Patent ID: 6279487
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B61D

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling discharge of material from a bottom dump railroad hopper car having an underframe defining a longitudinal axis for the hopper car, a hopper mounted on said underframe for holding material therewithin, said hopper defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced discharge openings through which material is discharged from said hopper, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of longitudinally mounted discharge door assemblies, each longitudinally mounted discharge door assembly being arranged in cooperative relationship relative to a discharge opening on said hopper to control flow of material from said hopper, and wherein said discharge door assembly comprises a longitudinally disposed discharge door mounted on said hopper for pivotal movement relative to a discharge opening on said hopper car between open and closed positions about an axis arranged adjacent and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said underframe such that said door is pushed into the closed position and pulled toward the open position; anda door operating mechanism including a positively operated driver carried on said hopper car for operating at least one of said discharge door assemblies independently of at least one other discharge door assembly on the hopper car.