U.S. patent application number 16/021366 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-03 for longitudinal gate hopper car without partitions.
The applicant listed for this patent is Trinity Rail Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Amy D, Brown, Andrew Brown, Anthony R. Hiatt, Lee A. Reitz, Shaun Richmond.
Application Number | 20190001997 16/021366 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64734747 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190001997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richmond; Shaun ; et
al. |
January 3, 2019 |
LONGITUDINAL GATE HOPPER CAR WITHOUT PARTITIONS
Abstract
According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises an
underframe, a pair of sidewall assemblies, a pair of end wall
assemblies, and one hopper bay formed between the pair of sidewall
assemblies and the pair of end wall assemblies. The one hopper bay
includes a longitudinal discharge opening extending the length of
the hopper bay. The one hopper bay may extend the length of the
railcar. The railcar may further comprise one or more longitudinal
discharge gates coupled to the hopper bay and configured to cover
the longitudinal discharge opening. The one or more longitudinal
discharge gates are movable away from the longitudinal discharge
opening, thereby allowing lading within the hopper to discharge
through the longitudinal opening.
Inventors: |
Richmond; Shaun; (Frankfort,
IL) ; Hiatt; Anthony R.; (Fort Worth, TX) ;
Brown; Amy D,; (North Richland Hills, TX) ; Brown;
Andrew; (Piano, TX) ; Reitz; Lee A.; (Euless,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Trinity Rail Group, LLC |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64734747 |
Appl. No.: |
16/021366 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62526445 |
Jun 29, 2017 |
|
|
|
62618739 |
Jan 18, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61D 7/02 20130101; B61D
7/28 20130101; B61D 7/18 20130101; B61D 7/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61D 7/16 20060101
B61D007/16; B61D 7/02 20060101 B61D007/02 |
Claims
1. A railcar comprising: an underframe, a pair of sidewall
assemblies, a pair of end wall assemblies, and one hopper bay
formed between the pair of sidewall assemblies and the pair of end
wall assemblies; wherein the one hopper bay includes a longitudinal
discharge opening extending the length of the hopper bay.
2. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the one hopper bay extends the
length of the railcar.
3. The railcar of claim 1, further comprising one or more
longitudinal discharge gates coupled to the hopper bay and
configured to cover the longitudinal discharge opening, wherein the
one or more longitudinal discharge gates are movable away from the
longitudinal discharge opening, thereby allowing lading within the
hopper to discharge through the longitudinal opening.
4. A hopper for a railcar, the hopper comprising: a longitudinal
discharge opening extending the length of the hopper; and wherein
the hopper extends the length of a railcar when coupled to the
railcar.
5. The hopper of claim 4, further comprising one or more
longitudinal discharge gates coupled to the hopper and configured
to cover the longitudinal discharge opening, wherein the one or
more longitudinal discharge gates are movable away from the
longitudinal discharge opening, thereby allowing lading within the
hopper to discharge through the longitudinal opening.
6. A railcar comprising: a pair of trucks disposed near each end of
the railcar and coupled to a center sill; and one hopper disposed
between the pair of trucks and coupled to the center sill; wherein
the one hopper includes a longitudinal discharge opening extending
the length of the hopper.
7. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the one hopper extends from one
truck of the pair of trucks to the other truck of the pair
trucks.
8. The railcar of claim 1, further comprising one or more
longitudinal discharge gates coupled to the hopper bay and
configured to cover the longitudinal discharge opening, wherein the
one or more longitudinal discharge gates are movable away from the
longitudinal discharge opening, thereby allowing lading within the
hopper to discharge through the longitudinal opening.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/526,445 entitled "LONGITUDINAL GATE HOPPER
CAR WITHOUT PARTITIONS," filed Jun. 29, 2017 and U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/618,739 entitled "HOPPER CAR WITH INCREASED
VOLUMETRIC CAPACITY," filed Jan. 18, 2018, the entire content of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Particular embodiments relate generally to railcars, and
more particularly to a hopper car with a single hopper, a single
discharge opening, and/or a single longitudinal gate (i.e., no
partitions).
BACKGROUND
[0003] Railway hopper cars transport and sometimes store bulk
materials. Hopper cars generally include one or more hoppers which
may hold cargo or lading during shipment. Hopper cars are
frequently used to transport coal, sand, metal ores, aggregates,
grain and any other type of lading which may be satisfactorily
discharged through openings formed in one or more hoppers.
Discharge openings are typically provided at or near the bottom of
each hopper to rapidly discharge cargo. A variety of door
assemblies or gate assemblies along with various operating
mechanisms have been used to open and close discharge openings
associated with railway hopper cars.
[0004] Transversely oriented discharge openings and gates are
frequently coupled with a common linkage operated by an air
cylinder. The air cylinder is typically mounted in the same
orientation as the operating gate linkage which is often a
longitudinal direction relative to the associated hopper.
[0005] Longitudinally oriented discharge openings and doors are
often used in pairs that may be rotated or pivoted relative to the
center sill or side sills of a hopper car. Longitudinally oriented
discharge openings and doors may be coupled with a beam operated by
an air cylinder. The air cylinder is typically mounted in the same
orientation as the operating beam which is often a longitudinal
direction relative to the associated hopper. The operating beam may
be coupled to the discharge doors by door struts that push (or
pull) the gates open or pull (or push) them closed as the air
cylinder moves the operating beam back and forth.
[0006] Hopper cars may be classified as open or covered (enclosed).
Hopper cars may have relatively short sidewalls and end walls or
relatively tall or high sidewalls and end walls. The sidewalls and
end walls of many hopper cars are often formed from steel or
aluminum sheets and reinforced with a plurality of vertical side
stakes or support posts. Some hopper cars include interior frame
structures or braces to provide additional support for the
sidewalls.
SUMMARY
[0007] Currently, covered hopper cars with longitudinal openings
and gates are configured with two, three, or four sets of openings
and gates with partition sheets separating the car into bays. The
openings and covering gates are generally a fixed size that is
shorter than the bays. Thus, sloped sheets are used to direct the
lading into the gate during discharging of the hopper car. The
sloped sheets result in a triangular shaped void area between bays
where no lading is carried. The void space is disadvantageous
because the hopper car is made longer to replace the lost
volume.
[0008] Particular embodiments generally include a hopper car with a
single bay, a single longitudinally oriented opening that extends
the length of the bay, and one or more longitudinal gates that
extend the length of the opening.
[0009] According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises an
underframe, a pair of sidewall assemblies, a pair of end wall
assemblies, and one hopper bay formed between the pair of sidewall
assemblies and the pair of end wall assemblies. The one hopper bay
includes a longitudinal discharge opening extending the length of
the hopper bay.
[0010] In particular embodiments, the one hopper bay extends the
length of the railcar. The railcar may further comprise one or more
longitudinal discharge gates coupled to the hopper bay and
configured to cover the longitudinal discharge opening, wherein the
one or more longitudinal discharge gates are movable away from the
longitudinal discharge opening, thereby allowing lading within the
hopper to discharge through the longitudinal opening.
[0011] According to some embodiments, a hopper for a railcar
comprises a longitudinal discharge opening extending the length of
the hopper. The hopper extends the length of a railcar when coupled
to the railcar.
[0012] In particular embodiments, the hopper further comprises one
or more longitudinal discharge gates coupled to the hopper and
configured to cover the longitudinal discharge opening. The one or
more longitudinal discharge gates are movable away from the
longitudinal discharge opening, thereby allowing lading within the
hopper to discharge through the longitudinal opening.
[0013] According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a pair of
trucks disposed near each end of the railcar and coupled to a
center sill. One hopper is disposed between the pair of trucks and
coupled to the center sill. The one hopper includes a longitudinal
discharge opening extending the length of the hopper.
[0014] In particular embodiments, the one hopper extends from one
truck of the pair of trucks to the other truck of the pair trucks.
The railcar may further comprise one or more longitudinal discharge
gates coupled to the hopper bay and configured to cover the
longitudinal discharge opening. The one or more longitudinal
discharge gates are movable away from the longitudinal discharge
opening, thereby allowing lading within the hopper to discharge
through the longitudinal opening.
[0015] As a result, particular embodiments of the present
disclosure may provide numerous technical advantages. For example,
because the discharge opening is not shorter than the bay, the need
for a partition sheet is eliminated. The triangular void space
created by the partition sheet is also eliminated. The hopper car
can be shortened while transporting the same volume. A shorter
hopper car reduces overall train length and improves operation on
the railroad. In some embodiments, eliminating the partition sheet
saves weight and reduces cost. Particular embodiments of the
present disclosure may provide some, none, all, or additional
technical advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a more complete understanding of the particular
embodiments, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to
the following written description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing in elevation showing a side
view of an example hopper car;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing in elevation showing a side
view of an example hopper car highlighting the void space between
hopper bays;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing in elevation showing a side
view of an example hopper car with a single hopper bay and
longitudinal discharge gate, according to a particular embodiment;
and
[0020] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating longitudinal
discharge doors underneath an example hopper car, according to a
particular embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Railway hopper cars generally include two or more hoppers
which may hold cargo or lading (e.g., bulk materials) during
shipment. Hopper cars may be classified as open or covered
(enclosed). Hopper cars may have relatively short sidewalls and end
walls or relatively tall or high sidewalls and end walls. The
sidewalls and end walls of many hopper cars are often formed from
steel or aluminum sheets and reinforced with a plurality of
vertical side stakes or support posts. Some hopper cars include
interior frame structures or braces to provide additional support
for the sidewalls. Alternatively, covered hoppers may be built with
a monocoque body design employing a curved roof and sides which
provide the structural support for the car body and obviate the
need for external side stakes.
[0022] Hopper cars frequently transport coal, sand, metal ores,
aggregates, grain, plastic pellets, and any other type of lading
which may be satisfactorily discharged through openings formed in
one or more hoppers. Discharge openings are typically provided at
or near the bottom of each hopper to rapidly discharge cargo.
Discharge openings in conventional hopper cars are of fixed size,
which limits the geometry of usable volume within hopper cars. A
variety of door assemblies or gate assemblies along with various
operating mechanisms have been used to open and close discharge
openings associated with railway hopper cars.
[0023] Using fixed discharge openings requires multiple hoppers to
carry a certain volume of cargo with a certain discharge rate. The
use of multiple hoppers creates a substantial amount of empty and
unusable space between each hopper, under the peak of the
longitudinal hopper sheets (the "cross-ridge") of the car which
separates the compartments. Lengthening the car to increase the
volumetric capacity also increases the distance between hoppers,
which raises the intersection point between hopper sheets, thereby
further increasing the volume of empty and unusable space.
Furthermore, as the car is lengthened, it must also be narrowed to
maintain compliance with regulatory clearance requirements, further
reducing the marginal volume increase gained by lengthening the
car.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing in elevation showing a side
view of an example hopper car. Hopper car 20 may be generally
described as a covered hopper car, and may carry bulk materials
such as sand, sugar, grain, and other agricultural products. Other
hopper cars, however, may include open hopper cars, which typically
carry coal, metal ores, aggregates or ballast, or any other cars
suitable for carrying bulk lading.
[0025] Hopper car 20 includes compartments 22 each with hopper 24.
Hoppers 24 may be opened and closed to control discharge of lading
from compartments 22. As illustrated, hopper car 20 includes two
compartments (or bays) 22. Hoppers 24 may include transverse or
longitudinal discharge gates.
[0026] Compartment 22 is configured to carry bulk materials and the
interior walls of compartment 22 are generally sloped towards
hopper 24 to facilitate discharge of the lading. Multiple
compartments 22 may be separated by interior bulkheads or
partitions (as illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2).
[0027] Hopper car 20 may include a pair of sidewall assemblies 26
and sloped end wall assemblies 28 mounted on a railway car
underframe. The railway car underframe includes center sill 34 and
a pair of shear plates 30. A pair of side sills 32 provide support
for sidewall assemblies 26.
[0028] Center sill 34 is a structural element for carrying the
loads of the hopper car. Center sill 34 transfers the various
longitudinal forces encountered during train operation from car to
car. Shear plates 30 extend generally parallel with center sill 34
and are spaced laterally from opposite sides of center sill 34.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing in elevation showing a side
view of an example hopper car highlighting the void space between
hopper bays. Hopper car 20 includes compartment 22a and compartment
22b. Within hopper car 20, compartment 22a is separated from
compartment 22b by partition 37. Partition 37 may comprise a steel
partition. Partition 37 may also be referred to as a partition
sheet. Partition 37 extends transversely across the interior of
hopper car 20 from one sidewall assembly 26 to the other sidewall
assembly 26.
[0030] Partition slope sheet 38 is coupled to partition 37 to
direct lading to hopper 24. For example, partition slope sheet 38a
directs lading to hopper 24a, and partition slope sheet 38b directs
lading to hopper 24b. Partition slope sheet 38 may comprise a steel
partition. Partition slope sheet 38 extends transversely across the
interior of hopper car 20 from one sidewall assembly 26 to the
other sidewall assembly 26.
[0031] Partition slope sheets 38a and 38b may intersect at
partition 37, forming a triangular area beneath partition slope
sheets 38a and 38b. The triangular area under partition slope
sheets 38a and 38b is space that cannot be used for transporting a
commodity. For example, cargo must be carried above partition slope
sheets 38a and 38b for partition sheets 38a and 38b to direct the
cargo or landing to hoppers 24a and 24b, respectively. To increase
the volume of hopper car 20 to make up for the void space, hopper
car 20 may be lengthened. Because the discharge openings are of a
fixed size, lengthening hopper car 20 requires partition slope
sheets 38a and 38b to extend longer from partition 37. At a certain
point, however, slope sheets 38a and 38b may have a slope that does
not facilitate directing lading to hoppers 24a and 24b.
[0032] For example, certain lading may have an effective viscosity
that gravity overcomes to discharge through hoppers 24a and 24b
when open. If the slopes are too lowly graded, then gravity may not
overcome the viscosity and residual lading may reside in hopper car
20 and/or the discharge rate may be reduced. To overcome the
limitation, the conventional solution is to increase the number of
openings and hoppers, thereby introducing additional partitions 37,
which further increases the amount of unusable volume.
[0033] Particular embodiments obviate the problems described above
and include a hopper car with a single hopper bay with one or more
longitudinal discharge openings extending the entire length of the
bay. Some embodiments may include a longitudinal gate that covers
the longitudinal discharge openings. Because the discharge opening
is not shorter than the length of the bay, the partition sheet is
not needed. The triangular void space is also eliminated, and the
hopper car can be shortened while transporting the same volume. A
shorter hopper car reduces overall train length and improves
operation on the railroad. In some embodiments, eliminating the
partition sheet saves weight and reduces cost.
[0034] Particular embodiments are described with reference to FIGS.
3 and 4 of the drawings. Like numbers may be used for like and
corresponding parts of the various drawings.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing in elevation showing a side
view of an example hopper car with a single hopper bay and
longitudinal discharge opening, according to a particular
embodiment. Hopper car 40 be generally described as a covered
hopper car and may carry bulk materials such as sand, sugar, grain,
and other agricultural products, for example. Other hopper cars,
however, may include open hopper cars, which may carry coal, metal
ores, aggregates, ballast, etc. Hopper car 40 includes one
compartment 42 with hopper 44. Hopper 44 may be opened and closed
to control discharge of lading from compartment 42. Hopper 44
comprises a longitudinal discharge opening and gate, as described
in further detail in FIG. 4.
[0036] Compartment 42 is configured to carry bulk materials and the
interior walls of compartment 42 are generally sloped towards the
discharge opening of hopper 44 to facilitate discharge of the
lading. With a single compartment 42, interior bulkheads or
partitions are not required.
[0037] The flow rate of the lading of single compartment 42 may be
controlled by the size of the discharge opening in hopper 44. In
some embodiments, the discharge opening of hopper 44 may extend the
length of hopper car 40 to facilitate a sufficiently high discharge
rate of lading from single compartment 42 and ensure that
substantially all lading is discharged.
[0038] The size of the opening of hopper 44 may be adjusted based
on the desired car capacity, including the desired length of hopper
car 40. The size of the discharge opening of hopper 44 may also be
adjusted.
[0039] In some embodiments, hopper 44 includes a single discharge
opening. In some embodiments, hopper 44 may include two
longitudinal discharge openings, one on each side of center sill
34, for example.
[0040] Hopper car 40 may include a pair of sidewall assemblies 26
and sloped end wall assemblies 28 mounted on a railway car
underframe. The railway car underframe includes center sill 34,
trucks 28, and a pair of shear plates 30. A pair of side sills 32
provide support for sidewall assemblies 26.
[0041] Center sill 34 is a structural element for carrying the
loads of hopper car 40. Center sill 34 transfers the various
longitudinal forces encountered during train operation from car to
car. Shear plates 30 extend generally parallel with center sill 34
and are spaced laterally from opposite sides of center sill 34.
[0042] Hopper car 40 may transport the same volume of commodity as
hopper car 20, but in a shorter length car. The overall length of
hopper car 40 may be shorter than hopper car 20 because hopper car
40 does not include ridges between multiple hopper bays. For
example, the triangular void areas between partition slope sheets
38a and 38b may be eliminated by having the opening of discharge
assembly 60 extend along a substantial portion of the length of
hopper car 40.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating longitudinal
discharge doors underneath an example hopper car, according to a
particular embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates a discharge assembly 60
that may be coupled to hopper 44 illustrated in FIG. 3. In
particular embodiments, discharge assembly 60 comprises operating
beam 62, discharge doors 64, guides 66, door struts 68, and
operating cylinder 70.
[0044] Operating beam 62 is coupled to center sill 34 by guides 66.
Operating beam 62 is coupled to discharge door 64 by door struts
68. Operating cylinder 70 is coupled to operating beam 62 and is
operable to move operating beam 62 back and forth through guides
66.
[0045] Operating beam 62 may comprise a steel box beam, may be
extruded from aluminum or steel, may be pultruded as a fiber
reinforced composite, such as a fiber or carbon composite, or any
other suitable material.
[0046] Portions of slope sheet 36 cooperate with adjacent portions
of center sill 34 to define longitudinal discharge openings.
Longitudinal discharge openings may be disposed along opposite
sides of center sill 34. The longitudinal discharge openings may
extend the length of hopper car 40 or the length of compartment 42.
The discharge openings may be optimized for the specific hopper car
40 to maximize its volumetric capacity.
[0047] Discharge doors 64 are hinged proximate to center sill 34.
Various types of mechanical hinges may engage discharge doors 64
with center sill 34. Discharge doors 64 may be oriented
longitudinally and extend the length of the longitudinal discharge
openings. Discharge doors 64 may be configured to match the
longitudinal discharge openings and extend along the length of
hopper car 40.
[0048] Discharge doors 64 are illustrated in the closed position,
which prevents the discharge of lading through the longitudinal
discharge openings. In operation, operating cylinder 70 moves
operating beam 62 through guides 66 to open discharge doors 64 via
door struts 68.
[0049] At a first end, door struts 68 are rotationally coupled to
operating beam 62. At a second end, door struts 68 are rotationally
coupled to discharge door 64. In particular embodiments, rotational
coupling may be achieved via ball joints.
[0050] Operating cylinder 70 is operable to move operating beam 62
back and forth through guides 66. In particular embodiments,
operating cylinder 70 may comprise a pneumatic cylinder, or any
type of motor suitable for moving operating beam 62 in a
longitudinal direction.
[0051] Longitudinal movement of operating beam 62 results in radial
extension of door struts 68 to move discharge doors 64 from their
open position to their closed position. Movement of operating beam
62 in the opposite direction results in pulling, pushing, or moving
discharge doors from their closed position to their open position
which allows rapid discharge of any lading contained within railway
hopper car 20.
[0052] Although FIG. 4 illustrates a particular type of
longitudinal gate, some embodiments may include other
configurations of hinge operated longitudinal gates or other types
of longitudinal gates, such as sliding longitudinal gates.
[0053] When particular components are described herein as the same
length as other components, the phrase "same length" refers to
substantially the same length or approximately the same length. For
example, when a discharge opening is described as the same length
as a hopper, the discharge opening may be substantially or
approximately the same length as the hopper accounting for any
supporting structure (e.g., cross members, braces, etc.) at each
end of the hopper. Similarly, when a hopper or discharge opening is
referred to as extending the length of the railcar, the hopper or
discharge opening extends the length of the railcar usable for
transporting lading (e.g., excluding end portions reserved for
other components, such as the coupling equipment, ladders, etc.
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3). Thus, the exact measurements of the two
components may differ, but the components may be referred to as the
same length for purposes of comparison and description herein.
[0054] Certain embodiments may facilitate a variety of gate sizes
and shapes, which may be optimized based on the density and flow
characteristics of any desired commodity hauled in hopper car 40.
An advantage is that particular embodiments improve upon design
constraints imposed by currently used conventional gates that
prevent such optimization. Further, the longitudinal discharge
openings may facilitate the reduction of one or more compartments
and provide for a more efficient car design by removing much of the
unused space which exists under the cross-ridge in current car
designs. More efficient use of the cross-sectional area of the car
facilitates the overall length of covered hopper cars to be
substantially reduced, with the potential of increasing the number
of cars and the resulting tonnage in a given length of train.
[0055] Although particular embodiments and their advantages have
been described in detail, it should be understood that various
changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
* * * * *