Abstract: A bottom outlet valve for a tank car having a bottom is provided. The valve includes a nozzle projecting from the bottom of the tank car and defining an opening and having a locking member, an outlet cap shaped and dimensioned to cover the opening and moveable between open and closed positions, wherein in the closed position the cap forms a substantially liquid-tight seal with the opening. The valve also includes at least one moveable handle coupled to the cap and having a locking portion engageable with the locking member and a hand gripping portion formed by structure defining a closed loop. Movement of the hand gripping portion causes engagement of the locking portion with the locking member, wherein when the locking member and locking portion are engaged, the outlet cap is retained in a closed position.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for a tank includes coaxial inner and outer tubes having lower ends extending into the tank and upper ends projecting from the tank, with the upper end of the inner tube projecting from the outer tube and disposed a known distance from the top of the tank. A switch assembly includes a switch disposed in the inner tube and operable in response to proximity to a switch actuator which is carried by a float encircling the outer tube and movable therealong with the liquid level, the switch being connected across a pair of electrical conductors extending from the upper end of the inner tube. An indicator strip extends lengthwise of the conductors and is held thereagainst by a transparent sleeve, the strip having indicia indicating distance to the switch. Plastic cable ties extend through openings in the inner tube and snugly hold the switch assembly against the inner tube to permit manual axial movement of the switch assembly while preventing inadvertent movement thereof.

Abstract: A T-shaped fitting for a port in the wall of a closed fluid system includes a branched tubular body having a proximal end coupled to the wall in fluid-tight communication with the port and two distal ends and defining passages between the proximal end and each of the distal ends. A flexible resilient membrane closes one of the distal ends and has a normally closed slit therein adapted for removably receiving an associated probe therethrough in sealing engagement therewith, while an insect screen is disposed across the other of the distal ends. Caps, tethered to the body, are respectively threadedly engageable with the distal ends. Two elastomeric seals are provided between one of the distal ends and its cap, channel means being provided in that one distal end to permit venting when the cap is partially removed. The other cap is sealed by means of a tapered thread.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus includes a bracket fixed to the housing of an air motor and an actuator member fixed to the rotary output shaft of the air motor for coupling the air motor in driving engagement with a handwheel-operated valve for remote power actuation thereof. The apparatus is freely movable into and out of coupling engagement with the valve in directions axially of the valve stem without the use of tools, the actuator legs being movable into rotating engagement with the handwheel for rotation thereof simultaneously with movement of the bracket into non-rotatable engagement with the valve body for anchoring the motor housing and preventing rotation thereof with its output shaft. Two embodiments are disclosed, one for use with a valve having a solid handwheel and a yoke and the other for use with a valve having a spoked handwheel and no yoke.

Abstract: An angle valve has a side port bore with a cylindrical inner seal surface chamfered at its outer end and a removable port fitting receivable in the port bore and having a cylindrical outer seal surface in which are formed two axially spaced-apart circumferential grooves, each generally rectangular in transverse cross section. Two seal rings of circular cross section are respectively received in the grooves so as to project radially outwardly therefrom beyond the other seal surface of the fitting. Each ring has a transverse cross-sectional area substantially equal to that of its associated groove so that when the fitting is disposed in the bore the rings are deformed to substantially fill the grooves.

Abstract: Mobile tanks, such as the tanks of railway tank cars and the tanks of automotive tank trucks, often have bottom discontinuities susceptible in an accident to impact damage that could permit release of harmful tank contents. Such bottom discontinuities, by way of example, are downwardly projecting parts from bottom outlet valves, washouts, blind flange closures and sumps.