Railcar Cover Systems

a technology for rail cars and covers, applied in brake systems, transportation and packaging, railway components, etc., can solve the problems of reducing the effective payload of rail cars, reducing the cargo load the user can haul, and not being able to arrange a suitable method for removal and replacement of covers

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-08-01
ECOFAB COVERS INT
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]The cover system further may comprise receiving means, wherein the cover lifting means may have a stationary opening mechanism at a railcar loading facility, the opening mechanism having engaging means for engaging the receiving means of the cover system and lifting the c

Problems solved by technology

Due to their large size and manner of removal, prior art rail car covers require fixed or mobile heavy equipment for removal and replacement, as well as large areas for moving and stacking removed covers.
The cover weight reduces the effective payload of the rail car, thereby reducing the cargo load the user can haul.
In high volume situations, it is often not possible to arrange a suitable method for removal and replacement of covers.
Slowing or stopping of trains is generally not an option.
The logistics of lifting covers off at the entrance to the facility, moving them around the facility to the loadout area at the loading facility exit, and replacing the covers on the railcars, make us

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0028]The present invention comprises a system for removal and replacement of top-loading open top rail car covers. According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a semi-automatic or fully automatic system for continuous serial handling of rigid or self supporting rail car covers for gondola rail cars. Preferably, a continuous method is used to ensure use of covered rail cars does not interfere with methods of car loading or unloading for continuously moving trains.

[0029]According to another embodiment of the present invention, similar technology may also be used for situations in which train motion is intermittent at loading or unloading locations, but is part of a continuous industrial process. Use of an intermittent method ensures that use of covered cars does not interfere with methods of car loading or unloading for intermittently moving trains.

[0030]According to an embodiment of the system of the present invention, there is provided cover means for an ...

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Abstract

A cover assembly for an open top railcar, the assembly having semi-rigid cover reversibly movable between a closed position atop the railcar and an open position alongside the railcar or separate from it. The cover may be connected to the railcar with hinge-latches or linkage arms which permit the cover to be held flat alongside the railcar in an open position, or removed from the railcar during loading and unloading. A load grooming device shapes the load of a loaded railcar to a selected contour. Opening and closing of covers may be continuous and automated, using curved tracks, cranes or mechanical arms to engage and open covers, and conveying devices or vehicles to handle covers during loading and unloading of railcars.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12 / 038,348 filed Feb. 27, 2008, and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 61 / 288,786 filed Dec. 21, 2009.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to rail car cover systems. In particular, the present invention relates to cover systems for open top rail cars.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]It is known to provide open top railway cars, whether bottom dump hoppers or top unloading gondolas, which may be fitted with removable covers to enclose the top openings. These covers typically may be lifted free of the cars for loading, or, in the case of gondolas, for unloading. Once a load has been loaded or unloaded, the cover may be replaced.[0004]Such covers provide a number of benefits, including product containment, for example, prevention of ingress of dust, which represents an environmental hazard, and prevent...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B61D39/00B61D49/00
CPCB61D17/12B61D49/00B61D39/007B61D39/001B61D39/002
Inventor LOW, TREVORDOLDON, MARKCRUIKSHANK, JOHNHLYNKA, MARVIN
Owner ECOFAB COVERS INT
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