Abstract: An opening portion that is formed so as to pass-through an opening/closing plate portion of a gate, can be disposed at a region overlapping a lower end opening of a hopper. The opening portion is structured by a first pass-through portion, and a second pass-through portion that is formed so as to be continuous with the first pass-through portion. A width, in a direction orthogonal to a lined-up direction in which the first pass-through portion and the second pass-through portion are lined up, is narrower than the first pass-through portion. Further, a driving mechanism moves the gate such that the opening/closing plate portion moves in the lined-up direction as seen in a plan view. Based on a preset target value of weight of sand, a control section controls the driving mechanism so as to decrease an amount of overlap of the opening portion of the gate and the lower end opening of the hopper in a stepwise manner in accordance with an increase in the weight of the sand measured by a scale.

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 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: A discharge gate assembly adapted to be secured in material receiving relation relative to a standard opening toward a bottom of a railroad hopper car. The gate assembly of the present invention satisfies AAR requirements and specifications and includes a rigid frame defining a ledgeless and generally square discharge opening which is sized substantially equivalent to the standard opening defined toward the bottom of the railcar whereby allowing commodity discharged from the opening in the railroad hopper car to pass through the gate assembly with minimum interference or obstruction thereby promoting the discharge of commodity from the railroad car. A gate is slidably movable between open and closed positions relative to the discharge opening on the gate assembly and is suspended, in a closed position, by a series of supports extending therebeneath.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling discharge of commodity from a railcar hopper car having a centersill and two laterally spaced door assemblies arranged in registry with two transversely spaced discharge openings on a hopper of the car is disclosed. The doors of the discharge door assemblies are joined to each other by an elongated connector such that they move in unison. The apparatus includes an operating shaft rotatable about a fixed axis extending transverse to and vertically beneath the railcar centersill. A linkage system operably connects the operating shaft to the elongated connector to simultaneously push the door assemblies into their closed position in response to rotation of the operating shaft in a first direction and pulls the door assemblies from their closed position in response to rotation of the operating shaft in a reverse or second direction.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a slidable door mounted on the frame for movement between a closed position, wherein the door closes the discharge opening, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned to allow commodity to pass through the discharge opening. Either of two modular components can be arranged in combination with the door on the gate assembly to allow the gate assembly to be conditioned for either pneumatic and/or gravitational discharge or gravitational discharge only of commodity from the gate assembly. A drive mechanism including an apparatus for selectively engaging either the door or either of the modular elements arranged in association with the door is mounted on the frame of the gate assembly, with the apparatus of the drive mechanism preferably being lost motion connected to the door.

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 gate assembly for a railway hopper car that satisfies the new AAR requirements and specifications and includes a frame defining a generally rectangular discharge opening with a gate slidably mounted on the frame for endwise horizontal movement between opened and closed positions. An operating shaft assembly is supported on opposite frame extensions for rotational movement about a fixed axis. The operating shaft assembly is operably coupled to the gate. A lock assembly is operably coupled to the operating shaft assembly and includes a vertically displacable stop member mounted for vertical and rotational movement about a fixed axis extending above the path of movement of the gate and in fore-and-aft relationship relative to an edge of the gate. When the gate is in its closed position, the stop member extends downwardly and into engagement with the gate edge to positively prevent the gate from substantial movement toward an open position.

Abstract: An outlet gate assembly for a hopper type railway car includes a frame adapted to be mounted on an outlet opening in the rail car and a plate in the frame. An integrated rack and pinion drive moves the plate between open and closed positions on the frame. The drive includes a drive shaft, slip sockets mounted on the ends of the drive shaft and connected to the drive shaft through lost motion connections, pinion gears mounted directly to the drive shaft and rotatable with the drive shaft, racks mounted on the plate engaging the pinion gears so that rotation of the drive shaft moves the plate between the open and closed positions and a latch actuated by movement of either socket for latching the plate in the fully closed position and unlatching the plate prior to rotation of the drive shaft to open the plate.

Abstract: A gate valve assembly and a frame assembly for mounting the gate valve assembly on the discharge opening from a railway hopper car. The gate valve assembly includes an operating assembly for movement of a valve member within the gate valve assembly between a first, closed position and a second, open position. A locking mechanism is mounted on the frame assembly to maintain the gate valve assembly in its first closed position when the associated railway car is subjected to large impact forces. The operating assembly includes a lock striker which may be moved longitudinally relative to the valve member to deactivate the locking mechanism while the valve member remains in its closed position. The frame assembly also provides an enhanced seal or barrier to prevent materials from escaping when the gate valve assembly is in its closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing the discharge doors of a railroad hopper car is described comprising a mounting frame secured to the hopper car forwardly of the discharge door and having a pivot frame pivotally secured thereto which is interconnected to the discharge door by an elongated linkage. A pivot arm is also pivotally secured to the mounting frame and has an air cylinder pivotally secured thereto which is interconnected to the pivot frame. Extension of the hydraulic cylinder causes the pivot frame to pivot with respect to the mounting frame thereby causing the adjustable linkage to open the door. Retraction of the cylinder rod into the cylinder causes the pivot frame to pivot with respect to the mounting frame to cause the adjustable linkage to close the discharge door. When the door is in its closed position, the cylinder rod of the air cylinder is in its retracted position.

Abstract: A gravity outlet (10) for discharging lading from a railway car (C). An outlet assembly is attached to a discharge opening in the railcar. The assembly includes an upper end attached to the discharge opening, and sidewalls (14a, 14b) and endwalls (16a, 16b) sloping downwardly and inwardly from the upper end. A bottom portion of the sidewalls and endwalls define a discharge outlet (D) through which lading flows, by gravity, when it is discharged from the railcar. An outlet gate (22) is positioned beneath the assembly and is movable relative to the discharge outlet between respective open and closed positions to open and close the outlet. A latch assembly (26) latches the outlet gate in its closed position, when the gate is closed, to prevent inadvertent opening of the gate and spillage of lading. A gate operating mechanism (34) moves the gate between its open and closed positions. The mechanism automatically unlatches the latch when the gate is to be moved from its closed to its open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of a railcar discharge gate assembly including a frame defining a discharge opening with a gate slidably arranged on the frame for movement along a predetermined path of travel between open and closed positions. The apparatus of the present invention includes an operating shaft rotatably supported on the frame for selectively moving the gate between open and closed positions in response to rotation of the shaft. A lock assembly is carried on the frame and is operably coupled to the operating shaft. The lock assembly includes a displacable stop member which, when the gate is closed, extends into the path of travel of the gate to prevent movement of the gate relative to the frame, and which moves in timed relation relative to movement of the gate such that upon rotation of the operating shaft to move the gate to an open position the stop member is automatically removed from the path of travel of the gate prior to movement of the gate toward an 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 timing connections in the beam assembly which permits displacement of beam sections to open and close pairs or sets of doors in a sequential but substantially simultaneous and automatic order so ast to permit reduction of air pressure required to open the doors, or permit use of smaller diameter air cylinder, a pneumatic drive to move the beam in opposite directions to open and close the doors, and a secondary lock to maintain the beam stationary unless pneumatic pressure intentionally operates the pneumatic drive, with the lock being positioned to be readily seen when locked and safely operated if necessary from the wayside.

Abstract: A train of tandem arranged, wheeled, refuse receptacles, pulled by a prime mover along a path, are successively moved over a dump chute to drop their contents when their discharge doors are successively tripped, the contents falling downwardly through the chute and into the entrance opening of an underground compactor. The reciprocating ram of the compactor passes the contents sidewise into the awaiting container of a refuse collection vehicle, compacting the contents therein.

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: 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: Both an operating link and a locking hook member are secured on a shaft rotatably mounted on a hopper door. The hook member cooperates with a locking lug fixed relative to the hopper for securing the door closed. The operating link is both pivoted and pushed or pulled by a crank actuated by retainable handles for operating the hook member and opening and closing the door.

Abstract: Automatic latch means for the door-actuating beam of a hopper car of the type having a plurality of hopper doors arranged in opposed pairs and swingable between a closed position and a downwardly depending open position when the door-actuating beam is shifted longitudinally by the piston of a fluid cylinder between a retracted door-closing position and an extended door-opening position. The latch means comprises a catch asembly mounted on the hopper car frame and a pivotable hook operatively attached to the door-actuating beam. When the door-actuating beam is in its door-closing position the catch assembly will be engaged by the hook and means are provided to maintain this engagement under all dynamic conditions of the hopper car. As a consequence, movement of the door-actuating beam to open the hopper doors is prevented and the hopper doors are thus locked in their closed positions. The cylinder piston is provided with a clevis operatively connected to the door actuating beam.

Abstract: In a railway hopper car a sliding gate is provided at the discharge opening of the hopper for discharging materials therefrom. The gate comprises a frame supporting a sliding gate member movable from a closed position to an open position by means of a rack and pinion arrangement. The arrangement is actuated by an operating shaft which projects out from opposite ends of the gate and includes operating heads which are adapted to be engaged by a tool for rotating the shaft. A lock arrangement is provided for maintaining the sliding gate in a closed position and includes blocking elements which in the locked position of the gate are disposed over the operating heads to prevent the insertion of a tool unitl the locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of a railcar discharge gate assembly including a frame defining a discharge opening with a gate slidably arranged on the frame for movement along a predetermined path of travel between open and closed positions. The apparatus of the present invention includes an operating shaft rotatably supported on the frame for selectively moving the gate between open and closed positions in response to rotation of the shaft. A lock assembly is carried on the frame and is operably coupled to the operating shaft. The lock assembly includes a displacable stop member which, when the gate is closed, extends into the path of travel of the gate to prevent movement of the gate relative to the frame, and which moves in timed relation relative to movement of the gate such that upon rotation of the operating shaft to move the gate to an open position the stop member is automatically removed from the path of travel of the gate prior to movement of the gate toward an open position.