Direct Drive Automated Hatch System for Hopper Railcars

An automated hatch system for a hopper railcar having a central longitudinal trough with coaming, the system comprising:

• a. a unitary hatch cover;
• b. a plurality of guide rail assemblies connecting one side of the top of the railcar perpendicular to and adjacent a corresponding longitudinal edge of the coaming to the hatch cover, wherein one guide rail assembly is positioned at each end of the trough, one or more guide rail assemblies are evenly spaced between the outermost guide rail assemblies, and each guide rail assembly comprises
• i. a linear guide rail having a linear slot connected to the top of the railcar;
• ii. a profiled guide rail having a curved slot connected to the top of the railcar, the profiled guide rail parallel to and spaced apart from the corresponding linear guide rail;
• and
• iii. an arm having internal and external ends, the internal end connected to the top of the hatch cover and the external end comprising a first roller on one side of the arm movable within the linear slot and a second roller on the opposing side of the arm movable within the curved slot,
• c. An opening cable network connecting the guide rail assemblies to the hatch and external coaming of the trough;
• d. A closing cable network connecting the guide rail assemblies to the hatch and external coaming of the trough;
• and
• e. means for activating the cable networks to open and close the hatch and to align the opposing ends of the hatch cover during opening and closing.