US3511188A

US3511188A - Hopper outlet assembly

Info

Publication number: US3511188A
Application number: US669585A
Authority: US
Inventors: Worrell M Danielson
Original assignee: Enterprise Railway Equipment Co
Current assignee: Enterprise Railway Equipment Co
Priority date: 1967-09-21
Filing date: 1967-09-21
Publication date: 1970-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1987-05-12

Description

May 12;, 1970 w. M. DANIELSON 3,511,183

HOPPER OUTLET ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 21, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 12., 1970 w. M. DANIELSON 3,511,188

HOPPER OUTLET ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 21, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 12,, 1970 W. M. DAN

IELSON 3,511,188

HOPPER OUTLET ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 21, 196'? 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 12., 1970 w. M. DANIELSON HOPPER OUTLET ASSEMBLY 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 21, 1967 May 12., 1970 w. M. DANIELSON HOPPER OUTLET ASSEMBLY llrlll 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 21. 1967 May 12', 1970 w. M. DANIELSON HOPPER OUTLET ASSEMBLY 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 21, 1967 United States Patent C) HOPPER OUTLET ASSEMBLY Worrell M. Danielson, Evergreen Park, Ill., assignor to Enterprise Railway Equipment Company, Chicago, Ill.,

a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 669,585 Int. Cl. B61d 7/00 US. Cl. 105-280 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A railroad car hopper outlet assembly having a main frame with a discharge opening through which lading can flow. Closure means is positionable across the discharge opening to close the same for retaining lading Within the hopper. The closure means includes a gate selectively slidable to open the discharge opening for controlled discharge of lading. Support linkage means is pivotally connected to the main frame and to the closure means to accommodate quick drop swinging movement of the latter away from the discharge opening to open the same for rapid discharge of lading.

My present invention relates generally to a hopper outlet assembly and more particularly to a combination rapid discharge and controlled discharge hopper outlet assembly which is adapted for use, for example, in connection with railroad hopper cars.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a hopper outlet assembly comprising a main frame having a discharge opening through which lading can flow by gravity, closure means positionable across the discharge opening to close the same for retaining the lading within the hopper, and support linkage means swingably connecting the closure means to the main frame to accommodate quick drop swinging movement of the closure means away from the discharge opening to open the same for rapid discharge of the lading.

It is another object of my present invention to provide a hopper outlet assembly, as described, wherein the support linkage means includes link members disposable in generally overcenter overlapping relation to position the closure means across the discharge opening.

It is another object of my present invention to provide a hopper outlet assembly, as described, wherein lock means are provided to lock the closure means across the discharge opening when the link members are disposed in generally overcenter overlapping relation.

It is another object of my present invention to provide a hopper outlet assembly, as described, wherein the link members are disposable generally in-line and overcenter to hold the closure means in a full open position.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide a hopper outlet assembly, as described, wherein the closure means is arranged to establish line contact with the main frame about the discharge opening when the closure means is positioned across the discharge opening to provide an effective seal therebetween.

It is a still further object of my present invention to provide a hopper outlet assembly, as described, wherein the closure means is comprised of a generally rectangular secondary frame, a gate slidably supported in the secondary frame, and means for selectively moving the gate relative to the secondary frame when the closure means is positioned across the discharge opening to open the latter for controlled discharge of the lading.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and using hopper outlet assemblies in accordance with the principles of my present invention, I shall describe in connection with the accom- 3,511,188 Patented May 12, 1970 panying drawing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a railway hopper car incorporating hopper outlet assemblies in accordance with the principles of my present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of one of the hoppers of FIG. 1 and the associated hopper outlet assembly of my present invention, with the closure means thereof being shown in a full open position for rapid discharge;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view corresponding generally to FIG. 2, but showing the closure means in a position for controlled discharge;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, on a further enlarged scale of the hopper outlet assembly of my present invention disassociated from a railroad hopper car, with the closure means thereof being shown in a full closed position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 55 in FIG. 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, foreshortened transversely, of the hopper outlet assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational View of the hopper outlet assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view, foreshortened transversely, of my hopper outlet assembly, as seen on line 88 of FIG. 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view, foreshortened transversely, of my hopper outlet assembly, as seen on line 1010 of FIG. 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 11-11 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, with the closure means being shown in a full closed position; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view corresponding generally to FIG. 11, but showing the closure means in intermediate and full open positions for rapid discharge.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 a railroad hopper car of the type having six load containing hopper sections 22 arranged in transversely spaced pairs. Since the hoppers themselves are conventional, only the lower portions of the three hoppers on the near side of the car 20 are shown. Associated with the lower open end of each hopper 22 is a hopper outlet assembly 24 incorporating the principles of my present invention. The several hopper outlet assemblies 24 are the same in construction and operation except for a reversal of certain parts in the case of the assemblies of each pair located on opposite sides of the car 20. Therefore, the following description will be confined in general to only one of the hopper assemblies 24. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the hopper outlet assemblies 24 may be incorporated in a side pocket car 20 as shown, or, if desired, in a center-flow car.

The hopper outlet assembly 24, as shown in FIG. 4, is comprised of a generally rectangular main frame 26 which includes a generally straight side wall 28, an inclined side wall 30, an inclined end wall 32 and an end wall structural member 34 in the form of an angle bar. The

wall members

28, 30, 32 and 34, which are rigidly joined at the corners of the frame 26, are adapted to be suitably secured, as by welding, to the lower portion of the hopper 22. As shown in FIG. 9, the lower edge of the side wall 28 is formed with a downwardly and inwardly inclined marginal portion 36, and the lower edge portion of the side wall 30 presents a downwardly and inwardly inclined marginal portion 38; as shown in FIG. 11, the lower edge portion of the end wall 32 is formed with a downwardly and inwardly inclined marginal portion 40, and the end angle bar 34 is positioned so that the one side thereof presents a downwardly and inwardly inclined marginal portion 42. The marginal portions 3 6, 38, and 42 define the perimeter of a discharge opening in the hopper outlet assembly 24.

Positionable across the discharge opening of the hopper outlet assembly 24, as shown in FIGS. 4, 9 and 11, is closure means indicated generally by the reference numeral 44. The closure means 44 comprises a generally rectangular secondary frame 46 which includes generally C-shaped

side channel bars

48 and 50, and transverse C-type

end channel bars

52 and 54. The side channel bars 48 and extend beyond the end channel bar 54 and, intermediate of the

end channel bars

52 and 54, are provided with upwardly and outwardly inclined marginal portions 56 and 58. The web portions of the

end channel bars

52 and 54 are inclined downwardly and inwardly, the upper leg portion of the end channel bar 52 is formed with an upwardly and outwardly inclined marginal portion 60, and a transverse angle bar 62 is secured at its ends by flange means 64 to the

side channel bars

48 and 50. The angle bar 62 is so arranged that the one side thereof presents an upwardly and outwardly inclined marginal portion 66.

A difference of approxiamtely three degrees is maintained between the angle of inclination of the main frame

marginal portions

36, 38, 40 and 42, and the angle of inclination of the secondary frame marginal portions 56, 58, 60, and 66. By reason of this arrangement, the secondary frame marginal portions 56, 58, and 66 establish line contact with the main frame

marginal portions

36, 38, 40 and 42, when the secondary frame 46 is positioned across the discharge opening of the hopper outlet assembly 24, to provide an effective seal therebetween. In this connection, the end angle bar 34 serves as a rain shield for the seal between the

marginal portions

42 and 66, a bent plate 68 secured to the outboard side of the end wall 32 serves as a rain shield for the seal between the marginal portions 40 and 60, a flat bar 70 secured to the outboard side of the side wall 28 serves as a rain shield for the seal between the marginal portions 36 and 56, and a flat bar 72 secured to the outboard side of the side wall 30 serves as a rain shield for the seal between the marginal portions 38 and 58.

The closure means 44 further comprises a gate 74 in the form of a generally rectangular flat plate slidably sup ported in the secondary frame 46 on the upper horizontal leg portions of the

channel bars

48, 50, 52 and 54. As shown in FIGS. 4, 9 and 11, a pair of transversely spaced

rack members

76 and 78 are secured to the underside of the gate 74. The downwardly facing

teeth

80 and 82 of the

rack members

76 and 78 have meshing engagement with a pair of

pinions

84 and 86 secured to a transverse operating shaft 88 rotatably mounted in bearings 90 and 92 (FIG. 8) secured in the web portions of the

side channel bars

48 and 50. The

rack members

76 and 78, which constitute rack means, and the

pinions

84 and 86, which constitute rotatable pinion means, cooperatively serve as means for selectively moving the gate 74 relative to the secondary frame 46. The operating shaft 88 extends beyond the side channel bar 50 and is provided with a suitable socket member 94 formed with a plurality of radial Openings 96 for the reception of a removable bar, whereby the shaft 88 may be rotated and the gate 74 moved.

I shall now describe the linkage means that serves to support the closure means 44 from the main frame 26. The support linkage means comprises a first pair of sup port links 98 and 100 (FIGS. 6, 8, and 9) which are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the main frame 26 on opposite sides thereof adjacent one end thereof. More particularly, the support link 98 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 102 and a bracket 104 to the outboard side of the main frame side wall 28, while the uppper end of the support link 100 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 106 and a bracket 108 to the outboard side of the main frame side wall 30. The lower ends of the support links 98 and 100 are pivotally connected to the closure means 44 on opposite sides thereof by means of

pin members

110 and 112 secured to the outboard sides of the web portions of the secondary frame side channel bars 48 and 50.

The support linkage means further comprises a second pair of

support links

114 and 116 which pivotally interconnect the main frame 26 intermediate of the ends thereof and the secondary frame 46 in a manner similar to the first pair of

support links

98 and 100. That is, the upper end of the support link 114 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 118 and a bracket 120 to the outboard side of the main frame side wall 28, while the upper end of the support link 116 is pivotally connected by a pin 122 and a bracket 124 to the outboard side of the main frame side wall 30. The lower ends of the support links 114 and 116 are pivotally connected to the closure means 44 by

pin members

126 and 128 secured to the outboard sides of the web portions of the secondary frame side channel bars 48 and 50. It will be observed, that the axes of the

pins

102, 106, 118 and 122 lie in a common horizontal plane, and that the second pair of

support links

114 and 116 are of greater length than the first pair of

support links

98 and 100. By using support links of unequal length, the rear end of the closure means 44 can be elevated higher in a full open position than would be possible if the pairs of support links were of the same length. In these circumstances, lading will flow freely off the inclined surface of the gate 74 and the closure means 44 thus has self-cleaning and improved discharging characteristics.

The support linkage means still further comprises (FIGS. 4 and 10) a first pair of transversely spaced

dual link members

130 and 132 which are secured at their one ends to a transverse shaft 134 journalled in brackets 136 secured to the outboard side of the main frame end wall 32. Thus, the first pair of

link members

130 and 132 are pivotally connected at their one ends to the main frame 26 on opposite sides thereof adjacent the other end thereof. Mounted on the end of the shaft 134 is a socket member 137 adapted to receive a removable bar whereby the shaft 134 may be rotated. A second pair of

link members

138 and 140 are pivotally mounted on pins 142 and 144 carried by eye bolts 146 and 148 adjustably secured in

flanges

150 and 152 extending from the secondary

frame side channels

48 and 50. Thus, the one ends of the second pair of

link members

138 and 140 are pivotally connected to the closure means 44 on opposite sides thereof. The other ends of the first and second pairs of

link members

130, 138 and 132, 140 are pivotally interconnected respectively by

pins

154 and 156. As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, the first and second pairs of

link members

130, 132, 138 and 140 serve to guide movement of the closure means 44 away from the discharge opening in the main frame 26 and further cooperate in holding the closure means 44 in a full closed position or in a full open position.

Also journalled in the brackets 136 and extending parallel to the transverse shaft 134 is a second transverse shaft 158 which is provided at its one end with a socket member 160 adapted to receive a removable bar whereby the shaft 158 may be rotated. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a locking hub 162 is secured to the transverse shaft 134 and is formed with a central arcuate cut-out 164. A cooperating locking dog sector 166 is secured to the transverse shaft 158 for rotatable mounting on the main frame 26 and is formed with arcuate cam edge 168. Rotation of the transverse shaft 158 and the locking dog 166 serves to move the arcuate cam edge 168 into and out of engagernent with the arcuate cut-out 164 of the locking hub 162. As will be explained further hereinafter, when the locking dog 166 is in engagement with the locking hub 162, the closure means 44 is locked in closed position across the discharge opening in the main frame 26.

When the closure means 44 is positioned across the discharge opening of the main frame 26 as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 11, the discharge opening is closed thereby for retaining the lading within the hopper 22. To so position the closure means 44, the first and second pairs of

link members

130, 132, 138 and 140 are disposable in generally overcenter overlapping relation, as shown in FIG. 11, with the plane AA passing through the axes of the

pins

142, 144, 154 and 156 being ofiset above and to the right of the axis of the shaft 134. The secondary frame 46 of the closure means 44 can be locked in this position by engaging the locking dog 166 with the locking hub 162 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

If it should be desired to slowly discharge lading from the hopper 22, the operating shaft 88 is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 11. Such rotation of the shaft 88, through the

pinions

84 and 86 and the

rack members

76 and 78, causes the gate 74 to move toward the position shown in FIG. 3 whereupon the closure means 44 is partially opened for the discharge of lading. The extent of opening of the gate 74 may be readily adjusted through rotation of the operating shaft 88 and thus controlled dis charge of the lading may be conveniently effected. Upon completion of the desired discharge of lading, the operat ing shaft 88 is rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 11, until the gate 74 is returned from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the full closed position shown in FIG. 11. A conventional locking bolt 174 is provided for locking the slide gate 74 in closed position.

If a rapid discharge of the lading from the hopper 22 is desired, the transverse shaft 158 is first rotated to remove the locking dog 166 from engagement with the locking hub 162. Thereupon, the first and second pairs of

link members

130, 132, 138 and 140 are caused to swing downwardly toward the broken line position shown in FIG. 12 to effect quick drop swinging movement of the closure means 44 away from the discharge opening in the main frame 26. Next, to position and hold the closure means 44 fully open for rapid discharge of the lading, the transverse shaft 134 is rotated until the first and second pairs of

link members

130, 132, 138 and 140 are disposed generally in-line and overcenter, as shown in solid and dotted lines in FIG. 12 (also see FIG. 2), with the axis of the

pins

154 and 156 being offset above and to the right of the plane B-B passing through the axes of the shaft 134 and the pins 142 and 144. To limit overcenter movement, the

link members

130 and 132 are provided with lateral stop flanges 169 that are engageable by the adjacent end portions of the

link members

138 and 140. Upon completion of discharge of lading from the hopper 22, the transverse shaft 134 is reversely rotated to return the first and second pairs of

link members

130, 132, 138 and 140 from the in-line overcenter position shown in FIG. 12 to the overlapping overcenter position shown in FIGS. 4 and 11. The closure means 44 is thus returned to a full closed position. Finally, the locking dog 166 is rotated back into engagement with the locking hub 162 whereupon the closure means 44 is locked in closed posi tion across the discharge opening in the main frame 26. When a pair of hopper outlet assemblies 24 are mounted on opposite sides of a car 20, the inner ends of the

transverse shafts

134 and 158 of one assembly may be joined by coupling sleeves 170 and 172 (FIG. 4) to the inner ends of the corresponding shafts of the other assembly whereby to permit conjoint rapid discharge operation of both assemblies from one side of the car.

While I have shown and described what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. For use with a load containing hopper, a hopper outlet assembly comprising a main frame having a discharge opening through which lading can flow by gravity, closure means positionable across said discharge opening to close the same for retaining the lading within the hopper, support linkage means pivotally connecting said closure means to said main frame to accommodate quick drop swinging movement of said closure means away from said discharge opening to open the same for rapid discharge of the lading, and slidably openable means carried by said closure means, and adapted when said closure means is positioned across said discharge opening to be slidably opened to provide controlled discharge of the lading.

2. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 1 wherein said support linkage means comprises a first pair of support links at their upper ends being pivotally connected to said main frame on opposite sides thereof adjacent one end thereof and at their lower ends being pivotally connected to said closure means on opposite sides thereof, and a second pair of support links at their upper ends being pivotally connected to said main frame on opposite sides thereof intermediate of the ends thereof and at their lower ends being pivotally connected to said closure means on oposite sides thereof.

3. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 2 wherein said upper ends of said first and second pairs of support links are pivotally connected to said main frame on axes lying in a common horizontal plane, and wherein said second pair of support links are of greater length than said first pair of support links.

4. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 2 wherein said support linkage means further comprises a first pair of link members pivotally connected at their one ends to said main frame on opposite sides thereof adjacent the other end thereof, a second pair of link members pivotally connected at their one ends to said closure means on opposite sides thereof, and said first and second pairs of link members being pivotally interconnected at their other ends and being disposable in generally overcenter overlapping relation to position said closure means across said discharge opening.

5. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 4 wherein said first and second pairs of link members are disposable generally in-line and overcenter to hold said closure means in a full open position.

6. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 5 wherein said first pair of link members are secured at their one ends to a transverse shaft rotatably mounted in said main frame, a locking hub with an arcuate cut-out is secured to said transverse shaft, and a locking dog sector having an arcuate cam edge is rotatably mounted on said main frame with said arcuate cam edge being movable into engagement with said arcuate cut-out of said locking hub when said first and second pairs of link members are disposed in generally overcenter overlapping relation to lock said closure means across said discharge opening.

7. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 1 wherein said closure means comprises a generally rectangular second ary frame, a gate slidably supported in said secondary frame, and means for selectively moving said gate relative to said secondary frame when said closure means is positioned across said discharge opening to open the latter for controlled discharge of the lading.

8. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 7 wherein said means for moving said gate comprises rack means secured to said gate, and rotatable pinion means carried by said secondary frame and engaging said rack means for moving the latter and said gate when rotated.

9. The hopper outlet assembly of claim 1 wherein said main frame has downwardly and inwardly inclined marginal portions about said discharge opening, and said closure means has upwardly and outwardly inclined marginal portions that establish line contact with said main frame marginal portions when said closure means is positioned across said discharge opening to rovide an effective seal therebetween.

10. For use with a load containing hopper, a hopper outlet assembly comprising a main frame having downwardly and inwardly inclined marginal portions defining a discharge opening through which lading can flow by gravity, a generally rectangular secondary frame, a gate slidably supported in said secondary frame, said secondary frame and said gate being positionable across said discharge opening to close the same for retaining the lading within the hopper, said secondary frame having upwardly and outwardly inclined marginal portions that establish line contact with said main frame marginal portions when said secondary frame is positioned across said discharge opening to provide an effective seal therebetween, a first pair of support links at their upper ends being pivotally connected to said main frame on opposite sides thereof adjacent one end thereof and at their lower ends being pivotally connected to said secondary frame on opposite sides thereof, a second pair of support links at their upper ends being pivotally connected to said main frame on opposite sides thereof intermediate of the ends thereof and at their lower ends being pivotally connected to said secondary frame on opposite sides thereof, said upper ends of said first and second pairs of support links being pivotally connected to said main frame on axes lying in a common horizontal plane, said second pair of support links being of greater length than said first pair of support links, a first pair of link members secured at their one ends to a transverse shaft rotatably mounted in said main frame adjacent the other end thereof, a second pair of link members pivotally connected at their one ends to said secondary frame, said first and second pairs of link members being pivotally intercon nected at their other ends and being disposable in generally overcenter overlapping relation to position said secondary frame and said gate across said discharge opening, a locking hub with an arcuate cut-out secured to said transverse shaft, a locking dog sector having an arcuate cam edge rotatably mounted on said main frame with said arcuate cam edge being movable into engagement with said arcuate cut-out of said locking hub when said first and second pairs of link members are disposed in generally overcenter overlapping relation to lock said secondary frame across said discharge opening, rack means secured to said gate, rotatable pinion means carried by said secondary frame and engaging said rack means for moving the latter and said gate when rotated to open said discharge opening for controlled discharge of the lading, said first and second pairs of support links and said first and second pairs of link members sreving when said locking dog sector is disengaged from said locking hub to accommodate quick drop swinging movement of said secondary frame and said gate away form said discharge opening to open the same for rapid discharge of the lading, and said first and second pairs of link members being disposable generally in-line and over-center to hold said secondary frame and said gate in a full open position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,396,675 8/1968 Stevens -282 X 571,480 11/1896 Johnson 105284X 938,976 11/1909 Clark 105282 X 1,222,603 4/1917 Clapper 251 299 X 2,079,392 5/1937 Yost 105-284 X 3,167,222 1/1965 Koranda 222 556 X 3,348,501 10/1967 Stevens et al. 105282 X SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner N. L. STACK, 1a., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. XR.