Abstract: A partition wall joint for joining three converging partition walls in a passenger vehicle. The joint includes a vertical anchor post generally hat-shaped in horizontal cross-section and a removable anchor plate generally coextensive and cooperative with the post so as to define three outwardly opening vertical channels wherein the respective partition walls may be secured as desired.

Abstract: A storage arrangement for a passenger compartment in a railway passenger vehicle including a vertical panel extending between and removably secured to the ceiling and floor of the vehicle and having a cabinet shell secured thereto to provide an easily assembled and maintained baggage containment or storage arrangement within the compartment.

Abstract: A method and device for evenly distributing granular material such as plastic pellets into a railway hopper car to reduce the valley angle, eliminate void spaces, and increase the volume of material in each hopper. A cone-shaped deflector is placed in line with each hatch opening at a point below the roof line. The deflector directs material horizontally away from the hatch opening to reduce and virtually eliminate the valley angle for most granular materials. The cone is hung from support struts which may be suspended from an angular mounting ring which is mounted atop the hatch coaming.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring selected samples in situ in an iron ore converter the stages of reduction of the ore into iron sponge pellets having a desired iron content. The apparatus comprises a series of induction coils encircling the converter. The coils are coupled to an R F Circuit which is coupled to a meter which indicates the inductance values correlated with the iron content of the measured sample and its temperature thus providing indicia of the stage of conversion of the ore.

Abstract: A railway car for transporting vehicles comprising a plurality of vertically spaced decks, one of which consists of a rigid central section and at opposite ends hinged deck sections that are adapted to be selectively raised for facilitating the loading of vehicles onto the railway car, and an improved counterbalancing and locking mechanism interconnecting the hinged deck sections and the car structure.

Abstract: A locking and actuating mechanism for a pair of horizontally movable hopper doors includes an arm and actuating linkage which engages a track side cam for moving the doors between open and closed positions. One of the doors includes a keeper which is engageable by a latch mechanism in the other door. The latch mechanism includes a linkage arrangement which is connected to the actuating link and arm by means of a lost motion connection.

Abstract: Means and method of operating a tunnel kiln in which green carbon articles are baked in the ware (article) space of a baking zone by heat produced by the combustion of fuel directed to chambers adjacent the zone. The combustion chambers are connected in fluid communication with flues extending lengthwise of the kiln, the flues having a pressure gradient that extends lengthwise of the flues. The method of the invention includes the step of changing the pressure gradient within the flues such that a pressure differential between the combustion chambers and the ware space is effected that causes products of combustion to flow into the ware space from the combustion chambers in amounts sufficient to impede and prevent the deposition of coke formations on the walls of the space without burning the carbon articles.

Abstract: An open top hopper car particularly adapted to transport logs and pulpwood products includes a car body having a central partition separating the car into a pair of hoppers which are open at their lower ends for discharging materials sideways and downwardly through the supporting track into a pit area. The car is provided with a door locking mechanism including a longitudinally extending actuating member which by means of flexible linkages rotates bellcranks supported on a hopper out of locking engagement with keeper members provided at the lower ends of a pair of swinging doors.

Abstract: A device for securing a hatch cover has a locking strap pivotally attached at one end and adapted to overlap adjacent end portions of trough hatch covers. The locking strap has a free end engaged by a locking bar which pivots at right angles thereto. The locking bar is part of a unit or module which includes a shackle and a latch hook for holding the locking strap. The shackle is pivotally attached to the locking bar and is weighted with ballast to always be disposed in a vertical position for locking. The latch hook is also weighted and allowed a small amount of rotation to compensate for wear of the sealing gaskets to insure continuous locking engagement between the shackle and the latch.

Abstract: A replacement roof panel for repairing damaged railway car roofs in the field. The damaged portion is cut away leaving an opening in the roof. The repair panel is fabricated to the desired width and has reinforcing end portions that form laterally extending stiffening members. The end portions are shaped to provide slots along the lateral edges of the repair panel for receiving the edges of the existing roof sheet. The repair sheet is then welded along its edges to the existing roof sheet and to the side plates of the car.

Abstract: A series of operatively interconnected fuel flow regulators are adapted to meter and direct the flow of particulate fuel from a fuel conveying system into the burners of a furnace or kiln. Each regulator is fed by a conveying system and includes a feeder housing having a flow metering impeller and feed rotor arrangement. Each housing includes an adjustable fuel orifice communicating with a respective burner.

Abstract: A coupler arrangement for rapid transit passenger cars includes a self-centering coupler shank having limited horizontal and vertical swinging movement about a spherical bearing structure. The arrangement includes first and second shock absorbing mechanisms sequentially effective. A pin type coupler includes a locking arrangement on the coupler structure engageable with the coupler pin.

Abstract: A door operating mechanism for a bottom dump railway hopper car including a plurality of longitudinally mounted, divergently opening discharge doors held in the closed position by a plurality of longitudinally spaced claw-like latches. Each pair of transversely opposite latches includes operating rods connecting each latch to a bell-crank positioned beneath the longitudinal hood of the car. The bell-cranks are operatively connected to a longitudinally disposed tension rod, which includes linkages at either end for actuation of the mechanism by trackside mounted cams.

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: An improved process for the synthesis of ammonia utilizing three catalyst beds wherein the temperature of the synthesis feed gas and the effluent of at least one of the catalyst beds is controlled without the addition of quench gas.

Abstract: A telescoping drawbar is provided to insure a variable length connection between a pulled trailer and a tandem connected trailer supported on a portable dolly. The telescoping drawbar includes a number of telescoped tube segments which are aligned and secured with interlocking wedges, plates and mating stops located on the surfaces of overlapping telescoping sections. The wedge-shaped plates and associated stops securely interlock the telescoping sections and accurately align locking openings for insertion of locking bolts.

Abstract: A vehicle hopper construction having longitudinally spaced hopper end slope sheets and hopper cross ridge slope sheets formed prior to assembly in the vehicle hopper so as to provide integral interior hopper corner plates with associated transversely spaced hopper side sheets.

Abstract: A connection for joining the edges of a roof sheet to the wall of a railway car without the use of fasteners such as rivets or welds. The connection is weather-tight and includes an interlock feature which effectively carries the loading encountered during operation of the vehicle. A modified version of the interlock forms a trough for channeling water towards the ends of the railway car.

Abstract: An upper berth is hingedly supported on the partition wall of a sleeping compartment. One end of the berth is provided with a vertical hanger member having an upper hook shape end which is adapted to engage a bracket mounted on the outer wall of the sleeping compartment. The hook and bracket arrangement provides a supple support for the berth in the use position and may easily be moved to a stowed position. The shelf arrangement supported by the bracket is positioned immediately adjacent the sleeping berth.

Abstract: A shear resistant roll restraining means for arresting lateral rolling motion of a railway car including a side bearing upstanding from the truck bolster, a bearing plate structure vertically aligned and abuttably engageable with the side bearing depending from the upwardly and outwardly sloping bottom web of the car body bolster, and a bearing plate coupling having a longitudinal axis extending substantially coaxial with the direction of oscillatory impact loads of the side bearing on the bearing plate.