Abstract: A covered hopper railroad freight car having a car body whose opposite longitudinal sides include flat, parallel, generally vertical upper side wall portions free from outwardly protruding structural strength members.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car body includes a set of hopper and hopper discharges. Egress of lading from the discharges is governed by movable doors that swing between a closed position and an open position. The motion is driven by a mechanical transmission that is itself driven by an actuator. Each pair of doors is driven by a single actuator. The actuator is mounted to act through the center sill. A portion, or substantially all, of the actuator may be mounted in a predominantly squat, vertical orientation within the center sill. In alternate embodiments, the transmission output may be bifurcated. The center sill bottom flange may be narrower adjacent to the doors. The mechanism may have a secondary lock. The mechanism may have an auxiliary manual release.

Abstract: A mechanism for conjointly operating a plurality of gate assemblies mounted on a hopper car having an elongated car body with sides and ends, and a bottom defining a discharge area comprised of a plurality of discharge openings. Each gate assembly includes a slide door arranged in operable association with one of the discharge openings. The mechanism operates the slide door on all the gates conjointly relative to each other. Methods for controlling the gravitational discharge of material from a hopper car are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of devices comprising energetic materials capable of superdetonation and methods of making and using such devices. The devices disclosed herein comprise components, dimensions, and configurations optimized to utilize superdetonation velocities produced by the energetic materials disclosed herein.

Abstract: A bottom dumping wheelbarrow including a wheelbarrow having a support frame, an upper member disposed atop the support frame, a pair of handles attached to the support frame, and a plurality of wheels attached to and downwardly extended from the support frame. A door is disposed within a bottom side of the upper member. A control handle is pivotally attached to a bottom surface of the support frame of the wheelbarrow and affixed to the door. The door has an open position and an alternate closed position.

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 open top hopper car comprises a pair of spaced trucks supporting a railcar body, the body comprising a pair of side structures railcar, wherein each including (i) a top chord extending the side structure length, (ii) a plurality of upper side stakes extending from the top chord, (iii) an intermediate side chord extending the side structure length and below the top chord and coupled to the upper side stakes, (iv) a plurality of lower side stakes extending from the intermediate side chord, and (v) a side sill extending the length and below the intermediate side chord and coupled to the lower side stakes. The body forms discharge chutes forming pockets for the body with a plurality of intermediate doors and end doors, wherein the end doors are larger than the intermediate doors. Each door may include a biased door seal.

Abstract: A rail vehicle with a vehicle door connected to an associated door frame via a seal is provided. The seal as well as other mechanical components have to be lubricated. Therefore, a door region is equipped with at least one device for automatically dispensing lubricants for lubricating the seal and/or the mechanical components.

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 longitudinal shaft that is mounted within the center sill. It drives a set of single input, double output bell cranks that drive adjacent pairs of doors, and that employs an over-center toggle to hold the doors in the closed position when the car is laded. The actuators may be mounted in shelters midway along the car, and may be offset from the centersill. The actuators may be mounted predominantly vertically such that gravity may obviate the need for a secondary lock.

Abstract: A system on a railroad hopper car for providing an indication, observable by a person located either proximate to or remote from the hopper car, of a condition of a lock arranged in operable combination with a mechanism on the hopper car for controlling discharge of material from the hopper car. The system includes electric circuitry and a sensor for providing a signal when each discharge mechanism lock on the railcar is in the locked condition and for producing another signal when each discharge mechanism lock on the railcar is in the unlocked condition. An illuminable indicator, mountable on a side of the railroad hopper car, is responsive to signals from the circuitry for displaying the condition of the discharge mechanism locks. A method for visually displaying a condition of a lock on a railroad hopper car as through use of illumination is also disclosed.

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 mechanism for controlling opening of doors on a hopper car underside. The mechanism includes a pair of stationary hook assemblies located outboard of a discharge opening and having a proximal end affixed to the hopper car and a distal free end. Each hook assembly includes a locking cavity bounded by a cam locking surface and a distal slide surface. Included also is a pair of locking cam assemblies having an upper and lower cam surface matable with the hook cam locking assembly and having a slot. An elongate member has ends affixed to the pair of locking cam assemblies and extends through each of the annular end bearings. A pair of annular end bearings is disposed adjacent to the locking cam assemblies and each affixed to a door.

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 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 longitudinal shaft that is mounted within the center sill. It drives a set of single input, double output bell cranks that drive adjacent pairs of doors, and that employs an over-center toggle to hold the doors in the closed position when the car is laded. The actuators may be mounted in shelters midway along the car, and may be offset from the centersill. The actuators may be mounted predominantly vertically such that gravity may obviate the need for a secondary lock.

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 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: An anti-spin/anti-drift or stop mechanism for a railway car door includes a shaft, a helical gear mounted to a first end of the shaft, a helical drive rotatably cooperating with the gear, and a worm gear mounted on a second end of the shaft. The worm gear is disposed in continuous engagement with a gear segment by means of intermeshing gear teeth. A handle for selectively rotating the worm gear is mounted on an end of a helical drive shaft. When the handle is rotated to move the railcar door to a fully opened position, the worm gear rotates the gear segment in a first direction while preventing rotation in the opposite direction to thereby eliminate the potential for drifting of the door. Also, as the handle is rotated to move the railcar door to a fully closed position, the worm gear rotates the gear segment in one direction while preventing rotation in the opposite direction to eliminate the potential for spinning of the handle.

Abstract: A lightweight hopper-type rail car provides for a smooth exterior surface so as to minimize aerodynamic drag thereon when the car is in motion. The railcar includes a cross ridge arrangement which greatly increases the fabrication efficiency of the car as well as providing a smooth interior surface so as to allow the maximum release of bulk material contained within the car.

Abstract: A covered hopper railway car (10) for transporting difficult-to-unload ladings includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart side walls (12a, 12b) and opposed end walls (14a, 14b). A roof (16) covers the car and has an opening (18) therein for loading lading into the car. The bottom has outlets (24a-24g) attached thereto for discharging lading from the car. Each outlet comprises a drop-bottom outlet whose length and width are sufficient so as to substantially prevent lading from bridging over the outlet thereby facilitating discharge of the lading.

Abstract: A low profile pneumatic outlet for a covered hopper railway car is disclosed which allows the bottom slope sheets of the hopper car to be moved downwardly closer to the rail thereby increasing the cubic capacity of the car while maintaining the car within AAR clearances. The low profile aspects of the pneumatic outlet result from the provision of an outlet opening in the bottom of the outlet which is opened and closed by a slidable, translatable gate operated by gate opening and closing cam mechanisms positioned generally horizontally with respect to the gate. The preferred gate operating mechanism is a cam operated mechanism which generates a high mechanical advantage initially upon effecting opening movement of the gate thereby to overcome lading and static friction loads, and then, after movement of the gate has been initiated, a lower mechanical advantage is provided so as to more rapidly move the gate toward its open position.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car having bottom discharge doors, an elongated beam assembly along the bottom of the car, door operating levers to open and close the doors connected to the beam assembly and doors, and lost motion connections in the beam assembly which permit displacement of beam sections to open and close pairs of doors in a sequential but substantially simultaneous and automatic order, and a pneumatic drive to move the beam in opposite directions to open and close the doors.

Abstract: A railway hopper car has longitudinally spaced hoppers on both sides of a center sill. The hoppers have door assemblies which may be opened and closed by a door operating mechanism. The door operating mechanism includes a pneumatic cylinder which rotates a lever to move an operating rod longitudinally within the center sill. Door operating levers are rotatably supported on the railway car and pivotally connected to the operating rod to be rotated when it moves. The door operating levers are pivotally connected with struts connected with the door on the hoppers. The mechanism is configured so that all forces are substantially coplanar in a vertical plane passing through the centerline of the center sill to reduce lateral twisting forces in the mechanism. Adjustment of the length of the strut is provided for positioning of the door operating levers during assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for containing and feeding particulate material tending to pack into a mass from an elongated hopper having opposed sloping walls converging downward and inward towards each other to terminal margins presenting between them an elongated laterally restricted outlet for directing material onto a conveyor below. Gates are provided to close the outlet for containing the material and to open the outlet to discharge it onto the conveyor belt. Baffles within the hopper are provided to divide the cargo at a level spaced above the outlet into several piles which merge above and below the outlet. In this way the material is channelled to the outlet so that lateral arches which may be formed in the material are prevented or broken up to assure feeding. Pressure may be relieved on some of the piles by flanges extending laterally of the baffles. The invention also includes the combination of gates equipped to break up longitudinal arches with baffles to prevent the formation of lateral arches.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuating and locking the hopper doors of a hopper car of the type having a center sill of inverted U-shaped cross section and a plurality of hopper doors extending transversely of the center sill. The hopper doors can be arranged singly to close a chute, in opposed cooperating pairs, and both. The actuating and locking apparatus of the present invention comprises a shaft extending transversely of the center sill and located between adjacent pairs of hopper doors when the hopper doors are so arranged and adjacent each single hopper door when present. Each such shaft is rotatively mounted. A lever is mounted on each shaft. Each lever has an arm for each door to which it is adjacent and a link pivotally connected to each such arm and the adjacent hopper door. Each lever also has an upright arm extending into the center sill and pivotally affixed to a segmented actuating beam located within the center sill and extending longitudinally therein.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for operating sliding gates of a railway hopper car which opens all the gates simultaneously, regardless of the direction which the gates must move to open. While moving in one direction, a shifting means coupled to each gate by means of pivoted levers moves some gates in one direction to the open position, while at least one gate moves to its open position in the opposing direction. The mechanism which shifts all the gates simultaneously is activated from one power source.

Abstract: A railroad car with a hopper-type body may include a series of gate assemblies for selective discharge of commodity in the car body. Each gate assembly may have two pairs of doors which rotate to close or open respective outlet openings in the gate assembly. Door rotation is effected by an operating system comprising an air cylinder joined to a series of lever activating devices by a series of connecting rods. Each lever device includes a lever arm pinned to the connecting rods and rotatively carried on a shaft attached to a sill of the car. A crank arm of the device is also carried on the shaft and interacts with the lever arm through a pair of bolts threaded one each to the lever arm and crank arm. Ends of the device crank arms are pivotally secured by connecting bars to adjacent gate door pairs respectively.

Abstract: In a hopper or the like wherein the flow of particulate material is controlled by a gate the improvement wherein the gate is mounted to be swingable towards an open position within the hopper so as to break arches and rat holes which form in the material above the gate or a gate adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An enclosed railroad car has hoppers at its underside for unloading a solid commodity. A pneumatic outlet trough is opened and closed by a slide valve or gate that is attached to operating rods supported in slide bearings. The gate can be safely removed from outside of the car by disengaging a pin that locks the gate to the operating rods.

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: Seals to prevent seepage of a fine granular commodity between the hopper doors and the adjacent hopper sheets of a railroad hopper car of the type having opposed pairs of hopper doors swingable between a closed position and a downwardly depending open position. The seals comprise elongated strips of flexible material with their upper longitudinal edge portions mounted along the inside lower edges of the inner and outer hopper sheets and being of a width such that their free lower longitudinal edge portions extend downwardly beyond the lower edges of the hopper sheets. The free edge portions of the seals being bent inwardly by and lying in sealing engagement against the hopper doors when the hopper doors are in their closed position. Similar strips of flexible material may be so located as to form a seal between the upper portion of each hopper door and its adjacent slope sheet.

Abstract: A railway car hopper having downwardly and inwardly inclined side walls and end walls defining a rectangular hopper discharge opening is provided with a downwardly extending discharge chute. A gate for opening and closing the hopper discharge opening is supported for reciprocable movement by the discharge chute. The discharge chute has a pair of integral cold formed steel members defining the side walls and integral cold formed steel members defining the end walls. The discharge chute side walls each have an upper inwardly and downwardly directed flange. The top surfaces of the flanges each engage an outside surface of one of the downwardly and inwardly inclined side walls of the hopper. The bottom surfaces of the flanges each define a gate receiving and supporting elongated groove with a remaining portion of its respective integral cold formed member. The grooves each include a downwardly and inwardly directed surface for slidingly and sealingly supporting upwardly and outwardly turned edges of the gate.

Abstract: A vehicle hopper construction having longitudinally spaced hopper end slope sheets and hopper cross ridge slope sheets formed prior to assembly in the vehicle hopper so as to provide integral interior hopper corner plates with associated transversely spaced hopper side sheets.

Abstract: The locking mechanism comprises a clevis arrangement on a hopper door which is engaged by a jaw positioned centrally on a hopper structure. A locking bar is provided which extends to the outer edge of the hopper structure and is connected to rotate with a locking plate which is manually actuated. A safety pawl is provided to prevent inadvertent rotation of the locking plate.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a railway hopper car unloading arrangement is provided, including at least one hopper having hopper slope sheets extending downwardly and inwardly. A standard outlet frame is attached to the inner ends of the hopper slope sheets. A removable adapter is attached to the outlet frame. The adapter includes an adapter mounting flange and a divider extending longitudinally of the car, which divides the adapter into a pair of transversely spaced adapter outlets or chutes. The adapter further includes adapter side walls and end walls, the lower ends of which define transversely spaced adapter chutes. A generally horizontally extending gate is movable between open and closed positions relative to each adapter chute. In addition, the adapter includes boot attachment means located below each adapter outlet for attachment of an unloading boot for each adapter outlet.

Abstract: A door operating mechanism for a bottom dump hopper car including a plurality of transversely mounted bottom discharge gates arranged in oppositely opening pairs and operatively connected by compression struts to pendulously mounted vertical levers. The levers are movable divergently outward by linkages connecting them to a lever mounted on a longitudinally extending rotatable actuating shaft. The invention further provides that in the locked position the vertical levers and compression struts be in an overcenter position relative to each pair of associated discharge gates, thereby assuring positive locking of the mechanism.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a pair of hopper doors which are laterally spaced side-by-side transversely of a railroad hopper car. A specially designed locking pawl is provided for retaining the cams in interlocked relation with the hooks of the locking mechanism. The pawl is so designed that a single operator standing by the side of a hopper car, can operate both hopper doors which are mounted together for unitary rotation.

Abstract: The door frame includes an upper frame member, a pair of Z-configuration side frame members secured to the upper frame member, a lower frame member, and a pair of Z-configuration corner fittings interconnecting the lower the frame member with the side frame members. Each corner fitting comprises a first wall section having an intermediate wall portion and first and second end flange portions, and a second wall section joined to the first wall section and having an intermediate wall portion and a first end flange portion. The first end flange portions have secured therebetween the adjacent end of one of the side frame members, while the second end flange portion is secured to the adjacent end of the lower frame member.