Devices and systems for articulating an outlet gate door

A gate system comprising:

• a housing defining an opening;
• a shaft pivotally connected to the housing;
• a pinion gear rotatably connected to the shaft to selectively rotate, wherein the pinion gear comprises:
• a body;
• and
• a plurality of teeth extending radially outwardly from the body;
• and
• a door plate positioned within the housing to selectively transition between a closed position and an open position, wherein the door plate comprises:
• a first face coplanar with the opening of the housing;
• a second face opposite the first face;
• and
• an integrated rack defined by a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures on the first face, wherein the plurality of uniformly spaced apertures is positioned parallel to a first axis defined by a direction of travel of the door plate between the closed position and the open position, wherein each aperture comprises at least one wall to engage the pinion gear to drive the door plate from the closed position to the open position.

A vehicle gate system comprising:

• a hopper car;
• a housing affixed to a side of the hopper car defining an opening in the side of the hopper car;
• a shaft pivotally connected to the housing;
• a pinion gear rotatably connected to the shaft to selectively rotate, wherein the pinion gear comprises:
• a body;
• and
• a plurality of teeth extending radially outwardly from the body;
• and
• a door plate positioned within the housing to selectively transition between a closed position and an open position, wherein the door plate comprises:
• a first face coplanar with the opening of the housing;
• a second face opposite the first face;
• and
• an integrated rack defined by a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures on the first face, wherein the plurality of uniformly spaced apertures is positioned parallel to a first axis defined by a direction of travel of the door plate between the closed position and the open position, wherein each aperture comprises:
• at least one wall to engage the pinion gear to drive the door plate from the closed position to the open position.

A system comprising:

• a rail vehicle having a housing that defines an opening in a side of the rail vehicle;
• a shaft pivotally connected to the housing;
• a pinion gear rotatably connected to the shaft to selectively rotate;
• and
• a door plate positioned within the housing to selectively transition between a closed position and an open position, wherein the door plate comprises:
• a door plate body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, wherein the door plate body defines an integrated rack having a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures on the first face, wherein the plurality of uniformly spaced apertures is positioned parallel to a first axis defined by a direction of travel of the door plate between the closed position and the open position, and wherein each aperture comprises at least one wall to engage the pinion gear to drive the door plate between the closed position to the open position.