Patents Assigned to ACF Industries
  • Patent number: 5017065
    Abstract: A retractable trailer hitch (1) for use on an intermodal railcar (C) supports an over-the-road trailer (T) of the railcar when the hitch is in its raised position. The hitch includes a hitch head (3) which is releasably securable to the king pin (K) of the trailer. The hitch head is supported by a first or generally vertical support strut (9) and by a second or a diagonal support strut (7), both of these struts being pivotally connected to the hitch head. The lower end of the first strut is pivotally secured in fixed position to the railcar and the lower end of the second strut is selectively locked in a fixed position with respect to the railcar when the hitch is in its raised position. A latch mechanism is carried on the lower end of the second strut so as to positively maintain the hitch in its raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: John A. Krug, James C. Hammonds, Kenneth D. Schmidt, Dennis F. Paglusch
  • Patent number: 5004386
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Schmidt, Jan D. Holt
  • Patent number: 5000358
    Abstract: A low profile pneumatic outlet for a covered hopper railway car is disclosed which allows the bottom slope sheets of the hopper car to be moved downwardly closer to the rail thereby increasing the cubic capacity of the car while maintaining the car within AAR clearances. The low profile aspects of the pneumatic outlet result from the provision of an outlet opening in the bottom of the outlet which is opened and closed by a slidable, translatable gate operated by gate opening and closing cam mechanisms positioned generally horizontally with respect to the gate. The preferred gate operating mechanism is a cam operated mechanism which generates a high mechanical advantage initially upon effecting opening movement of the gate thereby to overcome lading and static friction loads, and then, after movement of the gate has been initiated, a lower mechanical advantage is provided so as to more rapidly move the gate toward its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard H. Dugge
  • Patent number: 4944233
    Abstract: A hatch cover assembly (1) for a railway car (C). A hatch cover (7) is hingedly mounted to a roof (R) of the car for pivotal movement of the cover to open and close a hatch. The axis about which hinging movement occurs is perpendicular to the center line (CL) of the car. A locking strap (31) is rotationally mounted to the cover for movement between a cover locking position and a cover unlocking position. The longitudinal axis of the strap when the cover is in its locking position is also perpendicular to the center line of the car. A latch mechanism (61) adjacent the cover latches the strap in its cover locking position to prevent movement of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard H. Dugge, John W. Coulborn
  • Patent number: 4922833
    Abstract: An end structure for a railway car, and more particularly a covered hopper railway car, is disclosed which has side sill extensions extending diagonally inwardly from the ends of the side sills to the center stub sill for transmitting substantially all of the longitudinal, horizontal loads between the center stub sill and the side sills. A generally vertically extending truss is provided between the center stub sill and the end of the car above the center stub sill so as to withstand overturning moments and vertical loads between the end of the car and the center stub sill. The side sill extensions are tapered in heightwise and widthwise relation so as to minimize weight of these members. The truss includes outer vertical members which are curved so as to blend with the side sheets of the car body thereby to optimize load transfer. Inner truss members are of a convenient rectangular cross section so as to facilitate fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: John W. Coulborn, John A. Krug
  • Patent number: 4890646
    Abstract: An eduction or siphon pipe in a railway tank car extends from adjacent a bottom sump area to a fitting in a top area of the car. The railway tank car has a generally curvilinear inner wall, and the eduction pipe is provided with a shape corresponding to the generally curvilinear inner wall and is supported in proximity thereto. This enables the eduction pipe to readily accommodate radial distortions of the railway tank car during transport. In addition, all (or substantially all) of the fluid commodity in the railway tank car can be withdrawn through the eduction pipe since the lower end thereof may be positioned in close proximity to the bottom sump without concern for radial distortion or deflection of the tank car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul J. Dumser
  • Patent number: 4884723
    Abstract: A gasket for a hopper outlet is disclosed, particularly well-suited for use between the frame of the hopper and the frame of an unloading outlet for a railway hopper car. The gasket has a central metal frame carrying a pair of relatively hard, continuous elastomeric seals along each edge of the frame. Each of the seals has a lip which protrudes upwardly (or downwardly) and outwardly from the body of the gasket so as to be readily compressed upon initially mating with the frames to ensure sealing even if the frames are warped. Such a gasket may be retrofitted to existing outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard H. Dugge
  • Patent number: 4880148
    Abstract: A fluidation kit for retrofit installation on a pneumatic outlet for a railway covered hopper car is disclosed. The outlet includes an outlet pan having downwardly sloping walls. The kit includes at least one air permeable fluidizing membrane on the inside face of the outlet pan wall to fluidize a powdered or pulverant lading. An externally mounted manifold assembly is attached to outside surfaces of the outlet pan for connecting the air permeable fluidizing membranes on the inside surfaces of the downwardly sloping walls of the outlet pan to a source of fluidizing air. The air permeable fluidizing membrane is supported in a peripheral extending frame member which supports the air permeable fluidizing membranes a small predetermined distance above the sloping wall surfaces to provide a plenum therebetween for diffusing fluidizing air throughout the entire extent of the air permeable fluidizing membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4875417
    Abstract: An end structure for a railway car, and more particularly a covered hopper railway car, is disclosed which has side sill extensions extending diagonally inwardly from the ends of the side sills to the center stub sill for transmitting substantially all of the longitudinal, horizontal loads between the center stub sill and the side sills. A generally vertically extending truss is provided between the center stub sill and the end of the car above the center stub sill so as to withstand overturning moments and vertical loads between the end of the car and the center stub sill. A connector casting rigidly interconnects the side sills and the side sill extensions. A transition plate is in face-to-face engagement with the side sheets at the outer ends of the side sills so as to facilitate the transfer of load between the side sills and the side sheets. A cutout is provided in the bottom of the side sills at the ends thereof so as to enable interior welds to be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: John W. Coulborn, John A. Krug
  • Patent number: 4867073
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Dugge
  • Patent number: 4846377
    Abstract: A limp, porous membrane of sheet (i.e., cloth) material for a fluidized outlet is disclosed. The outlet is in communication with a container, such as a hopper within a covered hopper railway car, containing a supply of particulate material for being fluidized and unloaded via the outlet. The outlet comprises an outlet housing, an outlet frame for securing the outlet housing to the hopper, an outlet opening, and outlet walls extending from the frame to the outlet opening. The membrane is secured to the outlet frame and to the outlet opening and is disposed generally on the inside faces of the outlet walls. A manifold is provided for introducing a fluidizing fluid (e.g., air) under pressure between the outlet walls and the membrane such that the fluidizing fluid flows through the membrane thereby to fluidize the lading above the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Perry D. Fix, William B. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4805540
    Abstract: A center stub sill railway tank car is disclosed having a generally cylindric, elongate tank. A center stub sill assembly is secured to the lower portion of the tank at each end thereof for transferring longitudinal train and lading loads between the tank and the center stub sill assembly. A bolster assembly is secured to the center stub sill and extends transversely of the car. An improved cradle assembly is secured to the lower end portion of the tank for reinforcing the tank bottom in the area of the center stub sill, the cradle assembly having an arcuate cradle extending at least in part circumferentially upwardly from the bottom centerline of the tank generally at the longitudinal position of the bolster assembly, and an upwardly facing hat section elongate cradle secured to the bottom end of the tank and extending inboard from the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: James D. Mundloch, William U. Casseau
  • Patent number: 4768684
    Abstract: A gasket for a hopper outlet is disclosed, particularly for use with an unloading outlet for a railway hopper car. The car has hopper walls which slope inwardly and downwardly, and a hopper frame is carried by the lower portions of the hopper walls. The outlet has an outlet frame which mates with and is secured to the hopper frame, with a seal between the hopper frame and the outlet frame for effectively sealing the outlet frame to the hopper frame, and for effectively preventing entrappment of powdered or particulate lading at the interface of the hopper frame and the outlet frame. In one embodiment, such a seal may be retrofitted to existing outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard H. Dugge
  • Patent number: 4723879
    Abstract: An elastomeric in compression trailer hitch cushion for an over-the-road trailer hitch, as mounted on a railway car, is disclosed so as to cushion against longitudinal loads transmitted between the railroad car and the trailer. This trailer hitch cushion serves as the hitch diagonal strut and it has one end thereof secured to the railway car and its other end secured to the vertical hitch strut, with the diagonal cushioning strut being disposed so as to cushion longitudinal loads in either fore or aft direction and to maintain the vertical strut in vertical position. The cushioning strut comprises a frame, compressible elastomeric cushioning members carried by the frame, and a compression load applying system for compressing the elastomeric members relative to the frame upon a longitudinal load in either fore or aft directions relative to the railroad car being applied to the hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jan D. Holt
  • Patent number: 4718795
    Abstract: The difference in the pressure drop in a pneumatic discharge conduit between at least one discharge outlet into the conduit and a point downstream of the discharge outlet caused by lading in the discharge conduit is used to control opening and closing of the lading outlet valve to automatically control pneumatic unloading of lading from a container. In one application, the container is a railway hopper car having a plurality of pneumatic discharge outlets which discharge into a pneumatic discharge conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard H. Dugge
  • Patent number: 4696238
    Abstract: An end structure for a center stub sill railway car is disclosed in which diagonal side sill extensions incline inwardly from the side sills to the center stub sill side for transmitting the longitudinal train loads between the stub sill and the side sills with the side sill extensions constituting the only horizontal, longitudinal load path between the stub sill and the side sills. A truss is disposed in a vertical transverse plane for transmitting overturning moments between the end of the car and the center stub sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert H. Billingsley, Jr., Steven L. Jantzen, Walter E. O'Leary, John A. Krug
  • Patent number: 4690071
    Abstract: In a stub sill type railway hopper car the shear plate is eliminated and a truss arrangement is located in the end structure resulting in less weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert H. Billingsley, Steven L. Jantzen
  • Patent number: 4677917
    Abstract: A high volume covered railway hopper car is disclosed which has vertical end walls so as to fully utilize the space over the trucks of the car for lading volume. An automatic pneumatic unloading system is provided so as to unload a pulverant lading from the end compartments or hoppers, as well as the center, of the car, thus eliminating the necessity of sloped end sheets. A pneumatic loading system is provided which permits loading from below and thus permits the elimination of hatches, walkways, and the like on the roof of the car so as to permit the roof to extend substantially the full extent of AAR height clearances thereby to further maximize the lading volume of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard H. Dugge, Eugene J. Cordani
  • Patent number: 4646653
    Abstract: In a stub sill open top railroad car, such as a gondola or hopper car particularly adapted for coal service, a corner fitting or casting is provided at each end of the car joining the top chord extending along each side of the car with the end chord, the latter extending transversely of the car at the upper ends thereof. The corner casting includes projections which extend into the top and end chords so as to facilitate making an integral (i.e., welded) connection between the chords and an adjacent end diagonal member. In one embodiment, the casting includes a downwardly extending portion which is received within and to which the diagonal is welded, while in another embodiment, a connection plate is utilized to secure the end diagonals to the corner casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip A. Balbi, John W. Coulborn
  • Patent number: 4641677
    Abstract: A top-operated, outside unloading device for a bottom discharge railway tank car is disclosed. The tank car has an outlet valve in its bottom which is opened and closed by an operating rod connected to the valve and which extends up through the interior of the tank car. The operating rod projects out through the top of the tank car and is rotated by means of a hand wheel. The upper end of the operating rod is sealed with respect to the tank car by compressible packing seals carried by a packing body surrounding the upper end of the operating rod. The packing body has a part-spherical lower end which mates with a seat surrounding the opening in the top of the tank car through which the operating rod extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert F. Needham