Abstract: A vibratory particle separation apparatus of the type having a 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 the drop-out opening. An air supply is directed angularly in relationship to the plane of the upper plateau and breaks apart the composite mixture and propels particles of a 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: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to be used in the reclamation of foundry sand. Mold flasks containing foundry sand shaped by a pattern to form a cavity into which molten metal has been poured are, after the metal has set, subjected to greatly reduced atmospheric pressure whereby to cause the moisture in the foundry sand to evaporate into water vapor, thereby removing moisture and heat from the sand so that the particles can be reused free of lumps or clumping of sand.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is provided with an improved structure for varying the lead angle and the amount of the vibratory force by angularly and radially positioning a movable weight relative to a fixed eccentric weight. The apparatus comprises a plate supporting the fixed eccentric weight on the shaft in one of several positions with a line through the center of gravity of the fixed weight and the axis of the shaft forming a base line. The movable weight is carried by a cylinder attached to the plate so that the longitudinal axis of the cylinder passes through the axis of the shaft at an angle to the base line. The movable weight in the cylinder is movable from a position on one side of the axis of rotation to a second position on the opposite side of the axis of rotation, the movement being linear and radially across the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating moist pulverulent material and is particularly useful for removing the moisture from such material. In one aspect of the invention, the material is hot foundry sand, where the sand is first moistened by the addition of water and then the moist sand is treated in a vibrating container under vacuum.

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 conveyor is less than the acceleration of gravity and therefore the material conveyed does not physically leave the surface of the conveyor. The result is a smooth flow of material from one end of the trough to the other.

Abstract: A container shakeout apparatus is provided and has a rigid frame upon which a pair of motors supporting eccentric weights are mounted. Spring reactor members are suspended from the frame and said springs in turn suspend a pair of hammers which are adopted to engage the top edge of the spaced sides of a loaded container such as a hopper car. The motors and eccentric weights form a single mass system having a natural frequency close to the operating speed of said motors when said hammers are in contact with the container; and said frame, springs and hammers form a two mass system having a natural frequency above the operating speed of the motors when said hammers break contact with the container whereby the combined alternating single mass system and two mass system produce rapid high energy vertical impacts on the container for loosening material in the container.

Abstract: A method for distributing, drying and heating a selected mix and weight of metals prior to melting in a furnace, including the steps of placing weights of selected metals in a feeder car according to a predetermined distribution, locating the feeder car beneath the hood of a heater, closing the hood over the car, heating the enclosed metal and transferring the preheated metal from the car to a charge bucket for a furnace. An apparatus is disclosed which includes a feeder car movable between a loading station and a heating and dumping station. A weigh hopper is used for measuring and distributing the selected weights and mix of metals which are then loaded in the feeder car. A hood is adapted to close over the feeder car and seal thereto after which a heater is provided to inject heat through the hood into the enclosed car. A vibratory conveyor is provided which moves the preheated metals from the feeder car into a charge bucket for a furnace.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus and method is provided for cooling product as it is conveyed from one station to another. The vibratory apparatus has a conveyor with means for sensing a predetermined weight of product accumulated at a loading portion of the conveyor whereupon the conveyor is operated to convey the product along the conveyor. When the product has been conveyed a sufficient distance along the conveyor for the weight of the product on the loading portion to fall below a second predetermined weight, the sensing means stops the conveyor. The continuously fed product again accumulates on the loading portion of the conveyor until the sensing means senses the first predetermined weight for again operating the conveyor. The cycle is continuously repeated. The accumulated product dwells a sufficient period of time on the conveyor to cool the product which cooling is aided by the vibratory conveying action.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is disclosed for scrubbing, abrading, pulverizing, grinding, crushing, milling and/or separating granular material. The apparatus includes a two mass vibratory system with a tube, as part of the working mass, provided for the granular material and having an inlet end and an outlet end open to a stack at a location lower than the inlet end. The stack has means for creating an upward countercurrent air flow therethrough. A driving mass, including a vibration generating assembly, is provided for vibrating the driving mass and the working mass so that the granular material is agitated in the tube at large accelerations to scrub, abrade, pulverize, grind, crush or mill the granular material. When the apparatus is used as a separator or classifier, the countercurrent air flow in the stack causes minute particles to move up through the stack to separate the minute particles from the batch of granular material as the material is discharged into the stack.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is provided for depiling or unpiling a mass of particulate material. The apparatus is positioned in a recess or opening in a base, such as the ground, and particulate material piled thereover. Upon being vibrated, the apparatus delivers the material from a pile at a regulated rate onto a conveyor system for transport to a place of use. Gate means that are translationally and rotationally adjustable are provided in the discharge opening to arrest the flow of particulate material when the vibratory apparatus is not operating.

Abstract: A bin activator apparatus is provided for depiling or unpiling a mass of material from a bin or hopper. The activator apparatus is mounted below the bin or hopper on resilient supports and is adapted to arrest material flow when the apparatus is at rest. A unique structure is provided for producing a circular orbital vibratory motion substantially in the plane of the outlet opening of the activator apparatus which motion produces a steady flow of material from the bin or hopper through the apparatus and onto a conveyor or the like.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for forming a liner in an induction furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hopper for storing particulate refractory material and a plurality of material delivery tubes communicating with the hopper and extending into the space between a form disposed in the furnace and a furnace wall. A compaction plate is also disposed in the space and includes a plurality of bores therethrough which communicate with the material delivery tubes. Vibrating means vibrate the hopper, material delivery tubes and the compaction plate so that the particulate refractory material is transferred from the hopper to the space between the form and the furnace wall through the material delivery tubes and the compaction plate bores and is compacted by the compaction plate to form the liner.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a sealing chamber is provided into which a noncombustible residue from an incinerator, furnace or the like is moved. The residue may be sprayed with a liquid upon entering the sealing chamber to effect cooling and compaction of the residue. The sealing chamber is provided with a vibratory discharge mechanism which serves to convey the residue out of the chamber and to compact the residue accumulated in a vertical column in the chamber to provide an effective seal against the diffusion and entry of air into the combustion area of the incinerator. Controls are provided in the sealing chamber to maintain the seal and to actuate the vibratory mechanisms for moving the residue. By the time the residue reaches the discharge of the chamber, the liquid in the residue is evaporated by the residual heat in the residue particles.

Abstract: A system for varying the vibration generating force of a rotating eccentric weight by providing a second weight movable from a position on one side of the axis of rotation of the eccentric weight to a second position on the opposite side of the axis of rotation, the movement being linear and radially across said axis of rotation. In addition, a spring may be employed to move the movable weight toward the second position initially, in compression, and later to resist additional movement in said direction, in tension, so as to provide basically a linear system for varying the vibrational force. Fluid pressure may be applied to the movable weight which pressure will combine with the tension in the spring to move the movable weight against centrifugal force and toward the axis of rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for conveying material. The vibratory conveyor has a conveyor with a conveyor frame and means for vibrating the conveyor relative to the base. The conveyor frame mounts a flexible trough which can flex and change its static shape as the conveyor frame is vibrated. The flexible trough is defined by a material-conveying flexible member attached along opposite edges thereof to side members of the conveyor frame and having a major part thereof extended therebetween which flexes and changes its static shape as the conveyor frame is vibrated.

Abstract: In a material discharge apparatus, a uniform depth of material is conveyed from the discharge opening of a stationary hopper. The hopper has a rectangularly shaped discharge opening disposed generally in a horizontal plane. A conveyor is disposed below the discharge opening and has a material receiving and conveying trough which is tilted at an acute angle to the horizontal plane. The angular disposition of the trough receives the material from the opening at a substantially uniform depth along the length of the conveyor and conveys the material with the substantially uniform depth to a downstream location. A grate is carried by the conveyor below the discharge opening for supporting the material and for controlling flow of the material from the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to the casting of molten metal where a pattern embedded in sand is used to determine the shape into which the molten metal is formed. To ensure that the foundry sand fully penetrates all cavities and recesses of the pattern, the mold flask containing the pattern and sand is first vibrated at a frequency and stroke to produce accelerations in excess of the acceleration due to gravity to cause the sand to penetrate and completely fill all cavities, etc. in the pattern and then the accelerations are reduced to produce an acceleration less than the acceleration due to gravity to compact the sand in place.

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 conveyor is less than the acceleration of gravity and therefore the material conveyed does not physically leave the surface of the conveyor. The result is a smooth flow of material from one end of the trough to the other.

Abstract: Cooling air is introduced into the vibrating chamber of a sand reclaiming apparatus. A plurality of hollow inverted V-shaped ribs, extending longitudinally along the floor of the chamber distribute the air from an external source over the bottom region of the chamber. A gap is included between the lower edges of the ribs and the chamber floor. The air traveling within the hollow of the ribs is expanded about the lower edges of the ribs and directed upwardly through the bonded sand particles to effect cooling.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for drying pulverulent material, for example, coal slurry wherein the slurry, after preliminary drying, is introduced into a vibrating chamber carrying internal flights and subjected to vacuum to remove moisture. A pair of such containers may be provided so that slurry may alternately be introduced into one container while the other container is vibrating under vacuum so as to provide a continuous drying method.