Abstract: A control arrangement is provided to control discharges of compressed gas to vessels containing difficult to unload material comprising one or more control valves connected in operative relation to discharge valves operative to discharge compressed gas from an accumulator. The control valves are provided with a time control circuit for controlling the time of discharge of compressed gas from the accumulator(s). This time control circuit may comprise a pneumatic, electro-mechanism and/or electronic timers. The control arrangement may also include an arrangement for applying pressure gas to discharge valves which are in operative relation with accumulator discharge devices which are not being utilized for unloading. Various arrangements for mounting the accumulators, discharge valves, conduits, and discharge devices are illustrated in connection with a railway hopper car. Certain discharge devices mounting arrangements are preferred in unloading certain types of lading.

Abstract: A vacuum relief valve assembly includes a vacuum valve member located below a top cover plate and is thus protected from the atmosphere. First passageways defined in part by a bottom cover plate provide communication between the outside atmosphere and the lower surface of the valve. Second passageways provide communication between the upper surface of the valve and the inside of the container. When the pressure in the container is below atmospheric, atmospheric pressure acting on the bottom of the valve lifts the valve and air flows through the first and second passageways until atmospheric pressure is reached in the tank. A pressure relief valve is mounted for pivotal movement relative to an opening providing communication between the pressure in the tank and the first passageways to vent pressure in the tank. The pressure relief valve is protected from the atmosphere by the top cover plate, and in one embodiment, by the vacuum relief valve.

Abstract: In a bottom operable tank car lading valve assembly, a combination skid and lading valve seat for the lading valve closure is provided, which is attached to the tank car universal flange with mechanical fasteners. The valve seat portion extends inwardly and upwardly from the universal flange and includes a machined seat. The skid portion extends upwardly and outwardly from the universal flange, forming a circumferential taper, and the upper portion abuts the bottom of the tank. The outer end of the skid is connected to the tank with fasteners which do not require stress relieving of the tank body. The skid portion protects the lading valve closure and the lading valve seats against impacts which might normally cause unseating of the valve closure and escape of the lading in the absence of the skid portion.

Abstract: In a bottom operable tank car lading valve assembly, a combination skid and lading valve seat for the lading valve closure is provided, which is attached to the tank car universal flange with mechanical fasteners. The valve seat portion extends inwardly and upwardly from the universal flange and includes a machined seat. The skid portion extends upwardly and outwardly from the universal flange, forming a circumferential taper, and the upper portion abuts the bottom of the tank. The outer end of the skid portion is connected to the tank with fasteners which do not require stress relieving of the tank body. The skid portion protects the lading valve closure and the lading valve seats against impacts which might normally cause unseating of the valve closure and escape of the lading in the absence of the skid portion.

Abstract: Enclosed covered hopper cars are interconnected by conduits to form a partial or complete unit-train for liquid lading service, particularly liquid petroleum. The conduits are at least partially flexible to negotiate curves in the road bed. Preferably the conduits joining adjacent hoppers extend between openings located in the upper portion of the end hoppers. Preferably at the bottom of each hopper a hopper floor is removably attached to a hopper outlet mounting flange. The hopper floor includes a lading opening. A longitudinal tube is located below the lading openings, extending between the end floor sheets. A conduit extends from the upper portion of one end hopper in the car to the longitudinal tube to enable the cars to be unloaded by positive pressure applied to an end car of a group of cars.

Abstract: In a bottom operable tank car lading valve assembly, a combination skid and lading valve seat for the lading valve closure is provided, which is attached to the tank car universal flange with mechanical fasteners. The valve seat portion extends inwardly and upwardly from the universal flange and includes a machined seat. The skid portion extends upwardly and outwardly from the universal flange, forming a circumferential taper, and the upper portion abuts the bottom of the tank. The skid portion protects the lading valve closure and the lading valve seat against impacts which might normally cause unseating of the valve closure and escape of the lading in the absence of the skid portion.

Abstract: A control arrangement is provided to control discharges of compressed gas into vessels containing difficult to unload material comprising one or more control valves connected in operative relation to discharge valves operative to discharge compressed gas from an accumulator into the vessel. The control valves are provided with a timer for controlling the time of discharge of compressed gas from the accumulator. This timer may comprise a pneumatic, electro-mechanism and/or electronic timer. The control arrangement may also include means for applying pressure gas to discharge valves which are in operative relation with accumulator discharge devices which are not being utilized for unloading. Various arrangements for mounting the accumulators, discharge valves, conduits, and discharge devices are illustrated in connection with a railway hopper car. Certain discharge device mounting arrangements are preferred in unloading certain types of lading.

Abstract: In a combination hatch cover for railway car roofs,including a large cover having a smaller cover mounted thereon, each having their own separately operable latch, a supplemental locking arrangement is provided to maintain the small cover in closed position when the latch cover is moved to open position resting on the car roof.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a combination hatch cover design is provided in a railway hopper car roof wherein a smaller hatch cover is entirely mounted upon a larger, preferably elongated or continuous hatch cover and wherein the smaller hatch cover can be operated independently of the locking arrangement of the larger cover. The combination hatch covers of the present invention may be made of metallic or non-metallic material, preferably of metal alloy or reinforced plastic. If desired, the small cover can be mounted with its axis along the longitudinal axis of the large cover whereby in open position the small hatch cover will not obstruct the walkway on the car.

Abstract: A fluidizing assembly is provided having a readily removable and replaceable filter assembly. The filter assembly comprises a supporting grid member, a filter member and an open frame member upon which may be mounted a seal member. The fluidizing outlet assembly comprises an outlet body having a lower body flange and a bottom pan having an upper pan flange spaced below the lower body flange. A pair of filter assemblies are inserted between the lower body flange and the upper pan flange, and engages a filter support assembly located above a fluidizing header in the midportion of the outlet. Preferably the filter support assembly is provided with raised surfaces for forcing the filter assembly into operative position. The bottom pan includes passages in fluid communication with the fluidizing header which define a plenum for directing the fluidizing air below the filter member, and supports for the filter member.

Abstract: A pneumatic outlet is provided in which a discharge conduit is affixed to spaced outlet slope sheets and to outlet end sheets. A valve member is movable vertically in the discharge conduit to assume a fully closed and a plurality of open positions. The extent of valve opening may vary from a closed position on one side of the outlet to a partially or fully open position on the other side, linearly across the outlet. Operating mechanisms for raising and lowering the valve member are provided on opposite sides of the outlet, preferably comprising lift rods which engage the valve member. A plurality of operating mechanisms for raising and lowering the valve member are disclosed including screw jack assemblies and cam and cable assemblies. The operating mechanism preferably includes transverse linkages along the outlet operating the valve member from the opposite side of the outlet from either side of the outlet.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a railway hopper car is provided having an enclosed quadrilateral tube as a through sill. The enclosed tube through sill has end portions which are welded to the car end sills at opposite ends of the car. The end sills are integrally attached to the side sills. The end sections also have attached thereto a center plate and a bolster cover plate. The bolster cover plate extends from the center sill to the side sill. At least one bolster web extends vertically from the bolster cover plate to the end sheet of the car. The hopper slope sheets are reinforced by means of generally triangular shaped members attached to the through sill and attached to the hopper slope sheets.

Abstract: A tank car head shield assembly is provided including a tank car head shield and structure for fastening the base of the head shield to the stub sill or center sill at the ends of the tank car. A pair of longitudinally extending supports connect the upper portion of the head shield on opposite sides of the car with portions of the tank car support structure located longitudinally inwardly from the tank head shield, for example, to the end sill, side sill, or to the bolster caps. The supports are connected to the head shield on the outboard side of the head shield. The supports may pass through openings in the head shield or the support members may be bent around the shield to the outboard side. A pair of supports or a single support having bends on either end of the shield may be used. The support(s) are attached to the shield by welding or mechanical fasteners. The support(s) are connected to the tank car support structure by a weldment, a clevis and/or a tube within a tube.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for assisting in the unloading of a difficult to unload lading from a vessel. An accumulator is mounted adjacent the vessel. A first conduit connects the accumulator with a valve for periodic discharge of the accumulator. A self-indexing elbow is rotatably mounted on the vessel and extends within the vessel. A second conduit connects the valve with the elbow. The elbow includes an elbow conduit portion in fluid communication with the second conduit. The elbow conduit portion has a center line defining an axis about which the elbow is rotatable. The elbow also includes an elbow portion having an elbow center line passing therethrough. The elbow portion has a discharge end having a discharge opening through which the elbow center line passes. At the discharge end the elbow center line is offset with respect to the axis so as to define a moment arm between the elbow portion and the axis.