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 curved or arcuate material supporting surface disposed about a generally horizontal longitudinal axis wherein the material supporting surface has a plurality of generally circumferential, parallel troughs disposed about and extending along the longitudinal axis. The container, which is carried by a frame, is resiliently mounted to a mounting surface. The apparatus further comprises a vibration generator mounted on the container for producing vibratory forces directed along a linear path displaced not only from the longitudinal axis but also from the center of gravity of the container. With this arrangement, the troughs are arranged to direct materials upwardly and forwardly to establish a path of tumbling movement in a direction from a material input end toward a material discharge end of the container.

Abstract: A continuous preheat charging method including the steps of transferring scrap from a receiving point to a discharge point, preheating scrap adjacent the discharge point prior to delivery of preheated scrap to one of a pair of melting furnaces, and alternately feeding preheated scrap to the pair of melting furnaces. A continuous preheat charging system is also disclosed which includes a scrap charge transfer conveyor having a scrap receiving end and a scrap discharge end together with a weigh feeder station at the scrap receiving end and a preheating station at the scrap discharge end. After scrap is weighed at the weigh feeder station and fed to the transfer conveyor, the scrap is preheated at the preheating station and delivered to a furnace feeder station to be fed on an alternating basis to one of a pair of melting furnaces.

Abstract: A material classifying apparatus for separating material into at least overs and fines. The apparatus includes a material receiving housing supporting one or more vertically spaced separator screens. When more than one separator screen is used, the lowermost one of the screens has a finer mesh than the uppermost one of the screens. The apparatus will then further include a discharge opening associated with the periphery of the uppermost one of the screens for discharging overs from the material receiving housing, a discharge opening associated with the periphery of the lowermost one of the screens for discharging product from the material receiving housing, and a discharge opening disposed below the lowermost one of the screens for discharging fines from the material receiving housing.

Abstract: A compaction table control system includes a variable speed vibratory motor having an eccentric weight coupled to a compaction table. The motor is operated according to acceleration of sand in a flask to vary the motor speed and thus the acceleration of the sand.

Abstract: A vibratory material conveying apparatus has a tower with a spiral flight to be vibrated for conveying material vertically, a platform through which the tower extends, structure for resiliently supporting the platform above a support surface for the apparatus, structure for resiliently attaching the spiral flight to the platform, and structure for imparting vibration to the platform. The invention comprehends a two mass system with the platform and vibration imparting structure, a force member mass and a work member mass. The system permits large amplitude vibrations to be imparted to the work member with minimal dynamic reaction to the support surface from the force member vibration.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing particulates comprises a vibratory bed including a motor with a vertically disposed shaft, separate remotely adjustable vibratory generating apparatus mounted on each end portion of the shaft and at least three contact structures between the vibratory bed and a flask or vessel containing the particulates. The uppermost vibratory generating apparatus being remotely adjustable to vary the horizontal vibratory force component and the lowermost vibratory generating apparatus being remotely adjustable to vary the vertical conical force component. The contact structures have conically shaped mating surfaces on pins and in recesses in sockets such that when at least one of the conically shaped surfaces are in contact the vessel is restrained to the same horizontal movement as the bed plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure for controllably discharging articles that are being continuously transported by a primary conveying structure. A discharge assembly is provided having a chute with an inlet and an outlet. Articles are diverted away from the primary conveying structure and delivered to the chute inlet. The discharge chute is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and structure is provided for reciprocatively moving the chute outlet back and forth over an infeed portion of a secondary conveying structure to evenly distribute material in a serpentine path along the length of the infeed portion of the secondary conveying structure. In a preferred form, the secondary conveying structure has an associated trough for containing a cooling fluid.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying apparatus is provided with an improved V-shaped trough which conveys material up an inclined path. The angled walls of the trough enhance the frictional forces between the particles of material which, when combined with the frictional forces between the walls and the material, increases the ability of the material to be efficiently conveyed up an inclined path. The trough has a surface with a high coefficient of friction which aids in the conveying action. The higher coefficient of friction may be obtained by the type of material used for the surface of the trough or may be obtained by providing corrugating, ribbing or the like on the surface. The conveying action with the V-shaped trough also abraids the material so as to clean and process the material.

Abstract: A resilient liner is provided on the particle supporting surface(s) of a vibratory conveyor system. The liner accounts for a live surface that counters the tendency of the particles, particularly those that are moist and sticky, from adhering to each other and the conveying surface. The liner is particularly effective in systems such as separating systems wherein the particles at various stages fall to other levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure for controllably discharging articles that are being continuously transported by a primary conveying structure. A discharge assembly is provided having a chute with an inlet and an outlet. Articles are diverted away from the primary conveying structure and delivered to the chute inlet. The discharge chute is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and a tandem-type cylinder is provided for reciprocatively moving the chute outlet back and forth over an infeed portion of a secondary conveying structure to distribute material back and forth across the width of the infeed portion of the secondary conveying structure as said secondary conveying structure moves the material continuously away from the chute outlet. The cylinder has separately extensible sections. One of the cylinder sections is extended and retracted by a control to reciprocatively move the chute about its rotational axis with a predetermined range.

Abstract: A general purpose valve is provided to control the discharge of particulate material. An overlying plate with a first, through aperture, cooperates with an underlying plate having a solid surface and a second through aperture. The first aperture is in vertical alignment with the solid surface on the underlying plate. Structure is provided to vary the vertical spacing between the overlying and underlying plates to selectively commence, terminate, and vary the rate of flow of particulate material.

Abstract: A vertical mass flow conveyor includes a vertical tube which has an inner surface fixed to the outer surface of a spiral ramp. The spiral ramp extends radially inward of the tube only a portion of the radius of the tube to leave the center section of the tube free and forming a vertical open space. The tube has an inlet to the spiral ramp and an outlet. A hopper or trough substantially surrounds the inlet of the tube for receiving material to be conveyed up the inside of the tube. One or more guide vanes or blades, face generally in the direction of the upward spiral of the spiral ramp, and disposed about the tube for directing the material radially inwardly toward the spiral ramp. The tube with a vibratory motion transmitting device, the trough and the vanes or blades are secured to a common base such that when a helical reciprocating movement is produced in the tube, bulk material either is vertically conveyed in a mass flow relationship or is blended and mixed in the tube.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is provided to dislodge and separate foreign matter from castings. A curved, bottom, supporting surface for the castings is inclined downwardly towards an outlet. Vibration imparting apparatus cause individual castings to travel up the curved portion and tumble over themselves as they simultaneously advance towards the outlet. Foreign matter, separated from the castings, is diverted away from the hopper as the castings progress continuously between the inlet and the outlet in a helical path.

Abstract: According to the invention, a vibratory apparatus is provided having a deck resiliently mounted relative to a surface bearing the vibratory apparatus, a clamp support for a casting on the deck, and a piston freely movably mounted relative to the deck. Vibration imparting structure vibrates the deck to shake out and to loosen foreign matter adhered to the casting supported on the deck and simultaneously reciprocates and ricochets the piston relative to the deck to further shake out and loosen foreign matter on the casting. A hammer plate is provided on the deck in the path of the piston. As the vibration imparting structure is operated, the piston is intermittently forcibly driven against the hammer plate to set up a different frequency of vibration than the frequency of the primary vibratory apparatus which enhances the shake out and cleaning function of the structure.

Abstract: A vibratory stress relief apparatus is provided and has a resiliently supported base and an adjustable rate vibratory member on the base. A housing having a support plate and spaced side walls is resiliently supported on the base. A casting rests in the housing with a closure secured to the support plate in spaced relation to the casting. Shims are provided for positioning the closure a predetermined distance from the casting whereby the vibratory member will vibrate the housing and the casting and will hammer and rattle the casting between the closure and the support plate to relieve stresses in the casting and to clean sand and other impurities from the internal and external surfaces of the casting.

Abstract: A vibratory particle separation apparatus of the type having at least two plateau conveying surface interrupted by a drop-out opening. A composite mixture is conveyed by a vibrating action beyond the upper plateau and over a foraminous section in the upper plateau adjacent the drop-out opening. Air is directed upwardly through the foraminous section to break apart the composite mixture, and an air supply is also directed angularly in relationship to the plane of the upper plateau to further break apart the composite mixture and to propel particles of predetermined density and/or dimension to the landing area on the second level. In another aspect of the invention, the landing area is adjustable angularly with respect to the plane of the upper plateau of the conveying surface and is translatable to constrict or enlarge the dimensions of the drop-out opening. The particles passing through the drop-out opening and not intercepted by the landing area exit the system.

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 contaienr 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 characterics 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: According to the invention, a sand distribution structure is interposed between a sand supply hopper and a flask having an associated pattern. The sand distribution structure comprises juxtaposed, apertured plates, which are adjustable relative to each other to variably register the apertures in the separate plates. It is possible with variations in the dimensions and locations of the apertures in the plates to choose a desired flow rate and/or selectively disperse the sand over the pattern.

Abstract: A material discharge apparatus including a hopper having a flow path leading to a discharge opening. The apparatus includes a pair of vibration generators tuned to move material along the flow path toward the discharge opening. The apparatus also includes a gate or bypass for adjustably controlling the rate material is discharged through the discharge opening onto a conveyor. With this construction, the gate or bypass causes any material in excess of the preselected rate of discharge of material from the discharge opening to be recirculated to the flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus usable for cleaning foreign material from the internal and external surfaces of a part, including a container of particulate media, a vibration generator for the container which creates an amplitude and frequency which will fluidize the media, and means for suspending the part in the fluidized media. The suspending means is vibrated at an amplitude and frequency different from the amplitude and frequency of the container whereby the fluidized media will clean the foreign material from the internal and external surfaces of the part.