WO2004096604A2

WO2004096604A2 - Apparatus for automatic operation of hopper container gate mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2004096604A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/012902
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey S. Burr; Celio J. Gomes; David F. Rivers
Original assignee: Patriot Lift Co., Llc
Priority date: 2003-04-28
Filing date: 2004-04-27
Publication date: 2004-11-11
Also published as: WO2004096604B1; WO2004096604A3

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling the discharge of material from a hopper container (12) having a discharge opening (24) through which said material is discharged and a gate mechanism (26) movable between a closed position and an opened position relative to the discharge opening (24), is provided that includes a gearbox (32), a motor (34), a drive mechanism, and a controller.

Description

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC OPERATION OF HOPPER

CONTAINER GATE MECHANISM

Cross Reference To Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/466,002 filed on April 28, 2003 entitled "Apparatus for Automatic Operation of Hopper Container Gate Mechanism" and 60/466,004 filed on April 28, 2003 entitled "Tractor-Trailer Landing Gear Apparatus". The disclosure of each of the above-identified provisional applications is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hopper containers in general, and in particular to apparatus for automatic operation of the hopper doors of hopper containers used on tractor-trailers or railroad cars.

Background of the Invention

The use of hopper containers for transporting and unloading bulk commodities, such as grain or other particulate matter, is well known. Commonly, hopper containers are provided on railroad cars or truck chassis for transportation of the particulate matter. Such containers may be constructed in accordance with a variety of designs, but typically include a walled enclosure defining an interior chamber having at least one discharge opening for allowing the particulate matter held and transported within the enclosure to be discharged therethrough.

Typically, the discharge opening is located in the bottom of the container, and the walls of the enclosure are sloped towards the discharge opening to direct the particulate matter towards the discharge opening with the aid of gravity.

A typical discharge opening for a hopper container is provided with a gate mechanism, such as doors, movable between a closed position and an opened position relative to the discharge opening. When the gate mechanism is closed, the particulate matter is retained within the enclosure. When the gate mechanism is opened, the particulate matter may be discharged through the discharge opening, usually with the assistance of gravity, and occasionally with the assistance of a more sophisticated unloading mechanism using a pressure-equalizing air flow. Gate mechanisms of various designs and methods of operation are known. For example, a common gate mechanism comprises a slidable door assembly which includes at least one door plate adapted for horizontal sliding movement between opened and closed positions relative to the discharge opening. Alternatively, discharge of particulate matter may be controlled by a pivoting door assembly extending generally transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hopper container, including two doors mounted relative to one another at the discharge opening and adapted to pivot or swing between opened and closed positions. The doors can swing inwardly, as is shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,279,487, or outwardly, as is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,408,956.

The doors or gates of gate mechanisms used with hopper containers are commonly driven between closed and opened positions by an actuating shaft assembly mounted on the frame of the hopper container. While some hopper containers make use of complex automated actuators and drive shafts specifically designed into the hopper container designs, several hopper containers rely on the operator to manually effect operation of the gate mechanism between the closed and opened positions. That is, the actuating shaft assembly mounted on the frame of the hopper container is provided with an operating drive shaft associated with each door of the gate mechanism manually, driven by a hand crank. Each operating drive shaft communicates with a gear box and chain drive. The doors may be connected to the drive shaft using known mechanical means, such as rack and pinion, ball and screw, or mechanical linkage systems, that transfer the rotational motion and forces of the drive shaft into the sliding or pivoting action of the doors. Typical operation of the shaft assembly requires the operator to manually turn the hand crank, which drives the drive shaft via the gearbox to open or close the doors, with the gear box providing some compensation for human physical limitations. Hopper containers often are divided into several chambers, each chamber having a respective discharge opening. Unloading of such containers requires either one operator to open the gate mechanisms in succession, which typically involves a lot of time and physical effort, or several operators to manually open the gate mechanisms simultaneously, which ties up employees. What is needed is an apparatus that automatically opens and closes the hopper gate mechanism of a hopper container in a time efficient manner, with reduced operator effort and intervention, and with overall easier operation. Additionally, there is a need to retrofit existing hopper containers constructed with manual operation systems and components with automatic operation systems, where such retrofit is conducted with minimal reconstruction or replacement of the components of the existing operation systems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, an apparatus for controlling discharge of material from a hopper container having a discharge opening through which said material is discharged and a gate mechanism movable between a closed position and an opened position relative to the discharge opening, includes a gearbox, a motor, a drive mechanism, and a controller. The gearbox has an input shaft and an output shaft, and is mounted on the hopper container. The input shaft of the gearbox is coupled to the motor, and the output shaft is coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism also communicates with the gate mechanism, and is operable to move the gate mechanism between the closed position and the opened position. The controller is operable to selectively control the motor, and consequently the gearbox, to operate the drive mechanism so that said drive mechanism drives the gate mechanism between the closed position and the opened position.

In a preferred embodiment, the motor is a pneumatic motor that can be connected to a source of compressed air, including the pre-existing air supply of a tractor-trailer's emergency brake system. A pneumatic motor avoids the problems associated with hydraulic motors and electrical motors in an outdoor environment.

In addition to providing an improvement to existing hopper container assemblies requiring manual operation of a shaft assembly to effect opening and closing of a gate mechanism, the present invention provides several advantages over the existing manual system. For example, the automation of the existing manual systems reduces the labor and possible injury associated with operating the hopper gate mechanism. Additionally, the present invention has the advantage of providing such improvement to existing hopper container assemblies using the existing design and components of manually operated hopper container assemblies. That is, the present invention permits retrofitting of existing hopper container assemblies without impairing the operability of the manually operated systems already installed on the hopper container. The present invention also permits retrofitting such existing hopper container assemblies with minimal reconstruction, redesign or replacement of the components of the existing operation systems. The present invention also has the advantage of using available sources of air available to the tractor-trailer or railroad car to operate the motor to open and close the hopper gate mechanism. Further, the present invention permits remote operation of the hopper gate mechanism with reduced operator involvement.

The existing gearbox also continues to permit manual operation of the shaft assembly to open and close the gate mechanism. The ability to operate the shaft assembly both manually and in a power-assisted mode via the motor increases the utility of the hopper container. For example, in the event a power source, such as the compressed air, is not available, the operating shaft may still be operated manually to discharge particulate matter from the hopper container.

The present invention also saves a considerable amount of operator time and physical effort. Operating the shaft assembly via the motor and gearbox substantially decreases the time and effort required to discharge the particulate matter from the hopper container. The doors of the gate mechanism open and close in significantly less time using the motor and the gearbox than if an operator uses a hand crank to drive the shaft assembly. If the hopper container comprises several chambers, each gate mechanism can be equipped with the present invention, and the time saved to open all the gate mechanisms, even in succession (i.e., one after another) will be significant over manual operation. Additionally, an individual operator will not be physically taxed by having to manually hand crank each shaft assembly in succession. Saved time equates to lower labor costs, and decreased manual effort decreases the potential for operator injury and fatigue. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the drawings and detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hopper container having a bottom discharge opening with a corresponding discharge gate mechanism in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing an automatic operating apparatus communicating with the discharge gate mechanism for moving the gate mechanism between a closed position and an opened position, and showing the relative positions of the gearbox, the drive mechanism, the motor, and the gate mechanism. FIG.3 is a diagram showing the relative positions of the controller and the motor.

FIG.4 is a diagrammatic view of a coupling used with the present invention for permitting change of gears in the gearbox.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT

INVENTION Now referring to FIGS. 1-4, the assembly of the present invention includes a gearbox, a motor, a drive mechanism, and a controller, operatively connected to a discharge gate mechanism of a hopper container having a bottom discharge opening.

As shown in FIG. 1, a tractor-trailer carrying a hopper container is generally designated by reference numeral 10. While a tractor-trailer hopper container is shown, the present invention has utility on other hopper container designs, including railroad hopper cars. The tractor trailer 10 includes a hopper container 12 for storing and transporting particulate matter therewithin, supported on a chassis 14. As illustrated, the container, 12 has a generally rectangular configuration towards the top portion thereof, and includes generally opposed side walls 16, generally opposed end walls 18, and a bottom section 20 defining an interior chamber 22.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, a discharge opening 24 is positioned on the bottom of the container 12 and acts to discharge particulate matter from the hopper container 12, usually with the aid of gravity and commonly with a pressure- equalizing air flow introduced to of the container 12. Arranged in combination with the discharge opening 24 on the bottom of the container 12 is a gate mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral 26. Gate mechanism 26 is movable between a closed position and an opened position. In the closed position, the gate mechanism 26 covers the discharge opening 24 and prevents particulate matter from exiting the container 12. In the opened position of the gate mechanism 26, the discharge opening 24 is exposed and particulate matter is permitted to exit the container 12 through the discharge opening 24.

As illustrated, the gate mechanism 26 includes a pair of doors 28, though the present invention is adaptable to designs using one door or more than two doors. The movement of the doors 28 between the closed position and the opened position, and the means for effecting such movement, may conform to any of several known designs. For example, the doors 28 in FIG. 2 are adapted for outwardly pivoting movement, and mechanical means communicating with each door effect movement of the doors. The design and operation of hopper gate mechanisms are known in the art, and will not, therefore, be further described herein.

Regardless of the number of doors, the positioning of the doors and the method of movement for the doors, a drive mechanism is provided for positively operating the doors 28 between their closed and opened positions. The drive mechanism 30 preferably includes a drive shaft operatively connected to each of the doors 28 on one end, and operatively connected to a gearbox 32 on the other end.

In the present invention, a motor 34 is mounted on the underside of the container 12 proximate to the gearbox 32. The motor 34 includes an output motor shaft 36 operatively coupled to the gearbox 32. The present invention permits and facilitates retrofitting of hopper container assemblies with such motors with minimal reconstruction and redesign of the existing hopper container assembly and its components. For example, a mounting plate 38 can be secured to the container 12 for mounting of the motor 34 in a location proximate to the gearbox 32, though the motor can also be mounted directly to the container or to the gearbox. The motor 34 is preferably a commercially available pneumatic gear motor that is powered by an external air source. An example of an acceptable pneumatic gear motor is a WADCO pneumatic gear motor model no. 33MA-220S1 produced by WADCO, a division of Ingersoll-Rand. Preferably, the motor is a vane-type rotary driven motor having a gear reduction assembly with an 80-100 to 1 gear reduction ratio.

The gearbox 32 includes a plurality of gears 40, an input shaft 42, an output shaft 44, and a housing 46 having a first side 48 and a second side 50. The first and second sides 48 and 50 of the housing 46 are opposite one another. The gears 40 are mounted within the housing 46 in an arrangement that creates mechanical advantage for the input shaft 42 relative to the output shaft 44 - i.e., force transmitted to the input shaft 42 is multiplied through the gears 40 to create a greater force available at the output shaft 44. The arrangement of the gears 40 and the amount of mechanical advantage created by the gears 40 is variable to the application at hand. The gearbox 32 is adapted to receive a hand crank (not shown) for manual rotation of the input shaft 42. The gearbox 32 transfers and multiplies the force from the input shaft 42 to the output shaft 44. The input shaft 42 and the output shaft 44 communicate with the gears 40 in the gearbox 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the input shaft 42 and the output shaft 44 extend out from the opposite first and second sides 48 and 50 of the housing 46. On the first side 48 of the housing 46, the input shaft 42 is coupled to the motor shaft 36 of the motor 34. Preferably, a hardened socket coupling 52 receives and is connected to both the input shaft 42 and the motor shaft 36 (e.g., a through pin 80 or the like, as shown in FIG.4 for connecting the input shaft 42 to the coupling 52).

Also on the first side 48 of the housing 46, the output shaft 44 is coupled to the drive shaft of the drive mechanism 30, for example, via a universal joint. On the second side 50 of the housing 46, the input shaft 42 is adapted to receive a hand crank, if needed. In lieu of the hand crank, a knob 54 may be attached to the input shaft 42 to facilitate axial movement of the input shaft 42 for the purpose of changing gears, where necessary/within the gearbox 32 from a high gear to a low gear, or vice versa. The knob 54 may be removably attached to the input shaft 42 to allow the knob 54 to be removed and replaced by the hand crank in the event that the operator elects to manually operate the gate mechanism via the hand crank and gearbox.

As noted above, the motor 34 is preferably a pneumatic motor, operable with compressed air provided from an air source generally designated in FIG.3 by reference numeral^/82. The air source 82 can be a separate cylinder attached to the hopper container 12, or more preferably, the existing air supply from the air brake system of the tractor trailer 10, and in particular the emergency brake system. A controller mechanism is provided to control the flow of compressed air to the motor 34. In a preferred embodiment, the controller mechanism includes a valve 56 operatively coupled to the tractor-trailer's emergency brake air supply to drive the motor 34 and provide the power to turn the gearbox shafts 42 and 44. Preferably a tee connector 58 is provided on the emergency brake line so that the air supply can be directed to the motor 34. As shown in FIG.3, the tee connector 58 has an input port 60 to receive compressed air from the air source 82, a first output port 62 to direct the air supply to the emergency brake system of the tractor-trailer 10, and a second output port 64 to direct the air supply to the motor 34. The controller valve 56 is provided on the second output line 64 to control the air supply to the motor 34.

Preferably, the valve 56 acts as an air shutoff valve that controls the direction and amount of air the motor receives. In a preferred operation of the present invention, the air shutoff valve will only provide airflow to the motor 34 if the valve 56 is manually opened and retained in the open position (e.g., by manually moving a spring-biased lever 66 as shown in FIG.3). That is, air will be directed to the motor 34 if the operator moves and holds the lever 66. Once the lever 66 is returned to the "off" position, the air supply to the motor 34 will be shut off. If the lever 66 is released, the valve 56 will automatically shut off. This prevents the operator from leaving the air supply connected to the motor 34 and not the emergency brake line, even when the operation of the gate mechanism 26 is completed, and thus insures that a sufficient air supply is provided to the emergency brake line when the tractor-trailer 10 is being driven. The valve 56 is also preferably a three-position valve that includes an "off" position, a first supply position ("open"), and a second supply position ("close"). As noted above, the valve 56 is spring-biased to the "off" position. The lever 66 enables the operator to move the valve between the "off" position and either of the first or second supply positions. The valve 56 is connected to the motor 34 such that air passing through the valve 56 when in the first supply position causes the motor 34 to rotate in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) associated with opening the gate mechanism 26. Likewise, the valve 56 is connected to the motor 34 such that air passing through the valve 56 when in the second supply position causes the motor 34 to rotate in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) associated with closing the gate mechanism 26. The specific directions identified herein are used for illustration purposes only, and the present invention is not intended to prescribe specific directions for specific actions (i.e., clockwise may be used to close the gate mechanism). The valve 56 employs one or more air escape ports that utilize mufflers 68 to allow unneeded or excess air to escape. Pneumatic control valves are known in the art and the operation thereof need not be discussed further herein. The valves used in the operation described above are commercially available valves.

In alternative embodiments, the valve can be a power-assisted type control valve that utilizes one or more solenoids, for example to actuate the valve to the first or second positions. Such a power-assisted valve may be configured so that the user operates the valve in proximity of the valve, or at a position remote from the valve (e.g., from the cab of the tractor trailer). Even with such alternative valve designs, however, the valve is preferably biased towards the "off" position when not in use for the safety reasons identified above. In a preferred embodiment, an automatic lubrication unit (e.g., an oil mist lubricator 70) is provided upstream of the motor 34, and more preferably upstream of the motor 34 and the valve 56. The lubricator 70 treats the air with a fine oil mist so that the valve 56 and the motor 34 are lubricated and so that they can operate efficiently. Automatic lubrication units are known in the art and will not, therefore, be further described herein.

The coupling 52 between the input shaft 42 of the gearbox 32 and the motor shaft 36 accommodates axial movement of the input shaft 42, for example, if the gearbox 32 has the capability to shift gears. As discussed above, the input shaft 42 on the second side 50 of the gearbox housing 46 can be provided with a knob 54. The gearbox 32 can be changed from a high gear to a low gear, or vice versa, by axially moving the knob 54 and input shaft 42 inward or outward, depending on the initial position of the input shaft and the desired gear. Moving the input shaft 42 axially to change the gear causes the input shaft 42 extending from the first side 48 of the gearbox housing 46 through to the second side 50 of the gearbox housing 46 to correspondingly move, which movement the coupling 52 is adapted to accommodate.

An example of a type of coupling for use in the present invention is diagrammatically shown in FIG.4. There, the coupling 52 includes a housing 72, a motor shaft flange 74, a plate 76, and a spring 78. The coupling housing 72 has a gearbox end and a motor end receiving and accommodating the input shaft 42 and the motor shaft 36 respectively. The input shaft 42 and the motor shaft 36 may be connected to the coupling housing 72 in a variety of known ways. As shown, for example, in FIG. 4, the input shaft 42 is connected to the coupling housing 72 using a through pin 80. The motor shaft flange 74 is disposed adjacent the motor end of the coupling housing 72 and includes an aperture for slidably receiving the motor shaft 36. The input shaft 42 is received within and fixed to the gearbox end of the coupling housing 72. The spring 78 and the plate 76 are disposed within the coupling housing 72 with the spring 78 disposed towards the input shaft 42 and the plate 76 disposed towards the motor shaft 36 and retained by the motor shaft flange 74. When the gearbox 32 is in high gear, the input shaft 42 is in a first axial position. When the knob 54 and attached input shaft 42 are pushed inward to change to the low gear, the input shaft 42 moves axially against the pressure of the spring 78 a distance sufficient to engage the low gear. The coupling 52 moves axially along the motor shaft 36, compressing the spring 78. When the operator moves the knob 54 and input shaft 42 back into the high gear, the spring 78 acts against the input shaft 42 and returns the input shaft 42 to the first axial position associated with the high gear. If, as mentioned above, the operator elects to use the hand crank instead of the motor to operate the gate mechanism, the coupling 52 permits the operator to change gears in the gearbox 32 in the manner as just described.

In the operation! of the present invention, the operator parks the tractor trailer 10 in a discharge location and selects a desired gear for the gearbox 32. The operator then moves the control valve 56 into the supply position designated "open" for opening the doors 28 of the gate mechanism 26. In the "open" position, the compressed air powers the motor 34, which in turn drives the gearbox 32 and attached drive mechanism 30, which in turn operates mechanical means communicating with the gate mechanism 26, resulting in pivoting of the doors 28 to the opened position. Once the desired position of the doors 28 is reached, the operator releases the valve lever 66 and the valve 56 automatically returns to the "off" position. When the operator elects to close the doors 28 (e.g., after the particulate matter has been discharged from the container 12), the valve 56 is moved into the supply position designated "close" for closing the doors 28 of the gate mechanism 26. In the "close" position, the compressed air powers the motor 34, and therefore the attached gearbox 32 and drive mechanism 30, in the opposite rotational direction as assumed for the "open" direction. As a result, the movement of the mechanical means communicating with the gate mechanism 26 is reversed and the doors 28 pivot to the closed position relative to the discharge opening 24. Once the desired position of the doors 28 is reached, the operator releases the valve lever 66 and the valve 26 automatically returns to the "off" position.

If a compressed air source is not available, the present invention can be still used with a hand crank and the gate mechanism can be manually opened or closed as desired. The input shaft 42 on the second side 50 of the gearbox housing 46 is adapted to receive a hand crank, and the operator can drive the drive mechanism via rotation of input shaft 42 despite the presence of the motor 34 coupled thereto. Such a capability is helpful in situations where the air supply of the truck must remain dedicated to the emergency brake line.

An embodiment of the present invention apparatus for controlling discharge of material from a hopper container system is a retrofit kit for use with certain manual cover operating mechanisms to enable them to be operated in a power- assist mode. The retrofit kit includes a motor 34, a controller mechanism 56, and in some instances a gearbox 32. When the retrofit kit is combined with an existing manually operated drive mechanism that includes a gearbox, the motor 34 is coupled with the existing gearbox. The motor 34 and controller mechanism 56 are connected to an air source 82 as described above. When the retrofit kit is combined with an existing manually operated drive mechanism that does not include a gearbox, the gearbox 32 is coupled with the drive mechanism, and the motor 34 is coupled with the gearbox 32. The motor 34 and controller mechanism 56 are connected to the air source 82 as described above. In both instances, the operation of the retrofitted system is the same as or similar to that described above.

Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for controlling discharge of material from a hopper container having a discharge opening through which said material is discharged and a gate mechanism movable between a closed position and an opened position relative to the discharge opening, the apparatus comprising: a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft; a motor coupled to the input shaft of the gearbox; a drive mechanism operable to move the gate mechanism between the closed position and the opened position, said drive mechanism having a first end coupled to the output shaft of the gearbox, and a second end communicating with the gate mechanism; and a controller for selectively controlling the motor to operate the drive mechanism so that said drive mechanism drives the gate mechanism between the closed position and the opened position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor is a pneumatic motor, and said apparatus further comprising an air source for providing an air supply to the pneumatic motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hopper container is provided on a truck and said air source is an air brake system of the truck.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the air source is an air powered emergency brake system of the truck.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller comprises an airflow valve for controlling the amount of the air provided to the pneumatic motor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, said airflow valve having a first operating position providing an airflow to the motor for rotating the motor in a first direction, said first operating position being associated with moving the gate mechanism to the opened position; a second operating position providing an airflow to the motor for rotating the motor in a second direction, said second operating position being associated with moving the gate mechanism to the closed position; and a third operating position restricting airflow from the motor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said airflow valve is biased towards the third operating position.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a lubricator unit for applying a lubricant mist into the air supply provided to the motor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gearbox comprises a plurality of gears shif table between gear speeds of varying speeds.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the input shaft of the gearbox effects shifting of the gears.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a coupling accommodating the input shaft of the gearbox and a motor shaft of the motor, wherein said coupling transfers rotational force of the motor shaft to the input shaft.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said coupling permits axial movement of said input shaft to effect shifting of the gears in the gearbox.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gearbox is adapted to receive a hand crank for manual rotation of the input shaft.

14. An apparatus for operating a gate mechanism of a hopper container between a closed position and an opened position relative to a discharge opening, the apparatus comprising: a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft, and the output shaft is operatively connected to the gate mechanism; a motor coupled to the input shaft of the gearbox; a controller for selectively controlling the motor and coupled gearbox to operate the gate mechanism between the closed position and the opened position.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus may be operated in a power-assist mode or a manual mode.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a connector for tapping into an air powered brake system of a vehicle connected to the hopper container, thereby providing an air source for powering the motor.

17. An apparatus for operating a gate mechanism of a hopper container mounted on a vehicle, wherein the gate mechanism is movable between a closed position and an opened position relative to a discharge opening of the hopper container, the apparatus comprising: a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft; . a pneumatic motor coupled to the input shaft of the gearbox; a drive mechanism operable to move the gate mechanism between the closed position and the opened position, said drive mechanism having a first end coupled to the output shaft of the gearbox, and a second end communicating with the gate mechanism; a source of compressed air, which source is attached to the vehicle; and a controller for selectively controlling the motor to operate the drive mechanism so that said drive mechanism drives the gate mechanism between the closed position and the opened position.

18. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a connector tapped into an air powered brake system of the truck.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the air source is an air operated emergency brake system portion of the truck.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the gate mechanism may be operated in a power-assist mode or a manual mode.

21. A kit for retrofitting a gate mechanism of a hopper container mounted on a vehicle, wherein the gate mechanism is movable between a closed position and an opened position relative to a discharge opening of the hopper container, the kit comprising: a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft, and the output shaft is operatively connected to the gate mechanism; a motor coupled to the input shaft of the gearbox; a controller for selectively controlling the motor and coupled gearbox to operate the gate mechanism between the closed position and the opened position.