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United States Patent (19) Bostrom et al. (54) (75) (73) (21) 22 (51) (52) 58) 56) CAR DUMPER Inventors: John Bostrom, Glen Dale; Eugene A. Annis, Baltimore, both of Md. Assignee: Rail Engineering, Inc., Baltimore, Md. Appl. No.: 289,140 Filed: Dec. 23, 1988 Int. Cl. B65G 67/48 U.S. Cl. 414/358; 414/372; 414/766; 41.4/767; 41.4/778; 414/779 Field of Search . 414/354,357, 358, 359, 414/360, 362,371, 372, 764,766, 767,778, 779, 17, 114 304,831 327,506 563,939 568,369 855,267 1, 195,398 1,380,745 1,412,030 1,426,027 1,432,487 1,447,428 1,566,506 1,579,927 1,604,029 1,686,420 1,768,847 1,821,217 2,179, 100 2,344,742 2,552, 186 2,575,869 2,752,053 3,232,459 3,463,333 3,760,961 3,777,914 3.811,580 4,124,126 4,432,688 4,444,539 781; 298/38 References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 4/1857 9/1884 9/1885 7/1896 9/1896 5/1907 8/1916 6/1921 4/1922 8/1922 10/1922 3/1923 12/1925 4/1926 10/1926 10/1928 7/1930 9/1931 11/1939 3/1944 5/1951 1 1/1951 6/1956 2/1966 8/1969 9/1973 12/1973 5/1974 1 1/1978 2/1984 4/1984 Pearce et al., Leavitt . Wolcott . McBride et al. . Randolph . Tuttle . Micheson . Smith . Simpson et al. . Wood . Nester . 298/38 X Ramsay . Reese et al. , Griess . Erard . Repko . Kidder . Heaton et al. . Ramsay . Shields et al. . Koehler et al. . Flowers . Schwartz et al. . Sabin . Bellinger et al. . Haditsch . Cheek et al. . Sheppard . Abraham 41.4/766 X Schmidt. Muhoray . 44/360 11 Patent Number: 5,046,912 45) Date of Patent: Sep. 10, 1991 4,531,877 7/1985 Carroll 41.4/372 4,659,275 4/1987 Goodwin 44/360 X FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 1935925 2/1971 Fed. Rep. of Germany . 44/766 1254005 l/1961 France 414/360 106934 5/1917 United Kingdom . 26463 1/1927 United Kingdom 44/358 374643 6/1932 United Kingdom . 1 168748 10/1969 United Kingdom 414/360 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Railcar Dumping Systems, Heyl : -144 SYSTEM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TO ROLL 146 -1 CYLNDER 39 SYSTEM N/ FG 9 U.S. Patent Sep. 10, 1991 Sheet 7 of 7 5,046,912 RESERWOR (40. FROM. PUMP 5,046,912 1. CAR DUMPER TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to apparatus for at least partially inverting top-unloading railcars for unloading them. More particularly the invention relates to appara tus for inverting such cars by rolling them in a cradle which rolls on arcuate rocker members along a cradle track that extends laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the cradle. BACKGROUND It has been suggested, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 17, 114 to Pearce et al, dated Apr. 21, 1857; U.K. Patent 106,394 to Pattison, dated May 24, 1917; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,179, 100 to Ramsay, dated Nov. 7, 1939, that rail cars be unloaded by rolling them in a cradle which rolls on a cradle track. The track extends laterally relative to the longitudinal axes of the car and cradle, thus causing lateral translation of the car axis as the car rotates about that axis. The apparatus required to power and control the rotary-lateral motion in such dumpers has proved unsatisfactory in the past for a number of reasons, not the least of which have been cumbersomeness and slow ness in operation. This no doubt is one of the reasons why these dumpers have not fared better in competition with the common rotary tipple type dumpers exempli fied by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,552,186 to Koehler, et al, dated May 8, 1951; 2,575,869 to Flowers, dated Nov. 20, 1951; and 3,811,580 to Sheppard, dated May 21, 1974. More recent types of rotary-lateral dumpers which we refer to as gravity-only dumpers seek to preempt the above-described problems of rotary-lateral dumpers by shaping the profile of the arcuate cradle track-engaging rocker members in a special way. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,688 to Schmidt, dated Feb. 21, 1984, in which the rocker profile conforms to an equation such that the profile will cause the cradle and car, when released, to pass along the cradle track from car-receiv ing position to car-dumping position and back again solely through the action of gravity, the return motion being assisted by the change in center of gravity of the car which occurs on discharge of its contents and by counterweights lifted during the dumping action. In other words, no external power source is used. Gravity only dumpers operate very rapidly and are quite simple, but are subject to a variety of disadvantages relating in general to proper control and completion of the dump ing operation. We believe however that there is a need for further improvements in rotary-lateral dumpers which provide for controlled motion of the cradle and car with good operating speed, while avoiding the complexity and cumbersomeness which have heretofore impeded wide acceptance of dumpers of this general category. The purpose of the present invention is to fulfill this need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the inventions disclosed herein is apparatus for dumping top-unloading railcars which comprises a car-receiving cradle, rollable between a generally up right starting position for receiving a loaded car and a dumping position in which the cradle has been suffi ciently inverted for dumping the contents of a car car ried therein. The cradle has a car receiving portion, a 5 10 15 20 25 35 45 50 55 60 2 Also included in the cradle are rocker members with arcuate peripheries extending substantially in planes running transverse to said axis for supporting said cra dle. Driving pivot means connect with said rocker mem bers for applying force to the rocker members in at least one position which is offset laterally from the side of the car receiving portion of the cradle, in the direction of the dumping position, as viewed in a transverse cross section of the cradle when it is in starting position. Cradle track runs laterally of said longitudinal axis be neath and supportively engaging said rocker members for rolling and lateral displacement of said cradle along said cradle track in a dumping motion which includes prior and subsequent portions. The apparatus further includes at least one fluid actu ated cylinder having a lower pivot and a support to which said pivot is connected, the lateral location of said support being intermediate the positions occupied by the cradle when in its starting and dumping posi tions, and said cylinder having a driving connection with said cradle through said driving pivot means. In accordance with the invention, said lower pivot and driving pivot means are positioned for causing the cylinder to incline relative to the cradle track at an angle less than 90 and toward the cradle when the cradle is in starting position; to increase in inclination relative to the cradle track by pivoting about the lower pivot during rolling of the cradle along the cradle track during the prior portion of the dumping motion; to pass through a position which is at an angle of 90 with the cradle track and corresponds to a given rotational posi tion of the cradle intermediate the starting and dumping positions; and to continue pivoting in the subsequent portion of the dumping motion until the cylinder is inclined relative to the cradle track at an angle less than 90 and toward the cradle when the latter reaches dumping position. Another aspect of the apparatus of the present inyen tion is similar in a number of respects to the combination just described. However, according to this aspect of the invention, the car-receiving cradle includes, in its car receiving portion, car rails for receiving a loaded car into the cradle at a predetermined elevation, and further includes clamping means for clamping the car against said car rails in said car-receiving portion of the cradle and holding the car in place substantially at said prede termined elevation during its dumping motion and in version, throughout its presence in dumping position and during its return motion to starting position. Moreover, in this second aspect of the invention the function performed by the positioning of the above mentioned lower pivot and driving pivot means is that of causing the cylinder to retract during a prior portion of the dumping motion during which the cradle rotates through an angular interval in the range of about 70 to about 110 degrees from its starting position; to cease retracting at a transitional position corresponding to a given rotational position of the cradle intermediate the starting and dumping positions thereof, and to thereaf 65 center of gravity, including the mass of any loaded car in said car-receiving portion, and a longitudinal axis. ter extend in a subsequent portion of the dumping mo tion. The function of the positioning of the above men tioned lower pivot and driving pivot means also in cludes causing the cylinder, after dumping of the car, to retract during a prior portion of the return motion of the cradle toward its starting position; to cease retract 5,046,912 3 ing at said transitional position; and to extend in a subse quent portion of the return motion. According to this second aspect, the condition of the cradle track with respect to its being inclined or not inclined from the horizontal and the position of the center of gravity of the cradle are preferably coordi nated for causing rolling of the cradle to continue at least in part by gravity during at least the prior portion of its dumping motion, and during at least the prior portion of its return motion. In other respects the pres ent apparatus is similar to the one previously described. A third aspect of the invention is an apparatus for receiving and dumping top-unloading cars comprising a car-receiving cradle, rollable between a generally up right starting position for receiving a loaded car and a dumping position in which the cradle has been suffi ciently inverted for dumping the contents of said car. This assembly includes a longitudinal axis, rocker mem bers with arcuate peripheries and car rails mounted within said rocker members for supporting a loaded car on said cradle. In this third aspect, the combined center of gravity of the car, of its load and of said cradle are located relative to the peripheries of said rocker members for causing said cradle, with a loaded car thereon, to lower its cen ter of gravity while moving from said starting position in a prior portion of its dumping motion comprising an angular interval in the range of about 70 to about 110 degrees, to continue beyond said interval to said dump ing position in a subsequent portion of its dumping mo tion and, with an emptied car thereon, to lower its cen ter of gravity in a prior portion of its return motion from said dumping position and, while passing through said angular interval to said starting position, to elevate its center of gravity in a subsequent portion of said return motion. Moreover, this third aspect includes cradle track running laterally of the cradle longitudinal axis beneath and in supportive engagement with the rocker members for rolling and lateral displacement of said cradle along said cradle track between said starting and car dumping positions. At least one fluid actuated cylinder is con nected with said cradle to apply fluid under pressure for moving said cradle beyond said interval during its car dumping motion and within said interval during its return motion. A fourth aspect of the invention is similar to the fore going aspects in that it relates to apparatus for receiving and dumping top-unloading railcars, comprises cradle track extending from a car receiving position to a car dumping position, and also includes clamping means for holding a car in place as it is inverted. However, this clamping means may be used in dumpers which do and do not include all of the features described in the pre ceding aspects. According to this fourth aspect of the invention, a car-receiving cradle is movably mounted on the cradle track and includes car rails for supporting a loaded car on said cradle in a car receiving portion of the assembly. Rocker members included in the cradle have arcuate peripheries for contact with and support by said cradle track. These rocker members comprise a laterally pro jecting lower portion extending beneath said car-receiv ing portion, a first side portion that is generally vertical and extends upwardly alongside said car-receiving por tion, an overhanging upper portion overhanging said car-receiving portion, and a second side portion which is open at least at or near car coupler height and is 5 O 5 20 25 30 35 40 45 55 4. located on the opposite side of the car-receiving portion relative to said first side portion. The rocker members comprise car clamping means for engaging upper portions of a car and clamping said car in said car-receiving portion of the cradle. Such clamping means include pivot means connected with and supported by said overhanging upper portions of said rocker members. The clamping means also include power means. The latter is connected with and sup ported by said pivot means for pivoting adjustment of the position of the clamping means toward and away from said first side portion and has a power transmitting member for extension and retraction toward and away from the car upper portion. A car clamping member is suspended from said power means for moving up and down in response to motion of said power transmitting member for clamping and unclamping the car. At least one fluid actuated cylinder is connected with the cradle for assisting in movement of the cradle be tween its car-receiving and car dumping positions. This cradle movement includes a dumping motion having a prior portion in which the cradle rotates through an angular interval in the range of about 70 to about 110 degrees from the car-receiving position. The cylinder applies fluid under pressure for moving the cradle in a subsequent portion of the dumping motion beyond said interval. Also included in the cradle movement is a return motion in which the cylinder applies fluid under pressure for moving the cradle within the afore-men tioned interval toward the car-receiving position. One or more of the following advantages inhere in the various embodiments of the invention, it being un derstood that not all embodiments of the invention will necessarily possess all of these advantages. To be 100% efficient, railcar dumpers must dump the total load they contain so long as it is not frozen. Our dumper will dump the total contents of the railcar be cause we can cause the dumper to remain in the dump position as long as necessary. A gravity-only dumper has no control on how long the railcar remains in the dump position, consequently has no control over hav ing the total load dumped. Many times a railcar will arrive at the dumping site and be only partially full. Our dumper will dump par tially full as well as totally full railcars because we cause our dumper to raise either load to the full dump position and we do not rely on gravity for this part of the dump cycle. Certain gravity-only dumpers can dump only railcars that are more than two-thirds full because their 50 entire dump cycle is controlled by gravity and with less than two-thirds of a load, the center of gravity is out of position for properly completing the dumping motion, In dumping railcars, it is important to provide sepa rate and distinct speeds for different products. Lighter density products such as wood chips or grain will re quire a different speed of operation than a heavier prod uct such as iron ore. Coal which has a lower density than iron ore will also dump better if the speed of opera tion is different from the two listed above. Our dumper 60 readily adapts to providing remote control for the speed 65 of operation through our electronically controlled hy draulic system. This speed can be set at the optimum for different type and density products. A gravity-only dumper has no speed control since it works totally by gravity; Strachan Heyl gravity-only dumpers typically use fixed clamps. One of the primary requirements of any machine design is to eliminate as much maintenance as possible. One way to reduce maintenance is to reduce or elimi nate moving or mating parts. Our dumper has fewer moving parts than most of the other railcar dumpers presently being manufactured and/or installed in this country. Rotary dumpers (180 and 360 rotating units) as manufactured, employ many rotating parts which over a period of time create high maintenance costs. In order to reduce downtime and maintenance costs, it is vital to have easy access to all parts requiring repair or replacement. Our dumper is very simple, wide open, and offers easy access to all parts for maintenance. Ro tary dumpers (180 and 360 rotating units) as installed today are very complicated and do not provide easy access to all parts requiring repair or replacement. The requirement of any good machine design is to use “off the shelf“ spare parts or spare parts that are com mercially available without long delays waiting for deliveries. Because of the complicated nature of the 180 and 360 rotary dumpers, very few of these parts are “off the shelf items. In order to be a versatile piece of equipment, the railcar dumper must be capable of conveniently unload ing open top railcars of substantially different sizes. Preferably, the dumper should handle tall hopper rail cars (approximately 140 high) which transport wood chips, average height hopper railcars (approximately 108 high) which transport coal, and gondola railcars (approximately 87“ high) which transport miscella neous products. Our dumper can be readily adapted to handle all three of these types of railcars by simply extending the top hydraulic cylinders, which clamp the car in place, to the appropriate location. The height of 5,046,912 7 the car is of little concern with respect to the dumping operation as the electronically controlled hydraulic system will operate with any of these railcars in place. A gravity-only dumper relies on gravity and a specific location of the center of gravity for proper operation. Thus, the gr