Patents Assigned to ACF Industries, Incorporated
  • Patent number: 4339078
    Abstract: An inert solvent containing a coating material to be reacted is mixed with a liquid activator which is fed through an orifice into contact with the coating material and then into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is provided with special agitating means for obtaining effective mixing of the coating material with the activator. This activating means may comprise a chain held in place within the mixing chamber with washers at either end of the chamber. The mixed coating material and activator is then fed through a conduit into an applicating gun which applies the coating on a container or transportation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Ford, Arthur Gill, Jr., John W. Smith, Louis L. Freeman, Jr
  • Patent number: 4334666
    Abstract: A gate valve (10) has an expanding gate assembly (34) mounted in the valve chamber (14) for movement between open and closed positions. The gate assembly (34) includes a gate (44) connected to a valve stem (28) and a segment (52) is carried by the gate (44). The gate (44) and segment (52) each have wedging surfaces (46 and 54) which permit a wedging action to provide lateral expansion therebetween at the open and closed positions. A rocker arm (80) is pivotally mounted to a side (49) of the gate (44). The rocker arm (80) has a slot (102) with a bearing block (104) slidably received therein. A bearing pin (110) extends from a side (57) of the segment (52) and is journaled in the bearing block (104). A seat skirt (60) is contained within the valve chamber (14) and engages the rocker arm (80) so as to control the ability of the rocker arm (80) to pivot about the gate (44) thereby allowing the gate (44) and segment (52) to expand from each other at a preselected position in the travel of the gate assembly (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Patricio D. Alvarez, Robert J. Trevino
  • Patent number: 4333666
    Abstract: A hitch head or fifth wheel is provided including a pair of pivotable jaws which hold in place a kingpin of a highway trailer. A horizontally movable lock block, biased by a stiff spring to closed position, engages the jaws and holds them in closed position, maintaining the kingpin in place. The lock block is movable to an open position by a finger extending through an opening in the lock block. The finger is movable to an overcenter position which allows the lock block to move to a position engaging the rear portion of the jaws, holding the jaws open until another kingpin enters the jaws and pivots the jaws to closed position. The front portion of the lock block is provided with a cam surface. If a first jaw begins to move to closed position and the other jaw does not, the first jaw will move the lock block rearwardly and a lock block cam surface protrusion will engage the finger and pivot the finger whereby the finger will engage a rear external surface of the other jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: James C. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 4331172
    Abstract: A fire-safe valve structure (10) has a metal seat (52 and 54) with an annular groove (56) therein in which a sealing ring (50) is positioned in face-to-face contact with a valve member (28) movable between open and closed positions. The annular groove (56) has an annular space (66) behind the resilient sealing ring (50) to permit displacement of the sealing ring (50). A shim of fusible material (68), which sublimates at a predetermined temperature, is associated with the annular space (66) and holds the sealing ring (50) in contact with the valve member (28). Upon sublimation of the sublimable material and subsequent passage of the gaseous sublimable material from the annular space (66), the sealing ring (50) is displaced within the annular space (66) and the valve member (28) moves into a tight metal-to-metal contact with the metal seat (52 and 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: John A. D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 4327768
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an open and closed position indicator assembly is provided for use with a bottom operable tank car valve assembly. An operating shaft for the lading valve extends downwardly through the outlet chamber and includes a connection portion at its lower end. An indicator housing is integrally connected to that portion of the outlet chamber above the connection portion which surrounds the operating shaft. An indicator member located within the indicator housing is internally threaded and engages an externally threaded portion of the outlet chamber. The indicator member includes a lower non-round opening which is adopted to be driven by a cooperating non-round portion of the operating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Gunter R. Behle
  • Patent number: 4326557
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a tank car valve mounting flange, valve cage and valve seat are provided. The cage is generally cylindrical. The mounting flange extends radially outwardly from the cage. The valve seat is located on an inner surface of the cage. A multi-armed sleeve is threaded onto a threaded valve stem. Clamp fasteners attach a valve closure to a lower portion of the stem. The sub-assembly of the valve closure, valve stem and sleeve is placed within the valve cage, with the closure resting on the valve seat. The arms of the sleeve extend into cage slots having a generally horizontal portion in the cage. A keeper assembly is provided to retain the sleeve arms within the cage slots. The stem is then connected to a top operating rod extending to the top of the tank. The valve assembly is then raised by the top operating rod until the valve flange engages a tank mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Gunter R. Behle
  • Patent number: 4323096
    Abstract: A vacuum relief valve assembly includes a vacuum valve member located below a top cover plate and is thus protected from the atmosphere. First passageways defined in part by a bottom cover plate provide communication between the outside atmosphere and the lower surface of the valve. Second passageways provide communication between the upper surface of the valve and the inside of the container. When the pressure in the container is below atmospheric, atmospheric pressure acting on the bottom of the valve lifts the valve and air flows through the first and second passageways until atmospheric pressure is reached in the tank. A pressure relief valve is mounted for pivotal movement relative to an opening providing communication between the pressure in the tank and the first passageways to vent pressure in the tank. The pressure relief valve is protected from the atmosphere by the top cover plate, and in one embodiment, by the vacuum relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard H. Dugge, Dallas W. Rollins
  • Patent number: 4320890
    Abstract: A valve seat structure for an expanding type gate valve (20). A valve seat (64) is received in each annular seat recess (62) formed around the upstream and downstream flow passages (24, 26) and opening to the valve chamber (22) wherein a gate assembly (32) is movable between open and closed positions. An annular face seal (82) is mounted within an annular groove (70) in the front seat face (66) of each valve seat (64). A substantial portion of the bottom (76) of the annular groove (70) comprises a frusto-conical bottom portion (80) which forms a wedging surface with a cone angle in the range of approximately 30.degree. to 60.degree. and disposed substantially coaxial with the groove sides and the flow passages. The rear seal face (86) of the face seal (82) has a frusto-conical rear portion (94) that conforms to the frusto-conical bottom portion (80). The annular groove (70) is wider than the thickness of the face seal (82 ) so that the face seal loosely fits within the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Danny S. Meyer, William S. Shelton
  • Patent number: 4318531
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a container outlet valve assembly (10) is provided including a generally cone-shaped housing (12) extending upwardly into the container, and including radially spaced openings (14) in the housing for lading to flow out of the container. A cone valve (30) is located within the housing containing spaced openings (34) which align with the openings (14) in the cone housing when the cone valve is in open position. A liner (36) of low friction material is attached to the outer surface of the cone valve and/or the inner surface of the cone housing. The cone valve is rotatable to a closed position in which the valve body closes the openings located in the housing (FIG. 3). An unloading chamber (44) is located below the cone valve and is attached to a tank mounting flange (18) with shearable fasteners (24). The flange does not extend below the tank bottom in excess of one (1) inch. In one embodiment (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Edwin S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4315465
    Abstract: An articulated truck center connection of known construction joins extensions extending in opposite directions from the transverse center of adjacent car end portions to the center plate of a truck supporting the adjacent ends of the cars. A pair of side bearings are mounted on the truck bolster on opposite sides of the articulated center connection. Each side bearing includes a rectangular channel or tube mounted on the truck and a first bearing surface which receives a first extension from one adjacent car end. The first extension is free to slide horizontally on the first bearing. The channel or tube extends above the first bearing surface and a second extension from the other adjacent car includes a depending bearing member which rests upon and is supported by the first bearing member. A pivot allows the second car end to rotate vertically about the center connection as the cars transverse vertical inclines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Eugene J. Cordani, Frederick E. Vorwerk
  • Patent number: 4313591
    Abstract: A tank vehicle lading valve assembly is provided including a lading valve mounted in an opening in the bottom of the tank which is movable vertically between open and closed positions. A valve housing or outlet chamber including an unloading spout is attached below a tank bottom mounting flange with fasteners, which preferably define a shear plane. A first operator attached to an upper portion of the lading valve extends vertically up through the tank to the upper portion of the tank where it is adapted to receive a suitable handle or tool to move the lading valve between open and closed positions. A second operator is preferably attached to a lower portion of the lading valve. The second operator portion preferably extends at least partially through the valve housing. Thus the lading valve is operable from either the top of the tank or from the bottom of the tank. The first operator may be eliminated and the lading valve operated from the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard J. Wempe, Gunter R. Behle
  • Patent number: 4313458
    Abstract: In an expanding gate valve, tangential pins (70) are received loosely in peripheral grooves (62) of floating valve seats (26) to prevent the seats from moving inwardly far enough to drag against a gate mechanism (32) which is collapsed for movement between open and closed positions of the valve. Alternative arrangements provide retainer rings (122, 130) which engage shoulders (128) of the seats to limit their inward floating movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ivan A. Burns, William R. Hochmuth
  • Patent number: 4311298
    Abstract: In a railway tank car, a tank mounting flange is integrally connected to the tank bottom. The tank mounting flange includes an opening into which is inserted a ball valve housing. The ball valve housing includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. Mechanical housing fasteners hold the upper housing portion in engagement with the lower housing portion. The lower housing portion has an outwardly extending housing flange portion which engages the tank mounting flange. Removable fasteners hold the housing flange portion in place in engagement with the mounting flange. A ball valve is located within both the lower housing portion and the upper housing portion. A pair of vertically extending seals seal the ball valve with respect to the tank when the ball valve is in closed position. The ball valve may be either bottom operated or top operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Edwin S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4310145
    Abstract: A tank vehicle lading valve assembly is provided including a lading valve mounted in an opening in the bottom of the tank which is movable vertically between open and closed positions. A valve housing or outlet chamber including an unloading spout is attached below a tank bottom mounting flange with fasteners, which preferably define a shear plane. A first operator attached to an upper portion of the lading valve extends vertically up through the tank to the upper portion of the tank where it is adapted to receive a suitable handle or tool to move the lading valve between open and closed positions. A second operator is preferably attached to a lower portion of the lading valve. The second operator portion preferably extends at least partially through the valve housing. Thus the lading valve is operable from either the top of the tank or from the bottom of the tank. The first operator may be eliminated and the lading valve operated from the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard J. Wempe
  • Patent number: 4305271
    Abstract: A metal sheet is formed into an arcuate contour by rolling the sheet under high pressure on an elastomeric pad (24) supported by a rigid frame. A pair of laterally spaced rollers (30, 32) are used to form the arc. Each moves from the transverse edge of the sheet inwardly and crosses the center line of the sheet. Under the high pressure applied to the rolls the sheet yields to form the arc and the elastomeric material elastically deforms as the arc is formed. The rollers depend from vertical guides (34, 36) which follow a track extending transversely across the sheet. A guide track (38) is provided in a transverse beam located above the rolls and the guides. Hydraulic or pneumatic jacks (70) apply pressure to the beam which in turn applies pressure to the rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Osie B. Whatley
  • Patent number: 4293116
    Abstract: A valve seat assembly adapted to fit within an annular groove in a butterfly valve body. The seat assembly includes a pair of opposed metal seat rings generally L-shaped in cross section with overlapping outer legs seated and anchored in the bottom of the groove. The seat rings have flexible free inner end portions extending radially inwardly of the groove terminating at outwardly curled arcuate ends which contact the sealing surface of the valve disc and extend laterally of the groove in spaced relation to and over the adjacent valve body. A resilient soft seal is mounted between the metal seat rings and the sides of the metal seal rings are corrugated to grip and retain the soft seal in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: John M. Hinrichs
  • Patent number: 4291862
    Abstract: A gate valve structure has an expanding valve assembly mounted with the valve chamber comprising a gate (32) and segment (34) which may be laterally expanded. The gate and segment have a plurality of coacting interfitting saw-type teeth (46,48) which define cam surfaces (50,56) to effect expansion of the gate valve assembly. A flexible sleeve (64) is secured about the ports (42,44) in the gate and segment to bridge the gap (58) between the gate (32) and segment (34) upon expansion. A torsion spring (72) urges the gate and segment to a contracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Patricio D. Alvarez, James M. Fowler, George A. Moran
  • Patent number: 4290581
    Abstract: A ball valve having a seat assembly (46) in the form of a flexible metal holder (52) which carries a resin impregnated graphite face seal (54) contacting the ball (28). Flexibility of the holder is provided by a leg (58) thereof which terminates in a free end having an annular lip (62) in sealing contact with the valve body. In a modified arrangement, the upstream seat has an annular space exposed to the upstream flow passage in order to increase the sealing force, while a corresponding annular space of the downstream seat is exposed to the valve chamber to increase its sealing force when the body pressure exceeds the downstream pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: George A. Moran, John B. Williams
  • Patent number: 4286614
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a metal valve seat (36) carrying a relatively soft insert (40) which seals against a ported ball member (22). A packing ring (72) surrounding the seat is compressed between a spring loaded metal wedge (84) and a metal backup ring (66) to provide a seal between the seat and valve body. If the soft seals are destroyed by fire, the metal seat is pressed against the ball member to provide a metal-to-metal seal. Additional metal-to-metal seals are provided between the seat and valve body by the metal wedge and backup ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary W. Kacal, Charles C. Partridge
  • Patent number: 4279231
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the air-fuel ratio in an internal combustion engine to substantially maintain the ratio at a predetermined value while the engine is operating under various load conditions. The engine has a carburetor with an air passageway through which air is drawn into the engine. Fuel is supplied to the carburetor through a fuel system and mixed with air passing through the carburetor. The presence of oxygen in the combustion products, which is a function of the air-fuel ratio of the mixture, is sensed and a first electrical signal representative of the oxygen content is supplied. The first electrical signal is compared with a predetermined reference level which is a function of the predetermined value to produce a second electrical signal having first and second signal elements, a first signal element being produced when the air-fuel ratio of the mixture is greater than the predetermined level and a second signal element being produced when the ratio is less than the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Allen W. Lindberg, Thomas R. Gantzert, Donald L. Hicks