Abstract: An outlet valve assembly is provided for a railway tank car. The valve is mounted at the bottom of the tank car for discharging downwardly between the tracks. The valve is operable between the closed position to occlude flow through the valve and an opened position to permit flow through the valve. A shaft is operably connected to, and extends from, the valve on a horizontal axis normal to the length of the tank car for being rotated on the axis to operate the valve between the closed and opened positions. A handle is connected to the shaft at a predetermined distance from the valve, and the handle extends generally radially outwardly from the shaft. The valve is operated between the closed and opened positions when the handle is swung through an arc from an initial orientation to a final orientation.

Abstract: A combination bottom outlet saddle and sump is provided for a railway tank car. The saddle member comprises an upper surface which conforms to the underside of the tank body and is attached thereto in surrounding relationship with an outlet opening formed in the tank body. An opening is formed through the saddle member in fluid communication with the outlet opening. A sump is recessed into the upper surface of the saddle member longitudinally spaced a short distance from the saddle member opening in fluid communication with the outlet opening. A bottom outlet valve is mounted to the lower surface of the saddle member in fluid communication with the saddle member opening. A recessed channel may be provided in the upper surface of the saddle member to permit fluid communication between the sump and the saddle member opening. A skid assembly surrounds the entire saddle member.

Abstract: A skid arrangement to protect an appurtenance which extends from the bottom of a railroad tank car. The skid arrangement includes a ramped box-like frame structure which is defined by longitudinal side plates and transverse end plates and diaphragm plates. The upper edges of the end plates and diaphragm plates are welded to a reinforcing pad. A pair of wood blocks are positioned within and secured to the frame structure in contact with the reinforcing pad by stud members extending therethrough and through the side plates. Impact forces which are applied to the skid arrangement are directed by the stud members into the wood blocks and in turn are directed into the reinforcing pad and uniformly distributed over a substantial length of the body of the tank car.

Abstract: An enclosed railroad hopper car has a valve that controls the discharge of the commodity it carries. The valve is opened and closed by an operating mechanism that is subjected to vibration and inertial forces during transit. This can jar open the valve. A cap for the discharge hopper outlet opening interlocks with the valve operating mechanism when the valve is closed so as to prevent the valve from opening. The cap is held in its open position by a trap that prevents it from swinging closed while the car is being unloaded.

Abstract: A vehicle for transporting a liquid commodity has a combined frangible disc safety vent and siphon unloading pipe nozzle. The siphon unloading pipe passes through a hole in the vehicle that is surrounded by the nozzle side wall. The hole is dimensioned to enable the nozzle to act as a surge chamber that dissipates transient pressure surges and thereby prevents premature breaking of the frangible safety vent disc.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm can be moved to line opposite surfaces of a tank vehicle so that incompatible fluids alternately can be transported in the vehicle without the need for cleaning it. The diaphragm is prevented from entering a manway on the vehicle, and an outage gauge is confined entirely within the manway to prevent damage to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm can be moved to line opposite surfaces of a vehicle so that incompatible fluids alternately can be transported in the vehicle without the need for cleaning it. The edge of the diaphragm may be held against the inside surface of the vehicle container by a series of aligned clamps that are independently movable. The terminal edge of the diaphragm is enclosed in a transient pressure absorbing chamber defined in part by the under surface of the clamps which enables the clamps to exert increased sealing pressure on the diaphragm during the transient pressure surges caused by movement of the liquid when the vehicle changes speed or direction suddenly.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm can be moved to line opposite surfaces of a tank vehicle so that incompatible fluids alternately can be transported in the vehicle without the need for cleaning it. Both sides of the diaphragm are vented to the atmosphere automatically whenever the vehicle container is filled with fluid. The diaphragm is prevented from entering a manway on the vehicle, and an outage gauge is confined entirely within the manway to prevent damage to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm can be moved to line opposite surfaces of a vehicle container so that incompatible fluids alternately can be transported in the vehicle without the need for cleaning it. The edge of the diaphragm may be held against the inside surface of the vehicle container by a clamp. The terminal edge of the diaphragm contacts an abutment around its entire periphery. The clamp extends over the diaphragm terminal edge and the abutment.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm can be moved to line opposite surfaces of a vehicle container so that incompatible fluids alternately can be transported in the vehicle without the need for cleaning it. The container is loaded and unloaded in a manner which causes the diaphragm to neatly lie against the container surface without forming wrinkles, creases or bubbles. The movement of the diaphragm is controlled by the sequence and timing by which inlet and outlet conduits on opposite sides of the diaphragm are opened and closed.