Railcar Cover Opening Method for a Rotary Dumper

Abstract

A method for unloading a loaded railcar in a rotary dumper, comprising moving a railcar having a railcar cover into an unloading position within a dumper and bracing the railcar for inversion; rotating the railcar approximately 180 degrees in a forward direction while simultaneously rotating the cover about one longitudinal side sill of the railcar in a reverse direction into an open position; maintaining the railcar in an approximately inverted position until the load has been unloaded; rotating the inverted railcar in a reverse direction back into an upright position, while simultaneously rotating the railcar cover in a forward direction into a closed position atop the railcar; unbracing the railcar and moving it out of the rotary dumper. The method may include locking and unlocking the cover, and engaging and disengaging cover lifting components within the dumper.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.