Acf Industries, Incorporated

Roger A Dalske

Dennis J Schipper

David M Maechling

Dwain J Baltz

A sliding gate type gravity outlet (10) is for use on railcars (C) for discharging a lading. A pan assembly (12) defines an outlet pan (14) having a flange (18) attached to the discharge opening and sidewalls (20) sloping downwardly from the flange. A bottom portion of the sidewalls defines a discharge outlet (22) into which lading flows. An outlet gate (24) is movable relative to the opening to open and close the outlet. Lading to be discharged bears upon the gate when it is in its closed position. A rack and pinion gear arrangement (36) is used to move the gate back and forth between these positions, and a rod (62) guides movement of the gate. The gate sealingly abuts against a seal (32) when the gate is closed to prevent loss of lading. The guide mechanism sits at an angle (X1) with respect to the outlet, and the gate is set at a second and greater angle (X2) with respect thereto. As the gate moves from its closed to its open position, it is drawn away from the seal and does not slide over it. By being drawn away, rather than sliding over the seal, wear of the seal is reduced.

Gravity outlet

A limp, porous membrane (18) is formed from a flexible sheet material (20). The membrane is used with a fluidized hopper outlet (10) containing a pulverant, particulate lading which is fluidized and unloaded via the outlet. A valve installed in the outlet, when open, extends substantially through the outlet and allows fluidized lading to be unloaded through the outlet. The outlet has a frame (12) for securing the outlet to the hopper, an outlet opening (14) in which the valve is positioned, and intersecting outlet walls (16) extending between the frame and the opening. An outer margin (54) of the membrane is secured to the frame. An inner margin (18) of the membrane, which defines an opening for the lading, is attached to a boot (36). The boot is secured to the top of an outlet pan (P), adjacent the outlet opening, by a retainer ring (50). The ring locks the boot in place so the opening in membrane is secured adjacent to the outlet opening for the lading to flow into the outlet through the valve.

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Florissant, MO, United States of America

Roger A Dalske