Abstract: A conveyor system includes multiple carts that move along a rail. The rail includes a top panel upon which a vertical wheel of the cart is supported, along with a first side panel defining a channel within which a horizontal wheel of the cart is retained. One or more connector rails extend along the rail, and the cart is electrically connected to the one or more connector rails.

Abstract: A system for loading/unloading solid materials from an open top rail car is described. The system may comprise suitable safety features, structural reinforcement and loading features to permit operation of the system by a single operator in a safe manner. In some examples, the system comprises a crawler excavator reversibly coupled to a sled attachment to permit movement of the crawler excavator along a top surface of an open top rail car.

Abstract: A vertical sorter having a track with at least two straight portions and at least two curved portions is disclosed. A linear motor primary coil is mounted on the at least two straight portions, and two adjacent straight potions are connected by at least one curved portion. Supply tables are disposed at ends of the at least two straight portions respectively and used for providing goods to each straight portion; chutes are disposed along two sides of the at least two straight portions and used for transporting the goods on each straight portion to corresponding areas; a sorting trolley is used for conveying the goods on the supply table to a corresponding chute; and a secondary magnet is mounted on the sorting trolley, wherein the linear motor primary coil and the secondary magnet cooperate to drive the sorting trolley to move along the track.

Abstract: Systems for processing requests to execute a program code of a user use a deployment model to select one of multiple virtual computing environments, each implemented on a plurality of server computers, which will produce the optimal program code execution, according to metrics such as latency, cost, and resource availability. The system receives the requests in the form of event messages associated with triggering events occurring on networks across the environments. The system feeds network usage data and event message metadata describing the event, event source, other target resources, and the like, into the deployment model to identify a candidate environment. The system enables the candidate environment to execute the program code, and then routes a subset of the event messages to the candidate environment, monitoring associated performance data. If the request processing is improved, the system continues routing some or all of the event messages to the candidate environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a railway vehicle, wherein the vehicle having a plurality of cars arranged one behind the other longitudinally, wherein each car has a front end articulated to a rear end of the adjacent car; at least one power unit connected to a first of the cars; and a collision energy absorbing assembly, The collision energy absorbing assembly has a first collision energy absorbing system located at the front of the power unit and a second collision energy absorbing system located at the connection between the power unit and the first car.

Abstract: A transport trailer and method specifically adapted for safely transporting liquid containing unstabilized drilling waste from more than one waste generator or, multiple waste streams from one or more waste generators. Typically drilling waste is stabilized using binding agents like fly-ash, liquids absorbing pellets or sawdust. In many jurisdictions binding agents are required to stabilize the drill cuttings prior to transport. A sealed transport trailer comprising greater than one container on the transport trailer is described herein which is specifically designed, sized and positioned over a set of axles so as to provide for safe, non-spilling transport, and particular ease of emptying for unstabilized drilling waste.

Abstract: In a method or apparatus for transporting bulk goods by rail cars on a rail network to a rail car handling terminal where the handling terminal includes a loading and/or unloading system with a metering device for measuring an amount of the bulk goods loaded or unloaded. At the terminal there is a center control data hub connecting to a plurality of portable hand held field computers and a communication system for communication with the rail network to obtain a Car Location Message (CLM), a way bill and mechanical data for each of the rail cars. The center control hub generates data indicating a current stage of each of the railcars and a signal indicative that a rail car can be transferred from one stage to another stage to the portable computers to control transfer of the rail car from one stage to the next stage.

Abstract: A bulk material loading wagon (1) for incorporation into a loading train consisting of several such wagons has a storage box (3) for storing bulk material, the storage box being open at the top and fastened to a wagon frame (2), and—associated with the storage box—a bottom conveyor belt (5) extending in the lower region of the storage box (3) and in the longitudinal direction of the wagon. The wagon frame (2) is equipped with an opening (16), arranged between two adjacent on-track undercarriages (14), for passage of a lower section—adjoining the lower deflection end (9)—of a transfer conveyor belt (8). A drive (18) is provided for displacement of the transfer conveyor belt (8) in its conveying- or longitudinal direction (4) through the opening (18) relative to the wagon frame (2).

Abstract: A trailer-train trailer having a carrying frame for accommodating at least one material transport cart carried along in a trailer train, the carrying frame including a centrally arranged chassis having an axle, two wheels laterally supported on said axle, and an arrangement, for accommodating the material transport cart, is provided in front of and behind the chassis in a direction of travel. The arrangement for accommodating the material transport cart includes ascending and descending ramps for supporting the swiveling and/or fixed rollers of the trolley at least one material transport cart. A height-adjustable arrangement for locking the material transport cart may be arranged at the two lateral ends of the housing transversely to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A self-unloading aggregate train including a plurality of hopper cars and an individual conveyor belt located beneath each hopper car. The head pulley at one end of each individual conveyor belt may rotate the belt in a direction from a tail pulley towards the head pulley. The head pulley of one hopper car is positioned above and adjacent of a tail pulley of the adjacent hopper car. This arrangement of hopper cars with individual conveyor belts may be used to unload material from the train. The individual conveyor belts may be adapted so that the trajectory of material transfer to an adjacent belt is near the pivot point between the adjacent hopper cars. The individual conveyor belts may have a substantially constant slope. The hopper of the hopper cars may also be configured with a substantially constant slope that matches the slope of the individual conveyor belts.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a base, a pair of wheel sets mounted underneath the base in a spaced apart relationship to each other, at least one coupling members mounted on at least one end of the base along longitudinal axis of the vehicle, an enclosure upstanding on the base and having a pair of side wall structures, a pair of end wall members and a roof member joining upper edges of each of the pair of side wall members and the pair of end wall structures, the enclosure defining an interior compartment of the railway freight car and an apparatus configured to move the enclosure in a vertical direction relative to the base.

Abstract: A device for controlling material flows may include at least one feeding device for feeding material of at least one type of material, at least one output device for outputting material of at least one type of material, a transport device for transporting the material, at least one sensor for determining at least one state-dependent parameter of the device, and a control device for controlling the devices, the control device being designed to process event-based signals, e.g., signals from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A rail guide for loading railroad rails onto a rail train. The rail guide includes a guide beam disposed to depend vertically downward over each shelf in a rack on a rack car. The guide beam extends substantially the length of the rack car and is coupled to a corresponding guide beam of an adjacent car via a bridge that is configured to accommodate relative movement between the cars. A shoe is provided that is coupled to a leading end of a rail to be loaded. The shoe includes a follower that engages the guide beam to guide a rail being loaded along a path defined by the guide beam. The guide beam can provide vertical and lateral support to the leading end of the rail during loading.

Abstract: This loader is for transferring cargo containers between vehicles having an exposed center sill and end platforms to receive the loader between them. The loader has top and bottom frames for respectively extending over and under the center sill of the vehicle. The bottom frame is supported on wheels that fit under the sill. The top frame extends over the vehicle's sill and over the bottom frame of the loader and fits between platforms on the vehicle which supports the ends of the container to align. Air-lift bags on the top frame lift the container off or set it in place on the vehicle. The top and bottom frames are connected along one side to support the loader on its wheels to straddle the sill of the vehicle. The wheels are lifted to carry the loader on the vehicle for transport under the container.

Abstract: A cart for storage of items, such as air passenger luggage, and transport thereof between, e.g., airport sorting apparatus and aircrafts, comprises a chassis and a storage section. The storage section comprises one or more shelves, each of which is inclined with respect to the chassis, to allow items to be moved under the action of gravity between a loading end and an unloading end of the cart. A releasable closure structure is provided at the lower end of the shelf. The closure structure may form a continuation of the shelf when in its non-closing position. The cart is suited for automatic or manual loading and unloading of items.

Abstract: The device pertains to a carriage which may be separate or integrated with a mobile, powered loading vehicle to load or unload railroad track materials to or from a gondola and a method thereof.

Abstract: The device pertains to a carriage which may be separate or integrated with a mobile, powered loading vehicle to load or unload railroad track materials to or from a gondola and a method thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an assembly for balk transport. An inflatable bladder is inserted into a container and disposed proximal and above a gravity-fed aperture. The container may be, for instance, a hopper rail car. A bulk material then is introduced into the container, the bulk material being, for instance, a grain-based material such as corn gluten feed. The bladder is positioned and preferably secured laterally with respect to the aperture to impede access to the aperture by the bulk material. When the container has reached the transport destination, the bladder is deflated. If the bulk material has set up during transport, access to the aperture nonetheless will have been maintained.

Abstract: A linkage clamping system that may be used both for moving a clamp laterally and for rotating the clamp. The device includes a linear actuator, a rotational linkage assembly, and a clamping member. The linear actuator may first rotate the clamp, then move the clamp laterally, or may be configured to move the clamp laterally first, then rotate it. Both the lateral and rotational movements are achieved in distinct motions with a single linear actuator. The clamp may be rotated about 180 degrees and the lateral movement may only be limited by the lateral movement provided by the linear actuator. The linkage clamping system may be used to secure equipment, such as a material handler for unloading an open top railroad car.

Abstract: A system is provided with vehicles for Under-way Vehicle transfer where railway depot cars run on track flush in runways for buses or other highway vehicles to drive parallelly into bottom and side openings, berths, in the cars while moving at train speed along the runway and be lifted and lowered in their berths for transfer of passengers to and from the train nonstop. The buses have an alignment arm at each front (both ends are front) for the driver to extend into the opening and apply pressure on the front face of the berth on the train so the bus driver can detect steady alignment by reading a pressure gauge before turning to enter the opening. The arm is pushed into the bus as the bus reaches alignment under the berth and turns the bus wheels parallel with the train if the driver has not. The bus floor is at or near the height of the depot car floor when set on end ledges in the berth by retracting the bus wheels or lowering end brackets to lift the bus for quick exchange of passengers with the train.

Abstract: A material handling system has a shuttle car attached by an extension element either directly to a supply car or to a staging car attached to a supply car. An object manipulator moves an object into place for acquisition by the shuttle car which is brought into position by retraction of the extension element. The extension element extends and moves the shuttle car away to draw the object most of the way from the staging car. A second object manipulator opposite to the shuttle engages the object before the object is pulled completely from the supply car. The shuttle car and the second manipulator lower the object. Objects may also be retrieved and placed on the supply car. In some embodiments, a track on the staging and supply cars may allow a manipulator to travel along the cars to acquire objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a load handling system including: a trailer capable of being hitched to a towing vehicle and/or to other trailers in order to form a conveyor train. Wheels and a shaft support a chassis equipped with a loading and unloading module for a load-bearing dolly. The loading and unloading module includes a conveyor defining a first incline for positioning the dolly, whereby the dolly is no longer in contact with the ground and is held in position on the trailer, and a second incline, the second incline having a symmetric position with respect to the first incline. The conveyor enables loading and unloading of the dolly on the first side of the trailer and on the second side of the trailer.

Abstract: Material transfer trailers including an elongate chassis, and a longitudinally extending conveyor for transferring material to a desired location, the conveyor being supported by the chassis and including a main portion mounted to the chassis, the main portion having a lower end and an upper end opposite the lower end, an extension portion including a link end moveably mounted to the upper end of the fixed portion and a discharge end opposite the link end, wherein the extension portion is configured to move between an extended position and a stowed position. In some examples, the main portion is fixedly mounted to the chassis. In some examples, the extension portion is pivotally mounted to the main portion. In some examples, the conveyor defines a void to receive a rear-mounted projection of a receiving vehicle.

Abstract: A transportable apparatus has a main body in a working position with a bottom end resting on the ground. The bottom end of a frame is pivotally attached to the main body above the bottom end of the main body and the frame is aligned with a side of the main body. An actuator pivots the frame downward about the pivot axis to a transport position where the frame extends substantially horizontally away from the main body. Wheels support the frame and a hitch at a top end of the frame is adapted for connection to a tow vehicle when the frame is in the transport position. When the frame is connected to a tow vehicle, the actuator can be operated to pivot the main body downward about the pivot axis to a lowered transport position where the main body rests on the frame for transport on the wheels.

Abstract: An improved rail car is pulled by an engine for transporting coal or other porous dust bearing materials. The car has opposing long sidewalls and opposing shorter end walls, which together define an initially open interior, a bottom and an open top. The open top of the car is covered by at least one pair of main doors in the form of opposing hinged A-frame sections which are pivotable between a closed, transport position and an open loading position which exposes the rail car interior for loading. The A-frame sections also have longitudinally spaced edges which are spaced apart to form a discharge door opening. A discharge door is located in each of the discharge door opening and is pivotally hinged within the respective door opening so that it opens under the influence of gravity in a rotary dumping operation. The discharge doors, together with the A-frame sections, form a door-within-a-door operating configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-buried facility for storing dangerous materials packaged into containers (10), including: at least one cell (2) defined by buried vertical firewalls (3a) forming a pit containing said containers; and each cell being surrounded by a chamber including vertical firewalls (7a) extending above the ground; and at least one container (10) depositing and receiving area (6; 25), such as a roadway (6) for trucks (6a), and/or an area (25) for handling containers (10) from or to a railway transport line (22); and a corridor-shaped depositing area (5) inside each of said chambers between each of said buried cells and a longitudinal chamber wall (7a); and a motor-driven container handling gantry crane (8) capable of moving one of said containers (8c) that has been suspended to a height greater than that of said chamber walls (7a).

Abstract: A plurality of manually maneuverable battery bank modules are formed into a train and transported by a vehicle to the site of electrically operated equipment. At the site, the modules replace modules already connected to the equipment.

Abstract: A pipeline padding machine includes a debris-resistant escalator flight. A pipeline padding machine includes an escalator assembly with multiple flight sections attached to a track. A gap between leading and trailing edges of respective adjacent flight sections may be substantially the same when the track is substantially straight, and when the track is at its maximum curvature. Leading and trailing edge portions of each flight section may be angled relative to a longitudinal axis of a corresponding track section by a same angle as that between adjacent track sections when the track is at its maximum curvature. The edge portions of respective adjacent flight sections may be substantially parallel to each other when the track is at its maximum curvature.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are assembled into trailer assemblies at an assembly area. Trailers containing freight are assembled into trailer assembles using specialized dollies. A preferred embodiment includes using a self-powered dolly having tires and mounting a fifth-wheel pickup plate and a ring coupler for engaging the kingpin of a trailer. Multiple dolly-trailer assemblies are connected together to form a trailer assembly. A self-powered movable ramp is positioned at an end of the railcar assembly and a tractor pulls the trailer assembly onto a railcar assembly by driving up a self-powered movable ramp and across the top of the railcars.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an assembly for bulk transport. An inflatable bladder is inserted into a container and disposed proximal and above a gravity-fed aperture. The container may be, for instance, a hopper rail car. A bulk material then is introduced into the container, the bulk material being, for instance, a grain-based material such as corn gluten feed. The bladder is positioned and preferably secured laterally with respect to the aperture to impede access to the aperture by the bulk material. When the container has reached the transport destination, the bladder is deflated. If the bulk material has set up during transport, access to the aperture nonetheless will have been maintained.

Abstract: A guided transport vehicle has a berth with open side and bottom for a roadway vehicle to be driven along side on a station driveway and obliquely steered into the berth and lifted for transport on the transport vehicle and lowered to another station driveway and obliquely steered out from the berth. The guided vehicle can be a railway car in a train on a track or guideway flush with station driveways for the transfer vehicle. The transfer vehicle can be a bus, truck, motor home, or platform for holding containers or vehicles. This transfer vehicle has all wheel parallel steering and can shift to front wheel steering at either end. End rollers guide the transfer vehicle parallelly in and out of the berth, and end lifts raise the vehicle for travel on the train above the track. The vehicle is controlled to accelerate to train speed and aligned before all wheels are turned together at an oblique angle to enter the berth.

Abstract: A mobile transport platform for the handling of aeronautical parts with a frame has an array of telescopic actuators vertically arranged in rows and columns, each telescopic actuator is coupled by one end to the frame, and has a coupled head (2c) at its opposite end; a control system connected to each telescopic actuator for individually controlling the actuation of each telescopic actuator so that the telescopic actuator can adapt a position between that of maximum extension in which the head and at least part of the shaft of the telescopic actuator project from the plane of the load surface, and that of maximum retraction in which at least the shaft of the telescopic actuator does not project from the plane of the load surface.

Abstract: A distribution system includes a railcar having a length defining an x-direction, and a payload disposed within the interior of the railcar. The payload includes assemblages of product, the product of each assemblage being disposed upon a pallet, the assemblages being arranged in sets of assemblages along the x-direction. The sets of assemblages are disposed in an alternating staggered arrangement in the x-direction such that a first plurality of the sets of assemblages are disposed substantially toward one side of the railcar, and a second plurality of the sets of assemblages are disposed substantially toward the other side of the railcar.

Abstract: A material-handler adapted for locating on top of an open topped railroad car includes a chassis mounted on tracks, and a first and second pair of outriggers extending from the chassis. Wheels and clamps are located at the distal ends of the outriggers to stabilize the material handler on the top of the railroad car. A knuckle boom is rotatably mounted on the chassis for manipulating cargo materials. The material handler of the invention also utilizes the clamps and wheels on the outriggers in conjunction with the boom to self-load and self-unload the material handler to and from the top of a railroad car, and to and from one care to another with possible different height and width. Operator safety is enhanced by allowing the operator to control the self-loading and unloading via remote control.

Abstract: Cargo wagon to transport bulk material in different conditions which allows the load not to attach itself to the surface of the wagon, speeding up the unloading process, wherein said cargo wagon is formed by a defined structure which vertebral frame is conformed by a longitudinal beam, where in a transversal way to such beam ribs have been configured in a semi-rectangular shape which give the volume configuration to the wagon's load; in the Terminal ends of such ribs there are lateral beams that give firmness to the structures that define the ribs; said lateral beams have on their interior end steel plates along their whole longitude that conform an upper lateral end of the wagon; where in said steel plates and in suspended form there are a series of ropes over which there is rubber carpet in suspended form that defines the structure to receive the load.

Abstract: Material transfer trailers including an elongate chassis, and a longitudinally extending conveyor for transferring material to a desired location, the conveyor being supported by the chassis and including a main portion mounted to the chassis, the main portion having a lower end and an upper end opposite the lower end, an extension portion including a link end moveably mounted to the upper end of the fixed portion and a discharge end opposite the link end, wherein the extension portion is configured to move between an extended position and a stowed position. In some examples, the main portion is fixedly mounted to the chassis. In some examples, the extension portion is pivotally mounted to the main portion. In some examples, the conveyor defines a void to receive a rear-mounted projection of a receiving vehicle.

Abstract: A truck (1) for a railroad rehabilitation machine comprises a railway truck (3) and a tank (2) resting on the railway truck (3) in a removable manner. The tank (2) comprises a holding structure (5) extending along a predetermined direction (X), at least one first conveyor (8) mounted within the holding structure (5) to transport incoherent material along the predetermined direction (X) internally of the holding structure (5), and an element (22) for laying the holding structure (5) on the truck (3) for railway transport. A process for making a truck for a railway rehabilitation machine comprises the steps of arranging a railway truck (3) having a support platform (4), arranging a tank (2) for trucks of railroad rehabilitation machines in accordance with the invention and laying the tank (2) on the platform (4) of the railway truck (3) in a removable manner.

Abstract: The invention provides an articulated aircraft loader for loading and unloading goods in and out of an aircraft. The articulated aircraft loader is provided with a main chassis having a main loading platform mounted thereon. The main loading platform is moveable between a lower elevation level and an upper elevation level substantially coplanar with the loading level of the aircraft. The articulated aircraft loader also has a rear chassis connectable to the main chassis and provided with a rear loading platform moveable between a lowermost elevation level and a second elevation level comprised between the lower and upper elevation levels for allowing transfer of goods between the main and rear platforms. The articulated aircraft loader also has articulated connecting means operatively connected to each of the main chassis for articularly connecting the rear chassis to the main chassis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling device combining at least one trailer (100) that can be hitched to a tractor vehicle and/or to other trailers to form a carriage train and at least one bed (300) for bearing the load (C), notable in that the trailer (100) comprises running means (110) supporting a chassis (120) equipped with a module (200) for loading and unloading the bed (300) that bears the load (C) combining means for the motorized movement of the bed and means for positioning said bed (300) so that the bed (300) is no longer in contact with the ground and is held in position on the trailer (100).

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a self unloading bottom discharge trailer. The trailer includes a coupler attached to the trailer adapted for attachment to a trailer hitch. The trailer also includes a hopper configured to carry an aggregate material and having a bottom discharge opening for unloading the aggregate material. A transfer conveyor belt system is disposed at least in part under the bottom discharge opening. The transfer conveyor belt is sized and shaped to receive bulk material from the bottom discharge opening and convey and elevate the material away from the bottom discharge opening. A throw conveyor belt is positioned adjacent the transfer conveyor belt system to receive bulk material from the transfer conveyor belt system. The throw conveyor belt is operable at varying speeds to throw the bulk material variable distances into the hopper of an adjacent bulk material transport vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and devices for storing railway surveillance vehicles on trains and placing railway surveillance vehicles onto railway tracks.

Abstract: A method of transporting rails to, and leaving the rails at, a target location. The method includes using a train having multiple rail wagons. The steps include supporting the rails on at least two successive wagons with the rail being movable relative to at least one wagon in the direction of elongate extent of the rail, and using winches on the wagons to unload the rails at the target location.

Abstract: A handling device packs wood chips with a density greater than that achieved using conventional free-fall techniques by ?20%-35%. The device includes a drum rotating about a generally horizontal axis that includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades that act to fling the wood chips so as to land with a substantially uniform orientation. The blades may comprise a leading face with at least a first face section that extends in a first direction and at least a second face section extending at a forward angle relative to the first section. The first direction may be generally normal to the drum core's peripheral surface. The output from the drum, when an input stream of wood chips is fed to the drum, covers an arc of at least 90°, typically in the range of 90°-120° and generally downwardly facing, when viewed from the side along the axis.

Abstract: In a method of loading several like coupled storage cars with bulk material, a first storage car is first filled with the bulk material by reducing the conveying speed mode of a bottom conveyor band in the first storage car to a bulk material storing speed mode while a transfer conveyor band of the adjacent storage car fills the first storage car, the storing speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the first storage car is automatically adjusted in response to a measured amount of the bulk material accumulating in a pile so that the first storage car is filled to a maximal height, and after the accumulated pile has reached a forward end position, the conveying speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the storage car adjacent to, and rearwardly of, the first storage car in the conveying direction is automatically reduced to the storing speed mode.

Abstract: A material handling and transport apparatus for railroad use comprises a rail car loading assembly and a deck vehicle. The rail car loading assembly comprises a loading machine having a handling arm, and means to move the rail car loading assembly forward and rearward along top edges of sidewalls of a string of gondola cars and across gaps between the gondola cars. The deck vehicle comprises a deck located at a deck end of the deck vehicle such that the deck can be maneuvered adjacent to an end gondola car of the string of gondola cars wherein the deck is located at a vertical loading position such that the means to move the rail car loading assembly is operative to move the rail car loading assembly onto the deck.

Abstract: Vehicle payload in a service vehicle including a vehicle chassis having two spaced frame members (50) with a generally horizontal deck (16) mounted on the frame members for receiving and carrying a load to be transported and which extends to either side of a vehicle centerline (48) and which is provided with a crane (28) located to one side of the centerline is achieved in a lightweight, torsionally resistant deck structure including a horizontal plate (44) together with at least two spaced, elongated box beams (46) supporting the plate (44) which extend longitudinally of the center line (48) together with a plurality of cross members (64) secured to and extending between the box beams (46).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unloading long ribbon rails which are carried on a transport car on bunks which hold the rails in four or five different tiers each containing eight to ten rails. A special railcar is equipped with a gantry crane which feeds the rails from the bunks into power driven thread boxes. The thread boxes grip the rails and feed them rearwardly onto the railway bed. After the first two rails have been unloaded side by side, the next pair are fed into the thread boxes. The thread boxes feed these rails out of the bunks as the train is moved forwardly at the same speed as the rails are fed rearwardly so that the rails are unloaded end to end with the first pair of rails. The railcar has retractable over the road wheels that allow it to be towed on the roadway to the site of the rail transport car.

Abstract: A cargo loading apparatus and method tightly and efficiently disperse material pieces such as wood chips into a cargo space. The loading apparatus includes an elongated symmetrical body such as an elongated cylinder having vanes or blades along the surface thereof. The apparatus is mounted across the stream of material pieces. As the body rotates through the stream of pieces, the vanes strike the pieces and disperse them within the cargo space. In one embodiment the vanes are mounted parallel to the axis of rotation of the apparatus and thus disperse the pieces primarily in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In another embodiment, at least some of the vanes are mounted at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation and thus disperse the materials in a fan-shaped pattern. The vanes can include a detachable wear plate mounted to a support bracket which may be readily replaced without having to repair or replace other parts of the apparatus.

Abstract: A control system (60) controls a material handling system and has a first control module (120), a second control module (140), and a third control module (160). The first module (120) includes a first control cabinet (12) for providing primary control to the first module (120), a first external component (20) for controlling an equipment component of the material handling system, and a modular interconnectivity component (30) for interconnecting the first control cabinet (12) and the first external component (20) for control of the first external component (20). The control system (60) further includes a first internal component (20) for operating the first control cabinet (12) and a modular interconnectivity component (30). The first module (120) has primary control of the second module (140) and the third module (160).

Abstract: A wood chip loading device loads wood chips into a container with a density greater than that achieved using conventional free-fall techniques by 20%-35% or more. The wood chip loading device may include a drum rotating about a generally horizontal axis. The drum includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades that act to fling the wood chips out in a truncated sector pattern. The wood chips form a wide-based stack in the container such that the wood chips have a substantially uniform orientation, thereby allowing for greater packing densities. The device may also include a feed chute assembly that allows for adjustment of the ratio of the input stream that is delivered to the middle and side portions of the spinning drum. In some of these embodiments, this adjustment may be made while the device is operating, thereby allowing for on-the-fly adjustments by the operator.