Abstract: A hopper car gate with a frame having multiple openings and one or more solid sections positioned between adjacent openings, an operating mechanism coupled to the frame, and a door supported by the frame. The door has multiple solid sections to match the number of openings in the frame and one or more openings positioned between adjacent solid sections. The door is movable by the operating mechanism between a closed position, in which the solid sections of the door block the openings in the frame, and an open position, in which the openings in the door are aligned with at least some of the openings in the frame and the solid sections of the door are aligned with at least some of the solid sections of the frame.

Abstract: A hopper car gate with a frame having multiple openings and one or more solid sections positioned between adjacent openings, an operating mechanism coupled to the frame, and a door supported by the frame. The door has multiple solid sections to match the number of openings in the frame and one or more openings positioned between adjacent solid sections. The door is movable by the operating mechanism between a closed position, in which the solid sections of the door block the openings in the frame, and an open position, in which the openings in the door are aligned with at least some of the openings in the frame and the solid sections of the door are aligned with at least some of the solid sections of the frame.

Abstract: A railcar hatch cover assembly having a cover, a latch engaging structure, a latch coupled to the cover, and a handle coupled to the latch. The handle is configured to be grasped by an operator. When a substantially vertical force is applied to the handle, it moves the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position and moves the cover from a closed position to an open position. When the cover is dropped from the open position to the closed position, the latch contacts the latch engaging structure and moves from the unlatched position to the latched position. A railcar latch assembly having a latch coupled to the cover and a handle coupled to the latch. The latch has an arcuate bottom surface that contacts the latch engaging structure to move the latch from an unlatched position to a latched position.

Abstract: A hopper car gate with a frame, a door supported by the frame and horizontally moveable between open and closed positions, a rack mounted to the door, and first and second shafts supported by the frame. A first gear mounted to the first shaft engages the rack. Second and third mating gears are mounted to the first and second shafts, respectively. A hopper car with first and second hopper car gates mounted to first and second hoppers, respectively. Doors of the gates move horizontally to an open position in opposite directions from each other with shaft rotation in the same direction. A hopper car gate opening and closing system including a hopper car gate with a pair of shafts, a gear mounted on each shaft, and racks that are positioned to engage the gears as the gate moves with respect to the racks.

Abstract: A railcar hatch cover assembly having at least first and second covers each moveable between an open position and a closed position. First and second gears are mounted to the first and second covers, respectively. Third and fourth gears are mounted to a shaft that rotates between first, second, third, and fourth positions in sequence. The third gear is engaged with the first gear as the shaft rotates from the first position to the third position, and the fourth gear is engaged with the second gear as the shaft rotates from the second position to the fourth position. As the shaft rotates from the second position to the third position, the first cover assists in rotating the shaft and opening the second cover. The hatch cover assembly may have any number of covers, which as they move to an open position assist in the opening of another cover.

Abstract: A hopper car gate assembly having a frame with opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and top and bottom openings. The gate assembly has a door with a lower section that is supported by the frame and an upper section that is vertically spaced from the lower section. The door is moveable between a closed position, in which the lower section blocks the bottom opening, and an open position, in which cargo can exit through the bottom opening. A drive mechanism engages the upper section of the door to move the door between its closed and open positions. Preferably, the door has a middle section that is joined to and extends upward from the lower section, and the upper section is joined to and extends away from the middle section.

Abstract: A hopper car gate assembly having a frame with opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and top and bottom openings. The gate assembly has a door with a lower section that is supported by the frame and an upper section that is vertically spaced from the lower section. The door is moveable between a closed position, in which the lower section blocks the bottom opening, and an open position, in which cargo can exit through the bottom opening. A drive mechanism engages the upper section of the door to move the door between its closed and open positions. Preferably, the door has a middle section that is joined to and extends upward from the lower section, and the upper section is joined to and extends away from the middle section.

Abstract: A hopper car gate having a frame, a moveable door supported by the frame, and a set of walls coupled with the frame. The walls have a lower edge partially spaced above the door, and are positioned to define a vacuum chamber between the walls and the frame. The vacuum chamber is in fluid communication with a vacuum opening formed in the frame. A vacuum adapter configured for mounting on a hopper car gate. The adapter has first and second sets of walls with a vacuum chamber between the sets of walls. The vacuum chamber is in fluid communication with a vacuum opening in the first set of walls.

Abstract: A hopper car gate with a curved door for discharging cargo from a hopper car. The gate has coupled side walls and end walls which present a top opening, bottom opening, and upper surface surrounding the top opening and adapted to be joined to the hopper car. A curved rail extends between and is coupled with the end walls adjacent the bottom opening. A curved door is supported on the rail. The door is moveable between a closed position which blocks the bottom opening and an open position which allows the cargo to exit through the bottom opening.

Abstract: A hopper car gate for discharging cargo from a hopper car having a length greater than its width. The gate has opposed generally upright side walls and opposed generally upright end walls coupled with the side walls. The coupled walls present a top opening and a bottom opening. A first rail extends between and is coupled with the side walls adjacent the bottom opening. A first door is supported on the first rail and is moveable in a direction that is perpendicular to the length of the hopper car that the gate is joined with between a closed position which blocks the bottom opening and an open position which allows cargo to exit through the bottom opening.

Abstract: A hopper car gate with opposed double doors for discharging cargo from a hopper car. The gate has joined side walls and end walls which present top and bottom openings. A flange joined to the walls adjacent the top opening is adapted to be joined to the hopper car. A rail extends between opposite walls adjacent the bottom opening. First and second doors are supported on the rail. The doors are moveable in opposite directions between a closed position which blocks the bottom opening and an open position which allows the cargo to exit through the opening.

Abstract: A hopper car having an increased volume. The car has side walls, end walls, a bottom, and first and second sloping surfaces. The bottom lies at least partially in a horizontal plane and includes a plurality of spaced apart openings. The side walls, end walls, and horizontal plane define a volume X. The first and second sloping surfaces are located between adjacent openings and joined to the bottom adjacent the openings. The sloping surfaces extend upwardly from the bottom to present an inverted V enclosing a volume Y. The volume Y is no more than approximately 1 to 5% of the volume X.

Abstract: A hopper car gate for discharging cargo from a hopper car having a length greater than its width. The gate has opposed generally upright side walls and opposed generally upright end walls coupled with the side walls. The coupled walls present a top opening and a bottom opening. A first rail extends between and is coupled with the side walls adjacent the bottom opening. A first door is supported on the first rail and is moveable in a direction that is perpendicular to the length of the hopper car that the gate is joined with between a closed position which blocks the bottom opening and an open position which allows cargo to exit through the bottom opening.

Abstract: A hopper car gate with a curved door for discharging cargo from a hopper car. The gate has coupled side walls and end walls which present a top opening, bottom opening, and upper surface surrounding the top opening and adapted to be joined to the hopper car. A curved rail extends between and is coupled with the end walls adjacent the bottom opening. A curved door is supported on the rail. The door is moveable between a closed position which blocks the bottom opening and an open position which allows the cargo to exit through the bottom opening.

Abstract: A hopper car having double-curved side walls for transporting bulk solids. The car has side walls, end walls, and a bottom which are all joined to present a container for transporting the bulk solids. The bottom presents at least one opening for discharge of the bulk solid. Each side wall presents upper and lower convex sections forming an indentation at approximately the vertical center of the side wall.

Abstract: A hopper car having an increased volume. The car has side walls, end walls, a bottom, and first and second sloping surfaces. The bottom lies at least partially in a horizontal plane and includes a plurality of spaced apart openings. The side walls, end walls, and horizontal plane define a volume X. The first and second sloping surfaces are located between adjacent openings and joined to the bottom adjacent the openings. The sloping surfaces extend upwardly from the bottom to present an inverted V enclosing a volume Y. The volume Y is no more than approximately 1 to 5% of the volume X.

Abstract: A hopper car gate with opposed double doors for discharging cargo from a hopper car. The gate has joined side walls and end walls which present top and bottom openings. A flange joined to the walls adjacent the top opening is adapted to be joined to the hopper car. A rail extends between opposite walls adjacent the bottom opening. First and second doors are supported on the rail. The doors are moveable in opposite directions between a closed position which blocks the bottom opening and an open position which allows the cargo to exit through the opening.

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.

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 panel system includes a first skin, a second skin, a web core constructed from sheet material for securing the skins together in a spaced, sandwich relationship, and a connecting means for affixing the web core within the skins. The web core includes a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal members having longitudinally spaced projections extending therefrom and further having transversely aligned, longitudinally spaced slots therein. The web core further includes a plurality of spaced-apart, transverse cross members each having spaced slots therein receiving the longitudinal members at corresponding transversely aligned slots thereof to provide an interlocked grid between the first and second skins. The grid is connected to the skins utilizing the projections, which extend through slits in the skins to facilitate welding or otherwise bonding the components.