Abstract: The present concept is a rail wheel cleaning system which includes a base support plate, an adjusting assembly mounted on the base support plate, a sliding assembly configured to co-operatively engage with the adjusting assembly, and a shoe assembly mounted onto the sliding assembly and configured to be engage-able with the rail wheel at a preselected level for cleaning the rail wheel. Preferably the adjusting assembly includes an adjustment rod which is configured to operably move the sliding assembly in a transverse direction when the rod is moved in a longitudinal direction. Additionally preferably the adjusting assembly includes a wedge with an inclined wedge face, and the adjustment rod includes an inclined rod face configured to slide-ably engage with the wedge face, such that when the rod is urged in a tighter direction the sliding assembly is urged in an outward direction thereby increasing the impingement of the shoe assembly on the rail wheel.

Abstract: The present concept is a rail wheel cleaning system which includes a base support plate, an adjusting assembly mounted on the base support plate, a sliding assembly configured to co-operatively engage with the adjusting assembly, and a shoe assembly mounted onto the sliding assembly and configured to be engage-able with the rail wheel at a preselected level for cleaning the rail wheel. Preferably the adjusting assembly includes an adjustment rod which is configured to operably move the sliding assembly in a transverse direction when the rod is moved in a longitudinal direction. Additionally preferably the adjusting assembly includes a wedge with an inclined wedge face, and the adjustment rod includes an inclined rod face configured to slide-ably engage with the wedge face, such that when the rod is urged in a tighter direction the sliding assembly is urged in an outward direction thereby increasing the impingement of the shoe assembly on the rail wheel.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved externally mounted pressure relief valve that is especially adapted for rail tank cars or other large closed containers that contain or transport fluids, including liquids and gases. The pressure relief valve comprises a plurality of spring assemblies, and each spring assembly contains a pre-determined number of spring leaves. Each spring assembly is coiled upon a corresponding spring drum, and each spring drum is penetrated by a corresponding spring drum bolt. The spring assemblies are preferably aligned in at least two horizontal planes that are parallel to each other and normal to the vertical length of a spring block. The spring block and sealing disk are mounted vertically over the valve seat and within the confines of vertically extending spring brackets.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved ball valve assembly for use in a tank or a tank-like container. This improved ball valve assembly prevents leakage of a liquid with corrosive and abrasive contaminants within the tank or a tank like container. This improved ball valve assembly is especially useful in a railroad tank car that contains a liquid commodity in whenever a tank is mobile and subjected to wide temperature variations. The improved ball valve assembly contains a ball component made of a ceramic material. A ceramic wiper (i) mechanically seals against the ball component and (ii) prevents contaminants from embedding within, or otherwise abrading, top and bottom seats within the ball valve assembly. Also contained in the preferred embodiment of this invention is an improved drive coupling that (i) eliminates the previously existing need for custom square drive tool (ii) pre-attached to the ball valve assembly.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved externally mounted pressure relief valve that is especially adapted for rail tank cars or other large closed containers that contain or transport fluids, including liquids and gases. The pressure relief valve comprises a plurality of spring assemblies, and each spring assembly contains a pre-determined number of spring leaves. Each spring assembly is coiled upon a corresponding spring drum, and each spring drum is penetrated by a corresponding spring drum bolt. The spring assemblies are preferably aligned in at least two horizontal planes that are parallel to each other and normal to the vertical length of a spring block. The spring block and sealing disk are mounted vertically over the valve seat and within the confines of vertically extending spring brackets.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved externally mounted pressure relief valve that is especially adapted for rail tank cars or other large closed containers that contain or transport fluids, including liquids and gases. The pressure relief valve comprises a plurality of spring assemblies, and each spring assembly contains a pre-determined number of spring leaves. Each spring assembly is coiled upon a corresponding spring drum, and each spring drum is penetrated by a corresponding spring drum bolt. The spring assemblies are preferably aligned in at least two horizontal planes that are parallel to each other and normal to the vertical length of a spring block. The spring block and sealing disk are mounted vertically over the valve seat and within the confines of vertically extending spring brackets.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved ball valve assembly for use in a tank or a tank-like container. This improved ball valve assembly prevents leakage of a liquid with corrosive and abrasive contaminants within the tank or a tank like container. This improved ball valve assembly is especially useful in a railroad tank car that contains a liquid commodity in whenever a tank is mobile and subjected to wide temperature variations. The improved ball valve assembly contains a ball component made of a ceramic material. A ceramic wiper (i) mechanically seals against the ball component and (ii) prevents contaminants from embedding within, or otherwise abrading, top and bottom seats within the ball valve assembly. Also contained in the preferred embodiment of this invention is an improved drive coupling that (i) eliminates the previously existing need for custom square drive tool (ii) pre-attached to the ball valve assembly.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a vacuum relief valve for rail way tanks, truck tanks, or any other analogous closed containers in which a valve prevents implosions from an interior vacuum pressure. The valve contains a novel biasing assembly and spring housing with constant force springs and this assembly is operatively attached to the tank. The pressure from these springs is such that only when the interior tank vacuum becomes greater than the springs' preset value will air enter the valve and the operatively attached tank. No increasing pressure from the biasing assembly is necessary to maintain the air flow into the valve at the air flow's initial rate.

Abstract: Described herein is a pressure relief valve that vents contents from a rail tank car or similar container at two preset pressures. The lower preset pressure is attained whenever specific valve attachment devices melt well below the spontaneous combustion temperature of the contents of a rail tank car or similar container. When these attachment devices melt, formerly attached corresponding constant force spring assemblies disconnect from a spring plate. Without these operative attached spring assemblies there is less force to oppose the pressure from the contents of rail tank car or similar container. With less opposing force, the contents of the rail tank car or similar container escape from under a dislodged sealing disk before the rail tank car or similar container (i) over pressurizes and causes the tank shell to fail or (ii) the contents self-combust, and both of which events cause an explosion.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved externally mounted pressure relief valve that is especially adapted for rail tank cars or other large closed containers that contain or transport fluids, including liquids and gases. The pressure relief valve comprises a plurality of spring assemblies, and each spring assembly contains a pre-determined number of spring leaves. Each spring assembly is coiled upon a corresponding spring drum, and each spring drum is penetrated by a corresponding spring drum bolt. The spring assemblies are preferably aligned in at least two horizontal planes that are parallel to each other and normal to the vertical length of a spring block. The spring block and sealing disk are mounted vertically over the valve seat and within the confines of vertically extending spring brackets.

Abstract: The present device is a detachable core for use with a cylindrical filter cartridge. The core includes a wire frame including at least two vertical struts oriented along a longitudinal direction. The wire frame includes an upper ring and a lower ring mounted to the distal ends of the vertical struts and further includes an upper flange and a lower flange mounted to the upper and lower rings respectively, wherein the lower flange is detachably mounted to the lower ring. Preferably the lower ring includes a gap in the lower ring to enable resilient compression of the ring by squeezing the lower ring in a radial inward direction prior to engagement with the lower flange. Preferably the cartridge filter includes elastomeric end caps and the cooperating rings and flanges are non-circular such that the elastomeric end caps conforms to the non-circular shape of the upper and lower flanges.

Abstract: The present concept a filter lock and seal system for sealing a filter assembly to a tubesheet includes a filter assembly which includes filter media mounted between top and bottom end caps. The top end cap includes an annular seat portion extending longitudinally from the top of a lower flange and terminating at an annular radial outward projecting shoulder. The filter assembly further includes a snap band for sealing the filter assembly to the tubesheet and cooperatively seating against the annular seat portion. Wherein the snap band including a cavity and a deformable portion for engaging with a tubesheet end.

Abstract: The present concept a filter lock and seal system for sealing a filter assembly to a tubesheet includes a filter assembly which includes filter media mounted between top and bottom end caps. The top end cap includes an annular seat portion extending longitudinally from the top of a lower flange and terminating at an annular radial outward projecting shoulder. The filter assembly further includes a snap band for sealing the filter assembly to the tubesheet and cooperatively seating against the annular seat portion. Wherein the snap band including a cavity and a deformable portion for engaging with a tubesheet end.

Abstract: The present device is a detachable core for use with a cylindrical filter cartridge. The core includes a wire frame including at least two vertical struts oriented along a longitudinal direction. The wire frame includes an upper ring and a lower ring mounted to the distal ends of the vertical struts and further includes an upper flange and a lower flange mounted to the upper and lower rings respectively, wherein the lower flange is detachably mounted to the lower ring. Preferably the lower ring includes a gap in the lower ring to enable resilient compression of the ring by squeezing the lower ring in a radial inward direction prior to engagement with the lower flange. Preferably the cartridge filter includes elastomeric end caps and the cooperating rings and flanges are non-circular such that the elastomeric end caps conforms to the non-circular shape of the upper and lower flanges.

Abstract: A manhole cover includes a cylindrical manhole including manhole lugs, wherein the manhole lugs extend around the upper outer periphery of the manhole; the cover includes cover lugs, the cover lugs extend around the outer periphery of the cover. The cover co-operatively mates with and closes off the manhole. A strap also extends around the cover and manhole lugs such that applying tension to the strap assembly forceably urges together the cover and manhole lugs wherein the strap for clamping together the manhole lugs to the cover lugs thereby placing cover into a sealed position.

Abstract: The present invention a manhole cover includes a cylindrical manhole including manhole lugs, wherein the manhole lugs extend around the upper outer periphery of the manhole; the cover includes cover lugs, the cover lugs extend around the outer periphery of the cover. The cover co-operatively mates with and closes off the manhole. A strap also extends around the cover and manhole lugs such that applying tension to the strap assembly forceably urges together the cover and manhole lugs wherein said strap for clamping together the manhole lugs to the cover lugs thereby placing cover into a sealed position.

Abstract: The present invention is an ankle joint prosthesis which is used for connecting an artificial leg to an artificial foot wherein, said ankle joint prosthesis includes an upper ankle part which rigidly connects to the artificial leg and, a lower ankle part for rigidly connecting said ankle joint prosthesis to an artificial foot. The ankle joint prosthesis also includes a hollow shaft concentric with an ankle axis which is pivotally mounted in a shaft bore for rotating said upper and lower ankle parts relative to each other about the ankle axis. The ankle joint prosthesis also includes a locking mechanism having a semi-circular spine upper section with a radius centred about the ankle axis which is adapted to co-operate with and releasably mesh with splines on a semi-circular splined lower arc section.