Gate assembly for a railroad hopper car
US6263803A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61D7/26
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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. Seal structure is provided in combination with the frame, door and a modular element for inhibiting debris from contaminating the door and a discharge plenum defined by the frame of the gate assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.