Abstract: Combustion gas passes upwardly through the radiant section of a fired process heater having vertical tubes in such manner that the gas is in predominantly back-mixed flow condition in the lower portion of the radiant section and predominantly plug-flow condition in the upper portion of the radiant section.

Abstract: A seat armrest assembly which can be moved from an upright to a stowed position is secured to the armrest of a seating unit. The table assembly includes a support bar which extends through a support sleeve having an internal contour. A table portion is attached to the bar at one end and a blocking piece is attached at the other end. A retaining members, secured to the bar intermediate of the ends, is shaped to correspond to the internal contour of the sleeve. In the upright position the retaining member abuts the inner edges of the sleeve to prevent axial rotation of the bar, thus retaining the assembly upright. The assembly is lowered by disengaging the retaining member from the sleeve and rotating the bar-table through 90.degree. to the stowed position.

Abstract: A partition sheet structure for covered hopper railway cars providing for even fill of commodity between compartments. The structure facilitates the filling operation, and prevents buckling caused by the uneven fills of the cars, while allowing the partition sheet structures to act in its capacity as a structural member of the car.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for supporting wheeled trailers includes a pedestal which is rigidly secured to a platform and has mounted thereon for pivotal movement vertical support members which support a fifth wheel plate. The support members are interconnected by a horizontal plate which includes a horizontal pivot shaft and cushioning members which are placed in shear during transport of the wheeled trailers from one area to another.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the corner construction of a railway car, wherein the end wall, vertical reinforcing plate, side wall corner post and side plate are arranged with associated parts in a manner permitting an assembly without rotation of the car during manufacture. The structure provided includes a rigid connector plate which is attached to the end wall and forms a sandwich type transition member for attaching a flanged end of the side wall sheet.

Abstract: A modular center filler for railway vehicles comprising an inverted U-shaped core member fitted between front and rear cover plates and securely attached to a bottom cover plate to which a center plate is attached. Downwardly extending legs of the core are aligned with corresponding inner, beveled edges of the center plate which receive high forces during transit as a car rocks back and forth. The core member is positioned to receive these forces and transmit them into the center filler structure, car bolster and car body framing for even distribution throughout the vehicle.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the corner construction of a railway car, wherein the end wall, vertical reinforcing plate, side wall corner post and side plate are arranged with associated parts in a manner permitting an assembly without rotation of the car during manufacture.

Abstract: A product sampling apparatus for taking sponge iron sample pellets as they are moved by a conveyor from a direct ore reduction process includes upper and lower chambers, one of which is in communication with a sampling station, and the other which returns a portion of the sample to the conveyor. The apparatus includes a collector end desponed within the conveyer and includes a surface having deflectors baffles and openings which direct a typical representative portion of the product mix being sampled to the two chambers, one returning the portion to the conveyor and the other to the sampling station.

Abstract: A radial ammonia converter system including first and second heat interchangers and first, second and third catalyst beds. The synthesis gas is heated in said first and second interchangers by catalyst bed effluent prior to full flow through each of the catalyst beds. In one embodiment, two of the catalyst beds are mounted with the first and second interchangers in one vessel; and in another embodiment, the first interchanger and second catalyst bed are mounted in one vessel and the second interchanger and first catalyst bed are mounted in a separate vessel. In both embodiments, the radial ammonia converter system is completed by a third catalyst bed in a separate vessel.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide removal efficiency of a horizontal cross-flow gas liquid contactor is increased by decreasing the interfering spray density through employment of a minimum critical spray nozzle spacing which has the effect of reducing spray droplet collision and coalescence.

Abstract: A door locking mechanism for a hopper door includes a latch arrangement which is incorporated into a door closure mechanism activated by a side-of-track camming mechanism. The arrangement includes an actuating device responsive to car wheel engagement and a safety locking combination cooperating with the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A welded structural frame for a railway car wall is disclosed as including a pair of aligned U-section vertical members welded to opposite sides of a U-section longitudinal member and a reinforcing insert welded between the sides of the longitudinal member in alignment with the vertical members to provide a frame substantially free of welding distortion. A method of making such a frame is also disclosed as including securing longitudinal and vertical members in a fixture, welding the vertical members to opposite sides of the longitudinal member and then welding a reinforcing insert between the sides of the longitudinal member in alignment with the vertical members.

Abstract: A trackside door closing arrangement for closing the swinging doors of a railway hopper car. This arrangement is self centering and shifts to counteract the cars lateral sway as it passes through the mechanism or shifts to accommodate cars that have parallelogramed during service.

Abstract: A covered railway hopper car includes a partition sheet assembly, including a plurality of partition sheets compartmentalizing the hopper car. The partion sheets include a construction at their upper end which relieves stress, reduces fatigue and improves partition sheet resistance to fatigue.

Abstract: Combustion gas passes upwardly through the radiant section of a fired process heater having vertical tubes in such manner that the gas is in predominantly back-mixed flow condition in the lower portion of the radiant section and predominantly plug-flow condition in the upper portion of the radiant section.

Abstract: A locking mechanism disposed on one of the panels of foldable doors utilized in railway cars for transporting vehicles for automatically connecting the panels together when in a collapsed position.

Abstract: The interior wall construction of a passenger railway car is provided with carpeted decorative panels which are fabricated before assembly with the interior wall construction. The attachment of the panels to the wall is provided by extrusions of rigid and resilient shape which permit the panels to be installed by snap-fit interengagement.

Abstract: A side bearing assembly for railway rolling stock having an elastomeric body, containing granular solid substance, disposed between the body bolster and the truck bolster or side frame. The assembly is an inexpensive yet durable means for accomplishing increased support of static and dynamic loads without inhibiting the body bolster movement in a horizontal plane relative to its trucks.

Abstract: An auto railway car having a plurality of decks is provided with a pair of folding door structures for closing the loading end of the car. The doors are hinged on spherical bearing structures and include locking mechanisms for locking the doors in open or closed positions.

Abstract: An automatic locking mechanism is provided for latching the swingable "B" deck of an auto-rack railway car in either an upper raised position or a lower horizontal position. A spring biased plunger or bolt is normally positioned in locking engagement with a depending striker plate on the end of the swingable deck portion and may be withdrawn by the operator and rotated to a release position in which it is held out of engagement with the striker plate to permit the deck portion to be raised to its upper position. As the deck portion is raised a lug on the striker plate engages a transversely extending rotator pin on the end of the plunger and rotates the plunger away from its release position so that the plunger is automatically returned to a locking position beneath the bottom edge of the striker plate when the "B" deck portion is moved to its raised position.To return the deck portion to a horizontal position, the plunger is withdrawn by the operator and rotated to the release position.