Abstract: A core wash tank has a core wash bath compartment (14) for holding core wash (16) into which sand cores can be immersed for treatment and a single overflow compartment (30) separated from the core wash bath compartment by a divider wall (28) that defines an overflow level for core wash in the core wash bath compartment to overflow into the overflow compartment. A core wash recirculation system has a pump (42) for drawing core wash from the overflow compartment and pumping core wash into the core wash bath compartment.

Abstract: A water-jacket core and slab core for a V-block of an internal combustion engine are assembled into a jacket and slab sub-assembly and are placed on an apparatus for the automatic insertion of staples in the jacket and slab sub-assembly to thereby retain the water-jacket core and slab core together in the jacket and slab sub-assembly. The apparatus automatically positions four automatically operable staple guns so that each of the staples is inserted with one tine of each staple in the water-jacket core and the other tine of each staple in the slab core with the crown of each inserted staple lying across the interface between the assembled water-jacket core and slab core and retaining the water-jacket core and slab core together. As few as two staples per sub-assembly can be used to retain the water-jacket and slab core in their sub-assembly.

Abstract: Core sand elements are rapidly and reliably retained in an assembly by driving one or more smooth surface fasteners, such as staples, nails or brads, into the core elements. Such an assembly method comprises positioning at least two core elements in a core assembly, positioning a smooth surface fastener for entry into the at least two core elements, and driving the smooth surface fastener into the two core elements to fasten them in the core assembly. In such a preferred method, the smooth surface fastener comprises a staple with two smooth surface tines connected by a crown and the staple is positioned for entry of one tine into each of two core elements with the crown of the staple spanning the interface between the two core elements.

Abstract: Core sand elements are rapidly and reliably retained by driving one or more smooth surface fasteners, such as staples, nails or brads, into the core elements. In production, after the core sand elements are assembled, the core assemblies are placed on a moving belt conveyor, movement of core assemblies on the moving belt conveyor is intercepted and momentarily stopped at a fastening station and the momentarily stopped core assemblies are lifted from the moving belt conveyor to a fastening position at which a plurality of smooth surface fastener guns are moved into position against the core assembly and located to simultaneously drive a plurality of smooth surface fasteners into the core elements of the core assembly.

Abstract: Core sand elements are rapidly and reliably retained in an assembly by driving one or more smooth surface fasteners, such as staples, nails or brads, into the core elements. Such an assembly method comprises positioning at least two core elements in a core assembly, positioning a smooth surface fastener for entry into the at least two core elements, and driving the smooth surface fastener into the two core elements to fasten them in the core assembly. In such a preferred method, the smooth surface fastener comprises a staple with two smooth surface tines connected by a crown and the staple is positioned for entry of one tine into each of two core elements with the crown of the staple spanning the interface between the two core elements.

Abstract: Core sand elements are rapidly and reliably retained in an assembly by driving one or more smooth surface fasteners, such as staples, nails or brads, into the core elements. Such an assembly method comprises positioning at least two core elements in a core assembly, positioning a smooth surface fastener for entry into the at least two core elements, and driving the smooth surface fastener into the two core elements to fasten them in the core assembly. In such a preferred method, the smooth surface fastener comprises a staple with two smooth surface tines connected by a crown and the staple is positioned for entry of one tine into each of two core elements with the crown of the staple spanning the interface between the two core elements.

Abstract: The invention provides a blasting apparatus with a dual structure deflector. The blasting apparatus includes a blasting cabinet for housing a work piece, a nozzle, a propelling device, and a blasting medium holding unit. In use, the propelling device directs air and blasting medium via a blasting path against a work piece. In one aspect, the dual structure deflector is positioned inside the blasting path and includes an interior structure, an exterior structure, and a tubular support. The interior structure may be made from a rigid material such as steel, aluminum, or another metal. The exterior structure may be made from a resilient material such as polyurethane. The dual structure deflector provides a rigid and impact-resistant configuration.

Abstract: A telemetry terminal for controlling and metering consumption of electricity, water, etc., at a consumer's premises having a programmable processor. The programmable processor includes a receiver to receive instructions over the phone line to operate switching controls and a transmitter to transmit readings stored in the processor from meters to a central control station over the phone line. The processor also has a switching control routine in the event of an interruption to the phone line.