Railroad car spraying method and apparatus
US5352297A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB05B15/60
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Spray apparatus for applying a fixative liquid chemical to freshly loaded railway coal cars includes a pivoting boom mounted atop a column. The column is both rotatable, to enable avoiding encroaching on a railway right of way, and vertically adjustable, to accommodate cars loaded to different heights. Boom pivot and column vertical movement are powered. Three rows of spray nozzles are supported from the boom. Each nozzle has its own valve. A first row of nozzles sprays the frontal, inclined surface of heaped coal. A second row sprays the main body of heaped coal, and a third row sprays the rearward, inclined surface. Photoresponsive sensors initiate spray signals, which are conditioned by timers. Progress of a railway car past these sensors initiates spray signals, which are suitably delayed, then discontinued, by timers. Total spray time for any one car is limited by an additional timer. Train speed is gauged by an observer, after which timing functions are determined to spray each car appropriately. A combination of boom pivoting and column vertical adjustment assures that the nozzles are centered over the railway car. The column comprises concentric members fitted at close tole…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.