EP3929053B1 - Hopper unloading hatch, and hopper wagon comprising such a hatch - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to hopper wagons, and more particularly to hopper wagon unloading hatches.

Prior art

It is known to have unloading hatches, or unloading doors, mounted to rotate around a pivot axis parallel to a discharge opening. The unloading hatches then cover the discharge opening in the closed position and can rotate to an open position in which the unloading hatches no longer completely cover the discharge opening, in order to allow the flow of materials in particles contained in the hopper.

Such unloading hatches are described in particular in the document US 1,625,671 . In particular, in the document US 1,625,671 , the hopper has two openings facing each other, and two unloading hatches mounted to rotate and controlled individually. An unloading hatch comprising a drum is described in the document UK 2,221,718 .

It is also known, documents US 3,822,650 Or US 5,606,916 , to have unloading hatches with two guide channels and mounted to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Depending on the direction of rotation of the discharge hatch, the particulate matter from the hopper flows into one or other of the guide channels of the hatch, in order to be conveyed to one side or the other. other of the axis of rotation of the unloading hatch. Such unloading hatches are generally mounted in the longitudinal direction of the hopper wagon and allow, depending on the direction of rotation of the hatch, to unload the particles contained in the hopper on one side or the other of the hopper wagon. .

However, such unloading hatches often include as many drive mechanisms as hatches, which leads to a sometimes long handling time to allow complete unloading of a hopper, or to allow the unloading of a given quantity. of a hopper. In addition, the trap drive mechanisms are often complex and specific, which sometimes results in high costs or premature wear or malfunction. Finally, the maneuvering efforts to be applied to the Control handles of drive mechanisms can also be large, which is undesirable for the people who use them.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to resolve the various technical problems stated previously. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a hopper unloading hatch making it possible to facilitate the opening and closing of a hopper, and making it possible to obtain a greater opening and closing speed than in known unloading hatches. Furthermore, the invention also aims to provide an unloading hatch which is simple to manufacture and reliable over time.

Thus, according to one aspect, a hopper unloading hatch is proposed, the hatch comprising a frame with two lower openings, the two lower openings being separated from each other by an intermediate frame portion. The two lower openings, and possibly the intermediate part, delimit parts of a cylinder surface, for example parts of the surface of a half-cylinder, and the unloading hatch also comprises a drum mounted in rotation, on the frame, along the two lower openings, and possibly the intermediate part. The drum has two peripheral walls separated from each other by a transverse through discharge channel, the two peripheral walls of the drum extending into parts of a cylinder surface, for example a surface of a half-cylinder, the drum being mounted to rotate along the axis of said cylinder. The two peripheral walls are configured to individually close the two lower openings of the frame when the unloading hatch is closed, and the unloading channel is configured to come opposite one of the two lower openings of the frame when the unloading hatch is opened.

The unloading hatch, or unloading door, according to the invention thus makes it possible to open easily and simultaneously the two lower openings of a hopper, by rotation of a single drum. In particular, the two peripheral walls are also configured to individually open the two lower openings of the frame when the unloading hatch is open. The drum is therefore configured to open, preferably simultaneously, or close, preferably simultaneously, the two lower openings of the frame. For this purpose, the drum has two peripheral walls each intended to obstruct a lower opening of the frame when the hatch is closed. The drum also includes a discharge channel located between the two peripheral walls of the drum and which allows the flow of particulate matter from one of the lower openings when the hatch is open. The hatch according to the invention thus makes it possible to have simplified drive kinematics, since there is only one drum to rotate to allow the simultaneous opening and closing of the two lower openings of the frame, which makes it possible to obtain a more reliable and less expensive unloading hatch.

In order to obtain such kinematics, the drum extends in a cylinder portion, that is to say that the two peripheral walls of the drum correspond to surface parts of a cylinder, preferably of the same cylinder, and the lower openings of the frame also delimit surface parts of a cylinder, preferably of the same cylinder. The lower openings of the frame are configured to correspond, geometrically, to the peripheral walls of the drum. Thus, by rotating the peripheral walls of the drum along the lower openings of the frame, it is possible to gradually open or close, that is to say partially or completely, the lower openings of the frame, in order to allow the flow of the contents of the hopper.

The lower openings delimiting surface portions of a cylinder, they can extend in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the axis of the cylinder. Likewise, the drum having two peripheral walls extending into surface portions of a cylinder, it can also extend in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the axis of the cylinder. Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the lower openings of the frame is the same as the longitudinal direction of the drum, and such a longitudinal direction can be parallel or transverse to a longitudinal direction of the hopper wagon. In other words, the drum is positioned parallel to the two lower openings of the frame.

Preferably, the drum may have a length substantially equal to or greater than that of the two lower openings.

Preferably, the lower openings of the frame are spaced apart from each other, for example positioned symmetrically, facing each other, along the surface of a half-cylinder. In other words, the two lower openings of the frame each extend along one edge of the surface of a half-cylinder.

Preferably, the space between the two lower openings of the frame, for example the intermediate part, has a surface area similar to that of one of the two lower openings, so that the peripheral wall of the drum configured to close said one of the two lower openings can be positioned between the two lower openings, in particular facing the intermediate part, when the unloading hatch is open.

Thus, when the drum rotates relative to the frame to open the unloading hatch, one of the peripheral walls of the drum will position itself outside the frame, while the other peripheral wall of the drum will position itself opposite the frame. the intermediate part of the frame. At the same time, the drum will open one of the lower openings of the frame by no longer being positioned opposite it, while the unloading channel will position itself opposite the other lower opening to open it as well. .

Preferably, the two peripheral walls are secured together in rotation, for example by their distal ends and/or by spacers arranged between the distal ends of the drum.

The two peripheral walls are integral in rotation, and can be operated simultaneously, using a single handle for example. This simplifies the construction and the mechanism for opening and closing the unloading hatch.

Preferably, the drum has two interior walls, preferably parallel, delimiting the through unloading channel.

The drum unloading channel is positioned between the two peripheral walls: the drum can thus comprise two distinct parts each comprising a peripheral wall and an interior wall, so as to form the drum unloading channel between the two peripheral walls.

Preferably, the drum comprises a first part delimiting one of the two peripheral walls and a second part delimiting the other of the two peripheral walls, the first and the second parts being preferably identical or symmetrical to each other.

Each part of the drum delimiting a peripheral wall and an interior wall of the unloading channel, it is then possible to have a drum with two identical parts, or symmetrical to each other, in order to facilitate the design and reduce manufacturing costs. drum manufacturing. Preferably, the drum also includes two end flanges on which the first and second parts are mounted, so as to connect them to the axis of rotation of the drum.

In order to secure the two peripheral walls of the drum together, and to be able to rotate them together, the drum has two end flanges making it possible to connect the two peripheral walls to each other and to the axis of rotation, via their distal ends. The flanges make it possible to stiffen the drum, and to connect the different parts of the drum together despite the presence of the unloading channel between them. By activating one or the flanges, it becomes possible to operate the drum as a whole, and in particular the two peripheral walls as well as the interior walls.

Preferably, the first part and the second drum part are profiles, for example made of extruded aluminum.

The different parts of the drum make it possible to delimit the peripheral walls and the interior walls of the unloading channel. The first and second parts of the drum can thus be identical, in order to limit design and manufacturing costs. In addition, the first and second parts of the drum can be connected together by their distal ends, via flanges, it is also possible to design said first and second parts in the form of profiles, for example in extruded aluminum. It is then possible to reduce manufacturing costs even further.

Preferably, the unloading hatch also includes a control handle mounted at one end of the drum, on the cylinder axis, and configured to allow rotation of the drum between an open position and a closed position of the hatch.

The control handle can thus be directly mounted on the axis of the drum, that is to say be integral with the drum, and directly drive the drum in rotation. The control mechanism is then simplified, and includes a reduced number of mechanical parts.

According to another aspect, a hopper is also proposed comprising an unloading hatch as described above.

According to another aspect, a hopper car is also proposed comprising one or more hoppers as described above, the hopper car extending, for example, in a longitudinal direction, and the unloading hatch(es) extending transversely. in said longitudinal direction.

Brief description of the drawings

• [ Fig. 1 ] There Figure 1 schematically represents a hopper car with several unloading hatches according to the present invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 represents an unloading hatch according to the present invention, in the closed position;
• [ Fig. 3 ] There Figure 3 represents a sectional view of the hatch illustrated in figure 2 ; [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 schematically represents, in perspective, the parts of the drum of the trapdoor illustrated in figure 2 ;
• [ Fig. 5 ] There Figure 5 represents the unloading hatch according to the present invention, in the open position;
• [ Fig. 6 ] There Figure 6 represents a sectional view of the hatch illustrated in Figure 5 ;
• [ Fig. 7 ] There Figure 7 schematically represents, in perspective, the parts of the drum of the trapdoor illustrated in Figure 5 ; And
• [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 represents an exploded view, and in perspective, of the trapdoor illustrated in figure 2 .

Description of embodiments

There Figure 1 represents, side view, a hopper wagon 1 comprising one or more interior hoppers (not shown) and one or more unloading hatches 2, in this case three unloading hatches 2. The unloading hatches 2 allow emptying, completely or partially, the contents of the hopper(s), generally particulate matter, in a container located below the hopper car.

An example of an unloading hatch 2 according to the present invention is thus represented, side view, at the figure 2 . The discharge hatch 2 is in the closed position, that is to say the discharge hatch 2 is in a configuration in which the contents of the hopper cannot flow through the discharge hatch 2.

The unloading hatch 2 comprises a frame 4, preferably in the shape of a funnel to guide the materials to be unloaded towards the exit of the unloading hatch 2. The funnel shape of the frame 4 can come as an extension of the lower surface of the hopper which can itself be funnel-shaped.

The frame 4 thus has an upper opening 6 in communication with the interior of the hopper, a first lower opening 8 and a second lower opening 10. The first and second lower openings 8, 10 are spaced apart from each other and separated by an intermediate part 12 of the frame 4 (see Figure 3 ). The intermediate part 12 can for example have an inverted V shape, in order to form, with the rest of the frame 4, funnel-shaped portions at each of the lower openings 8, 10.

The lower openings 8, 10 face each other, and each delimit the surface of a portion of the cylinder. More precisely, the lower openings 8, 10 each extend in a longitudinal direction, and each have, in cross section, an arcuate profile (see Figure 6 ).

Furthermore, the arcs of circles described by the first and second lower openings 8, 10 correspond to the same circle, that is to say to the same center and the same radius. Thus, the first and second lower openings delimit surface parts of the same cylinder, for example surface parts of the same half-cylinder.

Thus, the particulate materials contained in the hopper can enter the unloading hatch 2 through the upper opening 6 and exit through one of the two lower openings 8, 10, in order to be unloaded from the hopper.

In order to control the unloading of particulate matter through the lower openings 8, 10, the unloading hatch 2 also comprises a drum 14 intended to close, totally or partially, each of the two lower openings 8, 10. The drum 14 is mounted in rotation on the frame 4, around an axis of rotation 15, and is controlled in rotation by one or more control handles 17, for example two control handles 17 arranged on either side of the frame 4 and mounted directly on the axis of rotation (see figure 8 ). The handles 17 can for example be integral with the drum 14.

The drum 14 has a general shape in the form of a cylinder portion. In particular, the cylinder in which the drum 14 fits corresponds to the cylinder whose first and second lower openings delimit surface portions. We therefore understand that the drum 14 and the lower openings 8, 10 are configured to correspond together.

More precisely, the drum 14 comprises a first part 16 delimiting a first peripheral wall 18 of the drum 14, and a second part 20 delimiting a second peripheral wall 22 of the drum 14. The first and second peripheral walls 18, 22 thus extend in surface parts of a cylinder, in this case in surface parts of the cylinder portion formed by the drum 14. The first and second peripheral walls 18, 22 are respectively configured to completely obstruct, when the hatch 2 is in the closed position, the first and second lower openings 8, 10, and, preferably, to open completely, when the hatch 2 is in the open position, the first and second lower openings 8, 10.

The first and second parts 16, 20 of the drum 14 also delimit a through discharge channel 24 separating the first and second peripheral walls 18, 22. More precisely, the first part 16 of the drum 14 comprises a first interior wall 26 extending to the interior of the cylinder portion delimited by the drum 14, and the second part 20 of the drum 14 comprises a second interior wall 28 extending inside the cylinder portion delimited by the drum 14. The first and second interior walls 26, 28 can be parallel to each other, so as to delimit a through unloading channel 24 of generally parallelepiped shape, that is to say so as to delimit a through unloading channel extending along a longitudinal direction and having, in cross section, a rectangular profile.

The through discharge channel 24 separating the first and second parts 16, 20 of the drum 14, these can be secured together by their distal ends, for example thanks to two end flanges 30 (see figure 8 ) on which the first and second parts 16, 20 can be fixed, or by spacers arranged in the through discharge channel 24, between the first and second parts 16, 20 of the drum 14, and distributed at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the drum 14.

The first and second parts 16, 20 can be identical to each other, or symmetrical to each other, in order to facilitate their design and reduce manufacturing costs. In particular, the first and second parts 16, 20 fit into the same cylinder, the peripheral walls 18, 22 have the same profile and can therefore be produced in an identical manner for the two parts 16, 20 of the drum 14. Preferably, the first and second parts 16, 20 of the drum 14 can be profiles, and can be made by extrusion, in particular from extruded aluminum. It is then possible to manufacture the drum 14 at reduced costs while maintaining a reliable and efficient mechanism.

Thus, in the closed position of hatch 2, as illustrated in figure 2 And 3 , the first and second peripheral walls 18, 22 are positioned opposite, respectively, the first and second lower openings 8, 10 which they close. The through unloading channel 24 is then located opposite the intermediate part 12 of the frame 4, and therefore does not allow any particulate matter contained in the hopper to pass.

To open, completely or partially, the unloading hatch 2, it is sufficient to operate the handle 17 to rotate the drum 14 around its axis of rotation 15. By thus operating the drum 14, the first peripheral wall 18 moves in the direction of the intermediate part 12, which makes it possible to open, from the bottom, the first lower opening 8, while the through discharge channel 24 moves towards the second lower opening 10, so as to open, from the top , the second lower opening 10.

When the discharge hatch 2 is fully open, or in the open position, as illustrated in figures 5 and 6 , the first peripheral wall 18 is positioned facing the intermediate part 12 of the frame 4, while the through unloading channel 24 is positioned facing the second lower opening 10 which it opens. The second peripheral wall 22 is then located below the frame 4 and the second lower opening 10, and does not therefore further hinders the unloading of particulate matter through the second opening 10.

The handle 17 can be configured to have stops corresponding to the open and closed positions of the unloading hatch 2. Likewise, the handle 17 can include a mechanism for holding the handle 17 in position in an intermediate position between the fully open position. and the closed position, for example a notched sector or a rack.

Furthermore, the handle 17 may also include a means of sealing the handle in the closed position, in order to guarantee that the unloading hatch has not been opened after having been sealed with a seal.

Thus, thanks to the unloading hatch according to the invention, it becomes easy and reliable to open the openings of a hopper. In particular, the hatch according to the invention uses a single drum to simultaneously open at least two hopper openings. More precisely, the single drum comprises both two walls closing the openings of the hopper, and a through unloading channel mounted between said two closing walls, and making it possible to create an additional unloading passage, through the drum , when the unloading hatch is open. Finally, the drum of the trapdoor according to the invention is controlled by a handle mounted directly on the axis of rotation of the drum and integral in rotation with the drum. Thus, it is not necessary to carry out a long stroke when operating the handle, nor to provide a complex kinematic mechanism. For example, the discharge hatch can be fully opened by rotating the handle through an angle of 60 ° .

Claims (10)

1. A hopper discharge hatch (2), the hatch (2) including a frame (4) with two lower openings (8, 10), the two lower openings (8, 10) being separated from each other by a spacing part (12) of the frame,
   characterized in that the two lower openings (8, 10) delimit parts of a cylinder surface, and in that the discharge hatch (2) also includes a drum (14) rotatably mounted on the frame (4 ), along the two lower openings (8, 10), the drum (14) being configured to simultaneously open the two lower openings (8, 10) and having two peripheral walls (18, 22) separated from each other by a transverse discharge channel (24), the two peripheral walls (18, 22) of the drum extending in parts of a cylinder surface, for example of a surface of a half-cylinder, the drum (14) being rotatably mounted along the axis of said cylinder, the two peripheral walls (18, 22) being configured to individually close the two lower openings (8, 10) of the frame (4) when the discharge hatch (2) is closed, and the discharge channel (24) being configured to be facing one of the two lower openings (8, 10) of the frame (4) when the discharge hatch (2) is open.
2. The discharge hatch (2) according to claim 1, wherein the space between the two lower openings has a surface area similar to that of one of the two lower openings (8, 10), so that the peripheral wall (18) of the drum (14) configured to close said one of the two lower openings (8, 10) can be positioned between the two lower openings (8, 10) when the discharge door (2) is open.
3. The discharge hatch (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two peripheral walls (18, 22) are rotatably secured together, for example by their distal ends and/or by spacers disposed between the distal ends of the drum (14).
4. The discharge hatch (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drum (14) includes two preferably parallel internal walls (26, 28) delimiting the through discharge channel (24).
5. The discharge hatch (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drum (14) includes a first part (16) delimiting one of the two peripheral walls (18) and a second part (20) delimiting the other of the two peripheral walls (22), the first part (16) and the second part (20) being preferably identical or symmetrical to each other.
6. The discharge hatch (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the drum (14) also includes two end flanges (30) on which the first and second parts (16, 20) are mounted, so as to be connected to the axis of rotation of the drum (14).
7. The discharge hatch (2) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first part (16) and the second part (20) of the drum (14) are profiled sections, for example made of extruded aluminium.
8. The discharge hatch (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a control handle (17) mounted at one end of the drum (14), on the cylinder axis, and configured to allow the rotation of the drum (14) between an open position and a closed position of the hatch (2).
9. A hopper including a discharge hatch (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.
10. A hopper car (1) including one or more hoppers according to the preceding claim, the hopper car (1) extending, for example, along a longitudinal direction, and the discharge hatch(es) (2) extending transversely to said longitudinal direction.

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