Abstract: Complexity of construction of a vibratory feeder is minimized in an assembly including a base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) and an elongated, generally horizontal feeder (14; 100) spaced from the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118). A rotatably mounted eccentric (32; 126) is journaled on the feeder (14; 100) and is operable, when rotated, to impart vibration to the feeding surface (20; 104) of the feeder (14; 100). The feeder (14; 100) is interconnected to the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) by an interconnection that consists essentially of springs (60; 130) having first ends (62) connected to the feeder and opposite ends (64) connected to the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) while being located on a generally horizontal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for reclaiming sand is provided for removing impurities therefrom. The apparatus includes a vibratory conveyor in which the sand is fluidized and heated. The conveyor vibrates the sand to obtain a more uniform temperature. The apparatus may be used to clean used process sand, such as by pyrolyzing binder from foundry sand, or may be used to remove impurities from virgin sand, thereby minimizing the amount of silica which must be added to the virgin sand.

Abstract: In order to provide a leak-proof coupling for a gas-carrying pipe having two pipe sections that are relatively movable, the coupling includes a first pipe section and a second pipe section that have respective coupling ends disposed in closely spaced adjacent relation to define a gap therebetween. The first pipe section has an upstream end in communication with a source of a pressurized gas and a first coupling end remote therefrom such that the upstream end receives the pressurized gas from the source and the gas then flows through the first pipe section from the upstream end to the first coupling end for discharge therefrom. The second pipe section has a second coupling end in communication with the first coupling end and receives the pressurized gas from the first pipe section and the gas then flows through the second pipe section from the second coupling end to the downstream end for discharge therefrom.

Abstract: In order to prevent material from passing into a plenum chamber, an assembly for fluidizing the material includes a deck supported above the plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has an intake in communication with a source of pressurized air, and the deck includes an inverted channel for distributing the pressurized air to the material in a preselected air distribution pattern and an inverted channel for supporting the material in a position generally above and in spaced relation to the air distributing channel. With this arrangement, the material supporting channel is disposed in spaced relation to the air distributing channel to permit the pressurized air from the plenum chamber to fluidize the material.

Abstract: A two-way drive for horizontally vibrating a feeder bed, including a reversible drive rotating one of two drive shafts rotatably connected so that the second drive shaft rotates at a speed which is a selected ratio (at least 2:1) of the speed of rotation of the first. A first eccentric weight is rotatably secured to the first drive shaft. A second eccentric weight is rotatably secured to the second drive shaft and movable between a first position on a first shaft radius when the second shaft is driven in one direction and a second position on a second shaft radius when the second shaft is driven in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Drive motor size and energy costs are reduced in a bidirectional vibratory conveyor that includes a bed (10) with an elongated generally horizontal conveying surface (16) terminating an opposite ends (12, 14). Isolation springs (26) mount the bed (10) above the underlying terrain (32) and a vibration inducing assembly (40) that includes a rotatable shaft (56) and an eccentrically mounted weight (58) is mounted to the bed (10). A pair of generally horizontally acting, vibration amplification systems (72) are mounted on the bed (10) and sandwich the vibration inducing assembly (40). Conveying direction can be reversed simply by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor shaft (56).

Abstract: Inefficiencies in reclaiming foundry sand from foundry cores made up of sand and an organic resin binder are reduced in a method of reclaiming such sand that includes the steps of reducing a foundry core made up of sand and an organic resin binder to small clumps or individual particles, placing the small clumps or individual particles in a bed and introducing a heated gaseous oxidant into the bed generally from the bottom thereof in sufficient volume to fluidize the bed and at sufficient temperature to oxidize the resin binder on the small clumps or individual particles. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: In order to effectively remove and reclaim sand from a metal casting, an apparatus and system includes a bed having an entrance for receiving the casting and an exit for removing the casting. The bed is adapted to fluidize sand and may also be subjected to vibratory forces. The apparatus and system further includes a sand distribution conveyor for supplying sand to be fluidized to the bed at a point generally near the entrance and a sand transfer conveyor for removing sand to be recirculated from the bed at a point generally near the exit. The bed achieves a thorough mixing of the sand due to the fluidization and vibratory forces. With these features of construction, the apparatus and system also includes a sand return conveyor with all of the conveyors being vibratory and insulated to achieve energy efficient sand recirculation.

Abstract: A non-mechanical leak proof coupling for use on a gas carrying pipe having two pipe sections which are moveable relative to each other. The coupling includes a first pipe section having an upstream end in flow communication with a stationary gas source and further includes a second pipe section having a downstream end in flow communication with a vibrating distribution chamber. A downstream end of the first pipe section and an upstream end of the second pipe section are disposed in closely spaced relation to define a gap therebetween. The first pipe section downstream end is in flow communication with the second pipe section upstream end such that the pressurized gas is communicated between the first pipe section to the second pipe section for discharge to the vibrating distribution chamber.

Abstract: In order to effectively remove and reclaim sand from a metal casting, an apparatus and system includes a bed having an entrance for receiving the casting and an exit for removing the casting. The bed is adapted to fluidize sand and may also be subjected to vibratory forces. The apparatus and system further includes a sand distribution conveyor for supplying sand to be fluidized to the bed at a point generally near the entrance and a sand transfer conveyor for removing sand to be recirculated from the bed at a point generally near the exit. The bed achieves a thorough mixing of the sand due to the fluidization and vibratory forces. With these features of construction, the apparatus and system also includes a sand return conveyor with all of the conveyors being vibratory and insulated to achieve energy efficient sand recirculation.

Abstract: In order to effectively heat treat and decore a metal casting, and thereafter fully reclaim the core sand for reuse, a two-stage system processes metal castings and core sand formed of sand and binder. The two-stage system includes a first stage for removing the core sand from the metal casting while at the same time heat treating the metal casting, and it also includes a separate, second stage for reclaiming the core sand. For this purpose, fluidized and heated sand is utilized as the castings and sand are conveyed together in the first stage and the sand alone is conveyed in the second stage for recirculation of at least a portion of the sand to the first stage.

Abstract: Bearing failure and noise generation problems of prior art, vibratory feeders are eliminated in a construction including a bed (10) having an elongated, generally horizontal feeding or conveying surface (56) having opposed ends (52) and (54). Spaced resilient isolation elements (58) mount the bed (50) above the underlying terrain (68) and a rotatable shaft (74) with an eccentrically mounted weight (56) is journalled to the bed (50) for bi-directional rotation about a generally horizontal axis. A pair of dynamic balancers (82), (84) are connected to the bed, one on each side of the shaft (74) and serve to reduce the vertical component of vibration imparted to the surface (56).

Abstract: A counterweight is freely pivoted on a rotatably driven unbalanced eccentric weight member such that at start up the counterweight does not add materially to the unbalance created by the eccentric weight member and such that as the motor attains operating speed the freely pivoted counterweight is slung outward relative to the eccentric weight member thus adding unbalance to the eccentric weight member and increasing the vibratory forces generated by the apparatus.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is provided and comprises a generally horizontally arranged container having a material supporting surface with means for resiliently mounting the container relative to a support surface. A bracket is resiliently mounted relative to the support surface and is resiliently mounted to the container. A vibration generator means is mounted on the bracket at a location offset on one side of the container. The vibration generator means generating a vibratory force along a linear path offset from the container. Part of the resilient mounting of the container on the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket on the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket to the container are all variable rate resilient means which can be adjusted to meet certain desired parameters in operating the apparatus. The resilient mounting of the container to the support surface and the resilient mounting of the bracket and vibration generator to the support surface are 180.degree.

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 material supporting surface disposed along a generally horizontal longitudinal axis. The container has a material input end and a material discharge end axially spaced therefrom and it is resiliently mounted relative to a mounting surface. The apparatus also includes a vibration generator for producing a force to cause material within the container to be directed in a path of tumbling movement generally in a direction from the material input end toward the material discharge end of the container. With this arrangement, a tumbling assist mechanism is provided for applying a force to the material in addition to the force produced by the vibration generator to facilitate tumbling of the material as it moves along the path of tumbling movement.

Abstract: In order to effectively enhance the overall efficiency in casting operations, a process and system for cooling and cleaning a casting is disclosed. The process and system include removing the casting from a molding machine after it has been formed. The casting is then moved to a punch-out station for removing it from a sand mold. Next, the casting is moved to a shake-out station for shaking residual sand from it. The casting is then conveyed away from the shake-out station on a cooling conveyor. Next, the temperature of the casting is monitored at or near a downstream end of the cooling conveyor. The casting is then transferred from the cooling conveyor into a vibratory cooling drum where it is further cooled. In addition to these unique aspects, the process and system includes controlling the rate of cooling of the casting within the vibratory cooling drum.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying apparatus including a material carrying member having a material supporting surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second vibrators for producing first and second vibratory forces for imparting movement to the material carrying member at first and second acute angles to the material supporting surface. The vibratory forces of the first and second vibrators each have a vertical force component as well as a horizontal force component for imparting movement to a material on the material supporting surface in the first and second directions relative to the material supporting surface. The apparatus also includes an actuator for controlling the first and second vibrators in such manner as to impart controlled movement to the material relative to the material supporting surface in the first direction, the second direction, or vertically.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor is provided that has only horizontal conveying motion acting on material lying in the plane of an elongate trough. A vibration generating apparatus is positioned selectively between the ends of the conveying trough. The vibration generating apparatus can be repositioned to any desired location along the trough to take advantage of the improved conveying action and the reduced deflection and twisting of the trough. The vibration generating apparatus includes a driving motor using a flexible drive to power two pairs of counter-rotating eccentric weights, with one pair being driven at twice the speed of the other pair so as to provide a motion on the material that moves the material along the plane of the trough with virtually no vertical component relative to the plane of the trough.

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

Abstract: A flask adapted to contain a pattern and sand is resiliently supported in a controlled orientation and vibrational forces are imparted to the flask including a horizontal force component causing generally horizontal oscillating movement of the flask and alternative oppositely directed vertical force components maintaining the flask in a controlled orientation during the generally horizontal oscillating movement thereof. The vertical force components are adapted to counteract rotational inertia of the flask, pattern and sand.