Abstract: A pneumatic discharge arrangement for railway hopper cars includes a housing secured to a discharge end of a hopper including a chamber having an elongated opening. The opening is regulated by a sliding pivoting valve disposed beneath the opening within a trough that is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic conveyer. Movement of the sliding pivoting valve is accomplished by an operating mechanism from either side of the railway car.

Abstract: An auto railway car having a plurality of decks is provided with a pair of folding door structures for closing the loading end of the car. The doors are hinged on spherical bearing structures and include locking mechanisms for locking the doors in open or closed positions.

Abstract: A lightweight wheel and axle assembly that reduces unsprung weight thereby improving the ride. The assembly also diminishes hunting and reduces tendencies towards unstable dynamic conditions. The wheel and axle assembly is easily adaptable to conventional three-piece trucks as well as to other truck designs.

Abstract: A storage building includes a plurality of individual compartments for housing sponge iron pellets immediately after they leave a gaseous reduction vessel. The compartments include provisions for discharging the pellets to conveying means and each of the housings is provided with a temperature monitoring arrangement adapted to signal excessive temperatures occurring therein.

Abstract: A heat monitoring and conveying arrangement for newly manufactured sponge iron pellets which were heated up during manufacture at a direct reduction reactor unit, and are ready for transfer to another unit of the plant. The arrangement includes conveying means for moving the pellets, and infra-red sensors supported within an enclosure positioned over the conveying means. The infra-red sensors are adapted to sense the temperature of the sponge iron pellets, and actuate means for segregating sponge iron pellets when heated to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature required for further processing of the sponge iron pellets.

Abstract: A covered railway hopper car includes a plurality of vertical partition sheets connected to the side walls of the car to form a plurality of hoppers. The connection of the vertical edges of the partition sheets to the inner surfaces of the side walls includes vertical posts of a cross-sectional configuration reducing stress concentration of the partition to prevent fracture.

Abstract: A door locking mechanism for a railway hopper car includes a rotatable latch or rotor member engaging a keeper on the door for releasably locking the same. The latch member includes abutment faces which are engaged in locking position by a spring loaded lever. The lever includes a flat surface engaging a rounded cam surface on the rotor for positioning the same in a release position.

Abstract: The side discharge doors of a railway hopper car are maintained in a closed and locked position by a rotatable latch element which is engaged by a stop and lock member. The stop and lock member is connected to a linkage rigging arrangement which is moved by a ground actuated operating and tripping mechanism. The tripping mechanism includes a cam actuated arm which by linkage means transmits vertical movement to horizontal movement of the linkage rigging which actuates the latch and locking members of the doors.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gaseous reduction of iron ore to sponge iron includes upper, intermediate and lower vessel chamber portions with the intermediate and lower chamber portions having a frusto-conical shape. An annular baffle projects from the intermediate chamber into the lower chamber and provides a configuration for cooling without the requirement of an internal coil type water cooling system.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement for moving steel slabs on motor driven rollers includes a stop assembly which is positionable in the path of movement of the slabs for preventing further movement. The shock of the moving slab against the stop plate is absorbed by a plurality of spherical elastomeric cushion members positioned to achieve maximum cushioning efficiency.

Abstract: A railway car for carrying autos includes a loading end having lower folding and an upper swinging door which is actuated from the lower platform of the car. The upper and lower doors are opened and closed independently to provide a complete closure for loading end.

Abstract: A center sill-less hopper car is provided with a body-mounted brake arrangement using a conventional brake beam and brake system. The arrangement includes the mounting of the individual components in a manner which accommodates the operation of the discharge gates of the hopper in discharging material downwardly from the car.

Abstract: A railway hopper car includes laterally positioned bottom dump discharge openings and doors which are locked in a closed position by a latching mechanism actuated from a ground-mounted trip lever. After the car has been dumped it is moved adjacent to a ground-mounted cam which is engaged by cam followers on the doors thereby swinging the doors again to the closed position.

Abstract: Sponge iron produced at a direct reduction plant is placed into containers and transported to a smelting furnace whereupon the container and contents are dumped into the furnace for charging the same.

Abstract: A sleeping berth movable between storage and sleep positions and having hinge means connecting the berth to a compartment wall, releasable latch means including latch levers for engaging within latch keepers, guide means for guiding the berth during movement between positions and means for locking the berth in the sleep position. The guide means comprise a horizontal guide track having closed ends, a guide roller supported for movement within the guide track and a berth support link, the support link having one end portion pinned to the berth and the other end portion connected to the guide roller. One end of the support link engages a latch lever and locks the berth while disposed in the sleep position.

Abstract: A bottom dump hopper car includes a pair of closure doors interconnected for conjoint movement. One of the doors is provided with a pivoted arm extending toward the center sill and is in operative engagement with a pivoted locking latch. The latch includes a stop and a follower element and is pivotally moved between door opening and closing position by means of a reciprocating actuation rod containing a cam element engagable with the follower element.

Abstract: A railway car wheel profilometer accurately transcribes the profile of the wheel treads onto a removable card for permanent record and later analysis. The device also measures the diameter of the wheel.

Abstract: A valve mounting flange connected over the outlet of a railway car tank includes a body having a tapered skirt which protects a release valve and other associated mechanisms against breakage which could result in rupture of the tank shell.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide removal efficiency of a horizontal cross-flow gas liquid contactor is increased by decreasing the interfering spray density.

Abstract: An extruded treadway includes a plurality of interlocking panels having upper surfaces which include nonskid members of pyramidal shape disposed in rectilinear configuration.