Pellet gate for pneumatic discharge hopper car

Abstract

A pellet gate, or valve, assembly to control pneumatic discharge of pellets from a hopper car. The inclined side walls of the hopper terminate in spaced edges forming a valve gap, with a semi-cylindrical trough extending below the valve gap. Centered in the valve gap is a valve rod having an axis which is spaced above the axis of the trough. The rod has oppositely facing longitudinal grooves defining a figure eight cross section and mounted for rotation from a valve-closed position to a valve-open position in which the grooves of the rod face the opposed edges of the hopper side walls for passage of the pellets. A cylindrical control collar is coaxially mounted at the end of the trough for rocking movement. A geared connection is interposed between the control collar and the end of the valve rod so that rocking movement of the control collar is effective to rotate the rod between its open and closed conditions. The control collar is disengageable for uncoupling the geared connection and to provide easy and direct access for a probing tool upwardly into the gap. During transport the assembly is enclosed by an end cap having sealing and locking means. The end cap is keyed to the hopper and to the control collar so that the device can be locked only when the control collar, and the valve rod which is coupled thereto, are in the closed condition.