Tilting device and method for operating a tilting device

A method for operating a tilting apparatus comprising a tilting frame that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and is connected to a platform that can receive at least one railcar, a clamping arm that is attached to the tilting frame in a rotatable manner, a locking device for preventing relative movement between the tilting frame and the clamping arm, a bracket that is attached to the clamping arm such that in a tilted position of the tilting apparatus in which the tilting frame is rotated about the axis of rotation the bracket is configured to lie at least partially against an upper edge of at least one side wall of the at least one railcar, a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to the bracket and at least partially compensates for tensions in the tilting apparatus that arise during a tilting operation, and a hydraulic accumulator that is connected to the hydraulic cylinder, the method comprising:

• rotating the tilting frame in a tilting direction about the axis of rotation;
• activating the locking device to prevent relative movement between the tilting frame and the clamping arm;
• rotating the tilting frame in the tilting direction through an angle of about 130°-180° about the axis of rotation;
• rotating the tilting frame counter to the tilting direction about the axis of rotation;
• causing hydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic cylinder into the hydraulic accumulator;
• and
• releasing the locking device to permit relative movement between the tilting frame and the clamping arm.

A tilting apparatus for emptying materials out of railcars, the tilting apparatus comprising:

• a tilting frame that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and is connected to a platform that can receive at least one railcar;
• a clamping arm that is attached to the tilting frame in a rotatable manner;
• a locking device for preventing relative movement between the tilting frame and the clamping arm;
• a bracket that is attached to the clamping arm such that in a tilted position of the tilting apparatus in which the tilting frame is rotated about the axis of rotation the bracket is configured to lie at least partially against an upper edge of at least one side wall of the at least one railcar;
• and
• a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to the bracket and at least partially compensates for tensions in the tilting apparatus that arise during a tilting operation,
• wherein the bracket comprises a first bracket arm and a second bracket arm that is rotatable relative to the first bracket arm, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is disposed between the first bracket arm and the second bracket arm.

A tilting apparatus for emptying materials out of railcars, the tilting apparatus comprising:

• a tilting frame that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and is connected to a platform that can receive at least one railcar;
• a clamping arm that is attached to the tilting frame in a rotatable manner;
• a locking device for preventing relative movement between the tilting frame and the clamping arm;
• a bracket that is attached to the clamping arm such that in a tilted position of the tilting apparatus in which the tilting frame is rotated about the axis of rotation the bracket is configured to lie at least partially against an upper edge of at least one side wall of the at least one railcar;
• a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to the bracket and at least partially compensates for tensions in the tilting apparatus that arise during a tilting operation, and
• a hydraulic accumulator that is connected to the hydraulic cylinder.