Union Tank Car Company

Thomas H Dalrymple

Tom Lee Erb

Buford R Jean

Frederick Lynn Whitehead

Philip J Daum

Walter T Croson

Richard L Zagrocki

A method and system for monitoring the level of flowable material contained in a transportable vessel that utilizes microwave gauging technology. The system includes a microwave lens/seal assembly, a microwave transceiver assembly, a controller/processor assembly and a computer. The lens/seal assembly is permanently secured to the vessel. The microwave transceiver assembly is adapted to be releasably attached to the vessel. The controller/processor assembly and the computer may be located at a loading/unloading facility.

Method and apparatus for monitoring a flowable material in a

An outlet valve assembly is provided for a railway tank car. The valve is mounted at the bottom of the tank car for discharging downwardly between the tracks. The valve is operable between the closed position to occlude flow through the valve and an opened position to permit flow through the valve. A shaft is operably connected to, and extends from, the valve on a horizontal axis normal to the length of the tank car for being rotated on the axis to operate the valve between the closed and opened positions. A handle is connected to the shaft at a predetermined distance from the valve, and the handle extends generally radially outwardly from the shaft. The valve is operated between the closed and opened positions when the handle is swung through an arc from an initial orientation to a final orientation. The length of the handle and the predetermined distance between the valve and handle connection is selected such that the handle can be swung between the initial and final orientations by a person standing upright beside the tank car outside of the tracks.

Outlet valve assembly with an extended handle for a railway tank car

A combination bottom outlet saddle and sump is provided for a railway tank car. The saddle member comprises an upper surface which conforms to the underside of the tank body and is attached thereto in surrounding relationship with an outlet opening formed in the tank body. An opening is formed through the saddle member in fluid communication with the outlet opening. A sump is recessed into the upper surface of the saddle member longitudinally spaced a short distance from the saddle member opening in fluid communication with the outlet opening. A bottom outlet valve is mounted to the lower surface of the saddle member in fluid communication with the saddle member opening. A recessed channel may be provided in the upper surface of the saddle member to permit fluid communication between the sump and the saddle member opening. A skid assembly surrounds the entire saddle member.

Growing community of inventors

Crown Point, IN, United States of America

Thomas H Dalrymple