Abstract: An outlet gate assembly has upper and lower gate assemblies with independent drive mechanisms to open and close the gates. The drive mechanisms may be rack and pinion drives. The racks for the lower gate do not enter the gate cavity. The outlet gate assembly can be used for vacuum, gravity or pneumatic sled discharge. The vacuum openings are offset from the center plane of the discharge area to allow free flow of lading. The lower gate assembly includes surfaces that cover and protect the lowermost horizontal surfaces of the assembly when the lower gate assembly is closed. Thus, no separate mud plate is needed. The outlet gate assembly includes seals made of an ultra high molecular weight polymer.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly has upper and lower gate assemblies with independent drive mechanisms to open and close the gates. The drive mechanisms may be rack and pinion drives. The racks for the lower gate do not enter the gate cavity. The outlet gate assembly can be used for vacuum, gravity or pneumatic sled discharge. The vacuum openings are offset from the center plane of the discharge area to allow free flow of lading. The lower gate assembly includes surfaces that cover and protect the lowermost horizontal surfaces of the assembly when the lower gate assembly is closed. Thus, no separate mud plate is needed. The outlet gate assembly includes seals made of an ultra high molecular weight polymer.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly has upper and lower gate assemblies with independent drive mechanisms to open and close the gates. The drive mechanisms may be rack and pinion drives. The racks for the lower gate do not enter the gate cavity. The outlet gate assembly can be used for vacuum, gravity or pneumatic sled discharge. The vacuum openings are offset from the center plane of the discharge area to allow free flow of lading. The lower gate assembly includes surfaces that cover and protect the lowermost horizontal surfaces of the assembly when the lower gate assembly is closed. Thus, no separate mud plate is needed. The outlet gate assembly includes seals made of an ultra high molecular weight polymer.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly has upper and lower gate assemblies with independent drive mechanisms to open and close the gates. The drive mechanisms may be rack and pinion drives. The racks for the lower gate do not enter the gate cavity. The outlet gate assembly can be used for vacuum, gravity or pneumatic sled discharge. The vacuum openings are offset from the center plane of the discharge area to allow free flow of lading. The lower gate assembly includes surfaces that cover and protect the lowermost horizontal surfaces of the assembly when the lower gate assembly is closed. Thus, no separate mud plate is needed. The outlet gate assembly includes seals made of an ultra high molecular weight polymer.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly for a hopper type railway car includes a frame defining a discharge chute. Upper and lower gates are mounted in the frame. A compact rack and pinion opening and closing drive moves the upper gate between open and closed positions. The drive includes a pair of racks mounted on the lower surface of the upper gate and extending into the discharge chute through openings in the frame. The openings are sealed during transit and discharge of lading.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly for a hopper type railway car includes a frame adapted to be mounted on an outlet opening in the rail car and a gate in the frame. A conventional rack and pinion opening and closing drive moves the gate between open and closed positions on the frame. An inertial latch mechanism latches the gate in the fully closed position. Actuation of the opening and closing drive displaces the latch to automatically unlatch the gate. Upon impact, an inertial mass bears directly against the latch and transmits a latching force holding the latch closed and preventing opening of the gate.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly for a hopper type railway car includes a frame adapted to be mounted on an outlet opening in the rail car and a gate in the frame. A conventional rack and pinion opening and closing drive moves the gate between open and closed positions on the frame. An inertial latch mechanism latches the gate in the fully closed position. Actuation of the opening and closing drive displaces the latch to automatically unlatch the gate. Upon impact, an inertial mass generates a latching force holding the latch closed and preventing opening of the gate.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly for a hopper type railway car includes a frame adapted to be mounted on an outlet opening in the rail car and a plate in the frame. An integrated rack and pinion drive moves the plate between open and closed positions on the frame. The drive includes a drive shaft, slip sockets mounted on the ends of the drive shaft and connected to the drive shaft through lost motion connections, pinion gears mounted directly to the drive shaft and rotatable with the drive shaft, racks mounted on the plate engaging the pinion gears so that rotation of the drive shaft moves the plate between the open and closed positions and a latch actuated by movement of either socket for latching the plate in the fully closed position and unlatching the plate prior to rotation of the drive shaft to open the plate.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly for a hopper type railway car includes a frame adapted to be mounted on an outlet opening in the rail car and a plate in the frame. An integrated rack and pinion drive moves the plate between open and closed positions on the frame. The drive includes a drive shaft, slip sockets mounted on the ends of the drive shaft and connected to the drive shaft through lost motion connections, pinion gears mounted directly to the drive shaft and rotatable with the drive shaft, racks mounted on the plate engaging the pinion gears so that rotation of the drive shaft moves the plate between the open and closed positions and a latch actuated by movement of either socket for latching the plate in the fully closed position and unlatching the plate prior to rotation of the drive shaft to open the plate.

Abstract: The invention is a resilient lock for a gear drive railway car hopper gate. The lock prevents undesired opening of the gate and spilling of the contents of a railway hopper car. A resilient locking member is located between teeth of one gear and engages teeth of another gear to prevent accidental opening.