Pneumatic hopper discharge outlet

A closure assembly for a pneumatic hopper discharge outlet, the assembly comprising:

• a closure cap pivotally mounted adjacent the outlet terminal end for movement between an open position relative to the terminal end and a closed position covering the terminal end;
• a first locking assembly pivotally mounted adjacent the outlet in a spaced relationship from said closure cap pivot mounting for selective cooperative engagement with the closure cap in the closed position;
• a second locking assembly pivotally mounted adjacent the closure cap pivot mounting for selective cooperative engagement with the closure cap in the closed position;
• and, a pivot axle having the closure cap and the second locking assembly mounted thereto for pivotal movement relative to the outlet.

A hopper discharge outlet for a railroad hopper car comprising:

• (a) first and second sloping side walls which converge downwardly toward each other and terminate in first and second longitudinal edges disposed in a generally parallel, spaced relationship to each other;
• (b) first and second end walls operatively connected with the first and second side walls and disposed generally transverse to the first and second longitudinal edges;
• (c) a trough underlying the first and second longitudinal edges and extending between the first and second end walls;
• (d) an elongated valve shaft rotatably mounted in the first and second end walls for rotation about a valve shaft longitudinal axis and being at least partially disposed between the first and second longitudinal edges in an overlying relationship with the trough, said valve shaft including at least one passage movable in response to rotation of the valve shaft between at least a first position permitting flow communicating between the hopper and trough and a second position blocking flow communication between the hopper and trough;
• (e) adjustable mounting means for rotatably mounting the shaft in at least one end wall, said mounting means being laterally adjustable to permit selective lateral shifting of the valve shaft for accommodating adjustment thereof relative to the side wall longitudinal edges;
• (f) a first transition tube operatively connected with the trough adjacent one end wall and having an outer terminal end;
• and,
• (g) a first closure cap assembly for selectively closing the first transition tube outer terminal end, the first closure cap assembly including a closure cap pivotally mounted for movement between a closed position covering said outer terminal end and an open position spaced from said outer terminal end, the closure cap assembly further including and at least two locking members pivotally mounted adjacent the transition tube for selectively locking communication with the closure cap in the closed position.