Gate opener for proppant container

An automated gate actuator system comprising:

• a proppant container having
• a frame supporting a reservoir made to hold proppant
• the reservoir being defined by
• a top,
• sidewall structure descending downwardly from the top,
• a hopper descending downwardly from the sidewall structure and narrowing towards a centrally located discharge opening,
• a movable plate operably located for selective shifting motion between a first position covering the central discharge opening and a second position that at least partially uncovers the central discharge opening for the selective release of proppant from the reservoir when proppant resides in the reservoir,
• the movable plate including a gear track, and
• a system of gears including
• at least one cog positioned to engage the gear track for linear shifting motion of the plate between the first position and the second position, and
• a driven gear,
• the system of gears providing a mechanical pathway between the driven gear and the at least one cog;
• a sled having a loading station built thereon for transiently retaining the proppant container,
• the sled having a lever arm pivotally mounted to the sled,
• the lever arm having a drive gear and means mounted on the lever arm for driving the drive gear, and
• a selectively extensible piston-cylinder operably connected to the lever arm for movement thereof between a position of engagement where the drive gear is be placed into engagement with the driven gear to actuate the linear shifting motion of the plate, and a position of disengagement where the drive gear is not touching the driven gear;
• and
• means for positioning the proppant container at the loading station with sufficient precision for the movement to occur.