed air system to enable a driver to automatically and remotely unlock the fifth wheel jaw to release a trailer king pin when the tractor parking brake is engaged.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for conditioning air utilizing a desiccant based air conditioning system requiring substantially less regeneration energy than typical systems. This regeneration energy reduction is accomplished through the use of two separate desiccant devices and an indirect evaporative cooler having both a wet and dry side for air flow-through. The first desiccant device regeneration air is first passed through the wet side of the indirect evaporative cooler wherein it is humidified and heated. This air is then dehumidified by passing through the second desiccant device which operated at a high moisture content. This results in a substantial amount of moisture being adsorbed from the first regeneration air stream causing a substantial air temperature increase and thereby, reducing the auxiliary heat required. The second desiccant device may be regenerated with ambient air.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly for tractors or other draft arrangement has a bearing plate with a lubricating plate, a peripheral wall with diametrically opposed notches extending above the bearing plate surface and a nonmetallic lubricating wear liner with diametrically opposed ears notchable with the notches to resist rotational motion by the liner, which liner extends above the peripheral wall and is secured against the bearing plate as a lubricating liner but retained within the bearing plate cavity against radially outward displacement by the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A structural column has a generally cruciform cross section. The column includes a generally rectangular core section formed by four orthogonally related walls and four flange portions. Each flange portion is provided by a pair of spaced-apart parallel flanges which are extensions of a pair of parallel walls. The column is particularly suited for a cooling tower which includes at least four vertically extending columns. A horizontal beam extends between each pair of adjacent columns, and the ends of each beam are inserted between the parallel flanges of the columns. A side panel is supported by each beam, and a cover is supported by the side panels and the columns.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of controlling the head pressure in a refrigeration or air conditioning system in order to maintain the internal discharge pressure and discharge line pressure substantially equal. The method consists of the steps of measuring the suction pressure of the working fluid, calculating the internal discharge pressure of the working lfuid by multiplying the suction pressure by the internal pressure ratio of the compressor, measuring the discharge line pressure of the working fluid and then comparing the internal discharge pressure to the discharge line pressure. If the difference between the internal discharge pressure and discharge line pressure is greater than some allowable tolerance, the capacity of the condenser is adjusted to equalize these two pressures.

Abstract: A three piece freight railcar truck with a truck bolster having distal ends that extend outward of the truck side frames to beneath the sides of a rail car body and the bolster ends have seats for self leveling bearings which directly support the car body at the side sills.

Abstract: A fifth wheel for an over the road tractor having a locking bolt that may be cocked so as to latch and unlatch respecting movement to engage a king pin retaining jaw.

Abstract: An articulated railcar connector assembly includes improved wedge shim and follower block components that are shaped for improved early service life, the wedge shim having laterally spaced vertical lands to contact the assembly end wall and the follower block having a compound curvature bearing surface to receive the end of a male connector member; and both wedge and follower block may have abutting chevron-like concave and convex bearing surfaces wherein the included angle of the convex bearing surfaces exceeds the included angle of the concave bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A railroad brake shoe friction composition is prepared in the absence of a volatile solvent by first preparing a fluid paste bonding matrix containing an uncured rubber compound, a blend of highly polymerized cashew nut shell liquid resin with a reactive diluent and high surface area inorganic fillers, and thereafter adding other fillers and reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A light weight fatigue resistant cast steel bolster for a freight railcar truck without any opening in the bolster bottom wall having internal risers connected to the bottom wall at bend points and with a ratio of metal in the top and bottom walls that lessens the distance of the neutral axis above the bolster bottom wall as compared to comparable prior art bolsters.

Abstract: An improved articulated railcar connection and wedge shim wherein the wedge shim has a plurality of steps formed in the sides thereof upwardly from the narrow wedge bottom to present successive lifting surfaces accessible from inspection portals formed in the connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction shoe for use in a railway freight car truck. The friction shoe is disposed to dampen movements between the truck bolster and the side frames, and consists of a unitarily cast metal body having a generally planar vertical wear plate adapted to frictionally engage a column on the truck side frame. The back surface of the vertical wear plate is augmented to create a thicker cross sectional area at either the upper or lower ends of the plate, depending on the type of shoe being used. The augmented shoe provides a longer wearing friction surface which requires less frequent replacement and lower costs.

Abstract: A constant contact side bearing or railcar trucks utilizes wedges or rollers to adjustably separate opposing and converging surfaces of a base member and a vertically biased cap member.

Abstract: Friction shoes are immobilized within the pockets of a railcar truck bolster by threaded pins that are inserted through apertures in the pocket walls and friction shoes and guided into the inboard pocket wall apertures by a concentric tapered surface within the pockets on the inboard pocket walls.

Abstract: A slackless railcar connection system includes a gravity wedge shim that has an extension means extending upwardly from the broad edge of the shim through an opening in a railcar center sill. A reference post may also be located adjacent the opening to visibly indicate the degree of wear of the wedge.

Abstract: A self leveling bearing for use on a freight railcar truck bolster having a major body with an arcuate undersurface and an upper friction face and a secondary friction body biased outwardly of a cavity within the upper friction face.

Abstract: A restrained pipe joint is provided for affixing the spigot end of a first pipe into the socket end of a second pipe. The pipe joint includes a circular restraining ring and a retainer ring which includes a groove ring and a plurality of locking segments. When the retaining ring is tightened, the retaining ring is forced against the circular restraining ring, thereby engaging the locking segment teeth into the spigot end of the first pipe. The groove ring abuts the circular restraining ring which holds the spigot end of the first pipe within the socket end of the second pipe.

Abstract: Iron pipe and other hollow articles are lined with a cementitious mortar containing a quantity of polymer particles and the pipe is rotated about its axis so as to stratify the mortar and develop a polymer rich inner surface that is subsequently cured, dried and heated to the polymer fusion temperature and then coated with a continuous layer of pure polymer.