Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention a through center sill is provided which in cross section comprises an enclosed tube of quadrilateral or tear drop shaped. Preferably a parallelogram, such as a square, or diamond, is used. The tube is so placed in the car as to make approximately an angle of about 30* to 60* to the horizontal. The present invention further comprises a hopper car having such a center sill and preferably a single bolster cover plate is used between the center sill and the side sill at the ends of the car. Reinforcing members, preferably triangularly shaped, making an angle with respect to the vertical of 2* to 30* support the hopper slope sheets. With these design features the car weight and fabrication costs may be reduced.
Abstract:
A resilient insulating structure on the interior surface of a railway freight car body in contact with lading carried by the car and supporting at least a substantial portion of the lading carried by the car. The resilient insulating structure comprises a layer of polyurethane foam material having its outer surface secured to the inner surface of the metallic car body and an elastomeric inner liner secured to the inner surface of the polyurethane foam material. The polyurethane foam material forms an intermediate cushioning layer for the elastomeric inner liner and is of a thickness at least around 1 inch and may be as great as around 8 inches. The elastomeric inner liner is less than around 1/2 inch thickness and has a stiffness less than the stiffness of the foam material. Some of the energy created by forces exerted by the lading against the resilient insulating structure is dissipated by the deformation of the insulating structure with the remainder of the energy being transmitted to the railway car body through the insulating structure. Upon unusually high local stresses being exerted, such as from a tool or a workman within a car, the intermediate foam layer may be deformed permanently while the elastomeric inner liner in contact with the lading remains undamaged.
Abstract:
A system for aerating and controlling the temperature of ladings, such as potatoes or other perishable commodities, in a covered hopper railway car, includes a portion of the center sill, formed as an air duct, and connections between the center sill and perforated plates at the bottom of the hoppers. To complete the air circuit, there are also provided ducts at the top of the car connected to one side of an air blower, the other side of which is connected to the center sill.
Abstract:
A safety relief valve structure for a railway car having an enclosed shell which is adapted to be placed under an internal fluid pressure, especially for unloading particulate lading. A pilot-operated safety valve on the car has a main valve inlet communicating directly with the interior of the car, and a separate pilot line provides fluid communication between the interior of the car and the safety relief valve for controlling the operation of the valve. A filter is positioned in the separate pilot line and minimizes any passage of air entrained lading to the safety valve through the pilot line. The filter comprises a housing and a filter element within the housing through which the air and any entrained lading particles pass. The filter element has a micron rating between around five and 25 to entrap lading particles of a micron size greater than the micron rating of the filter element.
Abstract:
Apparatus for loading perishable commodities, such as potatoes, in a hopper and having an elongate chute adapted to fit within a hopper, and a valve within the chute mounted for vertical up and down movement. The valve is normally positioned adjacent the upper end of the chute in a closed position and is pushed down by the potatoes when the potatoes are discharged thereby to minimize the fall of the perishable commodities into the bottom of the hopper. The valve is opened automatically by the potatoes when the downward travel of the valve with the potatoes is restrained at the lower end of the chute. A negative pressure is exerted adjacent the upper end of the chute and holds the valve in its upper position for the initial discharge of the potatoes in the hopper. An upward airflow is provided in the chute during the loading of the potatoes in the hopper and is effective to remove foreign matter, such as dirt or dust, entrained with the potatoes, during the entire loading operation.