Abstract: A door operating mechanism for operating longitudinal doors of a railroad hopper car. The mechanism includes operating members that are coupled to ends of the doors. These operating members are each actuated by a separate actuating device that is coupled to a top surface of a sill of the hopper car. Door supports have one end coupled to a door and an opposite end coupled for rotation to an actuating device. When a power cylinder coupled to the operating member is activated, the actuating devices are rotated. This rotation causes the door supports to shift in opposite directions and to open the longitudinal doors.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester is provided which includes a chassis and harvesting wheels, transport wheels and windrow shields connected to the chassis. The transport wheels are deployed in concert with the windrow shields in order to avoid damage to the windrow shields during placement of the transport wheels into an operative, ground contacting position. A first actuator opens and closes the windrow shields for field and transport operations and windrow shield positioning mechanisms are configured to dispose the windrow shields in a plurality of cut crop opening widths when the windrow shields are in an open position. The first actuator is operated remotely in-cab to eliminate need for the harvester operator to dismount the harvester and open and close the windrow shields for field and road transport operations. The windrow shield positioning mechanisms may be manually adjusted or automatically adjusted in-cab.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

Abstract: A hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The doors are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator is mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages. The drive train includes longitudinally extending torque tubes that transmit drive to both fore and aft ends of the door assemblies.

Abstract: A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The linkages run generally parallel to the slope sheet. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation panel. There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission.

Abstract: A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members come together to a closed condition or position for retaining lading. When apart, in an open position or condition, lading may be discharged. A seal member or seal member assembly is mounted to one or both of the closure members. The closure member may have a lading discharge encouragement feature, which may be in the nature of a tine, or blade, or knife that extends upwardly through the throat of the discharge section. Movement of the door may tend to move the blade, thereby tending to dislodge lading that may be otherwise reluctant to move.

Abstract: A freight container (10) has a base (20) or a portion thereof that can be opened to discharge its contents. This container (10) has a top which can be opened in similar manner as the base. Another container having at least one compartment, each compartment having a lower section with a reducing cross-sectional area and a pivotably operable closure assembly, with several such closure assemblies being linked together by means of bars. Such a container is used to contain raw building materials for stockpiling of these materials at a container port. It is also used to supply materials to a concrete production plant whee pollution control containers are provided below the supply container and above the scaling and mixing stations to reduce particulate pollution. A pair of slewing apparatuses is also provided to engage both ends of a container and turn the container over about its longitudinal axis, thereby emptying its contents.

Abstract: An actuating system for operating longitudinal doors of a railroad hopper car. The mechanism includes an operating member which is coupled to each end of the door set of the car by a shaft and a linkage which couples a power source to the operating member, where the operating members rotate to move the doors away from the hopper. Reversing the rotation of the operating members closes the door set of the hopper. The mechanism can be used in new car construction, and can also be retrofitted onto existing hopper cars.

Abstract: A basket gate mechanism, including two opposed gate segments supported at its ends by pairs of different length arms interconnected by a mechanism to coordinate the movement of the segments which are opened and closed by a double acting hydraulic cylinder simplifying the opening and closing of the gate; a linkage device to support the gates minimizing torsional stress resulting from the gate being angled, and a pair of shear plates to control the level of the solids discharged onto the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling discharge of material from a bottom dump railroad car having a centersill defining a longitudinal axis for the hopper car is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of longitudinally mounted discharge door assemblies. Each door assembly comprises a pair of longitudinally mounted discharge doors disposed to opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal axis of the car for movement between open and closed positions relative to respective discharge openings on a bottom of the car. Each discharge door is mounted for movement about an axis disposed adjacent and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the car. A door operating mechanism including a positively driven actuator is carried on the hopper car for operating at least one of the discharge door assemblies independently of at least one other discharge door assembly on the car.

Abstract: A rapid discharge railcar door consisted of a plastic main body reinforced by an aluminum frame, and which provides sufficient strength against load-bearing forces and withstands changes in temperature. The main body of the door is made from a polymer in a reaction injection molding process. The door reduces the overall weight of the railway car, thus allowing more coal to be shipped per car.

Abstract: A discharge door assembly for a bottom dump covered railroad hopper car is provided. The discharge door assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally mounted discharge doors arranged in end-to-end relation across a bottom of the hopper car; with each discharge door being movable between open and closed positions about a pivot axis disposed parallel to and adjacent a longitudinal axis of the hopper car. A door operating mechanism including a single powered actuator operates all of the discharge doors substantially simultaneously to effect rapid discharge of matter from the hopper with significantly less operator involvement. The door operating mechanism further includes a lock for releasably holding the discharge doors in a closed position. A venting system inhibits imploding of the walls of the hopper car upon discharge of particulate matter from the car.

Abstract: A discharge hopper rail car (10) comprises a hopper body (14) mounted on a chassis (12) which is itself supported on flanged wheels (20). The body (14) includes a discharge opening in a lower part thereof and a door structure (16) pivotally mounted on the body (14) and displaceable between a closed condition in which the opening is closed by the door structure (16) and an opened condition to permit discharge of the contents of the body (14). The door structure (16) forms a basin for collecting both liquids and fines leaking from the opening when the door structure (16) is in its closed condition.

Abstract: A railroad hopper ballast discharge door assembly includes pliant side panels along a discharge gate opening. The pliant side panels are strong enough to retain the ballast within the hopper when the door is closed, yet are flexible enough to yield when ballast flowing out of the hopper becomes wedged between the side panel and the door as the door closes. Strengthening ribs reinforce the pliant side panels and may be embedded within them. The discharge door assembly is readily adapted for automatic, motor-actuated operation.

Abstract: A loading wagon (1) for the transport, storage and discharge of bulk material has a wagon frame (2) supported on on-track undercarriages (3) and a wagon body (5) connected to the wagon frame, there being arranged in the base region of the wagon body a base conveyor belt (7) having a drive (11). Provided adjacent thereto is a transfer conveyor belt (8) which projects over the end of the wagon frame, has an elevated discharge end (9) with respect to the wagon frame (2), and which is provided with a drive (12), with a storing or transporting direction (31) running from the base conveyor belt (7) to the transfer conveyor belt (8). An outlet opening (14) for discharging the bulk material onto the track is provided beneath the base conveyor belt (7). The drive (11) for the base conveyor belt (7) or the transfer conveyor belt (8) is designed for selective operation in the first transporting direction or in a second transporting direction running in the opposite direction thereto.

Abstract: One double acting cylinder is attached to the doors of a gate assembly via a linkage. A lock out system cooperates with the linkage whereby different parts of the linkage may be immobilized prior to the beginning of a work cycle. The work performed by the double acting cylinder thus passes through the free parts of the linkage to actuate one door or the other.

Abstract: A hopper for a railroad car having a pair of side hopper walls, a pair of end hopper walls, a gate system positioned at a hopper discharge opening, and a crossmember affixed at one end to one of the side hopper walls and affixed at another end to another of the side hopper walls. This crossmember is positioned generally halfway between the end hopper walls. A first support bar is affixed to the side walls in an area between the crossmember and one of the end walls. A second support bar is affixed to the side walls in an area between the crossmember and the other of the end walls. The gate system is a pair of clamshell-type gates that are pivotable about axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hopper car. A strut is pivotally mounted to the crossmember and extends downwardly therefrom. This first strut is affixed at one end to one of the clamshell-type gates. A second strut is also pivotally mounted to the crossmember and extends downwardly so as to be affixed to the second clamshell-type gate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hopper, and more particularly to a wheeled hopper for rail operation, including a container body which has a discharge opening in its underside, two doors which are pivotally connected to the body on opposite sides of its discharge opening with the pivot axes of the doors lying in the direction of travel of the hopper, the doors being movable between a first position in which they close the opening and a second position in which the opening is open, a door latch arrangement including an abutment formation on each door at one end of the hopper which, in the first position of the doors, are opposite and directed towards each other at a position above the pivot axes of the doors, a detent between the abutments for preventing movement of the doors from their first to second positions and means on the hopper body which is movable independently of the doors for moving the detent from between the abutments to enable the doors to move under gravity from their first to their second position

Abstract: A bottom discharge hopper includes an elongated rectangular discharge opening closable by two discharge doors hinged along their outer edges to the hopper so that the doors are biased to an open position. Each door includes control means comprising a biasing member pivotally mounted to the hopper which biases a runner at each end of the door along a runner track on the door towards a position corresponding to the closed position of the door, the runners being located substantially directly below the pivot of the biasing member in this closed position.

Abstract: A bottom discharge hopper the body of which is elevated at a tip by ramps so that doors on the underside of the body, which are secured thereto by links and which are pivotally fixed to upstanding structure on the chassis, open outwardly and downwardly to permit material discharge from the body.

Abstract: Bottom discharge hopper rail cars generally have a chassis on flanged wheels, and a hopper body mounted on the chassis and including transversely and longitudinally extending edges which border a discharge opening from the body. In the present invention, the opening is wholly or substantially wholly at a level below the tops of the wheels but above the bottoms of the wheels and extends at least partly between pairs of said flanged wheels.

Abstract: A hopper vehicle has a hopper door movable between open and closed positions and carrying a door latch movable between latching and unlatching configurations with respect to a keeper on the hopper vehicle. A secondary latch on the door is pivotally movable between a latched condition engageable with a keeper on the door latch for holding it in its unlatching configuration and an unlatched condition accommodating movement of the door latch between its latching and unlatching configurations. A spring urges the secondary latch toward its latched condition and an actuator plate on the hopper vehicle drives the secondary latch to its unlatched condition in response to movement of the door to its closed position. Thus, the door latch is held in its unlatching configuration except when the door is closed.

Abstract: A motion retarder particularly useful for regulating rotary movement of a shaft, for example, includes an inner and outer tension unit carried on a bolt shaped rod. Arcurate end segments of a pressure member of each unit are positioned in an opposing manner to define a pair of shaft holding spaces. A spring carried on the rod between the inner unit and a head portion of the rod may be advanced through a threaded connection between an end of the rod and a lock-type nut forming part of the outer unit. This advancement compresses the spring to force an inner friction surface of the unit pressure member end segments into engagement with an outer surface of a shaft positioned in the respective holding spaces. This engagement selectively inhibits inadvertent shaft movement to maintain the position of the shaft until shaft movement is desired.

Abstract: A bottom dump arrangement attached to a body which provides a goods-holding space, the body resting on an undercarriage and including at least one pair of adjacent doors having remote edges, the doors being pivotally attached at their remote edges for swinging movement in a curved path transverse to the body and perpendicular to the remote edges, the free edges of the doors facing toward each other abutting each other in closed position of the doors, the arrangement also including guide paths that cooperate with the body to lift the body relative to the undercarriage, a linkage assembly pivotally connected between the doors and the body for permitting the body, when lifted by the guide paths, to become inclined to the pivotal axes for the doors in a vertical plane, which is parallel to the pivotal axes of the doors and perpendicular to the plane that the undercarriage rests on.

Abstract: A self-contained gate assembly unit for ready attachment to an outlet formed in a hopper-type railroad car allows distribution of ballast in the car to the roadbed below. With the car having outlets positioned over the rails on which the car is supported, an inner or outer plate-like door, slidably carried in guides formed in the unit, may be raised to deposit ballast on either or both sides of either or both rails. Each door is formed with a lower offset lip portion which facilitates door movement in the unit guides.

Abstract: A hopper-type railroad car for transporting ballast used for roadbed restoration includes a set of bottom outlets for discharge of the ballast. Gate assembly units are installed over these outlets to provide regulation of the ballast discharge. Each unit has an inner and outer opening selectively covered by an arcuate shaped door. Each door is connected by linkage to an inner and outer door shaft carried concentrically by the unit. Selective rotation of either shaft moves the respective door to cover or uncover the unit openings to regulate ballast discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating and locking each pair of hopper doors of a railroad hopper car of the type having a plurality of hopper doors arranged in opposed pairs and extending transversely of the hopper car center sill. Each door actuating and locking apparatus for each opposed pair of hopper doors comprises a shaft assembly extending transversely of the hopper car between its respective opposed pair of hopper doors and through the hopper car center sill and the inner and outer hopper sheets for those hopper doors. That portion of the shaft assembly located within the center sill has an L-shaped lever structure non-rotatively mounted thereon. The lever structure is connected by links to the hopper doors of its respective pair. Either end of the shaft assembly can be engaged externally of the hopper car by an approriate tool to rotate the shaft assembly and its lever structure between a door open position and an over-center, door-closed and locked position.

Abstract: To decrease a loss of coke due to burning and to prolong the service life of an apparatus for receiving incandescent coke and conveying the same to a quenching tower, between a wall structure (1) and lining plates (2) there is disposed a spacing member in the form of corrugated sheets (12), and the lining plates (2) are mounted with the provision for linear expansion under the action of heat from incandescent coke and connected to the wall structure (1) by means of cover pieces (13) overlapping temperature gaps, bolts (14) and nuts (15). Bottom gates (7) of a hopper (5) are provided with sealing members (18) having a surface (A) and (B) contacting the round surface of a girdle (6) tangentially. Specific embodiments of spacing members, sealing members and locking means are described.

Abstract: A bottom discharge hopper rail car has a hopper body mounted on a chassis which is itself supported on flanged wheels. The body has a pair of downwardly converging, laterally spaced side walls with longitudinally extending lower edges which border a discharge opening. The spacing between the lower edges of the sidewalls is greater than the lateral distance between the wheels as wider openings can facilitate discharge. In practice, the wheels have outer flange surfaces adjacent to rail-engaging surfaces for resting on the rails, and the spacing between the lower edges of the side walls is preferably greater than the distance between these outer flange surfaces. The side walls are asymmetrical with respect to a longitudinal vertical plane passing centrally between the wheels as this can inhibit bridging during discharge.

Abstract: A hopper car structure having a hopper body with a discharge opening at the bottom. A pivotally hung door having an arcuate base plate normally closes said opening and an arm is pivotally mounted on the door. A roller is carried by the arm on its free end and is intended to engage a ramp. The arm, in the closed condition of the door, has an abutment surface thereof spaced downwardly from an abutment surface of the door. When said roller engages an upwardly inclined ramp, the arm pivots upwardly with respect to the door until the abutment surface of the arm engages the abutment surface of the door. The door and arm then swing together about the pivotal mountings of the door to the open position of the door. The arm is locked against movement while the door is in its closed position and the abutment surface of the arm is spaced below the abutment surface of the door.

Abstract: A rail vehicle is disclosed which includes a bottom discharge hopper supported on an elongated, rectangular base frame. A bogie frame is provided beneath the base frame at each end thereof, the bogie frames carrying the vehicle wheels. Each bogie frame comprises two laterally spaced longitudinal members and a transverse member. Bearings are provided between the bogie frame members and the longitudinal and transverse members of the rectangular base frame. These bearings comprise rolling elements in arcuate grooves, the grooves being generated about the vertical pivotal axis of the adjacent bogie frame. Pins are provided which extend downwardly from the base frame and through arcuate slots in the bogie frames. The pins have structures at their lower ends for preventing upward withdrawal thereof through said slots. The slots are generated about the pivotal axis of the adjacent bogie frame.

Abstract: A restraint assembly for the door-actuating means of a railroad hopper car. The door-actuating means is shifted by the piston of a fluid cylinder between door-closing and door-opening positions. The restraint mechanism comprises a first bracket mounted on the center sill and rotatively supporting a shaft on which a lever is mounted. The free end of the lever is pivotally joined to a first end of a spring assembly. The second end of the spring assembly is pivotally mounted to a second bracket affixed to the center sill. One end of the shaft has a notch formed therein. The door-actuating means has a laterally extending lug. When the door-actuating means is in its retracted door-closing position the restraint assembly will be in an over center restraining condition. Abutment of the door-actuating means lug against the shaft notch will prevent longitudinal shifting of the door-actuating means due to inertia.

Abstract: A door locking arrangement for a railway car hopper includes a latch element and keeper assembly having camming surfaces which during gravitational opening of the door lift the latch element to a disengaged position. The locking is controlled by a longitudinal actuating bar which controls the latch element. A spring biasing device urges the latch element to its locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for pivoting and locking a door on the bottom of a rail hopper car includes a locking mechanism for locking the door when closed and a lever mechanism for pivoting the door between closed and open positions. The locking mechanism and lever mechanism are separate but are operated by a single sliding operating linkage on the bottom of the car.

Abstract: A discharge gate arrangement for railroad hopper cars having longitudinally extending discharge openings arranged in a horizontal plane beneath the hopper. Gate members arranged in pairs swing in opposite directions transversely of the car. Each gate member is pivotally hung and attached to an operating mechanism that includes a transversely extending shaft having two oppositely threaded portions. The operating mechanism includes split nuts located on the threaded shaft portions with attached links connected to the gate members in order that rotation of the shaft in one direction moves the split nuts in opposite directions and causes the cooperating gates to open and close simultaneously.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for sequentially opening and closing hopper discharge door is provided. Longitudinally extending gates are arranged in pairs and are suspended from the hopper by hinge links at one end and by an operator arm located near the center of each gate. A hopper-mounted rotating link is attached to one operator arm and a hopper-mounted bell crank is attached to the other operator arm; both the rotating link and the bell crank are interconnected to sequentially operate the doors. A power cylinder and linkage are connected with the bell crank for automatically opening and closing the doors.

Abstract: An open top railway hopper car is provided with longitudinal center dump discharge openings closed by hinged clam shell type of doors. The doors include an arm and linkage arrangement pivoted to the hopper car structure for continually urging the doors to a closed position. The arm and linkage arrangement is opened by means of side of track cams. Locking for each of the doors is provided by means of a locking pawl engaging stops provided on door brackets which preclude opening of the doors during transport. Opening actuation of the arm and linkage arrangement provides for initial displacement of the locking pawls thereby permitting the doors to continue to their open position.

Abstract: An elongated hatch opening in the roof of a hopper car includes a pair of hatch covers hinged on opposite sides of the hatch. A motor and operating mechanism supported at the end of the hatch reciprocates a pair of push-pull bars positioned within the hatch opening which in turn are connected to elevating rods connected to the underneath sides of the covers, the elevating rods extending inwardly and upwardly in the closed position and have a universal joint connection with the covers. Upon movement of the push-pull bars the elevating rods move the hatch covers to an upright open position. The elevating rods and the push-pull bars may be located internally or externally of the hatch covers, i.e., inwardly or outwardly of the hopper car body.

Abstract: A fluid motor actuating mechanism for railway hopper car doors includes a linkage arrangement which interconnects the doors to provide for opening and closing operation in concert. The doors are supported adjacent a discharge opening and are arranged to swing outwardly to maximum degree to provide an enlarged space through which material is discharged from the hopper car.