Abstract: A pivoting hatch cover and strap assembly has an overcenter latch assembly which is pivotably mounted upon the car roof at a location opposite the common hatch cover and strap pivot axis. This latch assembly includes a bifurcated overcenter locking handle which has a pair of cam surfaces which in closed position engage spaced wear plate surfaces located on the strap. A tab is located on the wear plate adjacent to but outboard of the cam surface on the operating handle. The tab makes a sufficient angle with the horizontal and extends upwardly and outwardly from the cam surface a distance sufficient to prevent the cam portion of the operating handle from moving longitudinally, and disengaging from the strap until pressure within the car is dissipated and thus prevents the strap and cover flying open.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an unloading assembly for a top operated lading valve is disclosed. The unloading assembly includes means for connecting an unloading outlet chamber to the existing depending valve outlet chamber of the lading valve. The unloading outlet chamber is hollow and is in fluid communication with the lading valve outlet chamber. The unloading assembly includes an operating shaft extending upwardly through the unloading outlet chamber and through the valve outlet chamber. The operating shaft includes a non-round connection portion adapted to engage a non-round connection portion of the top operating rod.

Abstract: At least one ball valve segment is located within a partial valve cage mounted within a tank. The cage is integral with a valve housing removably mounted within a tank mounting flange. The housing includes an inclined sealing surface which the ball valve segment engages in closed position. A lading outlet chamber is located below the inclined sealing surface. An operating shaft is inclined with respect to the outlet chamber. Inclined openings are provided in the valve housing and in the outlet chamber through which the operating shaft passes. The operating shaft includes an eccentric head which is located within a non-round slot in the ball valve segment. Rotation of the operating shaft rotates the eccentric head which drives the valve segment between open and closed positions. Preferably a pair of ball valve segments located approximately 180.degree. apart are connected with supports or ribs. The valve segment which closes the opening into the discharge chamber is larger.

Abstract: A reciprocating gate valve having an adjustable low stress stem connection structure (70) for connecting an operating stem (42) to a gate member (24). The connection structure includes a stem extension (78) formed on the bottom end of the operating stem (42) threadably receiving a collar (84) having an axial bore (86) coaxial with the stem (42) and extending therethrough receiving a gate extension (72) formed on the top end of the gate member (24). The collar (84) has a slot (96) extending generally perpendicular to the axial bore (86) in the direction of fluid flow through the valve. An adjusting nut (106) fits into the slot (96) and threadably engages the gate extension (72). The slot (96) permits movement of the nut (106) and gate member (24) relative to the longitudinal axis of the stem (42) in a direction generally parallel to the direction of fluid flow through to the gate valve.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a container outlet valve assembly (10) is provided including a generally cone-shaped housing (12) extending upwardly into the container, and including radially spaced openings (14) in the housing for lading to flow out of the container. A cone valve (30) is located within the housing containing spaced openings (34) which align with the openings (14) in the cone housing when the cone valve is in open position. A liner (36) of low friction material is attached to the outer surface of the cone valve and/or the inner surface of the cone housing. The cone valve is rotatable to a closed position in which the valve body closes the openings located in the housing (FIG. 3). An unloading chamber (44) is located below the cone valve and is attached to a tank mounting flange (18) with shearable fasteners (24). The flange does not extend below the tank bottom in excess of one (1) inch.

Abstract: A permeable membrane seal (10) includes a body portion (12) made of elastomeric material. The body portion includes an elongated slot (18) to receive a permeable membrane (20). The membrane is held in place with stitches of thread (22) sewn at about 90.degree. to the seal body portion. The stitched threads substantially prevent a flow path of fluidizing air from the permeable material outwardly to either side of the elastomeric body portion. Mechanical fasteners (44) located outboard of the stitches hold the reinforced elastomeric body portion in place between a hopper mounting flange and an outlet mounting flange. Optional fabric reinforcement increases the tensile strength of the elastomeric material to better withstand the membrane pressure load applied by the fluidizing media. The fabric reinforcement (14) is preferably molded integral with the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A railroad car (12) has a set (B1) of brakes acting on wheels (W1) at one end of the car and a set (B2) of brakes acting on wheels (W2) at the opposite end of the car. A mechanism (38) for applying a brake force produced by operation of a hand brake (HB) includes a force splitter (40) interconnected with the hand brake and one set (B1) of wheels to transmit the brake force to this set of brakes. A first torque unit (54) is interconnected with the force splitter to transfer the brake force from one end of the car to the other. A second torque unit (74) is interconnected with the first torque unit and the other set (B2) of brakes to transmit the brake force to this other set of brakes. Application of both sets of brakes in response to operation of the hand brake prevents movement of the car.

Abstract: In a tank ball valve assembly the ball valve includes a hollow depending sleeve which extends below the tank bottom. A handle is attached to the sleeve to rotate the ball valve between open and closed positions. An outlet chamber surrounds the sleeve and includes a slot to allow rotation of the handle 90.degree. between open and closed positions. The outlet chamber extends directly below the sleeve and the unloading spout is not offset.

Abstract: A high pressure sealing connection for sealing between connected coaxially aligned members (22, 10). The connection comprises a metallic sealing ring (40) having annular end surfaces (52, 53) adjacent each end and tapering outwardly therefrom. The ring at its largest external diameter is provided with a cylindrical surface (51) intermediate the frusto-conical sealing surfaces (52, 53). At its inner periphery, upper and lower flanges (61, 62) extend inwardly and perpendicularly to the axis of the ring. The coaxially aligned members (22, 10) are provided with recesses defined by opposed internal frusto-conical sealing surfaces (41, 42) at their adjoining ends, each tapering inwardly from the end of the member to an annular shoulder (43, 44) in the bore of the aligned member. The frusto-conical surfaces (41, 42) are of equal taper in the range of 5.degree. to 20.degree.

Abstract: A pressure energizable sealing connection for establishing a bore seal between first and second coaxially aligned and connected members (22, 10) having opposed internal recesses forming seat pockets at their adjoining ends. The invention comprises a sealing ring (40) having annular end surfaces (56, 54) and an internal diameter which corresponds to the bores of the coaxially aligned members (22, 10), the connection of which is to be sealed. The ring (40) is provided with a pair of circumferential projections (67, 68) separated by a groove (69) therebetween and each having an external surface of arcuate configuration. At their adjoining ends (25, 26) the opposed seat pockets of the adjoining members (22, 10) provide annular cylindrical walls (41, 42) for sealing engagement with the annular projections (67, 68) of the sealing ring (40).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a lock block link 34 has a first end 36 connected to a trailer hitch bumper block 22 and a second end 40 which engages a lock block 46 which holds the hitch jaws 16 in closed position. The lock block link 34 is supported by an operating shaft link 54 extending from a manual operating shaft 50 extending to the side of the hitch. When the bumper block 22 is engaged by a tractor, the bumper block rotates about pins 30 connecting the bumper block to the hitch head 10. This rotation moves the lock block link 34 and in turn the lock block 46 rearwardly, which allows the jaws 16 to rotate to open position to allow exit of the trailer king pin. A lost motion connection 31 is provided in the connection between the first end of the lock block link and the bumper block to allow the lock block link 34 to move relative to the bumper block when the lock block 46 is moved rearwardly manually by the operating shaft.

Abstract: A packing support assembly (10) which is sleeved about a well casing ("C"), or the like, and secured thereto without the need for piercing the casing wall or welding thereto. The support assembly (10) comprises a support ring (12) which is sleeved about the casing ("C") and secured thereto by a gripping means in the form of a plurality of clamping segments (14) having serrated surfaces (40) adapted to grip the external wall of the casing ("C"). The clamping segments (14) are held in an unactivated position by retaining screws (46) which secure the clamping segments (14) to the support ring (12). To activate, the clamping segments (14) are wedged inwardly to grip the casing ("C") by a plurality of activating pins (54) which are threadably received into the bottom of the support ring (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a gate valve (10) having both visual and electrical position indicating means for signalling when the valve is in the fully open and fully closed conditions. A position indicator housing (50) on the valve body (11) receives and accommodates therein a longitudinal valve stem extension (33) of the gate element (15) as the gate element moves between the open and closed positions. The indicator housing (50) is filled with transparent oil and sealed off from fluid communication with the valve chamber (12) and a diaphragm (135) in the wall of the indicator housing accommodates movement of the gate extension (33) inwardly and outwardly of the indicator housing (50) and is exposed to the fluid environments internal and external of said housing to avoid pressure differentials across the housing wall.

Abstract: The clamping assembly includes a pair of clamping arms extending outwardly from a clamp base portion. Each arm includes a cutaway portion to receive the bulbous engagement portion of the article to be lifted and a front gripping portion to engage and grip a non-bulbous, preferably generally flat portion of the article. At least one arm is movable and is pivotably mounted about the base portion for movement between a clamping position in which the gripping portion of the arm engages and grips the non-bulbous portion of the article to be lifted, and an open position wherein the gripping portion of the movable arm is located away from the gripping portion of the other arm to allow entry or removal of the article. The base portion is pivotably mounted about a clamp support whereby the assembly may be used either vertically or horizontally. The clamp support includes means to support the clamp assembly by means of cables extending from an overhead crane.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an expanding gate valve comprising an outer loose fitting main ring (31) with a resilient face seal (41) for sealing against an expanding gate assembly which is mounted in a valve chamber (11) and an inner auxiliary ring (44) fitting loosely in a counterbore recess in the main ring (31) for sealing against the rear wall (35) of a seat pocket (26). An O-ring (61) between opposed surfaces (51, 52) of the rings (31, 44) continuously urges the rings apart and their orientation such that when the gate assembly is expanded in its open and closed positions, the front face (38) of the main ring (31) is flush against the adjacent sealing surface (25) of the gate assembly and the rear face (46) of the auxiliary ring (44) is flush against the rear wall (35) of the seat pocket (26).

Abstract: A combination vacuum relief valve and pressure relief valve assembly includes a top cover plate which is movable vertically to vent a predetermined pressure in the tank above atmospheric. The top cover plate is resiliently mounted with springs which resiliently bias the cover into the closed position to determine the pressure at which the top cover plate moves to vent pressure in the tank. The vacuum relief valve is located below the top cover plate. First passageways provide fluid communication between the outside atmosphere and the lower surface of the vacuum relief valve. Second passageways provide fluid communication between the top surface of the vacuum relief valve, the bottom surface of the top cover plate and the interior of the tank.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, in a pneumatic outlet a discharge tube is attached to sloped outlet walls having lips at their lower inner edges. A rotatable control valve is located within the discharge tube. The control valve is provided with a pattern of openings for metering flow of lading into the discharge tube and is arranged to reduce or eliminate pellets from becoming trapped in the valve opening. Preferably the metering contour includes a pattern of sharp edges and tapered recesses. The tapered recesses are arranged to guide pellets away from the valve opening. The sharp edges will shear the remaining pellets which are trapped in the metering opening, thus avoiding jamming the control tube. The control valve further comprises arcuate segment of less than 180.degree..

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a tank car bottom outlet mounting flange is provided with a stepped valve seat slot to receive a contained valve seat member. The valve seat is provided with an upper internal valve seat portion to receive a valve closure. A valve seat body portion located below the valve seat portion is provided with a valve seat slot to receive an operator retainer to prevent the operator from moving vertically during operation. A valve seat flange portion extends radially outwardly from the valve seat body portion and is provided with first fastener openings for holding the valve seat member in place within the mounting flange and supporting the valve closure and any lading in the tank. The valve seat flange portion is provided with second fastener openings, preferably circumferentially spaced from the first fastener openings to receive fasteners to hold in place an outlet chamber extending below the valve seat member.

Abstract: A tractor operated hitch is provided including a vertical strut and a diagonal strut, each connected to the hitch head and which provide the sole support for the hitch head. A bumper block assembly is pivotably mounted about the hitch head which depends from and extends outwardly from the hitch head in a direction away from the diagonal strut a distance sufficient to locate a bumper within the industry standard distance above the deck. On the opposite side of its pivot point the bumper block assembly is connected to a diagonal strut linkage which, upon application of sufficient force by the tractor to the bumper, will pivot the bumper block assembly about its pivot point and disconnect the diagonal strut linkage from an upright, engaged position to a retracted position on the deck.

Abstract: A fire-safe valve structure for a valve of the type having a valve body with a flow passage (18, 20) therethrough and a valve chamber which houses a valve element (70) for opening and closing the flow passage, the valve chamber becoming sealed off from the flow passage in the open and closed conditions. An annular metallic seat (110) with a port (200), which extends between its inner and outer annular surfaces (186, 188) and so located as to communicate the valve chamber with the flow passage, is disposed in an annular seat pocket (28) formed around the flow passage (20) on the upstream side of the valve. The seat pocket (28) opens to the valve chamber (50) and the metallic seat (110) is provided with sealing means (196) for sealing with the valve element (70) in the open or closed condition.