Abstract: A vented end cap for an outlet gate comprises a generally cylindrical body, a disc-shaped end wall with at least one flow aperture; a vent hood on the exterior of the end wall defines an air flow passage having an inlet opening and communicates with the flow aperture; a filter support housing on the interior surface of the end wall, defines an air flow chamber having an exit opening communicating with the flow aperture, and with the interior of the vented end cap. A filter media is supported on filter support housing between the flow aperture and the exit opening. A railroad car outlet gate includes one of the vented end caps at each end of a discharge tube with outlet openings at each end. A method includes removal of one vented end cap and applying a vacuum to the uncovered discharge opening. In one form, a filter clean seal is disposed at each outlet opening.

Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for an outlet valve of a tank car wherein the outlet valve has a valve stem rotatable about an axis and is operative to open and close the outlet valve. The handle assembly includes a valve handle for manually opening the outlet valve, a rotatable shaft coupled to the handle, and a coupling coupled to the outlet valve and selectively coupleable to the shaft. A valve rotation control structure includes a first movement control component on one of the coupling and the shaft. The valve rotation control structure is configured to permit the coupling or shaft to move parallel to the axis of the valve stem between a first locked position and a second rotatable position and to rotate about the axis of the valve stem between a first valve closed position and a second valve open position at the second rotatable position.

Abstract: A gasket for sealing between the open end of a manway nozzle body of a containment vessel and an associated cover comprising a resilient annular ring member having a bail including a plurality of rigid arcuate inserts spaced about the bail that extends between radially inner and radially outer depending legs. The bail includes at least one annular upstanding chevron extending about an upper surface and at least one annular depending chevron extending about a lower surface. The inserts and bail have about the same thickness. A method includes compressing the gasket between the manway nozzle and cover, and the rigid inserts limit the compression of the gasket.

Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for an outlet valve of a tank car wherein the outlet valve has a valve stem rotatable about an axis and is operative to open and close the outlet valve. The handle assembly includes a valve handle for manually opening the outlet valve, a rotatable shaft coupled to the handle, and a coupling coupled to the outlet valve and selectively coupleable to the shaft. A valve rotation control structure includes a first movement control component on one of the coupling and the shaft. The valve rotation control structure is configured to permit the coupling or shaft to move parallel to the axis of the valve stem between a first locked position and a second rotatable position and to rotate about the axis of the valve stem between a first valve closed position and a second valve open position at the second rotatable position.

Abstract: A gasket for sealing between the open end of a manway nozzle body of a containment vessel and an associated cover comprising a resilient annular ring member having a bail including a plurality of rigid arcuate inserts spaced about the bail that extends between radially inner and radially outer depending legs. The bail includes at least one annular upstanding chevron extending about an upper surface and at least one annular depending chevron extending about a lower surface. The inserts and bail have about the same thickness. A method includes compressing the gasket between the manway nozzle and cover, and the rigid inserts limit the compression of the gasket.

Abstract: A connection assembly for sealing to an end of a tube includes a polymeric body having an opening configured to slidably receive the end of the tube. The opening further has a first open end, a second end, and an internal sealing surface spaced from the open end. A reinforcement member is spaced from and generally surrounds at least a portion of the opening and includes a body section and an end portion with the end portion being generally adjacent the internal sealing surface. A sealing member is adjacent the internal sealing surface of the opening and is configured to interact with the internal sealing surface of the opening and the end of the tube to form a seal between the connection member and the tube. A locking device is configured to secure the connection assembly to the tube.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly includes a body and an elongated discharge opening. An elongated discharge conduit is generally adjacent the discharge opening and is configured to pass material through either of the first discharge end and the second discharge end. A valve assembly controls the flow of material from the discharge opening into the discharge conduit and includes a direct motion component and a lost motion component and a lost motion coupling between the direct motion component and the lost motion component. Each of the direct motion component and the lost motion component is rotatable to move between an open position and a closed position and the valve assembly is operable from either the first end or the second end of the body.

Abstract: A connection assembly for sealing to an end of a tube includes a polymeric body having an opening including an open end and an internal sealing surface spaced from the open end. The opening is configured to slidably receive the end of the tube. A reinforcement member is spaced from and generally surrounds at least a portion of the opening and a sealing member is adjacent the internal sealing surface of the opening. The sealing member is configured to interact with the internal sealing surface of the opening and the end of the tube to form a seal between the connection assembly and the tube.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly with a body, a discharge conduit having opposite ends defining discharge openings, an air flow conduit having an air flow opening adjacent each of the discharge openings and removable covers, each enclosing one of the discharge openings, and the adjacent air flow opening of the air flow conduit. The covers define a flow path between the discharge opening and adjacent air flow opening. In another form the air flow conduit from each air flow opening comprises a separate tube. Also a cover is disclosed for the discharge tube of an outlet gate for a railroad car that is vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A fluid coupling including an annular adapter with a cam receiving groove and an annular coupler slidable onto the adapter with cam levers movable to engage cams within the cam receiving groove. The adapter is made of Ultra High Density Polyethylene and has a metal insert or collar defining the cam receiving groove.

Abstract: An eduction tube assembly made of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material for use on a containment vessel for corrosive liquids. It includes a vertical eduction tube and a unitary transition flange member having a first flange for connection of the assembly to an attachment flange associated with the vessel and a second flange to receive a connected hose flange. A single segmented ring with multi-directional capability is disposed between the flanges and receives securement elements to accomplish both connections. Bolts are used for one connection, upstanding threaded studs secured to the segmented ring are used for the other.

Abstract: A gasket for a railroad car manway nozzle and cover includes an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion joined by a generally planar annular body portion defining an upper annular cover sealing surface and a lower annular nozzle body sealing surface. Concentric annular chevrons are formed on the upper and lower annular sealing surfaces. In one form, the chevrons have a uniform height relative to the upper and lower sealing surfaces. In a modified form, the height of the chevrons varies relative to the surfaces from the which they extend. The height of the chevrons is a minimum where the gasket is radially aligned with cover clamping bolts and a maximum at radial locations midway between clamping bolts. A tab depending from the outer leg portion provides visual verification of the presence of the gasket.

Abstract: A fluid coupling including an annular adapter with a cam receiving groove and an annular coupler slidable onto the adapter with cam levers movable to engage cams within the cam receiving groove. The adapter is made of Ultra High Density Polyethylene and has a metal insert or collar defining the cam receiving groove.

Abstract: A pickling process for descaling metal includes a two-stage filtering process to remove pickling liquor fog, mist, and/or vapors from a gas collected during the descaling process. The process includes a two-stage filtering arrangement that includes a first stage filter, which is arranged to remove a liquid phase of the pickling liquor from the gas, and a second stage filter, which is arranged to remove a gaseous phase of the pickling liquor the said gas. The recovered pickling liquor can advantageously be recycled for reuse because it is recovered in a relatively higher concentration that has heretofore been possible.

Abstract: A flange plate closure for accessing a containment vessel has a metal base plate, having an interior and an exterior surface, at least one vertical metal tube having an open end, a metal flange ring at said open end defining an upper planar surface, and a lining made of non-corrosive material. The lining is disposed in overlying relation to the interior surface of the base plate, the interior of the tube and the upper planar surface of the flange ring. The lining is rigid, and is mechanically affixed to the metal components. The lining is made of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.

Abstract: A gasket for a railroad car manway nozzle and cover includes an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion joined by a generally planar annular body portion defining an upper annular cover sealing surface and a lower annular nozzle body sealing surface. Concentric annular chevrons are formed on the upper and lower annular sealing surfaces. In one form, the chevrons have a uniform height relative to the upper and lower sealing surfaces. In a modified form, the height of the chevrons varies relative to the surfaces from the which they extend. The height of the chevrons is a minimum where the gasket is radially aligned with cover clamping bolts and a maximum at radial locations midway between clamping bolts. A tab depending from the outer leg portion provides visual verification of the presence of the gasket.

Abstract: A gasket for a railroad car manway nozzle and cover includes an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion joined by a generally planar annular body portion defining an upper annular cover sealing surface and a lower annular nozzle body sealing surface. Concentric annular chevrons are formed on the upper and lower annular sealing surfaces. In one form, the chevrons have a uniform height relative to the upper and lower sealing surfaces. In a modified form, the height of the chevrons varies relative to the surfaces from which they extend. The height of the chevrons is a minimum where the gasket is radially aligned with cover clamping bolts and a maximum at radial locations midway between clamping bolts. A tab depending from the outer leg portion provides visual verification of the presence of the gasket.

Abstract: A system for monitoring railroad cars comprising a hatch cover assembly including a cover body, a sensor, a wireless transmitter for transmitting data received from the sensor, a wireless receiver for receiving the data from the wireless transmitter, and a satellite transmitter for transmitting the data to a satellite. The wireless receiver and the satellite transmitter are attached to the hatch cover assembly. In one embodiment, the sensor is a pressure sensor having a sensing unit situated in the plenum of a vented hatch cover. In another embodiment, the sensor is an air flow sensor having a sensing unit situated in the plenum of a vented hatch cover. In another embodiment, the sensor is a chain tension sensor attached to a handbrake chain. In another embodiment, the sensor is a hatch cover position attached to the hatch cover assembly.

Abstract: A multiple port, parallel access, piping flange has a body with a forward face, a rear face and a throughbore. A plurality of extension segments include a partial bore extending from the forward face, and a radial bore in fluid communication with the partial bore, at least some of which are in communication with the throughbore. In one form, the piping flange includes a tube secured in the throughbore having holes in communication with the radial bores in some extension segments. A separate partial bore extends through the rear face of the body and communicates with at least one radial bore in at least one extension segment. A metal segmented ring is employed to support connection elements.

Abstract: A universal attachment flange to connect equipment utilized to perform a task to various connection arrangements. A universal attachment flange is provided with a plurality of hole patterns to permit a bolted attachment of the flange to other devices that present varying patterns of bolt receiving holes. The universal attachment flange is capable of connection to a variety of four (4) hole patterns and at least one three (3) hole pattern. In one form the universal attachment flange includes a through hole threaded to receive a connection fitting.