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 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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 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 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: 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 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 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 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.