Abstract: A drive system for a railway hopper car discharge gate includes a door panel operated by a rack and pinion drive. The pinion teeth present a substantially cylindrical profile in a plane orthogonal to the axis of pinion rotation. The cylindrical tooth profile substantially prevents the pinion teeth from skipping or walking against the rack teeth when the spacing between the pinion and the door panel and associated rack fluctuates during operation of the discharge gate. Pinion torque is converted into a vertical force at the ends of travel of the door panel to prevent damage to the drive components. A bearing arrangement supports a drive shaft that is operated to rotate the pinions, and minimizes deflection of the shaft when under rotational load. An inertia brake is provided to engage the door panel and prevent it from opening upon a rapid stop of the hopper car as may occur upon impact with an adjacent railway car.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car discharge gate is assembled from unitary stacked frames that provide unimpeded flow of lading during discharge. A low-wear glide system minimizes friction between the gate panels and other components of the apparatus, and an improved sealing system protects lading from contaminants such as rain, dust and insect infestation and provides enhanced vacuum sealing for greater efficiency during vacuum discharge.