WO2020170038A2 - Automated hatch system for hopper railcars - Google Patents
Automated hatch system for hopper railcars Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2020170038A2 WO2020170038A2 PCT/IB2020/000137 IB2020000137W WO2020170038A2 WO 2020170038 A2 WO2020170038 A2 WO 2020170038A2 IB 2020000137 W IB2020000137 W IB 2020000137W WO 2020170038 A2 WO2020170038 A2 WO 2020170038A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- hatch
- guide rail
- railcar
- trough
- hatch cover
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
- B61D7/00—Hopper cars
- B61D7/14—Adaptations of hopper elements to railways
- B61D7/32—Means for assisting charge or discharge
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
- B61D17/00—Construction details of vehicle bodies
- B61D17/04—Construction details of vehicle bodies with bodies of metal; with composite, e.g. metal and wood body structures
- B61D17/12—Roofs
- B61D17/16—Hatches in roofs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
- B61D7/00—Hopper cars
- B61D7/14—Adaptations of hopper elements to railways
- B61D7/16—Closure elements for discharge openings
- B61D7/24—Opening or closing means
- B61D7/28—Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
- B61D7/00—Hopper cars
- B61D7/14—Adaptations of hopper elements to railways
- B61D7/16—Closure elements for discharge openings
- B61D7/24—Opening or closing means
- B61D7/30—Opening or closing means controlled by means external to cars
Definitions
- the present invention relates to railcars.
- the present invention relates to a pneumatically operated hatch system for trough loaded hopper railcars.
- Such hatch covers provide product containment.
- Other benefits include product protection, for example, protection from rain, snow, debris, or vermin. Many different granular or powdered products including grains may be shipped by railcar in this way.
- Hatch covers typically may be manufactured of steel, aluminum, or various composite materials, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages.
- Manual hatch covers are typically built as several pieces, allowing them to be easily opened manually by a worker.
- Automatic hatch covers are a replacement for manual hatches and provide a method to reduce injuries by allowing the worker to open the hatches from trackside, or automatically without worker contact, avoiding the need for the worker to walk on the roof of the railcar. In addition, the time required to open the hatches is also reduced.
- the present invention provides an automated hatch system for a hopper railcar having a central longitudinal trough with coaming, the system comprising a unitary hatch cover; a plurality of guide rail assemblies connecting one side of the top of the railcar perpendicular to and adjacent a corresponding longitudinal edge of the coaming to the hatch cover, wherein one guide rail assembly is positioned at each end of the trough and one or more guide rail assemblies are evenly spaced between the outermost guide rail assemblies; a cable network connecting the guide rail assemblies to the hatch and external coaming of the trough; means for activating the cable network to open and close the hatch and to align the opposing ends of the hatch cover during opening and closing.
- Each guide rail assembly may comprises a linear guide rail having a linear slot connected to the top of the railcar; a profiled guide rail having a curved slot connected to the top of the railcar, the profiled guide rail parallel to and spaced apart from the corresponding linear guide rail; an arm having internal and external ends, the internal end connected to the top of the hatch cover and the external end comprising a first roller on one side of the arm movable within the linear slot and a second roller on the opposing side of the arm movable within the curved slot.
- the cable network may comprise a plurality of sheaves mounted on sheave brackets at each end of each guide rail assembly, at the corners of the hatch cover, and at the external corners of the trough coaming; a pair of cables running through the sheaves and fixed in place relative to the railcar; and a plurality of cable adjustment turnbuckles disposed along the cable network.
- the means for activating the cable network may comprise a pneumatic cylinder; an alignment tube extending from the pneumatic cylinder; an alignment car movable between retracted and extended positions; a source of pressurized air; and actuator means, which may comprise an actuator button.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the top of a railcar showing the automated hatch system of the present invention with the hatch cover in the open position;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the top of a railcar showing the automated hatch system of the present invention with the hatch cover in the open position;
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of one end of the automated hatch system from the profiled guide rail side with the hatch cover in a closed position;
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of one end of the automated hatch system from the profiled guide rail side with the hatch cover in an open position;
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pneumatic cylinder and cable alignment system with closed hatch cover not shown and alignment car retracted;
- Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pneumatic cylinder and cable alignment system with hatch open and alignment car extended;
- Figure 7 is a perspective view of the alignment car details.
- Figure 8 is a perspective view of one end of the automated hatch system from the profiled guide rail side with the hatch cover in a closed position
- Figure 9 is a perspective view of one end of the automated hatch system from the linear guide rail side with the hatch cover in a closed position
- Figure 10 is a perspective view of one end of the automated hatch system from the profiled guide rail side with the hatch cover in an open position;
- Figure 11 is a perspective view of one end of the automated hatch system from the linear guide rail side with the hatch cover in an open position;
- Figure 12 is a side view of a guide rail assembly showing the open/close cable tension adjustment on an arm
- Figure 13 is a top view of the cable network during hatch opening;
- Figure 14 is a top view of the cable network during hatch closing;
- Figure 15 is a right-side view of the cylinder assembly.
- the present invention comprises a system for opening and closing a hatch on trough loaded hopper railcars.
- a hatch cover for covering a trough loaded railcar, and hatch opening means for reversibly moving a hatch cover from a closed position atop a railcar to an open position alongside the trough.
- Coordinated operation of the system of the present invention may be achieved with an air cylinder and button operated actuators.
- the air source for the air cylinder can be shared with the hopper gates on the railcar. Alternatively, air can be applied trackside for hopper cars with manual hopper gates that lack an available on-car source of air.
- a unitary hopper railcar hatch cover is displaceable along a plurality of guide rail assemblies between a closed position sealing the trough, and an open position held adjacent the trough.
- a guide rail assembly is provided at each longitudinal end of the hatch, and two additional guide rail assemblies are provided evenly spaced between the longitudinal ends, for a total of four guide assemblies. Fewer or more guide rail assemblies are possible within the scope of the invention.
- Each guide rail assembly comprises a linear guide rail on the outside of the hatch extending perpendicularly to an edge of the trough coaming, and a profiled guide rail parallel to the linear guide rail.
- the guide rail assembly further comprises an arm attached to the top of the hatch cover and extending perpendicularly between the linear and profiled guide rails.
- Each arm includes a first roller at a distal position and a second roller on the opposing side of the arm at a medial position.
- the linear guide rail includes a linear slot within which the first roller may move
- the profiled guide rail includes a curved slot within which the second roller may move.
- a cable network is activated to move the hatch cover away from the trough and the guide rail slots cause the hatch cover to be lifted above the sill of the trough, to then be moved laterally clear of the trough, and finally lowered onto the top of the railcar in an open position adjacent to the trough.
- the guide rail assemblies repeat the lifting and sealing in reverse when the hatch cover is moved from the open position atop the railcar to the closed position sealing the trough.
- the curved slot of the profiled guide rail ensures the hatch cover is lifted free of the coaming upon opening and that a solid seal is formed between the hatch cover and the railcar upon closing.
- the present invention moves the hatch cover completely clear of the trough, as may be best seen in Fig. 1.
- the guide rail assemblies of the present invention maintain the hatch cover within Plate C when fully open or fully closed.
- the hatch cover will briefly exceed Plate C during the opening and closing cycles.
- the hatch cover is provided with a standard rubber seal similar to seals used on manual hatches.
- the guide rails and arm provide downward force on the hatch cover and seal in the closed position to generate a solid seal between the hatch cover and the top of the railcar. Additional security may be provided by incorporating a rod-lock feature in the air cylinder to prevent hatch opening in the event of air pressure loss.
- the automated hatch system of the present invention may be activated by one of several means.
- the system may have a manual air-input point at which external air may be quickly connected to operate the automated hatch system.
- a push button control may be provided at track level or may be incorporated into hopper controls.
- the system would include a simple discreet open/close button and a hidden security button which must be pressed simultaneously to operate the open/close button.
- a roller may run along the top edge of the railcar tripping a paddle trigger to effect opening and closing of the hatch.
- Hatch covers placed on railcars tend to be very long and narrow due to the shape of the top of a railcar.
- hydraulics can be used to maintain an even operation.
- pneumatic systems are available in the railway environment, and pneumatics are very difficult to balance in this way. The result is one end of the hatch cover may move at a different rate as the other. This can cause hatch covers to fail or stick.
- One aspect of the present invention is a passive cable alignment system to ensure that both ends of the hatch cover will move in an identical fashion.
- it makes it possible to drive a hatch cover from one end of the hatch only, with no need to have an additional mechanism or air supply at the far end.
- a single air cylinder is employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the cable alignment system includes two cable networks involved with each hatch cover, an opening cable network and a closing cable network.
- the cables will run through sheaves attached to the ends of the hatch. Additional sheaves may be located on the guide rail assemblies and the corners of the trough coaming.
- the cables then will pass through conduits in the hatch.
- the cables themselves are fixed in place with no movement relative to the railcar, but as the hatch cover moves, the sheaves will rotate and the cables will pass through the hatch. It should be noted that as the hatch moves, one cable will move relative to the other cable if observed from the perspective of the hatch.
- the cable network is adjustable with turnbuckles for opening and closing adjustments.
- a pressurized air cylinder is used to move one end of the hatch cover, and the other end of the hatch is moved by the cable alignment system with no need for a secondary air cylinder at the opposite end of the hatch.
- the automated hatch system of the present invention may be retrofit to existing equipment with removal of an existing man-walk on only one side of the railcar.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
- Electric Cable Arrangement Between Relatively Moving Parts (AREA)
- Treatment Of Steel In Its Molten State (AREA)
- Flexible Shafts (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
BR112021016418A BR112021016418A2 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2020-02-19 | Automated rotating hatch system for hopper cars |
US17/432,477 US20220144319A1 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2020-02-19 | Automated Hatch System for Hopper Railcars |
CA3130876A CA3130876A1 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2020-02-19 | Automated hatch system for hopper railcars |
AU2020223896A AU2020223896A1 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2020-02-19 | Automated hatch system for hopper railcars |
US17/406,995 US20220144318A1 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2021-08-19 | Direct Drive Automated Hatch System for Hopper Railcars |
ZA2021/06897A ZA202106897B (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2021-09-17 | Automated hatch system for hopper railcars |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201962807722P | 2019-02-19 | 2019-02-19 | |
US62/807,722 | 2019-02-19 |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/406,995 Continuation-In-Part US20220144318A1 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2021-08-19 | Direct Drive Automated Hatch System for Hopper Railcars |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2020170038A2 true WO2020170038A2 (en) | 2020-08-27 |
WO2020170038A3 WO2020170038A3 (en) | 2020-12-03 |
WO2020170038A4 WO2020170038A4 (en) | 2021-01-28 |
Family
ID=72143485
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2020/000137 WO2020170038A2 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2020-02-19 | Automated hatch system for hopper railcars |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20220144319A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2020223896A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112021016418A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3130876A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020170038A2 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA202106897B (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2020170038A3 (en) * | 2019-02-19 | 2020-12-03 | Ecofab Covers International Inc. | Automated hatch system for hopper railcars |
WO2023021334A1 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-02-23 | Ecofab Covers International Inc. | Direct drive automated hatch system for hopper railcars |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA3161415C (en) | 2021-03-30 | 2023-05-02 | Rayhawk Technologies Inc. | Bridge crane apparatus for opening and closing railcar lids |
WO2023218434A1 (en) * | 2022-05-13 | 2023-11-16 | Ecofab Covers International, Inc. | Improved automatic hatch system for trough loaded hopper railcars |
CN114952683B (en) * | 2022-07-12 | 2024-05-17 | 中船澄西扬州船舶有限公司 | Positioning tool for lifting oil cylinder guide plate |
Family Cites Families (20)
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US4524700A (en) * | 1982-06-07 | 1985-06-25 | Proform, Inc. | Opening cover for railroad cars |
US5080423A (en) * | 1989-09-28 | 1992-01-14 | Sundance, Inc. | Segmented cover system |
US6352036B1 (en) * | 1998-12-09 | 2002-03-05 | Aerd Transportation Products, Inc. | Pneumatic actuator for railroad car covers |
US6142554A (en) * | 1999-03-18 | 2000-11-07 | Truckhugger Tarp Systems, Inc. | Sliding bow dump truck cover |
US6250233B1 (en) * | 2000-01-31 | 2001-06-26 | Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company | Slidable cover assembly for gondola railroad car |
US6481779B1 (en) * | 2001-10-10 | 2002-11-19 | Aero Industries, Inc. | Retractable tarp cover system for containers |
KR100526040B1 (en) * | 2004-02-04 | 2005-11-08 | 전병진 | Apparatus for opening and shutting the top cover of container |
US8051779B2 (en) * | 2008-03-21 | 2011-11-08 | Structural Composites of Indiana, Inc. | Railcar cover |
CN201427582Y (en) * | 2009-08-14 | 2010-03-24 | 齐齐哈尔轨道交通装备有限责任公司 | Head cover device of railway freight-car and grain hopper wagon of the head cover device |
US9511781B2 (en) * | 2009-10-07 | 2016-12-06 | Clearrails, Llc | Rail car cover system |
US8240740B2 (en) * | 2009-10-09 | 2012-08-14 | Lynn Chenowth | Internally tracked slider system for low profile contractible canopy |
CN103097195B (en) * | 2010-06-27 | 2017-01-18 | 负载及移动控股有限公司 | A transport or shipping container cover arrangement |
US8998287B2 (en) * | 2012-03-22 | 2015-04-07 | Wastequip, Llc | Roll tarp system |
RU2609557C2 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2017-02-02 | Владимир Викторович Бодров | Car with opening roof by v.v. bodrov |
CN108313075B (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2023-09-08 | 中车山东机车车辆有限公司 | Top cover mechanism of sliding rail type railway hopper wagon and working method |
DE202018104786U1 (en) * | 2018-08-20 | 2018-08-31 | European Trailer Systems Gmbh | Openable construction |
US20220144319A1 (en) * | 2019-02-19 | 2022-05-12 | Ecofab Covers International Inc. | Automated Hatch System for Hopper Railcars |
US20210046955A1 (en) * | 2019-08-14 | 2021-02-18 | The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. | Hopper railroad car hatch cover assembly |
CN110667626A (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2020-01-10 | 中车太原机车车辆有限公司 | Open top cap is opened to full length side of railway hopper car |
US11603121B2 (en) * | 2020-01-15 | 2023-03-14 | Gunderson Llc | Hopper railroad car flexible top hatch cover |
-
2020
- 2020-02-19 US US17/432,477 patent/US20220144319A1/en active Pending
- 2020-02-19 WO PCT/IB2020/000137 patent/WO2020170038A2/en active Application Filing
- 2020-02-19 BR BR112021016418A patent/BR112021016418A2/en unknown
- 2020-02-19 AU AU2020223896A patent/AU2020223896A1/en active Pending
- 2020-02-19 CA CA3130876A patent/CA3130876A1/en active Pending
-
2021
- 2021-08-19 US US17/406,995 patent/US20220144318A1/en active Pending
- 2021-09-17 ZA ZA2021/06897A patent/ZA202106897B/en unknown
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2020170038A3 (en) * | 2019-02-19 | 2020-12-03 | Ecofab Covers International Inc. | Automated hatch system for hopper railcars |
WO2023021334A1 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-02-23 | Ecofab Covers International Inc. | Direct drive automated hatch system for hopper railcars |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2020170038A3 (en) | 2020-12-03 |
AU2020223896A1 (en) | 2021-09-23 |
US20220144318A1 (en) | 2022-05-12 |
ZA202106897B (en) | 2022-07-27 |
WO2020170038A4 (en) | 2021-01-28 |
CA3130876A1 (en) | 2020-08-27 |
BR112021016418A2 (en) | 2021-12-28 |
US20220144319A1 (en) | 2022-05-12 |
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