Abstract: A railway hopper car (H) has a bottom outlet (B). An outlet assembly (A) is attached to the outlet for lading to be discharged into the outlet. An outlet flange (OF) at the bottom of the hopper defines the lading discharge outlet. A mating flange (F1) is formed on the outlet assembly for attaching the outlet assembly to the railcar. Fasteners (L) are used to mount the outlet assembly to the hopper bottom. A gasket (3) installed between the respective flanges effects a seal between the hopper outlet and outlet assembly. The gasket extends circumferentially about the opening. One of the flanges has a circumferential groove (9) and the gasket has a raised portion (15) extending circumferentially of the gasket and sized to be received in the groove. This arrangement aligns the gasket with the flanges so when the outlet assembly is mounted to the bottom of the hopper, no cavities are formed in the between the hopper outlet and the outlet assembly.

Abstract: An improved railway car underbody support structure and method for economically constructing same. The structure includes a center sill assembly having a pair of vertically disposed side plates spaced equidistant from the longitudinal center line of the car body and extending from a coupler longitudinally inboard to a wheeled truck assembly. The truck assembly carries two laterally spaced side bearing members for bearing the load of the car body during lateral tilting of the car body. One of the improved features is a unitary metal member cut from an economically patterned metal plate. The unitary members, which are themselves free of any weld lines which may crack under the extreme loads exerted on railway cars, are welded to the underside edge of a respective side plate and welded together beneath the center line of the car body.

Abstract: A hatch cover assembly includes a vent passageway through a hatch cover for venting the interior of a railroad hopper car, or the like, to the environment. The hatch cover is held in closed position by a locking strap, and the vent passageway is located directly beneath the locking strap to help prevent rain and other environmental contaminants from passing through the vent passageway. An inexpensive baffle assembly is releasably clipped into the vent passageway beneath the locking strap and is comprised of a two piece molded plastic structure with a mesh screen held therebetween to further protect the vent passageway from contaminants.

Abstract: A trailer sensor (83) for use on a retractable railcar trailer hitch (1) is disclosed. The hitch has a hitch head (3) for capturing a kingpin (K) of a trailer (T), a locking mechanism (35) for latching the hitch in its erect position, and a manually operable release mechanism (67) for retracting the hitch. A movable sensing element (85) carried on the hitch head senses the presence or absence of a trailer. A rod (93) moves the sensing element in response to operation of the release mechanism. If a trailer is supported by the hitch, the assembly blocks movement of the sensor and prevents retraction of the hitch. If no trailer is supported by the hitch, the sensing element allows the release mechanism to unlock the hitch so it can retract.

Abstract: A protective cover (163) for a trailer hitch (1) for use on a railcar (C). The hitch has a support (7), a hitch head (3) carried by the support, a locking mechanism (49) for latching the hitch in an upright, erect position, and a release mechanism (90) for allowing the hitch to retract. The cover comprises a plate (165) substantially covering at least a portion of the support, the locking mechanism, and the release mechanism. One end of the plate is pivotally mounted relative to the railcar and the other end of the plate cammingly engages the hitch support so that as the hitch is erected and retracted, the plate moves with the support and covers at least a portion of the support, the locking mechanism and the release mechanism.

Abstract: An internal water drainage system for an interconnected hollow structural assembly within a railroad pressure discharge hopper car or the like is disclosed. To facilitate water drainage throughout the interconnected hollow structural assembly following hydrostatic pressure testing of the car, water draining passageways are provided in the hollow structural members in an area of juncture between the members, at least along a lowermost extent of each of the hollow structural members. The water drainage passageways are constructed to communicate with a water drain opening provided in the shell of the railroad car, in order to afford gravity flow of water through the hollow structural members and evacuation from the railroad car. A method for hydrostatic pressure testing of a railroad car is also disclosed in which gravity flow evacuation of water through the hollow structural members is achieved by utilizing gravity flow of water throughout.

Abstract: An improvement for a controller (C) for controlling the idle speed of an engine. A logic circuit (1) is responsive to the position of switches (S1, S2) and the direction in which an extendible and retractable member (T) is to be driven by a motor (M) to energize the motor. The logic circuit includes logic gate (3) responsive to both switches being open when the member is at its extreme extended position and the member is to be retracted to energize the motor to retract the member. The logic circuit also includes a logic gate (5) responsive to both the switches being open when the member is at its extreme retracted position and the member is to be extended to energize the motor to extend the member. The motor is thus energized to move the member in the appropriate direction even though a switch which should be closed is open due to dust or debris preventing switch closure.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for use with a carburetor (C) to control the discharge volume from the carburetor's accelerator pump. A valve (5) controls flow of fuel from a fuel discharge port (O) of the pump. A vacuum operated means (9) moves the valve (5) from a position blocking fuel flow from the discharge port to a position permitting fuel flow. A switch (39) controls application of a vacuum to the vacuum operated means (9). A temperature sensor (57) senses engine coolant temperature and switches switch (39) when engine coolant reaches a predetermined temperature so the vacuum operated means (9) is exposed to atmosphere rather than engine vacuum.

Abstract: A spark control apparatus (1) for an internal combustion engine using a breaker point (3) or solid state (5) ignition to control current to an ignition coil (11). The waveform of the ignition signal from the ignition system is applied to a converter section (35) of the apparatus to convert the signal waveform to a predetermined waveform. A sensor (25) senses engine vibration and generates a representative electrical signal which a signal processor (41) processes to determine engine knock by comparing the peak and average values of the signal. A delay circuit (45) delays termination of current to the ignition coil and thus the ignition timing as a function of the comparison of the peak and average values of the control signal. When there is no knock, the timing slowly returns to normal. A driver (50) responds to current signals to control current to the ignition coil. The driver is shut off when the engine is not running to reduce current drain.

Abstract: A support and lift assembly for welded tank courses is provided outboard of a three ring cage used to internally circumferentially weld adjacent tank courses. The support and lift assembly is used to move the welded tank courses into position for another course to be welded on. A tank course conveyor extends longitudinally outboard of the cage. The conveyor is discontinuous at one or more positions and a scissors support and lift assembly is located at such discontinuous positions. A piston is pivotably connected to one of the arms which extends generally horizontally into a cylinder pivotably connected to the other arm. A roller course support is rotatably mounted at the end of each arm to support welded tank courses. A second piston extends vertically between the base and one of the arms and extends into a second cylinder extending vertically and connected to the other of the base and the arm. A first vertical height limit switch is located on the upper surface of a jack in the center ring.

Abstract: A convertible open top hopper car (10) is assembled by longitudinally aligning a pair of railway car stub sills (12) in an assembly position. Transversely extending shear plates (16) are attached to each stub sill. A transversely extending inclined locating plate (18) is integrally connected to the inner end portion of each stub sill. The locating plate preferably includes a flange portion (22) adapted to receive a desired hopper car bottom (24). The bottom may be a conventional gondola bottom having pivoting doors, a light weight gondola bottom for use in cars which are rotated 180.degree. to unload the lading, or a gondola bottom having rapid discharge doors. The bottom selected for application is preferably first attached at each of its ends to the longitudinally spaced locating plates (18). Then hopper car sides (40) including side sills (42) and side sheets (46) are lowered onto the respective shear plates (16) and are welded to the shear plates.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion engine. A contact arm contacts a throttle lever to limit movement of the lever in one direction and to move the lever in the opposite direction so to control the position of a carburetor throttle valve. A vacuum operated unit maintains the contact arm at one position and moves it from one position to another. The vacuum pressure at which the vacuum unit operates is modulated by an electrically operated solenoid to maintain the contact arm in one position when the vacuum pressure is maintained at one level. The contact arm is moved to a new position when the solenoid operates to change the vacuum pressure to a different level.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion engine. A contact arm contacts a throttle lever to limit movement of the lever in one direction and to move the lever in the opposite direction so to control the position of a carburetor throttle valve. A vacuum operated unit maintains the contact arm at one position and moves it from one position to another. The vacuum pressure at which the vacuum unit operates is controlled by an electrically operated variable position solenoid which controls flow of bleed air to the vacuum unit. When the solenoid is maintained at one position, the contact arm is maintained at a particular position by the vacuum unit. The contact arm is moved to a new position when a change in the solenoid position changes the vacuum pressure in the vacuum unit to a different level.

Abstract: A vacuum pressure transducer (1) for sensing vacuum pressure levels and for developing an electrical signal indicative of the vacuum pressure sensed. A housing (3A, 3B) has an inlet (5) connected to a vacuum source (M). A flexible diaphragm (7) extends across the housing for one side of the diaphragm to be exposed to vacuum pressure, the diaphragm flexing within the housing as vacuum pressure changes. An electrical contact (13) is coupled to the diaphragm and movable therewith, and an electrical switch (25) includes a plurality of electrically conductive segments (27) arranged in a predetermined pattern. The electrical contact contacts one or more of the segments as it moves with diaphragm, each combination of segments contacted by the electrical contact at any one time representing a discrete vacuum pressure.

Abstract: Valve means are provided in a discharge opening movable between a closed position blocking communication between a hopper compartment and a discharge conduit. The valve means comprises a segment of an arc which in a closed position spans the distance between outlet slope sheets and is rotatable to an open position located generally below one of the outlet slope sheets. Each arcuate segment is actuated by a gear means. Preferably a worm gear is located above the arcuate segment. A worm gear drive extends transversely of the outlet and is journalled for rotation in bearings sealed with respect to the interior of the outlet. Preferably the worm gear drive is hollow and an activating shaft is located within the worm gear drive which extends outwardly of the outlet side wall slope sheet and at this outlet end includes an operating handle. A first inner portion of the actuating shaft includes first gear engaging means such as a non-round portion which is adapted to engage a non-round end portion of the gear drive.

Abstract: An end closure (1) for a pulsing solenoid P attached to a carburetor (C). A unitary cover (3) has a base section (5) configured to fit against an end wall (EW) of a solenoid housing (H). A forwardly extending skirt section (9) fits about the side wall (SW) of the housing adjacent the end wall thereof. The skirt section has a plurality of tabs (11) projecting from the inner wall of the skirt section. The tabs are received in appropriate openings (0) in the side wall of the housing. A connector shield (13) projects rearwardly from the base section of the cover. A pair of electrical connectors (15A, 15B) are mounted in the shield and extend through the base section of the cover. The electrical connectors matingly connect with a pair of electrical connectors (FC) in the solenoid housing and further connect with an electrical cable routed from an electronic control unit.

Abstract: A hand wheel for operation of a tank car valve located in the tank bottom is provided. The hand wheel is connected to an operating shaft for the tank car valve and includes a body portion having at least one first opening adapted to receive a horizontally extending tool to rotate the valve. The hand wheel also includes an opening in its bottom surface which is adapted to receive another operating tool such as a drive ratchet or a ratchet extension to open and close the lading valve.

Abstract: An improvement to apparatus for adjusting the position to which a carburetor throttle valve closes. A switch 1 senses when the throttle valve moves toward its substantially closed position. The switch includes a set of electrical contacts (3A and 3B). A pin (11) engages an extendible and retractable member (M) for moving one the contacts into contact with the other when the throttle lever contacts the member as the throttle valve closes. A spring (5) biases the pin against the member to preload the member. An adjustment screw (21) adjusts the position of the electrical contacts relative to each other.

Abstract: An open loop electronics circuit (1) for altitude compensation of a carburetor (C) installed on an internal combustion automobile engine (E). The carburetor has an associated solenoid (S) controlling auxiliary air bled into fuel circuits of the carburetor thereby to control the air-fuel ratio of the mixture produced by the carburetor. A bridge (7) continuously senses the density of air which varies as a function of altitude and generates an electrical signal Es the amplitude of which changes in response to changes in air density. A converter (13) is responsive to the electrical signal for generating a variable pulse width control signal Cs supplied to the solenoid. The converter (13) varys the pulse width of the control signal in response to amplitude changes in the electrical signal generated by the bridge circuit whereby the air-fuel ratio of the mixture produced by the carburetor is varied as a function of changes in air density.

Abstract: An air by-pass valve (1) has an air inlet (5), an air outlet (7), a relief port (11), and a relief valve (37) responsive to excessive air pressure for opening the relief port and dumping air to atmosphere. The relief valve comprises a valve member (39) mounted on a stem (23) and movable relative thereto. One side of the valve member is acted on by a spring (41) biasing the valve member to close the relief port. Air pressure acts on the opposite side of the valve member to move the valve member against the spring and open the relief port. The side of the valve member against which the spring acts is contoured so the spring force is unevenly applied to the valve member over the surface on which the spring acts.