Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for automated sorting or articles such as railroad wheels. After the wheels are inspected and designated as fitting a particular category, the wheels are moved to a transfer car and the wheel and transfer car are moved to a wheel pick up station, where an overhead hoist awaits. As the wheel and transfer car are moved, a hook portion of the hoist is received in the wheel axles hole. The hoist raises the wheel out of the transfer car and then the hoist and wheel move laterally to a wheel drop off station corresponding with the category of the wheel. A shuttle car with an empty wheel receiving slots is below each wheel drop off station. The hoist lowers the wheel into the aligned wheel slot of the appropriate shuttle car for that category of wheel. After the wheel is deposited in the slot, the shuttle car indexes away from the hoist, freeing the wheel and hoist from one another. The hoist is then raised and returned to the wheel pick up station.

Abstract: A method for grinding cast steel railroad wheels is provided. The apparatus comprises a railroad wheel support assembly that includes a roller assembly to receive and grasp the railroad wheel and rotate the railroad wheel about its center axis. A grinding assembly is also provided that includes a motor operatively connected to a grinding wheel. The motor and grinding wheel are mounted to a support assembly. The railroad wheel support assembly oscillates about an axle assembly during grinding. The grinding assembly is designed to advance the grinding wheel laterally into the railroad wheel during grinding. The lateral advancing of the grinding wheel and oscillating of the railroad wheel are controlled to achieve a finish grinding of the selected surface of the railroad wheel to a preselected contour.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding cast steel railroad wheels is provided. The apparatus comprises a railroad wheel support assembly that includes a roller assembly to receive and grasp the railroad wheel and rotate the railroad wheel about its center axis. A grinding assembly is also provided that includes a motor operatively connected to a grinding wheel. The motor and grinding wheel are mounted to a support assembly. The railroad wheel support assembly oscillates about an axle assembly during grinding. The grinding assembly is designed to advance the grinding wheel laterally into the railroad wheel during grinding. The lateral advancing of the grinding wheel and oscillating of the railroad wheel are controlled to achieve a finish grinding of the selected surface of the railroad wheel to a preselected contour.

Abstract: A railway wheel lifting device is provided wherein a railway wheel can be readily and positively affixed to a lifting device. Upon such affixing and lifting, the wheel can be moved as necessary with the lifting device. Positive locking mechanisms are provided whereby the rim section of the wheel is held between depending legs of a frame support. When it is desired to release the wheel, an operating cylinder is operatively connected to operating rods which in turn can move cam assemblies out of contact with the wheel to thereby permit the wheel to be released from the lifting device.

Abstract: A sand dispensing assembly is provided wherein two different sands are held in two bins in a top section. The bins are concentric and generally cylindrical. A middle section of the sand dispensing assembly includes a plurality of inner dispensing tubes at a first diameter from the center of the middle section and a plurality of outer dispensing tubes at a second diameter greater than the first diameter from the center of the middle section. A bottom of the sand dispensing assembly includes a plurality of discharge funnels. When the middle section is at a first position, sand fills the inner dispensing tubes from the first bin while sand exits the outer tubes through the discharge funnels. When the middle section is rotated to a second position, sand fills the outer dispensing tubes from the second bin while sand exits the inner tubes through the discharge funnels.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring the hardness of a metal object such as a railway wheel. The wheel is rolled along a rail to a notched receiving assembly into which the wheel is lowered to stabilize the wheel in a longitudinal direction. A frame with a bracing device is then pressed against the wheel hub to stabilize the wheel in a lateral direction. A secondary frame including both a grinding device and a hardness testing device is then swung about a pivot axis such that the grinding device grinds a section of the metal railway wheel. Upon the continuation of the pivoting movement of the secondary frame, a hardness testing device is brought into alignment with the ground section of the railway wheel whereupon the hardness test of the wheel is performed.

Abstract: A form for constructing a refractory roof for an electric arc furnace having a provision for selectively changing the electrode opening pattern and also forming a roof of different diameters.