Abstract: A shaft seal is interposed between a tank and a rotating shaft extending through the tank and having a non-rotatable stator fixed to the tank and a rotor fixed for rotation to the shaft. A multiple labyrinth structure is formed between the rotor and the stator for preventing the ingress of contaminants from the tank and the egress of lubricant from the shaft. A self-aligning arrangement is constructed and arranged to permit the stator to shift axially along the shaft and compensate for various forces inflicted on the shaft as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for the primary mixing paddles in a pan-type mixer includes a single bolt paddle support arm mounting and adjustment device, and a two bolt paddle mounting feature, both of which are constructed and located to provide reliable adjustability and demountability and to protect the assemblies against the ingress of contaminants and abrasive wear from the materials being mixed. The single bolt clamping device also provides simple vertical adjustment of the paddle height in a manner which retains the adjustment mechanism enclosed against the entry of contaminants. The two bolt paddle mounting assembly encloses both threaded connections inside the body of the paddles, and includes a protective enclosing shroud and positions the exposed bolt heads at the back of the assembly out of the direct path of abrasive materials.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for rail tie plates or the like including an inclined frame having an upper end and a lower end, and an endless conveyor belt formed of a plurality of links pivotally joined to each other. The links are designed to have plate retaining pockets formed thereon and the belt is adapted to travel a contoured path on the frame between the lower end and the upper end. The belt has an upper working strand and a lower slack strand. A hopper provides a supply of randomly oriented tie plates to the lower end of the conveyor which are agitated or tumbled by the action of the moving conveyor belt. At least one rejecter hook is provided to ensure proper positioning of the plates within the pocket. As the conveyor belt progresses towards the upper end of the frame, certain plates are oriented properly within the plate pockets and will be conveyed to the upper end of the frame through the movement of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A machine for automatically setting rail tie plates includes a frame adapted to be propelled along a rail bed having one or both rails removed, the frame including a hopper adapted to store a plurality of randomly oriented plates therein, a crane for transferring plates to a plate sorting conveyor which sorts the plates as to specified length-to-width orientation and deposits the oriented plates upon an inclined conveyor where they are sensed as to specified top-to-bottom orientation, with improperly oriented plates being automatically inverted; the sensed and inverted plates are then manually disposed as to proper high-to-low side orientation, from where they are stored for eventual automatic deposition upon the tie by a reciprocating pusher assembly.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for rail tie plates or the like including an inclined frame having an upper end and a lower end, and an endless conveyor belt formed of a plurality of links pivotally joined to each other. The links are designed to have plate retaining pockets formed thereon and the belt is adapted to travel a contoured path on the frame between the lower end and the upper end. The belt has an upper working strand and a lower slack strand. A hopper provides a supply of randomly oriented tie plates to the lower end of the conveyor which are agitated or tumbled by the action of the moving conveyor belt. At least one rejector hook is provided to ensure proper positioning of the plates within the pocket. As the conveyor belt progresses towards the upper end of the frame, certain plates are oriented properly within the plate pockets and will be conveyed to the upper end of the frame through the movement of the conveyor belt.