Abstract: In order to effectively remove and reclaim sand from a metal casting, an apparatus and system includes a bed having an entrance for receiving the casting and an exit for removing the casting. The bed is adapted to fluidize sand and may also be subjected to vibratory forces. The apparatus and system further includes a sand distribution conveyor for supplying sand to be fluidized to the bed at a point generally near the entrance and a sand transfer conveyor for removing sand to be recirculated from the bed at a point generally near the exit. The bed achieves a thorough mixing of the sand due to the fluidization and vibratory forces. With these features of construction, the apparatus and system also includes a sand return conveyor with all of the conveyors being vibratory and insulated to achieve energy efficient sand recirculation.

Abstract: In order to effectively heat treat and decore a metal casting, and thereafter fully reclaim the core sand for reuse, a two-stage system processes metal castings and core sand formed of sand and binder. The two-stage system includes a first stage for removing the core sand from the metal casting while at the same time heat treating the metal casting, and it also includes a separate, second stage for reclaiming the core sand. For this purpose, fluidized and heated sand is utilized as the castings and sand are conveyed together in the first stage and the sand alone is conveyed in the second stage for recirculation of at least a portion of the sand to the first stage.

Abstract: Bearing failure and noise generation problems of prior art, vibratory feeders are eliminated in a construction including a bed (10) having an elongated, generally horizontal feeding or conveying surface (56) having opposed ends (52) and (54). Spaced resilient isolation elements (58) mount the bed (50) above the underlying terrain (68) and a rotatable shaft (74) with an eccentrically mounted weight (56) is journalled to the bed (50) for bi-directional rotation about a generally horizontal axis. A pair of dynamic balancers (82), (84) are connected to the bed, one on each side of the shaft (74) and serve to reduce the vertical component of vibration imparted to the surface (56).

Abstract: Shipping costs incurred in the shipping of particulate material in bulk may be reduced through the use of a vibratory compaction unit that settles the bulk material within the container during the loading process enabling a greater quantity of the particulate material to be loaded into a container of a given volume. The vibratory compaction unit includes a clamping deck 40 having a generally vertical face 44 together with spaced contact blocks 96 located on the clamping deck 40 and extending from the face 44. Clamping hooks 94 are located on the clamping deck 40 for engaging lifting pockets 16, 18, of a universal shipping container 14 or the like to firmly clamp the container 14 against the contact blocks 16. An exciter mass 52 is spaced from but adjacent to the clamping deck 40 and a vibration imparting motors 64, 66, 68 are located on the exciter mass 52. Amplification springs 60 interconnect the clamping deck 40 and the exciter mass 52.

Abstract: A counterweight is freely pivoted on a rotatably driven unbalanced eccentric weight member such that at start up the counterweight does not add materially to the unbalance created by the eccentric weight member and such that as the motor attains operating speed the freely pivoted counterweight is slung outward relative to the eccentric weight member thus adding unbalance to the eccentric weight member and increasing the vibratory forces generated by the apparatus.

Abstract: In order to convey granular material from an upstream processing location, a vibratory feeder includes a conveyor having an inlet end and an outlet end disposed in spaced apart relation. The conveyor has the inlet end disposed in a position to receive the material from an outlet of a source of the material by way of gravity. The vibratory feeder utilizes an unbalanced motor for vibrating the conveyor to apply a vibratory force causing the material to be conveyed from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof. The transfer of the material from the source to the conveyor is controlled by using a receptacle have a valve for dispensing the material in the receptacle at the inlet end of the conveyor. Specifically, the receptacle receives the material from the source by gravity and the valve opens and closes dependent upon accumulation of the material in the receptacle.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is provided and comprises a generally horizontally arranged container having a material supporting surface with means for resiliently mounting the container relative to a support surface. A bracket is resiliently mounted relative to the support surface and is resiliently mounted to the container. A vibration generator means is mounted on the bracket at a location offset on one side of the container. The vibration generator means generating a vibratory force along a linear path offset from the container. Part of the resilient mounting of the container on the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket on the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket to the container are all variable rate resilient means which can be adjusted to meet certain desired parameters in operating the apparatus. The resilient mounting of the container to the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket and vibration generator to the support surface are 180.degree.

Abstract: A vibratory material handling apparatus is provided for mixing of materials, cleaning, blending and/or shake out of castings or the like. The apparatus comprises a container having a material supporting surface disposed along a generally horizontal longitudinal axis. The container has a material input end and a material discharge end axially spaced therefrom and it is resiliently mounted relative to a mounting surface. The apparatus also includes a vibration generator for producing a force to cause material within the container to be directed in a path of tumbling movement generally in a direction from the material input end toward the material discharge end of the container. With this arrangement, a tumbling assist mechanism is provided for applying a force to the material in addition to the force produced by the vibration generator to facilitate tumbling of the material as it moves along the path of tumbling movement.

Abstract: In order to effectively enhance the overall efficiency in casting operations, a process and system for cooling and cleaning a casting is disclosed. The process and system include removing the casting from a molding machine after it has been formed. The casting is then moved to a punch-out station for removing it from a sand mold. Next, the casting is moved to a shake-out station for shaking residual sand from it. The casting is then conveyed away from the shake-out station on a cooling conveyor. Next, the temperature of the casting is monitored at or near a downstream end of the cooling conveyor. The casting is then transferred from the cooling conveyor into a vibratory cooling drum where it is further cooled. In addition to these unique aspects, the process and system includes controlling the rate of cooling of the casting within the vibratory cooling drum.

Abstract: A weir gate assembly includes a substantially rectangular weir gate immersed in a fluidized bed of material with a pair of resilient links rotatably connecting the weir gate and the material conveying trough through which the flow travels. A rotatable arm is pivoted on the housing and is connected to the weir gate such that rotation of the arm varies the configuration of the weir gate within the fluidized bed of material. Rotation of the arm forces a lower weir edge into sealed engagement with the conveying trough and deforms the links such that the relationship of an upper weir edge to the lower weir edge is varied to regulate the depth of the flow. A guide slot with a clamp bolt is provided for guiding rotation of the rotatable arm and maintaining the configuration of the weir gate.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying apparatus including a material carrying member having a material supporting surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second vibrators for producing first and second vibratory forces for imparting movement to the material carrying member at first and second acute angles to the material supporting surface. The vibratory forces of the first and second vibrators each have a vertical force component as well as a horizontal force component for imparting movement to a material on the material supporting surface in the first and second directions relative to the material supporting surface. The apparatus also includes an actuator for controlling the first and second vibrators in such manner as to impart controlled movement to the material relative to the material supporting surface in the first direction, the second direction, or vertically.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor is provided that has only horizontal conveying motion acting on material lying in the plane of an elongate trough. A vibration generating apparatus is positioned selectively between the ends of the conveying trough. The vibration generating apparatus can be repositioned to any desired location along the trough to take advantage of the improved conveying action and the reduced deflection and twisting of the trough. The vibration generating apparatus includes a driving motor using a flexible drive to power two pairs of counter-rotating eccentric weights, with one pair being driven at twice the speed of the other pair so as to provide a motion on the material that moves the material along the plane of the trough with virtually no vertical component relative to the plane of the trough.

Abstract: A material separating apparatus for separating particles up to a preselected size from a material having particles of different sizes therein includes a trough having a material input end longitudinally spaced from a material discharge end. The apparatus also includes a separator having a plurality of longitudinally spaced finger screen sections between the input end and the discharge end and along the longitudinal axis of the trough. The finger screen sections each have a backbone extending from side to side across the width of the trough and also each have forwardly extending fingers connected at one end to the backbone. The fingers are spaced side by side from each other by a preselected amount at forward ends thereof sufficient to allow particles up to the preselected size to pass through the fingers as the trough is vibrated to cause the material to move from the input end to the discharge end.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor arranged so that the vibrations have a substantially greater horizontal than vertical movement. More particularly, the vertical acceleration of material carried by the material-carrying member is less than the acceleration of gravity and therefore the material conveyed does not physically leave the surface of the material-carrying member. The result is a smooth flow of material from one end of the material-carrying member to the other.

Abstract: A flask adapted to contain a pattern and sand is resiliently supported in a controlled orientation and vibrational forces are imparted to the flask including a horizontal force component causing generally horizontal oscillating movement of the flask and alternative oppositely directed vertical force components maintaining the flask in a controlled orientation during the generally horizontal oscillating movement thereof. The vertical force components are adapted to counteract rotational inertia of the flask, pattern and sand.

Abstract: The invention discloses a vibratory conveyor arranged so that the vibrations have a substantially greater horizontal than vertical movement. More particularly, the vertical acceleration of material carried by the material-carrying member is less than the acceleration of gravity and therefore the material conveyed does not physically leave the surface of the material-carrying member. The result is a smooth flow of material from one end of the material-carrying member to the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a vibratory apparatus such as vibratory feeders and vibratory conveyors. An accelerometer is provided for sensing the acceleration of vibratory movement of the vibratory apparatus. The signal generated by the sensing system is transmitted to a control which is capable of modifying the amplitude or the frequency of the vibratory movement imparted to the apparatus and thereby to regulate the operation of the vibratory conveyor or feeder.

Abstract: A spiral elevator is described for conveying product from one level to another level up a spiral track. The elevator is powered by a two-mass system having an exciter resiliently supported on the vertical tube. The exciter has a pair of parallel shafts with a vibration generating member mounted on each shaft. A motor is provided for driving each shaft independent of the other shaft. Controls are provided for controlling the vibratory forces generated by the vibration generating members to vary the vibratory forces from substantially zero unbalance to a desired level of unbalance to convey product from the inlet to the outlet of the spiral track.

Abstract: A vibratory material handling apparatus is provided for mixing of materials, cleaning, blending and/or shake-out of castings or the like. The machine comprises a horizontal container carried by a frame resiliently mounted on a foundation. A vibration generator is carried by the container and produces a line of force along an axis which passes exteriorly of the container. The vibration generator is adjustable on the container so that the direction of the line of vibratory force can be changed for changing the tumbling, mixing, cleaning, blending or shake-out characteristics of the machine. The relative movement between the inside of the container and the material in the container describes angles of attack with the container surface which movements are rotational about a center of rotation. A line from the center of rotation through the center or gravity of the container intersects the line of force from the vibration generator at a substantially right angle.

Abstract: A material separating apparatus for separating particles up to a preselected size from a material having particles of different sizes therein includes a trough having a material input longitudinally spaced from a material discharge end. The apparatus also includes a separator having a plurality of longitudinally spaced finger screen sections between the input end and the discharge end and along the longitudinal axis of the trough. The finger screen sections each have a backbone extending from side to side across the width of the trough and also each have forwardIy extending fingers connected at one end to the backbone. The fingers are spaced side by side from each other by a preselected amount at forward ends thereof sufficient to allow particles up to the preselected size to pass through the fingers as the trough is vibrated to cause the material to move from the input end to the discharge end.