Patent ID: 8371235

Claim:
A hopper car gate for discharging cargo from a hopper car, said car comprising a hopper having an opening and a rim surrounding said opening, comprising: a first set of walls comprising opposed side walls coupled with opposed end walls, wherein at least one vacuum opening is formed in one of said side or end walls, said first set of walls presenting top and bottom openings; a rail extending between and coupled with said side or end walls adjacent said bottom opening; a door supported on said rail and moveable between a closed position in which it blocks said bottom opening and an open position in which it allows cargo to exit through said bottom opening; and a second set of walls comprising opposed side walls coupled with opposed end walls, said second set of walls comprising an upper edge and a lower edge that is at least partially spaced above said door when said door is in its closed position to present a gap between said lower edge and said door, said second set of walls coupled with said first set of walls to present a vacuum chamber positioned between said first and second sets of walls, said vacuum chamber in fluid communication with said vacuum opening.