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.

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.

Abstract: A carburetor improvement for inhibiting tampering with a thermostatic choke coil after carburetor manufacture. A cover (3) fits over a choke coil housing (H) to enclose a choke lever, the thermostatic coil being mounted inside the cover. The cover has a circumferential flange (5) which abuts the outer surface of the housing, the flange having a notch (9) formed therein and the cover being rotatable about the outer surface of the housing to position one end of the coil relative to the choke lever. A retainer (7) locks the cover in a fixed position once the one end of the coil is located with respect to the choke lever. The retainer has a tab (11) insertable in the notch to prevent further rotation of the cover. A screw (15) having a detachable head (17) unremovably secures the retainer to the carburetor whereby once the retainer is secured, further movement of the cover is prevented.

Abstract: A carburetor improvement for connecting a link (R) to a movable carburetor part (L3) so the connection is tamper resistant. A swivel (3) has a longitudinal bore (5) extending substantially therethrough and a transverse bore (7) through which the link extends. A clevis (13) comprises a pin (15) insertable through an opening (O) in the movable part. The pin has a head (17) and the diameter of the pin is equal to the diameter of the longitudinal bore in the swivel for the pin to be inserted into the bore. The end of the pin inserted thereinto has a generally U-shaped opening (19) at its end, the length of the opening being greater than the diameter of the link and the width of the opening being equal thereto. The inner end of the longitudinal bore has a decreasing diameter whereby the sidewalls (21) of the U-shaped portion of the pin are pinched together and press against the body of the link to capture the link in the swivel with sufficient force to prevent adjustment of the link.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion automobile engine. A sensor senses the operating speed of the engine and develops an electrical signal representative thereof. Movement of a carburetor throttle valve from an open to a substantially closed position is sensed and an electrical signal indicative thereof is generated. Closure of the throttle valve indicates the engine is operating at idle. A controller is responsive to the second electrical signal to process the electrical signal from the sensor and generate an electrical control signal. The controller processes the electrical signal from the sensor means in accordance with a predetermined format based upon a transfer function derived for the engine. An electromechanical device is responsive to the control signal for moving the throttle valve to a desired position at which engine idle speed is a preselected speed determined in accordance with the transfer function.

Abstract: Apparatus for venting fuel vapors present in the fuel bowl of a carburetor for an internal combustion engine. A carburetor has at least one air passage through which air is drawn into the engine, a throttle valve positioned in the air passage and movable between an open and a closed position to control the flow of air therethrough, a fuel circuit by which fuel is delivered from the fuel bowl to the air passage for mixing with air passing therethrough, and means responsive to the movement of the throttle valve for controlling the quantity of fuel delivered through the fuel circuit. A fuel bowl cover has a vent through which fuel vapors discharge when the vent is open and a valve opens and closes the vent. A fuel pump supplies fuel from the fuel bowl to the air passage as the throttle valve opens and moves the valve to a vent opening position in response to the movement of the throttle valve. The pump is actuated as the throttle valve opens whereby the valve is opened and vapors in the fuel bowl are vented.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating the operating characteristics of an automobile engine. The ignition system of the engine is electrically simulated and an electrical signal representative of engine revolutions per minute under various engine operation conditions is generated. A transfer function derived for the engine is implemented to control generation of the electrical signal. Engine acceleration and deceleration is simulated. An oxygen sensor normally positioned in an exhaust system of the engine is simulated with an electrical signal representative of an output signal supplied by the oxygen sensor being generated. Operation of a first electromechanical device controlled by an engine control sysem is simulated as is the operation of a second electromechanical device. The apparatus is useful for testing and calibrating a feedback and automatic idle speed control system for the automobile.

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.

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.

Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine has a conduit through which air is drawn into the engine, a source of fuel, and means for delivering fuel from the source to the conduit for mixing with air to form an air-fuel mixture combusted in the engine. An improvement comprises a throttle valve positioned at the inlet to the conduit and movable between a closed and an open position to control the quantity of air drawn into the engine.An outlet is defined for the fuel to be delivered to the conduit, fuel discharged through the outlet being atomized by the air flowing past the outlet.The air flowing past the fuel outlet flows therepast at substantially sonic velocities thereby to improve fuel atomization and enhance mixing of the air and fuel.

Abstract: A crashworthy fuel pump has a body in which is formed a fuel intake cavity, a fuel discharge cavity, and a fuel pumping chamber. The body has an open end around the periphery of which is formed a lip. A flexible diaphragm is insertable into the open end of the body and the lip is bendable over the outer margin of the diaphragm to clamp the diaphragm within the body. A housing has one end formed for abutment with the open end portion of the body. The body and the housing are clamped together to form a unified assembly. The clamp is sufficiently strong to hold the assembly together when the assembly is subjected to normal forces, but breaks apart when the assembly is subjected to abnormal forces such as occur during a crash whereby the housing and the body can move apart from each other, the movement apart helping maintain the leak integrity of the diaphragm and the body.

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.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an open top railway car is provided in which the car body is divided longitudinally into at least two body sections having opposite ends which are pivotally mounted on vertically extending supports attached to a car underframe. The body sections include respective transversely spaced side walls, at least one end wall, and bottom walls having inner edges which abut and/or overlap in closed position to define the bottom of the car. To achieve increased volumetric carrying capacity, the bottoms are horizontal and extend outboard of the wheels. Each of the body sections is pivotable from the closed position to an open position in which the inner edges of the bottom walls are spaced apart to allow discharge of lading between the rails. An energy saving unloading system is also disclosed for unloading the cars.

Abstract: In a pressurized railway hopper car vertical and horizontal reinforcement members are strategically located relative to the car side plate to counteract the moment M caused by the internal pressure applied to the side sheets and to the roof. The vertical reinforcement member is spaced inwardly from the shear center of the side plate a distance determined by dividing the value of the moment M by the vertical component of the membrane pressure loads applied to the roof and to the side sheet. Horizontally extending reinforcements are provided extending between the laterally spaced side plates which are attached to the side plates at approximately the shear center of the side plate. With the horizontal and vertical members thus located, the vertical and horizontal reinforcing members will carry substantially axial loads only, essentially eliminating bending, and thus may be of reduced size as compared to the size which would be required if these members also carried bending loads.

Abstract: A machine draws stock from a source to a first work station at which a first operation is performed on the stock. The stock is then delivered to a second work station so a second operation may be performed on the stock. The machine has an electromechanical system which drives the machine and a switch energizes and deenergizes the system. The stock is engaged by a lever arm as it moves toward the first work station, the lever arm being held in a first position when engaging the stock and moving from the first position toward a second position when the end of the stock is reached. A contact bar moves the switch from its "on" to its "off" position to deactivate the electromechanical system and terminate the drawing of stock. The lever arm and the contact bar are interconnected so movement of the lever arm from its first position to its second position is transmitted to the contact bar.

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.

Abstract: A tank car stub sill support structure is provided in which a half ring is attached to the inner end of a stub center sill at each end of the car. The half ring includes a top cover plate which engages the lower half of the tank, and a lower cover plate which is vertically spaced below the top cover plate. A vertical web joins the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate. The height of the vertical web and the distance between the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate varies in accordance with the bending moment applied to the ring by the tank and lading in the car. Thus the height of the vertical web is maximum at the centerline of the car and decreases to a minimum at the sides of the car. The stub sill is welded to the upper cover plate, bottom cover plate and to the vertical web on the outboard side of the vertical web. The coupler impact loads are thus transmitted into the upper cover plate and into the tank substantially entirely in shear.

Abstract: The vacuum motor and link assembly used to pull-off a carburetor choke valve when an engine is started is made tamper resistant to prevent someone from changing the position at which the vacuum motor causes the choke valve to open. A cover is installed on the carburetor and shrouds the vacuum motor, link, and the portion of a choke shaft to which the link is connected thereby to prevent access to these parts.

Abstract: A collar sized to fit over a fuel pump tower at the outer end of the tower. The collar has an opening sized to accomodate a conduit integrally formed with the tower thus for the collar to fit about the conduit. The collar is attachable to the tower to reinforce the tower so the tower does not tear when the tower or conduit is subjected to abnormal forces during a crash.