Adapter for bottom outlet valve
AssigneeTrinity Rail Group, LLC
InventorsJames A. Bogusky, Christopher Crisafulli, Samuel Nash, Dipen K. Shah
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to certain embodiments, an adapter assembly for a bottom outlet valve comprises an apparatus configured to be coupled to a stem of the bottom outlet valve of the railroad car. The stem of the bottom outlet valve is aligned generally with a longitudinal axis of the railroad car. The apparatus comprises a coupler configured to be coupled to the stem of the bottom outlet valve and a primary gear coupled to the coupler. The primary gear is configured to be coupled to a handle assembly extending from either side of the railroad car. The handle assembly is configured to operate the bottom outlet valve.
Claims15
An adapter assembly for a bottom outlet valve of a railroad car comprising:
- a coupler configured to couple to a stem of the bottom outlet valve of the railroad car, the coupler extending along a longitudinal axis of the railroad car when the coupler is coupled to the stem, the coupler configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis to open the bottom outlet valve when the coupler is coupled to the stem;
- and
- a primary gear coupled to the coupler, the primary gear configured to couple to a handle assembly extending from either side of the railroad car, the handle assembly configured to turn the primary gear to rotate the coupler about the longitudinal axis to open the bottom outlet valve.
An adapter assembly for a bottom outlet valve of a railroad car comprising:
- a coupler configured to couple to a stem of the bottom outlet valve of the railroad car, the stem of the bottom outlet valve is aligned generally with a longitudinal axis of the railroad car, the coupler extending along the longitudinal axis of the railroad car when the coupler is coupled to the stem, the coupler configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis to open the bottom outlet valve when the coupler is coupled to the stem;
- and
- a primary gear coupled to the coupler, the primary gear is configured to couple to a handle assembly extending from either side of the railroad car, the handle assembly configured to turn the primary gear to rotate the coupler about the longitudinal axis to open the bottom outlet valve.
A method for coupling an adapter assembly to a bottom outlet valve comprising:
- mounting the bottom outlet valve underneath a subject;
- aligning a stem of the bottom outlet valve generally with a longitudinal axis of the subject;
- and
- coupling an adapter assembly to the bottom outlet valve, wherein the adapter assembly comprises:
- a coupler configured to couple to the stem of the bottom outlet valve, the coupler extending along the longitudinal axis of the subject when the coupler is coupled to the stem, the coupler configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis to open the bottom outlet valve when the coupler is coupled to the stem;
- and;
- and
- a primary gear coupled to the coupler, the primary gear configured to couple to a handle assembly extending from either side of the subject, the handle assembly configured to turn the primary gear to rotate the coupler about the longitudinal axis to open the bottom outlet valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.