DUMP CAR HAVING ARCED TOP AND SIDE GATES

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

This application relates to the field of railway cars, and more specifically, to a dump car for underground and surface use having arced top and side gates for loading and unloading material, respectively.

BACKGROUND

Railway cars for hauling bulk material such as ore, grain, gravel, sand, etc., typically take the form of a covered hopper (or hopper car), open-top hopper (or hopper car), or side dump car. These cars may be used for surface and underground mining and other uses.

Covered hopper cars feature an open top into which material may be loaded and a sloped floor that allows the material to be unloaded through doors located on the bottom of the car using gravity. The top is typically covered to protect the material during transport. Open-top hopper cars are similar to covered hopper cars in that they have an open top for loading material and a sloped floor with bottom doors for unloading. The difference is that open-top hopper cars do not have covers and so they are better suited for hauling material that may be exposed to the elements. One problem with existing covered and open-top hopper cars is that unloading or dumping material from the bottom of the car typically causes the car to move forward which can cause wear on wheels and linkages to adjoining cars. Another problem with existing hopper cars is that they require specialized infrastructure under the railway tracks to receive the material when it is unloaded.

Side dump cars may also be used for hauling bulk material. In a typical side dump car, material is loaded into the car's body via an open top and unloaded by tilting the body to one side or the other. One problem with existing side dump cars is that they are prone to tipping and excessive wheel wear due to unbalanced forces acting on the car when the material is unloaded from one side only. Another problem with existing side dump cars is that they typically have open tops and hence the material transported is exposed to the elements.

A need therefore exists for an improved dump car for underground and surface use. Accordingly, a solution that addresses, at least in part, the above and other shortcomings is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

According to one aspect of the application, there is provided a dump car, comprising: a container mounted to or formed on a chassis, the container having a front wall proximate a front of the dump car and a rear wall proximate a rear of the dump car; a pair of longitudinal top gates mounted between the front and rear walls of the container and forming a roof of the container; a pair of longitudinal side gates mounted between the front and rear walls of the container and forming respective side walls of the container; and, a longitudinal two-sided chute mounted between the front and rear walls of the container and forming a floor of the container, the longitudinal two-sided chute being A-frame shaped having first and second panels sloped downwards toward respective sides of the dump car; wherein the pair of longitudinal top gates are moveable between a closed position in which a top opening into the container is closed to an opened position in which the top opening into the container is opened to thereby load material through the top opening into the container; and, wherein the pair of longitudinal side gates are moveable between a closed position in which respective side openings into the container are closed to an opened position in which the respective side openings into the container are opened to thereby unload the material through the respective side openings from the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the embodiments of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a dump car with top gates thereof shown in a closed position and with side gates thereof shown in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof, the rear view being substantially a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 3 is a left side view thereof, the right side view being substantially a mirror image thereof; FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line B-B in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 3 and showing the container of the dump car loaded with material;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view illustrating the dump car of FIG. 1 with the top gates thereof shown in an opened position and with the side gates thereof shown in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 10 is a front view thereof, the rear view being substantially a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 11 is a left side view thereof, the right side view being substantially a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 12 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line B-B in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 11 and showing the container of the dump car being loaded with material;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view thereof showing the container of the railcar loaded with material;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view illustrating the dump car of FIG. 1 with the top gates thereof shown in a closed position and with the side gates thereof shown in an opened position in accordance with an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 18 is a front view thereof, the rear view being substantially a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 19 is a left side view thereof, the right side view being substantially a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 20 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line B-B in FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 19 and showing material in the container of the dump car being unloaded; and,

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the dump car of FIG. 1.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, details are set forth to provide an understanding of the application. In some instances, certain structures, techniques and methods have not been described or shown in detail in order not to obscure the application.

According to one embodiment of the application, there is provided a dump car 100 that may be used to carry freight such as ore, gravel, sand, mineral concentrate, or other material 910 from loading stations to various unloading station destinations. The dump car 100 is suitable for use in both underground and surface mining operations. The dump car 100 is capable of simultaneously dumping or unloading material 910 from both sides 113, 114 of the car 100. The load capacity of the dump car 100 may range from 250 kg to 20 t (or more) of material 910. The dump car 100 may be scalable in size and load capacity.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a dump car 100 with top gates 500, 600 thereof shown in a closed position 501, 601 and with side gates 700, 800 thereof shown in a closed position 701, 801 in accordance with an embodiment of the application. FIG. 2 is a front view thereof, the rear view being substantially a mirror image thereof. FIG. 3 is a left side view thereof, the right side view being substantially a mirror image thereof. FIG. 4 is a top view thereof. FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line B-B in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 3 and showing the container 300 of the dump car 100 loaded 1520 with material 910. And, FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the dump car 100 of FIG. 1.

The dump car (or railway car or car) 100 has a front end 111, a rear end 112, a first (or left) side 113, a second (or right) side 114, a top 115, and a bottom 116. According to one embodiment, the dump car 100 may be constructed using steel, aluminum, and/or other metal.

According to one embodiment, the dump car 100 may include: a chassis (or frame) 200; a container (or hopper or box) 300 mounted (e.g., one or more of attached, welded, bolted, screwed, pinned, hinged, fastened, coupled, joined, connected, bonded, etc.) to or forming the top 215 of the chassis 200; first and second (or left and right) longitudinal top gates (or release doors or doors) 500, 600 pivot (or pin, shaft, axle, rod, etc.) 341, 342, 351, 352 mounted to outer surfaces 325, 335 of front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300; first and second (or left and right) longitudinal side gates (or release doors or doors) 700, 800 also pivot 341, 342, 351, 352 mounted to the outer surfaces 325, 335 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300; and, first and second (or front and rear) bogies (or trucks) 410, 420 mounted to first (or left) and second (or right) side walls 240, 250 of the chassis 200 proximate the front and rear ends 211, 212 of the chassis 200.

The chassis 200 has a front end 211, a rear end 212, a first (or left) side 213, a second (or right) side 214, a top 215, and a bottom 216.

According to one embodiment, the chassis 200 may include: opposed and spaced front and rear walls 220, 230; and, opposed and spaced first (or left) and second (or right) side walls 240, 250. The first and second bogies 410, 420 are mounted to the first and second side walls 240, 250 of the chassis 200 proximate the front and rear ends 211, 212 of the chassis 200.

According to one embodiment, the first and second bogies 410, 420 may be single axle 411, 421 bogies having respective first and second wheels 412, 413, 422, 423 mounted thereto for engaging a railway track (or the like) 920 having spaced first and second rails 921, 922. According to another embodiment, the first and second bogies 410, 420 may be traditional two axle bogies.

The container 300 has a front end 311, a rear end 312, a

first (or left) side 313, a second (or right) side 314, a top 315, and a bottom 316.

According to one embodiment, the container 300 may include: opposed and spaced front and rear walls 320, 330; an A-frame shaped longitudinal two-sided (or double) chute 370 forming a floor 1000 of the container 300; first and second (or left and right) longitudinal top gates (or release doors or doors) 500, 600 pivot 341, 342, 351, 352 mounted to outer surfaces 325, 335 of front and rear walls 320, 330 and forming a roof 1010 of the container 300; first and second (or left and right) longitudinal side gates (or release doors or doors) 700, 800 also pivot 341, 342, 351, 352 mounted to the outer surfaces 325, 335 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 and forming first and second (or left and right) side walls 1120, 1130 of the container 300; first and second (or front and rear) couplers 950, 960 mounted to the outer surfaces 325, 335 of front and rear walls 320, 330 for coupling the dump car 100 to other dump cars (e.g., 100) or other types of railway cars; and, one or more actuators (e.g., 970) for moving the top and side gates 500, 600, 700, 800 between closed and opened positions 501, 502, 601, 602, 701, 702, 801, 802.

The two-sided chute (or chute) 370 is mounted between the

front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300. In particular, the first (or front) end 371 of the chute 370 is attached to the inner surface 326 of the front wall 320 of the container 300 and the second (or rear) end 372 of the chute 370 is attached to the inner surface 336 of the rear wall 330 of the container 300. The chute 370 is A-frame shaped having a first (or left) downward sloping (or inclined) panel (or side) 380 attached to or formed with a second (or right) downward sloping (or inclined) panel (or side) 390 (e.g., along respective upper edges 384, 393 thereof) along a central (or approximately central) longitudinal axis, peak, or apex 377. The first panel 380 slopes downward from the apex 377 toward the first side 313 of the container 300 and the second panel 390 slopes downward from the apex 377 toward the second side 314 of the container 300.

According to one embodiment, the first (or left) and second (or right) ends 373, 374 of the chute 370 (i.e., the outer ends 383, 394 of the first and second panels 380, 390) extend over the ends (e.g., 424, 425) of the bogies 410, 420 (e.g., the axle 421) along the side walls 240, 250 of the chassis 200. This reduces contact of material 910 with the bogies 410, 420 and wheels 411, 412, 421, 422 of the dump car 100 when the material 910 is unloaded 1530.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, according to one embodiment, the chute 370 is reinforced with one or more transverse panels or gusset plates 379 fitted and mounted to the lower surfaces 387, 397 of the chute 370 and extending between the side walls 240, 250 of the chassis 200 parallel (or approximately parallel) to the end walls 320, 330 of the container 300.

Referring to FIG. 8, according to one embodiment, the slope or slope angle 378 of each of the first and second panels 380, 390 of the chute 370 may be 40 degrees or approximately 40 degrees. The downward slope 378 of the first and second panels 380, 390 of the chute 370 allow material 910 to slide downwards and outwards from the inside 901 of the container 300 when the container 300 is unloaded 1530 as further describe below. In addition, the sloped panels 380, 390 reduce material residue after discharge, dumping, or unloading 1530 of the material 910 from the container 300.

The cavity (or cavities) 905 formed under the chute 370 of the container 300, between the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300, and between the side walls 240, 250 of the chassis 200 provides clearance for the operation and mounting of the bogies 410, 420, the couplers 950, 960, and other equipment (not shown).

According to one embodiment, the chassis 200 and container 300 are integrated and form a body 900 of the dump car 100. That is, for example, the bottom or bottom surface 316 of the container 300 is mounted to or forms the top or top surface 215 of the chassis 200. According to another embodiment, the chassis 200 and container 300 are standalone components.

According to one embodiment, the first and second top gates 500, 600 each have a gate panel 510, 610 attached along a front edge 511, 611 to an outer edge 521, 621 of a front arm panel 520, 620 and along a rear edge 512, 612 to an outer edge 531, 631 of a rear arm panel 530, 630. The top gate panels 510, 610 may be arced or curved (i.e., transversely having respective radii of curvature along respective axes extending between respective bores 527, 528, 627, 628). The outer edges 521, 531, 621, 631 of each arm panel 520, 530, 620, 630 may have a matching arc or curve and each arm panel 520, 530, 620, 630 may have a circular sector shape. Each arm panel 520, 530, 620, 630 may have an opening or bore 527, 528, 627, 628 formed proximate a vertex end 522, 532, 622, 632 thereof for receiving a pin 341, 342, 351, 352 for pivot mounting the top gate 500, 600 to the outer surfaces 325, 335 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300.

According to one embodiment, the first and second side gates 700, 800 each have a gate panel 710, 810 attached along a front edge 711, 811 to an outer edge 721, 821 of a front arm panel 720, 820 and along a rear edge 712, 812 to an outer edge 731, 831 of a rear arm panel 730, 830. The top gate panels 710, 810 may be arced or curved (i.e., transversely having respective radii of curvature along respective axes extending between respective bores 727, 728, 827, 828). The outer edges 721, 731, 821, 831 of each arm panel 720, 730, 820, 830 may have a matching arc or curve and each arm panel 720, 730, 820, 830 may have a circular sector shape. Each arm panel 720, 730, 820, 830 may have an opening or bore 727, 728, 827, 828 formed proximate a vertex end 722, 732, 822, 832 thereof for receiving a pin 341, 342, 351, 352 for pivot mounting the side gate 700, 800 to the outer surfaces 325, 335 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300.

According to one embodiment, the same pins 341, 342, 351, 352 may be used for pivot mounting of both the top and side gates 500, 600, 700, 800. According to one embodiment, the top gates 500, 600 are mounted over the side gates 700, 800 as further described below.

According to one embodiment, the top and side gate panels 510, 610, 710, 810 may be flat. The arm panels 520, 530, 620, 630, 720, 730, 820, 830 may be similarly configured.

According to one embodiment, the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300 each have: a top edge 321, 331; a bottom edge 322, 332; a first (of left) side edge 323, 333;

and, a second (or right) side edge 324, 334. The bottom edges 322, 332 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 are flat and are attached to the front and rear walls 220, 230 of the chassis 200. The first and second side edges 323, 324, 333, 334 are curved to match or approximately match the curvature of the top and side gates 500, 600, 700, 800. The top edges 321, 331 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 are also curved having a radius of curvature larger that that of the first and second side edges 323, 324, 333, 334 so as to provide a spacing 904 between the top edges 321, 331 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 and the inner surfaces 516, 616, 716, 816 of the gate panels 510, 610, 710, 810.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, according to one embodiment, the container 300 is reinforced with at least first (or left) and second (or right) longitudinal beams, members, tubes, bars, or rods 1310, 1320 mounted between the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300. In particular, first (or front) ends 1311, 1321 of the rods 1310, 1320 are mounted to the inner surface 326 of the front wall 320 of the container 300 and second (or rear) ends 1312, 1322 of the rods 1310, 1320 are mounted to the inner surface 336 of the rear wall 330 of the container 300 proximate the side edges 323, 333, 324, 334 thereof, respectively, and below the top edges 321, 331 thereof, respectively.

According to one embodiment, one or more actuators (e.g., 970) are mounted between respective outer surfaces 525, 625, 535, 635, 725, 825, 735, 835 of the first and second arm panels 520, 530, 620, 630, 720, 730, 820, 830 of the top and side gates 500, 600, 700, 800 for moving the top and side gates 500, 600, 700, 800 between closed and opened positions 501, 502, 601, 602, 701, 702, 801, 802 as described further below. Alternate devices may also be used in place of or in addition to the actuators 970.

According to one embodiment, the actuators 970 may be hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic or electric actuators. When hydraulic cylinders are used, each cylinder (e.g., 970) may have a piston rod end and a cylinder barrel end. The piston rod end of the cylinder 970 may be coupled to the outer surface 525 of the front arm panel 520 of the first top gate 500 and the cylinder barrel end of the cylinder 970 may be coupled to the outer surface 625 of the front arm panel 620 of the second top gate 600 (or vice versa). According to one embodiment, the actuators 970 may be operable simultaneously, in pairs, or individually. The first and second side gates 700, 800 may be similarly configured.

According to one embodiment, at least the first and second side gates 700, 800 may be moved from the opened position 702, 802 to the closed position 701, 801 using or assisted by gravity. Similarly, at least the first and second top gates 500, 600 may be moved from the closed position 501, 601 to the opened position 502, 602 using or assisted by gravity.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the upper surfaces 375, 376 of the chute 370, the inner surfaces 326, 336 of the front and rear walls 320, 330, and the inner surfaces 516, 616, 716, 816 of the first and second top and side gate panels 510, 610, 710, 810 of the top and side gates 500, 600, 700, 800 generally define the inside 901 and inner volume 902 of the container 300. Generally, material 910 may be loaded into the container 300 of the dump car 100 to a level 903 at or below the top edges 321, 331 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, when the top gates 500, 600 are in the closed position 501, 601, the top edges 514, 614 of the first and second gate panels 510, 610 of the first and second top gates 500, 600 meet along a longitudinal axis of the dump car 100 (e.g., above the apex 277 of the chute 370) and form a roof 1010 of the container 300.

In addition, when the top and side gates 500, 600, 700, 800 are in the closed position 501, 601, 701, 801, the bottom edges 515, 615 of the first and second gate panels 510, 610 of the first and second top gates 500, 600 meet along the top edges 714, 814 of the first and second gate panels 710, 810, of the first and second side gates 700, 800, respectively.

Furthermore, when the side gates 700, 800 are in the closed position 701, 801, the bottom edges 715, 815 of the first and second gate panels 710, 810 of the first and second side gates 700, 800 meet along the lower (or outer) edges 383, 394 of the first and second panels 380, 390 of the chute 370, respectively, forming side walls 1120, 1130 of the container 300.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view illustrating the dump car 100 of FIG. 1 with the top gates 500, 600 thereof shown in an opened position 502, 602 and with the side gates 700, 800 thereof shown in the closed position 701, 801 in accordance with an embodiment of the application. FIG. 10 is a front view thereof, the rear view being substantially a mirror image thereof. FIG. 11 is a left side view thereof, the right side view being substantially a mirror image thereof. FIG. 12 is a top view thereof. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line B-B in FIG. 10. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 11 and showing the container 300 of the dump car 100 being loaded with material. And, FIG. 16 is a front perspective view thereof showing the container 300 of the dump car 100 loaded 1520 with material 910.

According to one embodiment, the actuators (e.g., 970) are operable to move the first and second top gates 500, 600 between a closed position 501, 601 and an opened position 502, 602. In the opened position 502, 602, a top opening 1050 into the inside 901 of the container 300 is opened or unsealed 1052. In the closed position 501, 601, the top opening 1050 is closed or sealed 1051. In the opened position 502, 602, material 910 may be loaded 1510 into the container 300 through the top opening 1050.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 12, and 13, when the top gates 500, 600 are in the opened position 502, 602, the top edges 514, 614 of the first and second gate panels 510, 610 of the first and second top gates 500, 600 are proximate (i.e., approximately above) the top edges 714, 814 of the first and second gate panels 710, 810 of the first and second side gates 700, 800 toward the first and second sides 113, 114 of the dump car 100, respectively. When moving from the closed position 501, 601 to the opened position 502, 602, the top gates 500, 600 travel above the outer surfaces 717, 817 of the side gates 700, 800, respectively.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view illustrating the dump car 100 of FIG. 1 with the top gates 500, 600 thereof shown in the closed position 501, 601 and with the side gates 700, 800 thereof shown in an opened position 702, 802 in accordance with an embodiment of the application. FIG. 18 is a front view thereof, the rear view being substantially a mirror image thereof. FIG. 19 is a left side view thereof, the right side view being substantially a mirror image thereof. FIG. 20 is a top view thereof. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 19. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line B-B in FIG. 18. And, FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line A-A in FIG. 19 and showing material 910 in the container 300 of the dump car 100 being unloaded 1530.

According to one embodiment, the actuators (e.g., 970) are operable to move the first and second side gates 700, 800 between a closed position 701, 801 and an opened position 702, 802. In the opened position 702, 802, first and second (or left and right) side openings 1060, 1070 into the inside 901 of the container 300 are opened or unsealed 1062, 1072. In the closed position 701, 801, the side openings 1060, 1070 are closed or sealed 1061, 1071. In the opened position 702, 802, material 910 may be dumped or unloaded 1530 from the container 300 through the side openings 1060, 1070.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 20, and 21, when the side gates 700, 800 are in the opened position 702, 802, the top edges 714, 814 of the first and second gate panels 710, 810 of the first and second side gates 700, 800 are proximate (i.e., approximately below) the top edges 514, 614 of the first and second gate panels 510, 610 of the first and second top gates 500, 600 toward the top 115 of the dump car 100, respectively. When moving from the closed position 701, 801 to the opened position 702, 802, the side gates 700, 800 travel below the inner surfaces 516, 616 of the top gates 500, 600, respectively.

According to one embodiment, the first and second top gates 500, 600 may be operated simultaneously or individually. Similarly, the first and second side gates 700, 800 may be operated simultaneously or individually

In operation, the dump car 100 is positioned below a loading device 1500 at an underground or surface loading station. The top gates 500, 600 are moved from the closed position 501, 601 to the opened position 502, 602 to open the top opening 1050 into the container 300 of the dump car 100. Material 910 is then loaded 1510 into the container 300 through the top opening 1050. The dump car 100 may then travel with a full (or partially full) load 1520 of material 910 to an underground or surface unloading station. At the unloading station, the side gates 700, 800 are moved from the closed position 701, 801 to the opened position 702, 802 to open the side openings 1060, 1070 into the container 300 of the dump car 100. The material 910 is then simultaneously unloaded 1530 through the side openings 1060, 1070 on either side 113, 114 of the dump car 100. Under the force of gravity, the material 910 is directed 1530 through the side openings 1060, 1070 by the downward sloping panels 380, 390 of the chute 370.

Thus, according to one embodiment, there is provided a dump car 100, comprising: a container 300 mounted to or formed on a chassis 200, the container 300 having a front wall 320 proximate a front 111 of the dump car 100 and a rear wall 330 proximate a rear 112 of the dump car 100; a pair of longitudinal top gates 500, 600 mounted between the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300 and forming a roof 1010 of the container 300; a pair of longitudinal side gates 700, 800 mounted between the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300 and forming respective side walls 1120, 1130 of the container 300; and, a longitudinal two-sided chute 370 mounted between the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300 and forming a floor 1000 of the container 300, the longitudinal two-sided chute 370 being A-frame shaped having first and second panels 380, 390 sloped downwards toward respective sides 113, 114 of the dump car 100; wherein the pair of longitudinal top gates 500, 600 are moveable between a closed position 501, 601 in which a top opening 1050 into the container 300 is closed 1051 to an opened position 502, 602 in which the top opening 1050 into the container 300 is opened 1052 to thereby load 1510 material 910 through the top opening 1050 into the container 300; and, wherein the pair of longitudinal side gates 700, 800 are moveable between a closed position 701, 801 in which respective side openings 1060, 1070 into the container 300 are closed 1061, 1071 to an opened position 702, 802 in which the respective side openings 1060, 1070 into the container 300 are opened 1062, 1072 to thereby unload 1530 the material 910 through the respective side openings 1060, 1070 from the container 300.

In the above dump car 100, the top gates 500, 600 and the side gates 700, 800 may be arced or curved. The dump car 100 may further include a pair of front wheels 412, 413 mounted proximate to a front end 211 of the chassis 200 and a pair of rear wheels 422, 423 mounted proximate to a rear end 212 of the chassis 200. The dump car 100 may further include a first pair of actuators 970 coupled between the pair of top gates 500, 600 and operable to move the pair of top gates 500, 600 between the closed position 501, 601 and the opened position 502, 602. The dump car 100 may further include a second pair of actuators (e.g., similar to 970) coupled between the pair of side gates 700, 800 and operable to move the pair of side gates 700, 800 between the closed position 701, 801 and the opened position 702, 802.

Also in the above dump car 100, each of the first pair of actuators 970 may be operable independently to move one of the pair of top gates 500, 600 between the closed position 501, 601 and the opened position 502, 602. Each of the second pair of actuators (e.g., 970) may be operable independently to move one of the pair of side gates 700, 800 between the closed position 701, 801 and the opened position 702, 802. Respective bottom edges 515, 615 of the pair of top gates 500, 600 may overlap respective top edges 714, 814 of the pair of side gates 700, 800 when the pair of top gates 500, 600 and the pair of side gates 700, 800 are in respective closed positions 501, 601, 701, 801. The pair of top gates 500, 600 may be operable to move between the closed position 501, 601 and the opened position 502, 602 using or assisted by gravity. The pair of side gates 700, 800 may be operable to move between the opened position 702, 802 and the closed position 701, 801 using or assisted by gravity. The pair of top gates 500, 600 may be configured to travel above respective outer surfaces 717, 817 of the pair of side gates 700, 800 when moving between the closed position 501, 601 and the opened position 502, 602. The pair of side gates 700, 800 may be configured to travel below respective inner surfaces 516, 616 of the pair of top gates 500, 600 when moving between the closed position 701, 802 and the opened position 702, 802. Each of the pair to top gates 500, 600 and each of the pair of side gates 700, 800 may be operated simultaneously or individually. The first and second panels 380, 390 of the two-sided chute 370 may slope downwards toward respective sides 313, 314 of the container 300 at respective angles of 40 degrees (or approximately 40 degrees). Respective outer ends 383, 394 of the first and second panels 380, 390 of the two-sided chute 370 may extend beyond respective side walls 240, 250 of the chassis 200. Respective side edges 323, 324, 333, 334 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300 may be arced or curved to align with the top gates 500, 600 and the side gates 700, 800. The top gates 500, 600 and the side gates 700, 800 may extend over the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300. The top gates 500, 600 and the side gates 700, 800 may be pin or pivot 341, 342, 351, 352 mounted to the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300. Respective top edges 321, 331 of the front and rear walls 320, 330 of the container 300 may be arced or curved less than the respective side edges 323, 324, 333, 334 of the front and rear walls 320, 330. And, the chassis 200 and the container 300 may be formed as one body 900.

The above embodiments may contribute to an improved dump car 100 and may provide one or more advantages. First, material 910 may be dumped 1530 from both sides 113, 114 of the dump car 100 simultaneously. Second, the dump car 100 is suitable for both underground and surface use. Third, the top gates 500, 600 protect the material 910 from the elements when in the closed position 501, 601. Fourth, the wheels 412, 413, 422, 423 and other components of the chassis 200 experience reduced wear as the dump car 100 is capable of unloading the material 910 from both sides 113, 114 simultaneously which reduces unbalanced forces acting on the dump car 100 during unloading 1530. Fifth, the sloped panels 380, 390 of the A-frame shaped two-sided chute 370 reduce material residue after discharge, dumping, or unloading 1530 of the material 910 from the container 300. Sixth, use of the dump car 100 reduces infrastructure costs, capital costs, and spillage and improves loading and unloading operations.

The embodiments of the application described above are intended to be exemplary only. Those skilled in this art will understand that various modifications of detail may be made to these embodiments, all of which come within the scope of the application.

DUMP CAR HAVING ARCED TOP AND SIDE GATES

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