Patents Assigned to ACF Industries
-
Patent number: 4284390Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1979Date of Patent: August 18, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.Inventor: Walter E. Basch
-
Patent number: 4282801Abstract: A fuel pump improvement comprises a leak proof seal formed between the fuel pump body and pumping element. The fuel pump body and a housing are clamped together to form a unified fuel pump assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1979Date of Patent: August 11, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.Inventors: Walter E. Basch, John W. Haney
-
Patent number: 4281951Abstract: In a container pedestal (10) a supplemental lock (42) is movable to a weighted position tending to maintain the spring (34) biased pedestal latch (22) from pivoting into a position to allow entry or exit of containers (C) from the pedestal.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1980Date of Patent: August 4, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas B. Baker, Richard J. Mandrell
-
Patent number: 4280706Abstract: A seal is provided between an outlet mounting flange and a hopper mounting flange. The seal extends in-board of the inner hopper wall and includes a projection extending upwardly which engages the hopper wall. The seal further includes a tapered portion which extends inwardly and downwardly from the projection. Thus lading and pressure in the outlet act to urge the projection into engagement with the vertical wall and the tapered portion into engagement with its supporting surface. In one embodiment a void space is located below the projection which is compressed in assembly to create a tight fit of the seal against the hopper wall. In another embodiment an outer flange portion is provided which extends around the inner end of the hopper mounting flange to aid in positioning the seal for assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1979Date of Patent: July 28, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.Inventor: Frederick E. Vorwerk
-
Patent number: 4279404Abstract: The gate assembly (24) of an expanding gate valve has projecting pins (74, 76, 78) which engage guide surfaces (54, 66) of guide rails (52, 64) in order to maintain the gate assembly in a collapsed condition between its open and closed positions. At the fully open and fully closed positions, the pins register with gaps (56, 58, 60, 68, 70) in the guide surfaces to permit expansion of the gate assembly against a pair of valve seats (20, 22).Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1979Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Alan Levin
-
Patent number: 4279231Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 1979Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Allen W. Lindberg, Thomas R. Gantzert, Donald L. Hicks
-
Patent number: 4278107Abstract: An automatic vacuum relief valve assembly includes a cover plate closing an opening in a container to the atmosphere. A valve is vertically spaced below the cover plate and closes communication between the inside of the container and the outside atmosphere. A first passageway provides fluid communication between a first surface of the valve and the outside atmosphere. A second passageway provides fluid communication between the inside of the container and a second surface of the valve. When the pressure inside the container becomes less than atmospheric pressure, atmospheric pressure will cause the valve to move away from its seat and allow air to enter the container. When the pressure is equalized, the valve is biased to return to the seated position.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1980Date of Patent: July 14, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Dugge, Arnold Schlobohm
-
Patent number: 4273730Abstract: A carburetor improvement inhibits tampering with an idle adjustment screw after an initial adjustment of the screw is made. The screw is inserted in a cavity formed in the carburetor body and a plug is placed in the open outer end of the cavity. Further, a blocking pin is inserted transversely through the cavity between the plug and the adjustment screw.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Thomas J. Byrnes, Jr.
-
Patent number: 4273309Abstract: A valve mechanism according to the present invention incorporates at least one movable valve seat that is received within a seat pocket of the valve body and establishes sealing engagement with a movable valve element. An annular universal seat spring formed of a material such as standard carbon steel is deformed from a generally flat configuration to a frusto-conical configuration during assembly of the valve and exerts a force urging the valve seat against the valve element. Depending upon the depth of the seat pocket, the length of the valve seat and the size or thickness of the valve element, the seat spring will be deformed within its elastic limits or beyond the elastic limits of the material thereof, whereupon it will take a permanent set. In either case, the seat spring compensates for tolerance variations and exerts a spring force within a preselected narrow force range to ensure effective sealing capability and low torque operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Bertram L. Morrison
-
Patent number: 4274144Abstract: Apparatus for use in developing and testing a control system for an internal combustion automobile engine. A housing is located in the automobile where it can be visually observed by an operator of the automobile. Electrical circuitry is installed in the housing. A wiring harness interconnects sensors and electromechanical devices with the circuitry. A programmable memory has a plurality of addresses which are selectably accessible, different addresses in the memory containing information relating to different aspects of the system. Information stored in a selected memory address is changeable thereby changing the operating characteristics of the system. The contents stored in a selected address are visually displayed so an operator can visually verify the information stored therein. Operation of the system while the engine is running is visually monitored to determine system performance during road tests, performance of the system thus being observable under actual driving conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Paul M. Meyer, Robert H. Beckwith, Richard D. Allman, Mark Jefferis
-
Patent number: 4272458Abstract: A carburetor improvement inhibits tampering with an idle adjustment screw after an initial adjustment of the screw is made. The improvement comprises a cover attachable to the carburetor which prevents access to the idle adjustment screw.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1979Date of Patent: June 9, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Harvey L. Ruth, Michael B. Phelan
-
Patent number: 4272053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 21, 1980Date of Patent: June 9, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Richard J. Wempe, Gunter R. Behle
-
Patent number: 4270729Abstract: A top operated tank car valve assembly includes a rod extending downwardly from the top of the tank and is attached to the valve stem of a lading valve located in the bottom of the tank. The stem engages a threaded valve sleeve provided with a mounting flange which engages a cooperating mounting flange on a valve cage. Fasteners engage the upper surface of the sleeve, and extend through the valve cage and engage threaded openings in a tank car bottom outlet mounting flange. The cage includes a valve seat for a valve closure. The valve seat is formed on the lower, internal surface of the valve cage, and circumferentially spaced openings are formed in the valve cage for lading flow. Laterally spaced projections extend upwardly from the lading valve closure. A valve stem retainer includes a pair of formed retainer members which define a cavity or opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1978Date of Patent: June 2, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Gunter R. Behle, David P. Hillstead
-
Patent number: 4270730Abstract: A retaining device to hold a butterfly valve stem (26) in the valve body upon a shearing or breaking of the stem. The retaining device is mounted within a bore (38) in the valve body (12) beneath the stem packing and includes pins (44) extending from the stem (26) which engage in abutting relation a support ring (64) mounted in a groove (56) in the bore to restrain any outward movement of the stem.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1979Date of Patent: June 2, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventor: John M. Hinrichs
-
Patent number: 4269792Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine has a choke valve mounted in an air induction passage. A choke lever is attached to one end of a choke shaft on which the choke valve is mounted. An improvement comprises a tamper resistant temperature responsive mechanism for controlling opening of the choke valve as the engine warms up. The mechanism includes a housing, a choke countershaft, one end of which extends into the housing, and a cover attachable to the housing and containing a thermostatic coil. A lever is attached to the one end of the counter shaft and the lever has a tang contacted by one end of the thermostatic coil. A substantially straight, nondeformable link connects the choke countershaft and choke lever. The lever within the choke housing is adjustable to position the lever so opening of the choke valve is properly controlled and the setting of the lever cannot be tampered with once the cover is attached to the choke housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1980Date of Patent: May 26, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries IncorporatedInventor: Jerry H. Winkley
-
Patent number: 4268010Abstract: In a railway tank car bottom outlet lading valve assembly, an operating handle assembly for the lading valve includes an operating shaft extending vertically within a lading outlet chamber. The shaft is provided with a non-round shaft tool connection portion near the bottom thereof. An operating handle is pivotably mounted on the outlet chamber adjacent the non-round connection portion. The operating ratchet includes a handle non-round connection portion which engages the shaft non-round connection portion. A handle-storing bracket for the distal end of the operating handle is mounted upon the tank body or on an upper mounting flange portion of the outlet chamber adjacent a tank car bottom outlet mounting flange. The bracket is preferably U-shaped and includes a removable pin extending between opposite arms of the U-shaped bracket.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1980Date of Patent: May 19, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.Inventor: Gunter R. Behle
-
Patent number: 4267129Abstract: A carburetor improvement comprises a flow passage through which fuel vapors created in a fuel bowl are drawn off to a chamber having a first outlet through which fuel vapors are directed to a canister and a second outlet through which fuel vapors are directed to an air passage in the carburetor. A solenoid includes a valve member movable between a first position opening the first outlet and closing the second outlet and a second position closing the first outlet and opening the chamber outlet. The valve member is moved to its first position when the engine is off so fuel vapors are collected in the canister and to its second position when the engine is operating so fuel vapors are directed to the air passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1979Date of Patent: May 12, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Harvey L. Ruth, Michael H. Schneider, Michael B. Phelan
-
Patent number: 4266566Abstract: A spring assembly (56) for a floating seat ring (40) to urge the seat ring into sealing engagement with the movable valve member. The seat ring is mounted in an enlarged bore portion at the valve chamber and has an annular rear face in opposed relation to a shoulder defined by the enlarged bore portion. The improved spring assembly is mounted in the spring pocket formed between the rear face and the shoulder and has a plurality of undulated annular wave springs (58, 60) about the seat ring. Each pair of contiguous wave springs is staggered so that the front nodes of one wave spring in each contiguous pair is in opposed contact relation to the rear nodes of the other wave spring of each contiguous pair. A flat portion (44A) on the outer circumference of the seat ring is in nested relation to a cooperating flat portion (64) on the inner circumference of the wave spring to maintain the wave spring in an oriented staggered relation.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1979Date of Patent: May 12, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Gary W. Kacal, Charles C. Partridge
-
Patent number: 4265182Abstract: In a railway car truck a lower transom extends between transversely spaced side frames. The side frames include depressed portions having transversely aligned vertical openings or slots which receive spring groups. A bolster including a center connection extends between the side frames above the transom and rests on the spring groups. The side frames each include a hollow post extending upwardly between the spring groups. The bolster includes a depending post which surrounds the side frame post. A friction damping assembly including upper and lower wedges is located within the side frame post and the bolster post. The upper and lower wedges include rear wear plates which engage the side frame post. The upper and lower wedges include an opening to receive a spring extending upwardly from the side frame depressed portion. The lower wedge has at least one inclined surface which slidingly engages at least one inclined surface on the upper wedge.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1979Date of Patent: May 5, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert K. Neff, David P. Hillstead
-
Patent number: 4264250Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a trailer hitch is provided including a vertical strut and a diagonal strut which support a hitch head or fifth wheel adapted to engage the kingpin of a highway trailer. Removable pins are provided at the base of the vertical strut to enable the hitch to be pivoted to the retracted position. The vertical strut includes a pair of lifting lugs located on either side of the hitch head and which are each adapted to receive a strong, flexible connection from an overhead crane. The lugs are located inboard of the combined center of mass of the hitch head and the vertical strut toward the diagonal strut a distance sufficient to cause the vertical strut to pivot inboard toward the diagonal strut when the hitch is lifted by the crane.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1979Date of Patent: April 28, 1981Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Joseph F. Niggemeier