Patent ID: 6155767
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B65G,G01G,Y10S

Abstract:
A multiple-batch method for loading a moving railroad car from front to back with a target weight of particulate material employing a loadout system including a surge bin, a weigh bin positioned below the surge bin, a controlled charging gate for charging batches of particulate material from the surge bin into the weigh bin, and a controlled discharge gate for discharging particulate material from the weigh bin through a loading chute having a discharge end into the railroad car, said method comprising the steps of:as the railroad car approaches the loading chute, charging the weigh bin with a first weighed batch of material sufficient to fill a front portion of the railroad car up to the discharge end of the loading chute so that subsequent flow of material out of the loading chute is controlled by forward movement of the car and to leave a quantity of material in the loading chute sufficient to maintain a continuous flow of material into the railroad car during an interval between when the weigh bin is emptied of the first batch and the weigh bin is charged with a second weighed batch of material;discharging the first batch from the weigh bin;while material from the first batch is flowing from the loading chute into the railroad car, charging the weigh bin with the second batch, the weight of the second batch being a portion of the remaining material weight required to reach the target weight after the first weighed batch is loaded into the railroad car, and the second weighed batch being sufficient to leave a quantity of material in the loading chute sufficient to maintain a continuous flow of material into the railroad car during an interval between when the weigh bin is emptied of the second batch and the weigh bin is charged with a third weighed batch of material;discharging the second batch from the weigh bin;while material from the second batch is flowing from the loading chute into the railroad car, charging the weigh bin with the third batch, the weight of the third batch being what is required to reach the target weight after the first and second weighed batches are weighed and loaded into the railroad car; anddischarging the third batch from the weigh bin.