Abstract: A device is provided for use with an actuator having an actuator shaft which indicates when the torque on the actuator shaft exceeds a predetermined limit. The device comprises a housing which carries a pair of limit switches. A shaft extension is operatively connected with the actuator shaft so that axial force on the actuator shaft, which is proportional to the shaft torque, is transmitted to the shaft extension. A hub and Belleville washer arrangement translates the axial force on a shaft into a proportional axial movement of the hub while a radially extending member from the hub includes a portion positioned adjacent the limit switch. Thus, when the axial force in one direction on the shaft exceeds a first predetermined amount, the radially extending member activates one limit switch which in turn is connected to an indicator.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided for use in conjunction with a valve having an actuating member movable between a first position in which the valve is closed and a second position in which the valve is open. The valve actuator comprises a reversible motor having its output mechanically connected to the actuating member. The actuation of the motor is controlled by a circuit having a microprocessor. An optical sensor on the valve actuating member provides an input signal to the microprocessor indicative of the position of the valve and the position of the valve corresponding to both the open and closed position are stored in a memory accessible to the microprocessor. When the actuating member attains a desired position, the microprocessor is programmed to generate a stop signal which deactivates the motor.

Abstract: A novel casting method is provided which includes a shell mold having a cope and a drag, which abut together along substantially planar mating surfaces and define a casting cavity between the cope and drag. At least one core is positioned within the casting cavity and includes at least one and preferably two crush pads each having a cam surface. As the cope is positioned onto the drag, the cope engages the crush pad cam surfaces and cams the core flatly against the shell mold.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided for use in conjunction with a valve having a rotatable member the rotation of which actuates the valve in dependence on the direction of rotation. The valve actuator comprises a housing and a coupling member rotatably carried by the housing and coaxially attached to the valve rotatable member. An elongated threaded shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing so that the axis of the shaft is perpendicular to and spaced from the axis of the coupling member. A nut member threadably engages the threaded shaft and a link is pivotally secured at one end to the nut member and at its other end to a radially extending portion of the coupling member. The link prevents rotation of the nut member on the threaded shaft so that rotation of the shaft axially drives the nut member along the shaft. An axial displacement of the nut member along the shaft in turn rotates the valve rotatable member via the link and the coupling member.

Abstract: An actuator assembly particularly useful for operating butterfly, ball or plug type valves is disclosed herein and comprises a relatively efficient gear train including first means for coupling the gear train to a drive member and a pinion in driving engagement with a sector gear of limited circumferential extent formed on a periphery, preferably an inner periphery, of a generally triangular sector member. At the vertex of the sector member opposite the sector gear there is provided a rotatably mounted drive member for driving the stem of an associated valve member as it rotates. Accordingly, as the sector gear is driven, the drive member rotates the valve stem to open or close the valve. The input gear train includes a non-reversing coupling means adjacent the first coupling means whereby the drive member can rotate the sector member and, thus, the valve stem, but external forces on the output side of the non-reversing coupling means cannot cause rotation of the valve stem.

Abstract: A novel fastener is provided for securing a valve actuator housing to a valve mounting flange. The fastener, according to the present invention, comprises an elongated and generally cylindrical pin member which threadably engages the valve mounting flange so that a portion of the pin member extends outwardly from the valve mounting flange. The protruding portion of the pin member is received within an appropriate bore formed in the bottom of the valve actuator housing as the valve actuator housing is positioned on the valve mounting flange. A threaded transverse bore radially intersects the housing bore and threadably receives a locking screw. Upon tightening, the locking screw abuts against a reduced diameter circumferential portion of the pin member and, thus, locks the valve actuator housing to the valve mounting flange.

Abstract: A pneumatic landing gear actuator is provided for use with an extendible and retractable landing gear assembly having an input member the rotation of which extends or retracts the landing gear foot in dependence upon the direction of rotation. The landing gear actuator includes a shaft which is drivingly connected to at least one, and preferably two, rotatable input members on two spaced landing gear assemblies. A pair of one-way clutches, each having a drive and driven member, are disposed coaxially around the shaft while a shifting gear selectively drivingly connects the driven member of one clutch or the other to the shaft. A pneumatic air cylinder can be connected to the air system of the tractor to simultaneously reciprocally rotatably drive both clutch drive members via a radial arm. Such compressed air systems are utilized for the air brakes in tractor-trailer combinations so it is readily available on most tractors for use with the present invention.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided for use with a valve having an actuator shaft the rotation of which actuates the valve. The valve actuator comprises a housing having a worm gear rotatably mounted in the housing and wherein the worm gear includes a shaft portion extending externally of the housing so that a handle may be secured thereto. A segmented gear having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the worm gear axis, is also rotatably mounted within the housing and is positioned to mesh with the worm gear so that rotation of the worm gear produces a like rotation of the segmented gear. The segmented gear includes means for securing the actuator shaft thereto and an indicator is secured to the segmented gear and is visible exteriorly of the housing to indicate the rotational position of the segmented gear to thereby indicate the degree of opening of the valve. In addition, preferably adjustable stop members are provided in the housing to limit the rotational travel of the segmented gear.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided for use in conjunction with a valve having a rotatable member wherein rotation of the rotatable member selectively actuates the valve in accordance with the direction of rotation of the rotatable member. The valve may be of the rising-stem valve type in which the rotatable member threadably engages the valve stem to axially shift the valve stem to thereby actuate the valve. The valve actuator comprises a nut adapter secured to the rotatable member in combination with actuating means contained within a housing. The actuator means further comprises a drive tube which lockingly engages the nut adapter by means of inwardly projecting indentations formed axially along the drive tube and which are received in axial grooves formed along the periphery of the nut adapter. In addition, the drive tube is coaxial with the valve stem so as to permit the valve stem to be received axially through the drive tube upon valve actuation.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided for use in conjunction with a valve having a rotatable member wherein rotation of the rotatable member selectively actuates the valve in accordance with the direction of rotation of the rotatable member. The valve may be of the "rising valve stem" type in which the rotatable member threadably engages the valve stem to axially shift the valve stem upon actuation of the valve. The valve actuator comprises a nut adapter secured to the rotatable member in combination with actuating means contained in a housing.The actuator means further comprises a drive tube which lockingly engages the nut adapter by means of inwardly projecting indentations formed axially along the drive tube which are received in axial grooves formed along the periphery of the nut adapter. In addition, the drive tube is coaxial with the valve stem so as to permit the valve stem to be received axially through the drive tube upon valve actuation.

Abstract: A detachable truck body adapted to be mounted onto the bed of a truck is provided and comprises a substantially horizontal base and a plurality of support legs pivotally secured to the base and movable between a first and second pivotal position. In their first pivotal position, each of the support legs extends downwardly and laterally outwardly from the base and engages a ground supporting surface to maintain the base in an elevated position while bracing the base against lateral movement. With the base elevated the bed of a truck can be moved into position underneath the truck body. In their second pivotal position each of the support legs is in a substantially horizontal position adjacent to and underneath the base of the truck body so that the truck body may be transported by the truck bed. First and second locking means are provided for locking the support legs in their first and second pivotal positions, respectively.

Abstract: A system for removably and pivotally securing a truck body onto the bed of a truck is provided in which the truck body is automatically locked to the bed of the truck as the truck body is lowered onto the truck bed. The system comprises a plurality of guide members secured to the bottom surface of the truck body and an adapter frame secured to the truck bed which receives and guides the guide members as the truck body is lowered onto the truck bed. A plurality of latch members are pivotally secured to the guide members and automatically lock the truck body onto the adapter frame when the truck body reaches its lowermost position. An actuator is associated with each of the latch members so that actuation of the actuators unlocks the latch members and permits the removal of the truck body from the truck bed.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a shell mold for casting having a shrink bob is provided. A tubular frusto-conical shrink bob, or riser, is first formed from sand and a plastic or resin binder such that both the apex and base of the riser are open. The riser is then inverted and positioned on a casting pattern with the apex of the riser abutting against the casting pattern. The entire pattern is then cast with a thermosetting material, such as sand and a binder, such that the thermosetting material bonds to both the pattern and the riser. After hardening, the thermosetting material with the attached riser forms a shell mold which is subsequently utilized in a foundry casting operation.

Abstract: A valve which may be manually operated between an on and off position and in addition includes a high pressure shut-off mechanism which is responsive to an external pressure. The valve comprises a housing having a through bore, a transverse fluid inlet bore which intersects the through bore, and a transverse fluid outlet bore which intersects the through bore and is axially displaced from the fluid inlet bore. A control shuttle is disposed in the through bore and is manually movable between a first position and a second position in the through bore so that in the first position the control shuttle permits fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet bore whereas in the second position the control shuttle obstructs fluid communication between the inlet and outlet bore.

Abstract: In a trailer landing gear assembly having a housing secured to a trailer and a foot adapted to engage the ground, attachment means for attaching an extension-retraction assembly to both the housing and the landing gear foot by respectively deforming the landing gear housing and the landing gear foot so that the deformations created support the axial load between the extension-retraction assembly and the landing gear. An axle secured to the downwardly depending end of the extension-retraction assembly is rotatably received in a pair of registering apertures formed in the landing gear foot. Each aperture in the landing gear foot is deformed to form a cylindrical portion coaxial with the aperture and integral with the foot so that the cylindrical portion supports the vertical load between the landing gear foot and the extension-retraction assembly. Similarly a gear base plate forms the attachment means between the upper end of the extension-retraction assembly and the landing gear housing.

Abstract: A device for pumping hydraulic fluid by means of an air driven reciprocating piston. Valve means control the motion of the piston and the pressure of the hydraulic fluid and an improved, two-piece, piston construction improves its practical machinability.

Abstract: In a trailer landing gear assembly having a housing secured to a trailer and a foot adapted to engage the ground, attachment means for attaching an extension-retraction assembly to both the housing and the landing gear foot by respectively deforming the landing gear housing and the landing gear foot so that the deformations created support the axial load between the extension-retraction assembly and the landing gear. An axle secured to the downwardly depending end of the extension-retraction assembly is rotatably received in a pair of registering apertures formed in the landing gear foot. Each aperture in the landing gear foot is deformed to form a cylindrical portion coaxial with the aperture and integral with the foot so that the cylindrical portion supports the vertical load between the landing gear foot and the extension-retraction assembly. Similarly a gear base plate forms the attachment means between the upper end of the extension-retraction assembly and the landing gear housing.

Abstract: In a trailer landing gear assembly having a housing secured to a trailer and a foot adapted to engage the ground, attachment means for attaching an extension-retraction assembly to both the housing and the landing gear foot by respectively deforming the landing gear housing and the landing gear foot so that the deformations created support the axial load between the extension-retraction assembly and the landing gear. An axle secured to the downwardly depending end of the extension-retraction assembly is rotatably received in a pair of registering apertures formed in the landing gear foot. Each aperture in the landing gear foot is deformed to form a cylindrical portion coaxial with the aperture and integral with the foot so that the cylindrical portion supports the vertical load between the landing gear foot and the extension-retraction assembly. Similarly, a gear base plate forms the attachment means between the upper end of the extension-retraction assembly and the landing gear housing.