Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dislodging a mold from a casting formed within the mold. The mold may be removed from the casting by scoring the mold and applying a force sufficient to cause the mold to fracture and break into pieces. Additionally, the mold may be fractured by either explosive charges placed in the mold pack or by high energy pulsations directed at the mold. Once the mold is fractured and broken into various pieces it may then be dislodged from the casting.

Abstract: Various systems and apparatuses for processing a metal casting are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply fluid to the castings for heat treating the castings and degrading the sand cores for removal from the castings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dislodging a mold from a casting formed within the mold. The mold may be removed from the casting by scoring the mold and applying a force sufficient to cause the mold to fracture and break into pieces. Additionally, the mold may be fractured by either explosive charges placed in the mold pack or by high energy pulsations directed at the mold. Once the mold is fractured and broken into various pieces it may then be dislodged from the casting.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a production sequence for the control of resources and production for metal castings of a manufacturing plant. The system employs a transport system to transfer the castings between a series of processing stations, which could include heat treatment, quenching, decoring, demolding, cleaning, machining, inspection, storage, etc., served by the transport system. A series of guided vehicles moving along the transport carry the castings between the processing stations. Each guided vehicle includes an identifier monitored by a controller to direct the castings to the next required processing station according to a predetermined production sequence for the castings thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply heat to the castings for heat treating the castings and dislodging the sand cores for removal from the castings.

Abstract: A system for combustion and removal of residual carbon within fly ash particles in which the fly ash particles are fed into an array of process units for combustion. The fly ash particles are subjected to heat and motive air such that as the fly ash particles pass through the particulate bed, they are heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the combustion of the residual carbon within the particles. The fly ash particles thereafter are conveyed in a dilute phase for further combustion through the reactor chamber away from the particulate bed and exhausted to an ash capture. The fly ash is then separated from the exhaust air that conveys the ash in its dilute phase with the air being further exhausted and the captured fly ash particles being fed to a feed accumulator for re-injection to the reactor chamber or discharge for further processing.

Abstract: A furnace for heat treating a metal workpiece is provided. A method and system for processing a workpiece also are provided.

Abstract: A conveyance mechanism for transporting a casting is provided. A system and method of processing a metal casting also are provided.

Abstract: Various systems and apparatuses for processing a metal casting are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for forming and heat treating a metal casting are provided.

Abstract: An integrated metal processing facility in which molten metal is poured into a series of molds at a pouring station to form metal castings, which are then transferred to a heat treatment line. Prior to introduction of the castings into a heat treatment station of the heat treatment line, the castings are subjected to heating sufficient to arrest cooling of the castings at or above a process control temperature for the metal thereof.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming sand from a casting process includes a chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of baffles defining a circuitous path for the sand therebetween, a heating element for providing heat to the chamber, and a fluidizing distributor for directing the sand through the chamber. A method of reclaiming waste sand also is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply fluid to the castings for heat treating the castings and degrading the sand cores for removal from the castings.

Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply heat to the castings for heat treating the castings and dislodging the sand cores for removal from the castings.

Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply fluid to the castings for heat treating the castings and degrading the sand cores for removal from the castings.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for the robotic fabrication of a set of parallel pipelines or tunnels along a curvilinear path without limitation as to distance, direction and depth. A large diameter bore is made by a boring unit as the boring unit moves tangentially along the path through the earth. Prefabricated segments of the pipeline body or tunnel body are then installed by the system at a plurality of locations in the bore, such that their axes are instantaneously parallel to each other and to the large diameter bore, as extensions of the duct body already installed. The annular space between the extensions and the large diameter bore is then occasionally filled along the ducts with a composite material thereby supporting the several smaller diameter structurally independent permanent ducts in the large diameter bore. The prefabricated duct segments function as the structural body of the ducts.

Abstract: A system for very high speed ground transportation employing vehicles running in tunnels. The interior surface of the tunnels is a helical thread, and the wheels of the vehicle are helical gears meshing with the helical interior surface of the tunnel so as to provide positive traction. The vehicles have top traction wheels as well as bottom traction wheels in order to provide dynamic stability at very high vehicular speeds. Each vehicle carries an inner compartment coupled to the vehicle so that the compartment may be continually positioned relative to the vehicle in order to provide passenger comfort and/or cargo safety as the vehicle moves down the tunnel when the longitudinal axis of the tunnel has curvature.

Abstract: An authority verification system for verifying the authority of the user of a credit or other account by assigning a different code name to each account. When an account is used, the code name, in enciphered form is written on a certificate along with other information necessary to debit the credit account. Verification apparatus deciphers the code name and compares it with the code name assigned to the account being debited.In addition, when the credit or other account is either a checking account or charge account, other enciphered codes may be included on each check and credit card to protect against alteration of the check or credit card and thus assure check or credit card authenticity.

Abstract: A drilling or tunneling system in which a first, relatively large diameter bore is made, the loosened material is mixed with a stabilizing material, and a plurality of smaller permanent ducts are formed behind the boring unit.Power, control information, stabilizing material and excess material are conveyed to and from the unit by means of a series of mobile carrier units which travel through the smaller ducts and which function in the manner of an endless conveyor.