Abstract: A reciprocating gate valve having an adjustable low stress stem connection structure (70) for connecting an operating stem (42) to a gate member (24). The connection structure includes a stem extension (78) formed on the bottom end of the operating stem (42) threadably receiving a collar (84) having an axial bore (86) coaxial with the stem (42) and extending therethrough receiving a gate extension (72) formed on the top end of the gate member (24). The collar (84) has a slot (96) extending generally perpendicular to the axial bore (86) in the direction of fluid flow through the valve. An adjusting nut (106) fits into the slot (96) and threadably engages the gate extension (72). The slot (96) permits movement of the nut (106) and gate member (24) relative to the longitudinal axis of the stem (42) in a direction generally parallel to the direction of fluid flow through to the gate valve.

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.

Abstract: An end closure (1) for a pulsing solenoid P attached to a carburetor (C). A unitary cover (3) has a base section (5) configured to fit against an end wall (EW) of a solenoid housing (H). A forwardly extending skirt section (9) fits about the side wall (SW) of the housing adjacent the end wall thereof. The skirt section has a plurality of tabs (11) projecting from the inner wall of the skirt section. The tabs are received in appropriate openings (0) in the side wall of the housing. A connector shield (13) projects rearwardly from the base section of the cover. A pair of electrical connectors (15A, 15B) are mounted in the shield and extend through the base section of the cover. The electrical connectors matingly connect with a pair of electrical connectors (FC) in the solenoid housing and further connect with an electrical cable routed from an electronic control unit.

Abstract: A hand wheel for operation of a tank car valve located in the tank bottom is provided. The hand wheel is connected to an operating shaft for the tank car valve and includes a body portion having at least one first opening adapted to receive a horizontally extending tool to rotate the valve. The hand wheel also includes an opening in its bottom surface which is adapted to receive another operating tool such as a drive ratchet or a ratchet extension to open and close the lading valve.

Abstract: A permeable membrane seal (10) includes a body portion (12) made of elastomeric material. The body portion includes an elongated slot (18) to receive a permeable membrane (20). The membrane is held in place with stitches of thread (22) sewn at about 90.degree. to the seal body portion. The stitched threads substantially prevent a flow path of fluidizing air from the permeable material outwardly to either side of the elastomeric body portion. Mechanical fasteners (44) located outboard of the stitches hold the reinforced elastomeric body portion in place between a hopper mounting flange and an outlet mounting flange. Optional fabric reinforcement increases the tensile strength of the elastomeric material to better withstand the membrane pressure load applied by the fluidizing media. The fabric reinforcement (14) is preferably molded integral with the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A railroad car (12) has a set (B1) of brakes acting on wheels (W1) at one end of the car and a set (B2) of brakes acting on wheels (W2) at the opposite end of the car. A mechanism (38) for applying a brake force produced by operation of a hand brake (HB) includes a force splitter (40) interconnected with the hand brake and one set (B1) of wheels to transmit the brake force to this set of brakes. A first torque unit (54) is interconnected with the force splitter to transfer the brake force from one end of the car to the other. A second torque unit (74) is interconnected with the first torque unit and the other set (B2) of brakes to transmit the brake force to this other set of brakes. Application of both sets of brakes in response to operation of the hand brake prevents movement of the car.

Abstract: In a tank ball valve assembly the ball valve includes a hollow depending sleeve which extends below the tank bottom. A handle is attached to the sleeve to rotate the ball valve between open and closed positions. An outlet chamber surrounds the sleeve and includes a slot to allow rotation of the handle 90.degree. between open and closed positions. The outlet chamber extends directly below the sleeve and the unloading spout is not offset.

Abstract: A high pressure sealing connection for sealing between connected coaxially aligned members (22, 10). The connection comprises a metallic sealing ring (40) having annular end surfaces (52, 53) adjacent each end and tapering outwardly therefrom. The ring at its largest external diameter is provided with a cylindrical surface (51) intermediate the frusto-conical sealing surfaces (52, 53). At its inner periphery, upper and lower flanges (61, 62) extend inwardly and perpendicularly to the axis of the ring. The coaxially aligned members (22, 10) are provided with recesses defined by opposed internal frusto-conical sealing surfaces (41, 42) at their adjoining ends, each tapering inwardly from the end of the member to an annular shoulder (43, 44) in the bore of the aligned member. The frusto-conical surfaces (41, 42) are of equal taper in the range of 5.degree. to 20.degree.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a lock block link 34 has a first end 36 connected to a trailer hitch bumper block 22 and a second end 40 which engages a lock block 46 which holds the hitch jaws 16 in closed position. The lock block link 34 is supported by an operating shaft link 54 extending from a manual operating shaft 50 extending to the side of the hitch. When the bumper block 22 is engaged by a tractor, the bumper block rotates about pins 30 connecting the bumper block to the hitch head 10. This rotation moves the lock block link 34 and in turn the lock block 46 rearwardly, which allows the jaws 16 to rotate to open position to allow exit of the trailer king pin. A lost motion connection 31 is provided in the connection between the first end of the lock block link and the bumper block to allow the lock block link 34 to move relative to the bumper block when the lock block 46 is moved rearwardly manually by the operating shaft.

Abstract: A pressure energizable sealing connection for establishing a bore seal between first and second coaxially aligned and connected members (22, 10) having opposed internal recesses forming seat pockets at their adjoining ends. The invention comprises a sealing ring (40) having annular end surfaces (56, 54) and an internal diameter which corresponds to the bores of the coaxially aligned members (22, 10), the connection of which is to be sealed. The ring (40) is provided with a pair of circumferential projections (67, 68) separated by a groove (69) therebetween and each having an external surface of arcuate configuration. At their adjoining ends (25, 26) the opposed seat pockets of the adjoining members (22, 10) provide annular cylindrical walls (41, 42) for sealing engagement with the annular projections (67, 68) of the sealing ring (40).

Abstract: A packing support assembly (10) which is sleeved about a well casing ("C"), or the like, and secured thereto without the need for piercing the casing wall or welding thereto. The support assembly (10) comprises a support ring (12) which is sleeved about the casing ("C") and secured thereto by a gripping means in the form of a plurality of clamping segments (14) having serrated surfaces (40) adapted to grip the external wall of the casing ("C"). The clamping segments (14) are held in an unactivated position by retaining screws (46) which secure the clamping segments (14) to the support ring (12). To activate, the clamping segments (14) are wedged inwardly to grip the casing ("C") by a plurality of activating pins (54) which are threadably received into the bottom of the support ring (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a gate valve (10) having both visual and electrical position indicating means for signalling when the valve is in the fully open and fully closed conditions. A position indicator housing (50) on the valve body (11) receives and accommodates therein a longitudinal valve stem extension (33) of the gate element (15) as the gate element moves between the open and closed positions. The indicator housing (50) is filled with transparent oil and sealed off from fluid communication with the valve chamber (12) and a diaphragm (135) in the wall of the indicator housing accommodates movement of the gate extension (33) inwardly and outwardly of the indicator housing (50) and is exposed to the fluid environments internal and external of said housing to avoid pressure differentials across the housing wall.

Abstract: The clamping assembly includes a pair of clamping arms extending outwardly from a clamp base portion. Each arm includes a cutaway portion to receive the bulbous engagement portion of the article to be lifted and a front gripping portion to engage and grip a non-bulbous, preferably generally flat portion of the article. At least one arm is movable and is pivotably mounted about the base portion for movement between a clamping position in which the gripping portion of the arm engages and grips the non-bulbous portion of the article to be lifted, and an open position wherein the gripping portion of the movable arm is located away from the gripping portion of the other arm to allow entry or removal of the article. The base portion is pivotably mounted about a clamp support whereby the assembly may be used either vertically or horizontally. The clamp support includes means to support the clamp assembly by means of cables extending from an overhead crane.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an expanding gate valve comprising an outer loose fitting main ring (31) with a resilient face seal (41) for sealing against an expanding gate assembly which is mounted in a valve chamber (11) and an inner auxiliary ring (44) fitting loosely in a counterbore recess in the main ring (31) for sealing against the rear wall (35) of a seat pocket (26). An O-ring (61) between opposed surfaces (51, 52) of the rings (31, 44) continuously urges the rings apart and their orientation such that when the gate assembly is expanded in its open and closed positions, the front face (38) of the main ring (31) is flush against the adjacent sealing surface (25) of the gate assembly and the rear face (46) of the auxiliary ring (44) is flush against the rear wall (35) of the seat pocket (26).

Abstract: A combination vacuum relief valve and pressure relief valve assembly includes a top cover plate which is movable vertically to vent a predetermined pressure in the tank above atmospheric. The top cover plate is resiliently mounted with springs which resiliently bias the cover into the closed position to determine the pressure at which the top cover plate moves to vent pressure in the tank. The vacuum relief valve is located below the top cover plate. First passageways provide fluid communication between the outside atmosphere and the lower surface of the vacuum relief valve. Second passageways provide fluid communication between the top surface of the vacuum relief valve, the bottom surface of the top cover plate and the interior of the tank.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a tank car bottom outlet mounting flange is provided with a stepped valve seat slot to receive a contained valve seat member. The valve seat is provided with an upper internal valve seat portion to receive a valve closure. A valve seat body portion located below the valve seat portion is provided with a valve seat slot to receive an operator retainer to prevent the operator from moving vertically during operation. A valve seat flange portion extends radially outwardly from the valve seat body portion and is provided with first fastener openings for holding the valve seat member in place within the mounting flange and supporting the valve closure and any lading in the tank. The valve seat flange portion is provided with second fastener openings, preferably circumferentially spaced from the first fastener openings to receive fasteners to hold in place an outlet chamber extending below the valve seat member.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, in a pneumatic outlet a discharge tube is attached to sloped outlet walls having lips at their lower inner edges. A rotatable control valve is located within the discharge tube. The control valve is provided with a pattern of openings for metering flow of lading into the discharge tube and is arranged to reduce or eliminate pellets from becoming trapped in the valve opening. Preferably the metering contour includes a pattern of sharp edges and tapered recesses. The tapered recesses are arranged to guide pellets away from the valve opening. The sharp edges will shear the remaining pellets which are trapped in the metering opening, thus avoiding jamming the control tube. The control valve further comprises arcuate segment of less than 180.degree..

Abstract: A tractor operated hitch is provided including a vertical strut and a diagonal strut, each connected to the hitch head and which provide the sole support for the hitch head. A bumper block assembly is pivotably mounted about the hitch head which depends from and extends outwardly from the hitch head in a direction away from the diagonal strut a distance sufficient to locate a bumper within the industry standard distance above the deck. On the opposite side of its pivot point the bumper block assembly is connected to a diagonal strut linkage which, upon application of sufficient force by the tractor to the bumper, will pivot the bumper block assembly about its pivot point and disconnect the diagonal strut linkage from an upright, engaged position to a retracted position on the deck.

Abstract: An improvement to apparatus for adjusting the position to which a carburetor throttle valve closes. A switch 1 senses when the throttle valve moves toward its substantially closed position. The switch includes a set of electrical contacts (3A and 3B). A pin (11) engages an extendible and retractable member (M) for moving one the contacts into contact with the other when the throttle lever contacts the member as the throttle valve closes. A spring (5) biases the pin against the member to preload the member. An adjustment screw (21) adjusts the position of the electrical contacts relative to each other.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a tank bottom (12) is provided with a lading opening (14) therein. A mounting flange (16) is mounted within this opening. This mounting flange includes a tapered portion (18, 18') extending longitudinally on either side of the lading opening. Preferably the tapered portion includes at least three (3) longitudinal units for each unit the mounting flange extends vertically in excess of one (1) inch below the bottom external surface of the tank. The mounting flange further includes a flange body portion (24) located radially inwardly from the tapered portion having a flange opening (26) for lading to pass through for entry or exit from the tank. The body portion further includes a recess (28) located below the body portion adapted to receive a valve housing (30) having a valve seat and a lading valve (44) located within the housing.