Railway hopper car gate valve and operating assembly

A gate valve assembly and a frame assembly for mounting the gate valve assembly on the discharge opening from a railway hopper car. The gate valve assembly includes an operating assembly for movement of a valve member within the gate valve assembly between a first, closed position and a second, open position. A locking mechanism is mounted on the frame assembly to maintain the gate valve assembly in its first closed position when the associated railway car is subjected to large impact forces. The operating assembly includes a lock striker which may be moved longitudinally relative to the valve member to deactivate the locking mechanism while the valve member remains in its closed position. The frame assembly also provides an enhanced seal or barrier to prevent materials from escaping when the gate valve assembly is in its closed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates in general to the field of railway hopper cars and 
gate valves for controlling the discharge of material from hopper cars. 
More particularly, the present invention relates to a gate valve assembly, 
operating assembly, frame assembly for mounting the gate valve assembly on 
a discharge opening, and a locking mechanism which cooperate with each 
other to substantially enhance the reliability and long term performance 
of the resulting gate valve assembly. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In recent years, pneumatic and vacuum systems have been developed for 
removing the contents of railway hopper cars having one or more hopper 
sections. Other systems use rack and pinion assemblies to open and close a 
gate valve. These systems have generally been designed to operate in 
conjunction with a gate valve mounted adjacent to the bottom of each 
hopper section of the railway car to control the discharge of materials 
from the associated hopper section. 
Railway hopper cars often include one or more hopper sections with each 
hopper section having a discharge opening through which various types of 
material and/or lading may be discharged by gravity and/or pneumatic 
pressure. Typically a gate valve assembly including a gate and a frame 
assembly are mounted on each discharge opening. The gate and frame 
assembly cooperate with each other to allow longitudinal movement of the 
gate between a first, closed position and a second, open position to 
control the discharge of material from the respective hopper section of 
the railway car. 
Railway hopper cars are often subjected to impact forces which can be quite 
severe. Therefore, it is important to prevent undesired opening of the 
gate valve assemblies associated with a hopper car. Various types of 
locking mechanisms have been previously provided to maintain the 
associated gate valve assembly in its closed position. Examples of such 
gate valves and locking mechanisms are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,713. 
Also, a wide variety of gate valves have previously been used with railway 
hopper cars. U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,811 provides one example of such gate 
valve assemblies. Both of these patents are incorporated by reference for 
all purposes within this application. 
Gate valve assemblies associated with railway hopper cars are often 
subjected to harsh operating conditions and frequent cycling between open 
and closed positions. Therefore, it is important to provide a reliable 
seal or material barrier when the gate valve assembly is in its closed 
position to prevent any undesired leakage of material from the associated 
railway hopper car. It is also necessary to prevent leakage into the 
hopper car. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, disadvantages and problems 
associated with previous gate valve and frame assemblies used to mount a 
gate valve on a discharge opening from a railway hopper car have been 
substantially reduced or eliminated. The present invention provides a gate 
valve assembly, operating assembly, frame assembly and locking mechanism 
which prevent undesired opening of the resulting gate valve assembly and 
substantially enhance the performance of the gate valve assembly in harsh 
service environments. The gate valve assembly opening force also 
disengages the locking mechanism. A valve member included with the gate 
valve assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention 
cooperates with portions of the frame assembly having a gasket to form an 
enhanced seal or material barrier with the frame assembly when the gate 
valve assembly is in its closed position. For some applications one end of 
the valve member or gate may be folded to provide a very stiff, strong 
gate suitable for frequent cycling from its closed positions to its open 
position while subjected to heavy loads. For other applications one end of 
the valve member or gate may include an angle iron to provide a very 
stiff, strong gate suitable for frequent cycling from its closed position 
to its open position while subjected to heavy loads. 
One aspect of the present invention includes a frame assembly which may be 
used to mount a gate valve assembly on a discharge opening from a railway 
hopper car. Typically, the gate valve assembly will include a valve member 
or gate having a configuration to generally match the discharge opening 
associated with the railway hopper car. An automatic locking mechanism is 
provided to prevent accidental movement of the gate valve assembly from 
its closed position to its open position when the railway car is subjected 
to heavy impact loads. The frame assembly may also include a gasket-type 
seal disposed on the periphery of the associated discharge opening to form 
a material barrier when the associated gate valve assembly is in its 
closed position. 
Technical advantages of the present invention include providing a frame 
assembly which may be easily mounted on the discharge opening from a 
railway car. The present invention also provides a locking mechanism 
having a hook which cooperates with a tapered surface formed on one end of 
a valve member to provide adequate resistance to undesired movement of the 
valve member when the associated railway car is subjected to impact forces 
and tapered surfaces formed on one end of a lock striker which require 
application of only a relatively low amount of force by an operating 
assembly to move the locking mechanism to a position allowing opening of 
the associated gate valve assembly. An adjusting mechanism is provided to 
allow varying the position of the locking mechanism with respect to the 
valve member to assist in maintaining the valve member in its closed 
position except when the operating assembly is used to move the valve 
member from its closed position to its open position. 
Additional technical advantages of the present invention include a gasket 
having a generally rectangular configuration with a generally trapezoidal 
cross section and a hollow passageway formed therein. For some 
applications, relatively stiff reinforcing rods are preferably disposed in 
the hollow passageway extending along the perimeter of the gasket to 
provide the desired rectangular configuration. One side of the gasket may 
have two or more rods disposed within the hollow passageway and aligned 
longitudinally with respect to each other to provide limited flexibility 
for expansion of the gasket while installing the gasket around the 
periphery of the associated discharge opening. A plurality of gasket 
retainers are preferably provided for use in installation and removal of 
the gasket and to adjust the position of the gasket relative to the closed 
position of the associated valve member. 
A further aspect of the present invention includes providing a frame 
assembly which allows installation of a gasket around the periphery of the 
associated discharge opening and provides supporting surfaces to allow 
both vertical and longitudinal movement of the associated valve member 
relative to the gasket during movement of the valve member between its 
open and closed position. Also, the various components associated with the 
gate valve assembly and the frame assembly are constructed in accordance 
with the teachings of the present invention to substantially minimize or 
eliminate any locations which could possibly trap grain or other material 
being discharged through the respective gate valve assembly. The teachings 
of the present invention result in substantially reducing the 
manufacturing costs associated with, a gate valve assembly, frame 
assembly, operating assembly and locking mechanism used to control the 
discharge of material from a railway hopper car. The teachings of the 
present invention also substantially increase the service life of the 
resulting gate valve assembly and reduce the costs associated with 
maintenance and repair of the resulting gate valve assembly. 
Other technical advantages of the present invention include no additional 
action is required to unlock the gate valve assembly other than normal 
opening action associated with the gate valve assembly. Cooperation 
between the operating assembly and the locking mechanism results in a 
savings of time and a decrease in the likelihood of injury to a person 
operating the associated gate valve assembly. An operating assembly and 
lock mechanism incorporating the teachings of the present invention 
cooperate with each other to prevent damage to the gate valve assembly if 
the locking mechanism is not properly disengaged before opening forces are 
applied to the associated gate valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The preferred embodiments of the present invention and its advantages are 
best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 15 of the drawings, like 
numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various 
drawings. 
Railway hopper car 20 is shown in FIG. 1 having three gate valve assemblies 
30 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention 
mounted respectively on discharge openings 22 from each hopper section 24 
of railway hopper car 20. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, railway 
hopper car 20 includes three funnel-like hopper sections 24 and three 
discharge openings 22. A gate valve assembly incorporating teachings of 
the present invention may be used with a wide variety of railway hopper 
cars or any other container with an appropriate discharge opening for a 
mounting the gate valve assembly thereon. 
Various types of material and lading including grain, cement, sand, and 
sugar may be transported within railway hopper car 20. Gate valve assembly 
30 is provided to control the discharge of such material from the 
respective hopper section 24. As will be described later in more detail, 
the present invention provides operating assembly 70 having locking 
mechanism 110 to ensure that the associated gate valve assembly 30 remains 
in its closed position even though railway hopper car 20 may be subjected 
to substantial impact or shock loads associated with coupling adjacent 
railway cars and movement of railway hopper car 20 on rails 26 as part of 
a long train (not shown). 
The present invention allows gate valve assembly 30, frame assembly 50, 
operating assembly 70, and locking mechanism 110 to comply with various 
requirements of the Grain Elevator And Processing Society (GEAPS) for 
loading, unloading and hauling grain. The teachings of the present 
invention result in substantially reducing manufacturing costs, increasing 
reliable operation and minimizing potential malfunctions of the resulting 
gate valve assembly. The present invention also results in increased 
service life for a railway hopper car with the gate valve assembly while 
reducing both the cost and time required to perform repair and/or 
maintenance on the gate valve assembly. Gate valve assembly 30 and frame 
assembly 50 may be fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the 
present invention to meet the requirements of the Association of American 
Railroads (AAR) Specification S233. 
Gate valve assemblies 30 incorporating the teachings of the present 
invention may be installed with various orientations. For purposes of 
explanation, end 21 may be referred to as the B end or the brake end of 
railway car 20. As shown in FIG. 1, two gate valve assemblies 30 are 
oriented with their respective front end 32 facing end 21. Front end 32 of 
the third gate valve assembly 30 faces end 29 or the A-end of railway 
hopper car 20. 
Installing gate valve assemblies 30 as shown in FIG. 1 results in 
longitudinal alignment of the associated valve members or gates 34 with 
the center sill (not shown) of railway hopper car 20. Also, the 
orientation of gate valve assemblies 30 as shown in FIG. 1 results in the 
respective frame assemblies 50 and operating assemblies 70 being directed 
away from railway trucks 23 and 27 at respective ends 21 and 29 of railway 
hopper car 20. This orientation prevents interference between the 
respective frame assembly 50 and trucks 23 and 27. Also, the orientation 
shown in FIG. 1 positions each operating assembly 70 for easy access from 
either side of railway hopper car 20. As will be discussed later in more 
detail, valve member 34 of each gate valve assembly 30 typically slides 
longitudinally with respect to the center sill of railway hopper car 20. 
Schematic representations of various portions of gate valve assembly 30, 
frame assembly 50, operating assembly 70 and locking mechanism 110 
incorporating teachings of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2-10. 
Frame assembly 50 is used to mount the associated gate valve assembly 30 
on the respective discharge opening 22. Operating assembly 70 is provided 
to move valve member 34 of gate valve assembly 30 between its first, 
closed position and its second, open position. Locking mechanism 110 is 
provided to prevent inadvertent or accidental movement of valve member 34 
from its closed position to its open position as a result of impact loads 
on railway hopper car 20. 
As shown in FIG. 2, frame assembly 50 and portions of gate valve assembly 
30 including valve member 34 have a generally rectangular configuration. 
In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 gate valve assembly 30 is shown in its closed position 
which corresponds with the first position of valve member 34. Operating 
assembly 70 is provided to move gate valve member 34 between its first 
position and its second position which corresponds with the open position 
for gate valve 30 allowing discharge of material from the respective 
hopper section 24. 
Frame assembly 50 includes upper hopper portion 52 having a generally 
rectangular perimeter defined in part by four relatively flat flange 
surfaces 53a, b, c and d which are aligned with each other in a horizontal 
plane to facilitate mounting frame assembly 50 and its associated gate 
valve assembly 30 with the respective hopper section 24. The dimensions of 
each flange surface 53 may be varied as required for the respective hopper 
section 24. Flange surfaces 53a, b, c and d may be mounted on the 
respective hopper section 24 by various techniques including welding 
and/or appropriately sized nuts and bolts (not shown). 
Upper hopper portion 52 also includes a plurality of generally flat 
surfaces 54a, b, c and d extending inwardly from the respective flange 
surfaces 53a, b, c and d to further define discharge opening 22. Again, 
the dimensions of flange surfaces 53a, b, c and d, surfaces 54a, b, c and 
d and the resulting discharge opening 22 may be varied as desired to 
accommodate the respective hopper section 24. For the specific embodiment 
shown in FIG. 2, discharge opening 22 has a generally rectangular 
configuration defined in part by the adjacent ends of surfaces 54a, b, c 
and d. 
The portions of operating assembly 70 shown in FIG. 2 include capstans 72 
which extend laterally from each side of frame assembly 50 to allow 
opening and closing of the respective gate valve assembly 30 from either 
side of railway hopper car 20. A pair of capstans 72 are rotatably mounted 
on each frame assembly 50 and attached to a respective operating shaft 74 
to allow conventional equipment such as an opening bar to move the 
respective gate valve assembly 30 between its first, closed position and 
its second, open position. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 9, each operating 
shaft 74 preferably has a generally square cross section to fit within a 
portion of each capstans 72 such that rotation of either capstans 72 will 
result in rotation of the respective operating shaft 74. 
A pair of tracks 56 and 58 are shown in FIG. 2 extending longitudinally 
from frame assembly 50 at back-end 36 of the respective valve assembly 30. 
As will be explained later in more detail, operating assembly 70 may be 
used to move valve member 34 longitudinally between its first position and 
its second position along tracks 56 and 58. Locking mechanism 110 is 
preferably mounted on frame assembly 50 between tracks 56 and 58. 
Operating assembly 70 and locking mechanism 110 are also preferably 
mounted adjacent to back-end 36 of each gate valve assembly 30. 
Tracks 56 and 58 are disposed on opposite sides of discharge opening 22 in 
upper hopper portion 52 and aligned generally parallel with each other to 
allow operating assembly 70 to move valve member 34 longitudinally between 
its first position blocking discharge opening 22 and its second position 
allowing material contained within the respective hopper section 24 to 
flow through discharge opening 22. For the specific embodiment shown in 
FIGS. 3-5, discharge opening 22 has a generally rectangular configuration. 
However, a gate valve assembly incorporating the teachings of the present 
invention may be satisfactorily used with a discharge opening having 
various configurations including circular, oval, square, etc. 
One or more hold-down bars (not shown) may be provided by the respective 
frame assembly 50 at the back-end 36 of each gate valve assembly 30. 
Hold-down bars are used to maintain the desired contact between valve 
member 34 and tracks 56 and 58 when the respective gate valve assembly 30 
is in its open position. The hold-down bars also maintain the desired 
engagement between operating assembly 70 and valve member 34. The use of 
such hold-down bars is well known in the art to facilitate the 
installation and removal of a valve member from its respective gate valve 
assembly. 
As shown in FIGS. 3-7, frame assembly 50 preferably includes upper hopper 
portion 52 with mainframe 60 attached thereto and extending therefrom. 
Valve member 34 is slidably disposed within mainframe 60 for movement 
between its first position which blocks the discharge or flow of material 
from opening 22 and its second position which allows material to flow 
through opening 22. Upper hopper portion 52 and mainframe 60 are securely 
connected with each other by a plurality of supporting member 62 attached 
to and extending from the exterior of upper hopper portion 52. In FIGS. 
3-7 supporting members 62 are represented as plate 62a which extend 
longitudinally along one side of gate valve assembly 30, plate 62b which 
extends laterally across front-end 32 of gate valve assembly 30, plate 62d 
which extends laterally across back-end 36 of gate valve assembly 30 and a 
plate (not shown) similar to plate 62a which extends longitudinally along 
the other side of gate valve assembly 30. Supporting members 62 may be 
attached respectively with upper hopper portion 52 using appropriate 
welding and/or metal-forming techniques. 
Mainframe 60 includes hollow tube 64 which extends laterally across 
front-end 32 of valve assembly 30. One end of supporting member 62b is 
attached to upper hopper portion 52. The other end of supporting member 
62b is attached to hollow tube 64. A pair of elongated hollow tubes 66 and 
68 are attached respectively with upper hopper portion 52 by supporting 
member 62a and a similar supporting member (not shown). Hollow tubes 66 
and 68 extend longitudinally from the back-end 36 of gate valve assembly 
30. The respective upper surfaces of hollow tubes 66 and 68 provide tracks 
56 and 58 for longitudinal movement of valve member 34 relative to 
discharge opening 22. 
The present invention allows selecting various types of hollow tubes for 
use in fabricating mainframe 60. For the specific example shown in FIGS. 
3-7, hollow tubes 64, 66 and 68 have a generally rectangular cross 
section. The use of such metal tubes reduces manufacturing costs while at 
the same time improving the overall performance and reliability of the 
resulting gate valve assembly 30. The dimensions of hollow tubes 64, 66 
and 68 may be varied to accommodate various types of unloading terminals 
(not shown). For example, the dimensions of hollow tubes 64 and 66 may be 
varied to provide respective lower surfaces 65 and 67 with the appropriate 
width and vertical spacing to substantially minimize or eliminate any loss 
of material during transfer from the respective hopper section 24 through 
discharge opening 22 and into the unloading terminal. The lower surfaces 
on hollow tubes 64, 66 and 68 cooperate with each other to form a very 
flat, uniform surface around the perimeter of the respective gate valve 
assembly 30 facing the unloading terminal. 
As shown in FIGS. 3-6 and FIG. 9 valve member or gate 34 has a generally 
elongated rectangular configuration. For some applications valve member 34 
may be formed in part from a generally flat rectangular metal plate. End 
38 of valve member 34 may be folded with a generally c-shaped 
configuration. When valve member 34 is in its first position, end 38 is 
located adjacent to front-end 32 of gate valve assembly 30. The c-shaped 
configuration of end 38 cooperates with stop 92 to limit the longitudinal 
movement of valve member 34 from its first position to its second 
position. As will be discussed later in more detail with respect to gate 
valve member 334 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, for some applications it may be 
preferable to replace the c-shaped configuration of end 34 with transverse 
angle iron 333. 
The c-shaped configuration of end 38 performs several important functions, 
including providing increased strength and stiffness for valve member 34 
when subjected to heavy loads from material contained in the respective 
hopper section 24. End 38 cooperates with supporting member 62b to provide 
a stop to limit longitudinal movement of valve member 34 from its second 
position to its first position as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. Metal strip 
69 is preferably disposed laterally along the top of hollow tube 64 at an 
acute angle relative to the inside surface of supporting member 62b. As 
will be explained later in more detail, metal strip 69 cooperates with end 
38 to displace valve member 34 vertically relative to gasket 150. The 
orientation of metal strip 69 on the upper surface of hollow tube 64 also 
prevents the build-up of grain or any other material on top of hollow tube 
64 during the discharge of such material through opening 22. 
As previously noted, each operating assembly 70 includes capstans 72 which 
may be used to rotate the respective operating shaft 74. A pair of pinion 
gears 76 and 78 are preferably mounted on operating shaft 74 spaced 
laterally from each other and disposed beneath valve member 34. Operating 
assembly 70 also includes lock striker 80 which is slidably disposed on 
valve member 34. Pinion gears 76 and 78 have an appropriately sized 
opening with a generally square configuration corresponding to the 
exterior of operating shaft 74. Pinion gears 76 and 78 are mounted on 
operating shaft 74 such that any rotation of the respective operating 
shaft 74 results in rotation of pinion gears 76 and 78 without any lost 
motion between operating shaft 74 and its associated pinion gears 76 and 
78. 
For the specific embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3-10, 
valve member 34 includes upper surface 39 and lower surface 40. As best 
shown in FIG. 9 a plurality of guides 82 are disposed on lower surface 40 
of valve member 34 with lock striker 80 slidably disposed therein. Guides 
82 cooperate with each other to maintain the desired alignment of tracks 
86 and 88 formed in lock striker 80 with respective pinion gears 76 and 
78. Tracks 86 and 88 comprise respectively a plurality of slots 87 and 88 
which are sized to receive respectively teeth 77 on pinion gear 76 and 
teeth 79 on pinion gear 78. Lock striker 80 could also be described as a 
"slidable rack" which cooperates with respective pinion gears 76 and 78 to 
move the associated valve member 34. 
A first stop and a second stop are preferably carried by valve member 34 
spaced longitudinally from each other to limit the longitudinal movement 
of lock striker 80 within guides 82 relative to valve member 34. For the 
specific embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the first stop is provided by end 38 
of valve member 34. The second stop is provided by a pair of blocks 46 and 
48 attached to lower surface 40 at back-end 42 of valve member 34. First 
stop or end 38 limits movement of lock striker 80 away from locking 
mechanism 110. Second stop or blocks 46 and 48 limit movement of lock 
striker 80 towards locking mechanism 110. The length of each lock striker 
80 is preferably less than its associated valve member 34 to allow limited 
longitudinal movement of lock striker 80 between the first stop and the 
second stop. As shown in FIG. 3, when gate valve assembly 30 is in its 
closed position with valve member 34 in its first position, end 38 of 
valve member 34 preferably contacts supporting member 62b and front end of 
lock striker 80 contacts end 38. 
Locking mechanism 110, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10, preferably 
includes body member 112 having at least one portion pivotally attached 
with frame assembly 50 between tracks 56 and 58. For the specific 
embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10, body member 112 includes a 
pair of arms 113 and 115 spaced from each other with hole 118 extending 
respectively through one portion of each arm 113 and 115. Holes 118 are 
sized to receive pivot pin 120 to allow attachment of body member 112 with 
frame assembly 50. 
Locking mechanism 110 is preferably attached to frame assembly 50 having a 
first position as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8 which blocks movement of valve 
member 34 from its first position to its second position. Locking 
mechanism 110 also has a second position as shown in FIG. 5 which allows 
movement of valve member 34 from its first position to its second 
position. Hook 122 extends from surface 124 of body member 112 for 
engagement with back-end 42 of valve member 34 when locking mechanism 110 
is in its first position. 
For the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10, back-end 
42 of valve member 34 preferably includes a configuration for engagement 
with hook 122 of locking mechanism 110. For this specific embodiment hook 
122 preferably includes surface 123 with a rake angle of approximately one 
hundred degrees (100.degree.) relative to the adjacent surface 124 of body 
member 112. Back-end 42 of valve member 34 preferably includes lip 44, 
extending therefrom with tapered nose 45 for engagement with locking 
mechanism 110. For this specific embodiment, tapered nose 45 preferably 
extends at an angle of approximately forty-five (45.degree.) relative to 
upper surface 39 of valve member 34. These angles may be varied in 
accordance with the teachings of the present invention to provide the 
desired amount of resistance to prevent movement of valve member 34 from 
its first position to its second position when railway hopper car 20 is 
subjected to heavy impact loads. 
As shown in FIG. 5, body member 112 of locking mechanism 110 must be 
rotated with respect to pivot pin 120 to allow opening of valve member 34. 
The angle or bevel of surface 123 is preferably selected to ensure that 
the force component normal to surface 123 will pass on the spring side of 
pivot pin 120. If the angle of surface 123 is changed such that the force 
component normal to surface 123 passes through pivot pin 120 or on the 
side of pivot pin 120 opposite from springs 138, impact forces on surface 
123 will tend to rotate locking mechanism 110 to its second position. 
Therefore, the geometric relationship and dimensions associated with pivot 
pin 120 and pivot pin 136 must be carefully considered in selecting the 
angle of surface 123. 
As previously noted, lock striker 80 is slidably disposed on lower surface 
40 of valve member 34 as part of operating assembly 70. Back-end 84 of 
lock striker 80 preferably includes a pair of prongs 83 and 85 extending 
longitudinally therefrom and spaced laterally from each other. For the 
specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the dimensions and spacing 
associated with prongs 83 and 85 is preferably selected to correspond 
respectively with similar dimensions for arms 113 and 115. The extreme end 
of each prong 83 and 85 preferably includes respective tapered surfaces 93 
and 95 which correspond approximately with tapered surface 124 of body 
member 112. Thus, lock striker 80 may be extended longitudinally from 
back-end 42 of valve member 34 to rotate locking mechanism 110 from its 
first position to its second position prior to operating assembly 70 
moving valve member 34 from its first, closed position to its second, open 
position. 
The angle or bevel associated with surfaces 123 and 124 performs an 
important function. If valve member 34 moves against locking mechanism 
110, surfaces 123 and 124 (See FIGS. 8 and 10) cooperate with each other 
to provide a wedge preventing movement of locking mechanism 110 even if 
valve member 34 contacts locking mechanism 110 with substantial force. 
Even though locking mechanism 110 can hold against such substantial force, 
valve member 34 is easily moved to its open position by operating assembly 
70. Tapered surfaces 93 and 95 of lock striker 80 function as an inclined 
plane to easily move locking mechanism 110 to its second position. 
Blocks 46 and 48 are preferably offset laterally from each other to allow 
prongs 83 and 85 to extend longitudinally therebetween. The dimensions 
associated with tapered surfaces 93 and 95 are selected for engagement 
with and movement of locking mechanism 110 from its first position to its 
second position. The amount of force which operating assembly 70 must 
apply to rotate locking mechanism 110 may be varied by adjusting the 
angles associated with tapered surfaces 93, 95 and 124. 
For one application locking mechanism 110 satisfactorily held against 
approximately a two thousand pound or 10G impact load. For this same 
application, approximately as little as fifty foot pounds (50 ft.lbs.) of 
torque applied to operating assembly 70 was sufficient to move locking 
mechanism 110 from its first position to its second position and 
approximately two hundred to two hundred and fifty foot pounds (200-250 
ft.lbs.) of torque was required to open valve member 34. 
Locking mechanism 110 preferably includes biasing means 130 for urging 
locking mechanism 110 to move from its second position to its first 
position and to yieldable hold locking mechanism 110 in its first 
position. For the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10, 
biasing means 130 preferably includes a pair of rods 132 with end 134 of 
each rod 132 pivotally attached to body member 112. Arms 113 and 115 
include holes 126 which are offset from respective holes 118 for use in 
pivotally attaching end 134 of the respective rod 132. For the specific 
example shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10, pivot pin 136 may be inserted 
through the respective ends 134 and holes 126 to attach each rod 132 with 
its respective arm 113 and 115. 
As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, frame assembly 50 may include angle iron 
55 extending laterally between hollow tubes 66 and 68. A portion of each 
rod 132 is slidably engaged within an appropriately sized opening (not 
shown) provided in angle iron 55. Spring 138 is disposed on the exterior 
of each rod 132 between first shoulder 141 on the exterior of rod 132 and 
second shoulder 142 provided on frame assembly 50 by angle iron 55. The 
number of springs 138 and their associated spring rate determine in part 
the amount of force required to rotate locking mechanism 110 from its 
first position to its second position. Springs 138 also function to hold 
latching mechanism 110 from its first position unless the required amount 
of opening force has been applied by operating assembly 70. For some 
applications, it may be desirable to install only a single rod 132 and a 
single spring 138. For other applications, it may be desirable to use more 
than two rods 132 with respective springs 138. 
An important benefit of the present invention includes the ability to vary 
the amount of force required to rotate locking mechanism 110 from its 
first position to its second position by changing the number of springs 
depending upon the intended use of the resulting gate valve assembly 30 
and the various forces which may be placed on valve member 34. For some 
applications, springs 138 are preferably selected such that if one spring 
138 should fail, the other spring 138 will still provide sufficient force 
to return locking mechanism 110 from its second position to its first 
position. 
Since pivot pin 136 associated with biasing means 130 is offset from pivot 
pin 120, springs 138 urge movement of locking mechanism 110 from its 
second position as shown in FIG. 5 to its first position as shown in FIGS. 
3, 4 and 8. The exterior of each rod 132 is preferably threaded (not 
shown) to allow placing nut 140 on the end of each rod 132 extending 
through angle iron 55. Nuts 140 may be used to adjust the vertical 
position of hook 122 relative to lip 44 and tapered nose 45 on back-end 42 
of the associated valve member 34. 
Another important feature of the present invention includes gasket 150 
disposed on the exterior of each upper hopper portion 52 between the 
respective supporting members 62 and the surfaces 54a, b, c and d around 
the perimeter of each discharge opening 22. For the specific embodiment 
shown in FIGS. 3-7, 11 and 14, gasket 150 has a generally rectangular 
configuration with opening 152 extending therethrough. Perimeter 154 of 
opening 152 is selected to be slightly larger than the perimeter of 
discharge opening 22 defined by the respective upper hopper portion 52. 
As shown in FIGS. 3-7, gasket 150 has a generally trapezoidal cross section 
with bore 156 formed therein and extending longitudinally along each side 
of gasket 150. The trapezoidal cross section is required for some 
applications to allow removal of an old gasket 150 and installation of a 
new gasket 150. A plurality of reinforcing members 158 are preferably 
disposed within each longitudinal bore 156 extending longitudinally along 
each side of gasket 150. For one application, reinforcing members 158 may 
be formed from metal rods having an outside diameter corresponding 
approximately with the inside diameter of the respective longitudinal bore 
156. For other applications, reinforcing members 158 may be formed from 
various types of metal and/or composite materials. 
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a plurality of gasket retainers 210 are 
preferably included as part of gasket 150. A plurality of holes may be 
formed in gasket 150 to accept the associated gasket retainer 210. As 
shown in FIG. 11, gasket retainers 210 are preferably included along each 
side of the associated gasket 150. Each gasket retainer 210 preferably 
includes an opening 212 sized to accept the associated reinforcing member 
158. Gasket retainers 210 are installed in gasket 150 with their 
respective openings 212 aligned with bore 156. Each gasket retainer 210 
also includes threaded opening 214 which is disposed generally 
perpendicular to the associated opening 212 and sized to receive retainer 
bolt 216. Appropriately sized holes or slots (not shown) are preferably 
provided in each supporting member 62a, b, c and d to receive bolts 216 
and to hold gasket 150 in the desired location relative to opening 22. The 
size of these slots (not shown) is preferably large enough to allow 
vertical adjustment of the position of gasket 150 with respect to valve 
member 34 to establish the desired material barrier when valve member 34 
is in its closed position. Retainer bolts 216 and the trapezoidal cross 
section of gasket 150 allow replacement if the respective gasket 150 
becomes damaged or worn. 
For some applications, one side of gasket 150 may include two or more 
reinforcing members 158a and 158b. By providing two or more reinforcing 
member 158a and 158b along one side, gasket 150 may be stretched or 
expanded to facilitate installation on the exterior of the respective 
upper hopper portion 52. 
For some applications, gasket 150 may be formed from close cell foam type 
material. For other applications, gasket 150 may be formed from 
elastomeric material selected for compatibility with the material carried 
in the respective hopper sections 24. An important feature of the present 
invention includes fabricating gasket 150 and reinforcing members 158 from 
materials which are compatible with each other and the intended use of 
railway hopper car 20 to provide the desired material barrier when the 
respective gate valve assembly 30 is in its closed position. Also, forming 
gaskets 150 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention will 
increase the service life of railway hopper car 20 between required 
maintenance for gate valve assemblies 30. 
As shown in FIGS. 3-7, gasket 150 may be disposed within frame assembly 50 
around the periphery of discharge opening 22. Upper surface 39 of valve 
member 34 preferably has a relatively flat, smooth surface for tight, 
sealing engagement with gasket 150. At least one set of ramps 160 and 162 
are disposed respectively on valve member 34 and frame assembly 50 for 
positioning upper surface 39 of valve member 34 in contact with gasket 150 
when valve member 34 is in its first position. Ramps 160 and 162 also 
cooperate with each other to allow displacement of upper surface 39 of 
valve member 34 away from gasket 150 as valve member 34 moves 
longitudinally from its first position to its second position. Ramps 160 
and 162 may have various configurations. For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 
3, 4 and 5, ramps 160 and 162 cooperate with each other to minimize any 
tendency for weight applied to valve member 34 by material in the 
respective hopper section 24 to open the associated gate valve assembly 
30. 
For the specific embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3-6, 
end 38 of valve member 34 also cooperates with metal strip 69 on frame 
assembly 50 to further enhance the material barrier formed between gasket 
150 and upper surface 39 of valve member 34 when gate valve assembly 30 is 
in its closed position. The dimensions associated with ramps 160 and 162 
including respective tapered surfaces 161 and 163 along with the 
dimensions of end 38 and strip 69 determine the amount of compression 
placed on gasket 150 as valve member 34 moves from its second position to 
its first position. An important feature of the present invention includes 
the ability to vary the dimensions associated with ramps 160 and 162 along 
with end 38 to provided a very close, tight seal between each gasket 150 
and the adjacent portions of the respective upper surface 39. 
As best shown in FIG. 5, when valve member 34 moves longitudinally from its 
first position to its second position, ramps 160 and 162 along with end 38 
and strip 69 cooperate with each other to allow vertical displacement of 
upper surface 39 away from the respective gasket 150. Such vertical 
displacement eliminates high pressure contact between upper surface 39 and 
gasket 150 as valve member 34 moves longitudinally between its first 
position and its second position which substantially increases the service 
life associated with gasket 150 and the respective gate valve assembly 30. 
For the specific embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 
and 9, valve member 34 preferably includes a pair of ramps 160 disposed on 
opposite sides of lower surface 40. Each ramp 160 is spaced inwardly from 
the respective longitudinal edge of valve member 34 to accommodate 
respectively tracks 56 and 58. The distance between ramps 160 and the 
respective longitudinal edge of valve member 34 corresponds approximately 
to the width of respective hollow tubes 66 and 68. 
Angle iron 166 is preferably attached to and extends laterally between 
hollow tubes 66 and 68. Ramps 162 are mounted on one side of angle iron 
166. For the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, block 168 is attached 
with the opposite side of angle iron 166 with stop 92 mounted thereon. 
Thus, angle iron 166 is used to connect both stop 92 and ramps 162 with 
frame assembly 50. 
The normal opening and closing sequence for gate valve assembly 30 will 
generally include the following steps. An appropriately sized opening tool 
(not shown) is engaged with capstan 72. The opening tool may be either 
manual or power operated. Rotation of capstan 72 directly rotates 
operating shaft 74 and pinion gears 76 and 78 with no lost motion. Such 
rotation is translated by tracks 86 and 88 into longitudinal movement of 
lock striker 80 relative to valve member 34. For one application, lock 
striker 80 will initially move approximately one and one-half inches. 
During this initial movement, prongs 83 and 84 will contact surface 124 
and move locking mechanism 110 from its first position as shown in FIG. 4 
to its second position as shown in FIG. 5. Back-end 84 of lock striker 80, 
will next contact second stops 46 and 48 to start movement of valve member 
34 from its closed position to its open position. Further rotation of 
operating shaft 74 will move both lock striker 80 and valve member 34 
longitudinally in unison until C-shaped end 38 contacts second stop 92. 
Rotation of capstan 72 in the opposite direction will result in operating 
shaft 74 and pinion gears 76 and 78 moving valve member 34 longitudinally 
from its second position to its first position. As end 38 contacts metal 
strip 69 and tapered surfaces 161 on ramps 60 contacts tapered surfaces 
163 on the associated ramps 162, valve member 34 will be displaced 
vertically towards gasket 150. This vertical displacement of valve member 
34 results in compression of gasket 150 to provide the desired material 
barrier. Longitudinal movement of valve member 34 continues until end 38 
contacts supporting member 62b. 
Portions of gate valve assembly 230 and frame assembly 250 incorporating an 
alternative embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIG. 13. 
Frame assembly 250 may include upper hopper portion 52 as previously 
described. In a similar manner, gate valve assembly 230 may include valve 
member 34 as previously described. The portion of gate valve assembly 230 
and frame assembly 250, shown in FIG. 13, corresponds approximately with 
the portion of valve assembly 30 and frame assembly 50 as shown in FIG. 7. 
Supporting member 262a is attached to upper hopper portion 52 as previously 
described. Gasket 150 is preferably disposed on the exterior of upper 
hopper portion 52 around the perimeter of discharge opening 22. The lower 
portion of supporting member 262a has a generally "S" shaped cross 
section. Angle iron 268 is preferably welded with the interior of 
supporting member 262a and extends longitudinally from gate valve assembly 
230. A similar supporting member and angle iron would be provided on the 
opposite side of discharge opening 22. The upper surface of angle iron 268 
provides track 58 and the similar angle iron (not shown) provides track 
56. Thus, a pair of angle irons may be attached to supporting members 262 
on opposite sides of discharge opening 22, with each angle iron providing 
an upper surface corresponding respectively to tracks 56 and 58 to allow 
longitudinal movement of valve member 34 between its first and second 
position. A portion of unloading terminal 300 is shown in FIG. 13 disposed 
adjacent to and in close proximity with the lower surface of supporting 
member 262a. 
Portions of gate valve assembly 330 and frame assembly 350 incorporating a 
further embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIG. 14. Frame 
assembly 350 may include upper hopper portion 52 as previously described. 
In a similar manner, gate valve assembly 330 may include operating 
assembly 70 and locking mechanism 110 as previously described. The 
portions of gate valve assembly 330 and frame assembly 350, shown in FIG. 
14, corresponds approximately with the portions of gate valve assembly 30 
and frame assembly 50 as shown in FIG. 6. 
Valve member or gate 334 has a generally elongated rectangular 
configuration similar to valve member 34 except for modifications at end 
338. Angle iron 333 is welded transversely across bottom surface 340 
adjacent to end 338 to provide support in the same manner as the generally 
C-shaped configuration at end 38 of valve member 34. Angle iron 333 also 
reacts with lock striker 80 to move valve member 334 from its second, open 
position to its first, closed position. Angle iron 333 also reacts with 
stop 92 to limit the longitudinal movement of valve member 334 from its 
first position to its second position. 
Front end 332 of gate valve assembly 330 has been further modified by 
replacing hollow tube 64 with a strip of formed sheet metal 364. Spacers 
369 are preferably welded on top of each tube 66 and 68 adjacent to 
supporting member 362b to function as a ramp with respect to end 338 of 
valve member 334. For some applications it may be desirable to provide 
tapered surfaces 371 on each side of valve member 334 at end 338 to 
improve the interaction with the respective ramps 369. See FIG. 15. The 
dimensions of end 338 and ramps 369 are selected to provide the desired 
contact between upper surface 339 and gasket 150 when valve member 334 is 
in its closed position. The relatively flat surface on the top of each 
ramp 369 cooperates with bottom surface 340 to prevent the weight of 
material in the associated hopper section 24 from applying force in a 
direction to move valve member 334 to its open position. Lock striker 80 
will contact angle iron 333 to move valve member 334 to its closed 
position in the same manner that lock striker 80 engaged end 38 of valve 
member 34. 
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in 
detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and 
alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of 
invention as defined by the following claims.