Abstract: A railcar comprises a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel comprise generally straight panels coupled together at an angle. The first longitudinal side may further comprise an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.

Abstract: A panel structure and a method of forming the panel structure are disclosed. The panel structure typically includes at least one panel associated with a material. The panel structure has been found particularly advantageous for use as an interior panel of an airplane.

Abstract: A tank car heating device is provided, which comprises a heat exchanger configured to insert through an entry point, e.g., a manway, of a tank car in communication with a heat source.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting a liquid mixture having at least about 5% peracetic acid by weight includes a stainless steel tank having an external spill containment enclosure and a predetermined maximum allowable working pressure. One or more pressure relief valves are included in a wall of the tank within the external spill containment enclosure and configured to provide pressure relief to the tank at a pressure of between about 20%-50% of the maximum working pressure of the tank, thereby preventing over-pressurization of a reactive and decomposing fluid during a fire event. Wheels and a kingpin are affixed to the tank to enable transportation over public roadways.

Abstract: A compressible, thermally-conductive, removable nanocomposite gasket includes: a nanocomposite foam; and a nanoparticle filler, wherein the nanocomposite foam has a filler loading of less than approximately 20%. A compressible, thermally-conductive, removable nanocomposite gasket includes: a nanocomposite foam; a nanoparticle filler; and a metallic mesh embedded in the foam wherein the nanocomposite foam has a filler loading of less than approximately 20%.

Abstract: A freight floor having a multilayer construction and that is formed as a composite material, comprising a core layer of carbon-fiber-reinforced and/or glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and a seating layer of a metal alloy, in particular an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A railroad tank car may have external fittings, such as a bottom opening valve, that protrude from the bottom of the tank car tank. In a derailment the tank car tank may meet the ground. A tank skid plate assembly has an accommodation in which to shelter such fittings. The skid plate assembly has a shell with tapered ramps at either end. It mounts to tank reinforcement structure, such as reinforcing bars. Reinforcements may be mounted in the lee of the shell. Those reinforcements may be mounted to the shell only, without welding connection to the tank car tank. The reinforcements may be, or combine with the shell to define either a bridge or a truss that spans the space between the reinforcement bars. The assembly may have an access passageway, such as for admitting a heating pipe. The assembly may include lateral and longitudinal internal webs for providing crush resistance.

Abstract: One embodiment of a molded fuel tank includes a fuel tank molded from a synthetic material, such as a cross linked polyethylene polymer, wherein the tank meets all the safety requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Abstract: A water truck body comprising a floor, two side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, a plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies with open bottom ends, a top plate situated on top of each of the cylindrical baffle bodies so that the cylindrical baffle body is centered underneath the top plate, and a tubular support structure. Each of the plurality of cylindrical baffle bodies comprises a plurality of apertures configured to permit liquid to flow through them. The tubular support structure is configured to hold the top plates and provide structural stability to the side walls, front wall and rear wall.

Abstract: A storage tank containing a suspended liner for the supply and storage of a full strength corrosive liquid such as a strong acid or base, the liner suspended within the storage tank from several locations by upper suspension straps from above held in place by corrosive resistant rods through rod suspension supports from the ceiling of the storage tank, and by a plurality of tie clips integrated within the suspended liner attaching to a plurality of suspension hooks placed within the interior of the storage tank to fully deploy the suspended liner to fill and to dispense the corrosive liquid within the suspended liner from the storage tank.

Abstract: An LNG storage container carrier includes: one or more cargo holds provided on a hull such that upper portions thereof are opened; a plurality of first and second upper supports installed on the cargo holds in a width direction and a length direction to partition the upper portions of the cargo holds into a plurality of openings, wherein storage containers are vertically inserted into the openings and supported; and a lower support installed under the cargo holds and supporting the bottoms of the storage containers inserted into the openings. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently and stably transport the storage containers storing LNG or PLNG pressurized at a predetermined pressure. Such storage containers may be transported through simple modification of the existing container carrier.

Abstract: A cylindrical shell for a tank of a railway tank car is made using roll-forming technology and straight longitudinal weld seams. The cylindrical shell has a longitudinal axis and a uniform cross-sectional shape in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis. The cylindrical shell includes a plurality of elongated segments welded together along weld seams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell. Each elongated segment forms a portion of the cross-sectional shape of the shell and is formed by passing a flat piece of metal plate stock material through a roll-forming machine configured to progressively bend the piece of stock material. In one embodiment, exactly three identical elongated segments, each defining an arc of 120 degrees, are welded together along adjacent longitudinal edges to form a cylindrical shell having a circular cross-section.

Abstract: Railroad tank cars are provided that include an inner tank, an outer tank, and tank to tank clearance between the inner tank and the outer tank. Insulation and spacers can be located within the tank to tank clearance. The inner tank can shift within the outer tank, and spacers can crush, under significant force loading, such as impact forces generated during a collision or derailment. The inner tank, insulation, spacers, and outer tank thus form an energy absorbing system that reduces the likelihood that the inner tank will be breached, and that a hazardous material contained therein will be released, under such conditions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tank trailer for transporting flowable material. The tank trailer includes a low-profile tank having a rear section, a front section, and a transitional section. The transitional section connects the rear section and the front section such that flowable material can flow among the sections. The rear section has a rear circumference and a rear center of gravity. The front section has a front circumference and a front center of gravity. The front circumference is smaller than the rear circumference, and the rear center of gravity is lower than the front center of gravity. The sections have tops that are collinearly aligned. The front section and the transitional section are frameless underneath. The tank trailer also includes a trailer suspension operatively connected to the rear section.

Abstract: An apparatus for reinforcing a railway tank car includes a tank shell. A plurality of attachment pads are welded to the tank shell to form a tank assembly. The tank assembly is subjected to a post-weld heat treatment. A plurality of shield plates may each be welded directly to at least one of the plurality of attachment pads. The shield plates are not subjected to the post-weld heat treatment.

Abstract: Railroad tank cars are provided that include an inner tank, an outer tank, and tank to tank clearance between the inner tank and the outer tank. Insulation and spacers can be located within the tank to tank clearance. The inner tank can shift within the outer tank, and spacers can crush, under significant force loading, such as impact forces generated during a collision or derailment. The inner tank, insulation, spacers, and outer tank thus form an energy absorbing system that reduces the likelihood that the inner tank will be breached, and that a hazardous material contained therein will be released, under such conditions.

Abstract: A shield for protecting an exterior wall of a railroad car during a lifting operation includes a body having a first face for engaging that exterior wall. The first face may have a radius of curvature to substantially match the radius of curvature of the tank car.

Abstract: A railway car includes a first end, a second end, and a first side disposed longitudinally between the first end and the second end. The first side includes a concave portion in a generally horizontal plane of the railway car. The concave portion provides a railway car with increased cargo-carrying capacity.

Abstract: A canister containing spent fuel assemblies is contained in a body of a transportation cask. A top opening of a vessel body of the canister is closed by a lid welded to the vessel body. A ring-shaped elastic tube is provided between the inner surface of the upper end portion of the body and the outer surface of the upper end portion of the vessel body. The tube seals the gap between these surfaces to prevent a fluid from getting into the gap between the surfaces through the top opening of the body. An inspection space for the insertion of a tester for detecting the welding state of the lid is defined between the inner surface of the upper end portion of the body and the outer surface of the upper end portion of the vessel body.

Abstract: A manway cover system used to cover an opening in a tank, the manway cover system having a manway with a top and a bottom surface, at least one valve mounting area on the top surface for mounting a valve thereon, and a hood contact area surrounding each valve mounting area. The hood contact area is that portion of the top surface of the manway to be contacted by an emergency hood if an emergency hood was installed. The system further includes a flange, the flange being attachable to the manway, the flange covering a portion of the hood contact area when so attached. The flange further has an opening therethrough adapted to allow attachment of the flange on the manway without removal of a valve when mounted on the valve mounting area.

Abstract: A railway tank car of light weight and high cargo load capacity in which a tank shell structure is carried on and unified with an underframe including a stub sill at each end, a pair of spaced apart saddle bolsters, each joined to a respective one of the stub sills, and a center sill interconnecting the saddle bolsters. The tank shell rests on and is welded to the center sill, the saddle bolsters, and the stub sills, so that the tank shell is an integral part of the car, and both static and dynamic load forces resulting from train operation and from cargo loads are shared by the tank and the underframe. The underframe is constructed primarily of welded flat plate, with a minimum of specially formed parts and difficult welds, in order to simplify and minimize the costs of construction.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a railway tank car including a tank coupled with first and second stub sill assemblies may be provided. The stub sill assemblies may each be coupled with associated railway car truck assemblies. A tank defined in part by a generally elongate hollow cylinder having first and second heads with first and second heads mounted upon the first and second heads, respectively, may also be provided. In a particular embodiment, one or more heat transfer panels may be disposed within the cylinder adjacent the first and second heads. In another embodiment, first and second support members may be disposed within the cylinder, and intermediate a midpoint of a longitudinal centerline of the tank, and each respective head. Each support member may provide support for, and maintain their respective heat transfer panels in a spaced relation with a lower portion of the cylinder.

Abstract: An aerator pad for a railroad hopper car has a fabric body member that overlies an aeration assembly slope sheet. The body member has a perimeter portion with indentations formed in the edges thereof. A gasket is molded to the perimeter of the body member. Bolt holes in the gasket are spaced from the fabric so that no edge or perimeter portion of the fabric is exposed to atmosphere. The gasket is located between mating flanges of the aeration assembly and car body. Spacer buttons lift the body member off the slope sheet and a wear pad prevents vibration induced deterioration at the gas inlet opening in the slope sheet.

Abstract: The magnetic levitation system for long distance delivery of water includes a magnetic levitation guideway and a magnetic levitation train of vehicles for carrying large amounts of water at high speed. Vehicles of the water train have a large, flexible balloon having a thick skin formed of reinforced flexible composite material for carrying water. When pressurized and filled with water, the container forms a streamlined cylinder that runs the full length of the vehicle. After delivery of the water load and depressurization, the flexible skins are depressurized and collapsed to minimize the frontal area and air drag on the vehicles. An "iron lift" guideway panel provides the magnetic lift force, with superconducting magnets on the vehicle attracted upwards to laminated steel plates attached to the guideway. Null flux aluminum loops provided for inherent stabilization.

Abstract: Described are improved valve covers on containers adapted for use in shipping and/or storing transportable chemicals. In one device of the invention, a hinge connects a lid to a rim and is displaced from the container's center line at a first preselected angle, is free-floating to permit horizontal self-alignment with the rim upon contact therewith, and is equipped with stop means for preventing the lid from swinging open more than a second preselected angle from a plane occupied by the sealing surface of the rim. The invention provides valve covers, and containers with valve covers, having significantly improved sealing capability to provide better protection of container valves and container content from external elements, contaminants and/or reactants, while employing a configuration which makes access to the valves and container contents easier and safer.

Abstract: A safety vessel and valve assembly for storage and transport of chemicals is disclosed. The assembly includes a vessel housing a series of retracted valves. A thickened mounting plate provides an area to mount and protect the valves within the vessel, while attaching to the vessel in such a manner to maintain the smooth exterior surface of the vessel. An impact softener and heat resistant shroud covers the vessel exterior protecting the vessel, its valves and chemical cargo during a collision or other external forces.

Abstract: Road tanker for an articulated vehicle, for hauling petroleum or other liquid products. The tanker has an elongated vessel provided internally with dividers. The dividers are joined to the side walls of the vessel by "U-shaped" extrusions providing dual connection between the dividers and the wall. The forward end of the vessel is provided with a skid plate which is integral with or located so as to be substantially at the same level as the bottom surfaces of the vessel. The forward and rearward vertical corners are hollow sections to reinforce the vessel at those locations. The vertical sides of the vessel are joined to the top panel by means of rails which inhibit rolling of the tanker from the side panels to the top panel.

Abstract: A tube well extends through a fluid containment compartment and is secured at both ends thereof to the compartment shell. Both ends of the well communicate with respective shell openings. Compartment fittings and/or equipment are positioned in the tube and are accessible through at least one of the openings. Both openings can be sealed and the well pressurized, to prevent pressurized fluid in the compartment from leaking through the equipment and into the tube well.

Abstract: A mobile road or rail tanker. The tanker is formed of sheet aluminum which forms an outer shell. The shell encloses a chamber which is divided by a transverse wall. The wall adjacent the shell comprises an annealed heat treatable weldable aluminum alloy which is relatively soft and ductile so that weld material adjacent the wall is stronger than the remainder of the wall.

Abstract: A fluid apparatus including a fluid tank having a shell and defining a fluid containment compartment. A well is recessed into the fluid tank at an opening in the shell. The well has a well wall secured to the shell and a support ring at the shell opening and secured to and inside of the well wall. A cover plate is removably securable to the support ring to form a pressure-tight connection relative to the interior of the well such that the cover plate can retain in the well a pressure at least as great as the working pressure of the fluid in the compartment. This pressure-tight securement is preferably made by threading bolts through the plate and into drilled, tapped blind holes in the ring. The well can have a well head secured to the well wall and opposite to the shell opening. The well head in turn can be equipped with an internal manway cover openable into the tank and closable in a pressure-tight manner relative to the well wall.

Abstract: A high density, substantially oxide-free metal layer is deposited by spray deposition on a substrate in an atmosphere containing ambient air having an oxygen content above about 0.1% by weight. This is accomplished by directing a supersonic-velocity jet stream of hot gases carrying metal particles at the substrate through an inert gas shroud. The layer is useful as a corrosion barrier and for repairing metal substrates.

Abstract: A fluid containment apparatus including first, second and third protective recessed wells. A first fluid flow device is positioned in the first well, a second fluid flow device in the second well, and control equipment in the third. First and second control conduits passing through the fluid compartment connect the control equipment with the first and second devices, respectively.

Abstract: A railway car heated by steam through a heat exchanger located at the bottom of a tank, the heat exchanger comprising a torus sleeved about a discharge valve in efficient heat transfer thereto.

Abstract: An eduction or siphon pipe in a railway tank car extends from adjacent a bottom sump area to a fitting in a top area of the car. The railway tank car has a generally curvilinear inner wall, and the eduction pipe is provided with a shape corresponding to the generally curvilinear inner wall and is supported in proximity thereto. This enables the eduction pipe to readily accommodate radial distortions of the railway tank car during transport. In addition, all (or substantially all) of the fluid commodity in the railway tank car can be withdrawn through the eduction pipe since the lower end thereof may be positioned in close proximity to the bottom sump without concern for radial distortion or deflection of the tank car.

Abstract: A baffle arrangement for pressurized or non-pressurized liquid cargo transport vessels includes a plurality of baffle members supported within the vessel at or slightly below the upper level of the liquid within the vessel to reduce sloshing of the liquid during vessel movement. Individual baffle members are supported at their ends by transverse support members which in turn are secured to brackets welded to the inner walls of the vessel. The baffle arrangement separates the vessel into a lower liquid carrying chamber and an upper substantially empty chamber. By reducing the sloshing effect the stability of the vehicle carrying the vessel will be increased substantially.

Abstract: A center stub sill railway tank car is disclosed having a generally cylindric, elongate tank. A center stub sill assembly is secured to the lower portion of the tank at each end thereof for transferring longitudinal train and lading loads between the tank and the center stub sill assembly. A bolster assembly is secured to the center stub sill and extends transversely of the car. An improved cradle assembly is secured to the lower end portion of the tank for reinforcing the tank bottom in the area of the center stub sill, the cradle assembly having an arcuate cradle extending at least in part circumferentially upwardly from the bottom centerline of the tank generally at the longitudinal position of the bolster assembly, and an upwardly facing hat section elongate cradle secured to the bottom end of the tank and extending inboard from the cradle.

Abstract: An internal baffle system comprising a plurality of upper stationary baffles spaced along the top interior wall portion of the tank and extending downward to a point within the tank, a second plurality of stationary baffles along the bottom floor portion of the tank and extending upward into the tank, a floor portion positioned substantially along the central interior of the tank for isolating the tank into an upper fluid portion and a lower fluid portion along its length, the floor portion including a centrally located panel member rotatable between open and closed positions, wherein in the open position allows fluid flow between the upper tank portion and the lower tank portion, and in the closed position any fluid contained within the lower half of the tank would be isolated from fluid or space in the upper half of the tank, thus creating a lower center of gravity of the tank, thus creating a lower center of gravity of the tank of the fluid being transported, and at the same time preventing any movement of

Abstract: A high volume covered railway hopper car is disclosed which has vertical end walls so as to fully utilize the space over the trucks of the car for lading volume. An automatic pneumatic unloading system is provided so as to unload a pulverant lading from the end compartments or hoppers, as well as the center, of the car, thus eliminating the necessity of sloped end sheets. A pneumatic loading system is provided which permits loading from below and thus permits the elimination of hatches, walkways, and the like on the roof of the car so as to permit the roof to extend substantially the full extent of AAR height clearances thereby to further maximize the lading volume of the car.

Abstract: Railroad tank cars are provided with spirally wound cylindrical tanks spanning and supported on wheeled trucks with a continuous weld extending the full length of the tank. A steel plate ribbon or strip is spirally wound in the form of a right circular cylinder with a continuous weld bonding the edges of the strip in abutted relation to provide the tank side wall. The open ends of the resulting cylinder tube are closed by welded-on end caps and suitable openings are provided in the tube for manways, vents, valves and the like. A heating coil may be provided on the inside or outside of the tank in intimate contact with the spirally wound ribbon and conventional insulation and jacketing may be provided around the tank. Drop center and center sump tank are provided by cutting the spirally wound tube along a diagonal plane, rotating adjoining sections 180.degree.

Abstract: A heated tank such as in a railroad tank car has a heat exchanger spaced from the bottom of the car to define a dead air space to insulate the heat exchanger from the bottom. The heat exchanger extends substantially longitudinally and transversely across the entire bottom of the car to provide a large heating transfer surface to the lading supported by the exchanger. A portion of the exchanger substantially encompasses a discharge valve of the tank car to provide heat transfer to the valve during unloading. The heat exchanger slopes toward the discharge valve to facilitate total removal of the lading. An inlet and an outlet associated with the heat exchanger are disposed adjacent the discharge valve for additional transfer of heat to the discharge valve. Baffles in the heat exchanger define a plurality of serpentine passages for conducting a heating medium.

Abstract: A dual lading railroad car which can carry solid, granular lading in hoppers at each end of the car and a liquid lading in a tank located in the center of the car between the hoppers. Only liquid lading can be carried in one direction and only solid, granular lading can be carried in a different or return direction, or both such ladings can be carried simultaneously in the same direction. Phosphate rock can be carried in the hoppers and molten sulfur in the tank. The exterior of the car looks substantially like a conventional covered hopper car since the tank is fully enclosed by the car walls and roof.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus adapted for installation in a mobile liquid container such as a railroad tank car. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends of a continuous finned pipe. The continuous finned pipe extends within the container to provide a surface for conductive heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid flowing through the pipe to the contents of the container.The continuous finned pipe is provided with shock absorbers and flexible loop portions to prevent damage to the apparatus from inertial shocks to the container. A preferred embodiment is designed particularly for use in railroad tank cars adapted to carry molten sulfur. The apparatus is used to remelt the sulfur, which has solidified in transit, for unloading.

Abstract: Bulkhead supports (18) are integrally connected to opposite side portions of a filament wound hopper car body (16). The bulkhead supports include longitudinally spaced extensions (20, 22) extending inwardly from the car body sides. The transverse bulkheads (14) are located within the extensions on either side of the car with longitudinal clearance (31). Resilient bulkhead cushioning members (32) are located between the bulkhead and each extension. The resilient bulkhead cushioning members extend only a short distance transversely to reduce or substantially eliminate the introduction of bending moments into the car body sides when the transverse bulkheads are subjected to lading loads.

Abstract: A method of converting a tank such as a railway tank car into a heated tank to facilitate dispensing a congealable stored medium, wherein at least one end portion of the tank is removed and an elongated heat exchanger is inserted into the tank through the opened end. The heat exchanger is secured within the tank, a pre-determined distance from the bottom of the tank to define with the bottom a dead air space, the heat exchanger extending substantially longitudinally and transverselly across the entire bottom of the tank and downwardly sloping and extending to a drain valve. The heat exchanger is positioned in a sealed relationship with the walls of the tank. Thereafter, the portion of the removed end of the tank is replaced in a sealed relationship with the heat exchanger. The method includes a particular positioning of the heat exchanger in a heat relationship with the drain valve. The method further includes the positioning of inlet-outlet openings in the heat exchanger adjacent the drain valve.

Abstract: Latch for locking a container to a pedestal on the flat deck of a flat car and particularly containers containing flammable materials. The container is supported on a pedestal at each corner thereof and the pedestals are adjustably mounted in guideways for movement along the deck of the flat car in accordance with the length of the container, to support containers at selected intervals along the car. A spring biased latch is provided to lock the container to the pedestal and a lock is provided for the latch is provided which reacts against the pedestal and includes a biasing spring for the lock to positively hold the latch in a locked position even though the car should be derailed.

Abstract: A rail car includes substantially flat plate extensions interposed between upper and lower sections of the shell of the car to increase the internal volume of the car. The extensions are supported by lateral supports which extend laterally in the interior of the car and by longitudinal support beams also in the car interior which extend longitudinally of the extensions, are intersected by the lateral supports, and substantially prevent internal pressure in the car from being applied to the extensions.

Abstract: A tank car stub sill support structure is provided in which a half ring is attached to the inner end of a stub center sill at each end of the car. The half ring includes a top cover plate which engages the lower half of the tank, and a lower cover plate which is vertically spaced below the top cover plate. A vertical web joins the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate. The height of the vertical web and the distance between the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate varies in accordance with the bending moment applied to the ring by the tank and lading in the car. Thus the height of the vertical web is maximum at the centerline of the car and decreases to a minimum at the sides of the car. The stub sill is welded to the upper cover plate, bottom cover plate and to the vertical web on the outboard side of the vertical web. The coupler impact loads are thus transmitted into the upper cover plate and into the tank substantially entirely in shear.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for automatically sequentially loading and unloading railway tank cars from a single station. A novel valve arrangement in combination with a liquid sensor permits tank cars to be loaded or unloaded in sequence with each car after it is filled being isolated from the loading system to provide a straight flow path for the liquid directly from the station to the tank car to be loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: A tank for transporting liquids, having a baffle system for control of liquid surges produced by acceleration of the tank in transit. Large cylindrical hollow baffles, parallel to the longitudinal tank axis, are mounted between transverse support partitions, the entire assembly being rigidly attached to the walls of the tank vessel. Small relief holes in the cylindrical baffles allow the liquid level in the baffles to change as the tank is filled or drained. Transverse liquid surges are controlled by the cylindrical baffles, which prevent surging of the liquid contained within the baffles, while deflecting and dissipating wave motion and surges of liquid outside the baffles. Longitudinal surges are controlled by the transverse support partitions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a railway tank car is provided with a tank car skid arrangement including a continuous tank cradle pad extending the full distance between the stub sills located at opposite ends of the car. The cradle pad is curved to follow the tank bottom contour. A reinforcing plate is rigidly attached to the cradle pad extending transversely and longitudinally outwardly on either side of at least one tank car bottom fitting (lading valve and/or sump) depending from the tank bottom. The reinforcing plate is preferably also curved to follow the contour of the cradle pad and the tank bottom. A tank car skid extending longitudinally and transversely of the bottom fitting is rigidly attached to the reinforcing plate. The skid includes opposite end portions which are welded to the tank and which extend downwardly and inwardly toward a center section which contains the bottom fitting.