The present invention relates generally to an opening and closing device, and more particularly, to a hatch opening and closing device for a container, especially a bulk material container on a vehicle such as a rail car or trailer truck.
Vehicles for hauling bulk materials, such as ash, cement, lime, plastic resin, fertilizers, chemicals, grains, liquid fuels, and the like, may include one or more storage containers. Similar storage containers may also be used in fixed locations. Each storage container will generally include at least one fill opening at the top, fitted with a removable or openable hatch assembly for selectively covering the opening in the container. Mechanisms can be added to the hatch assembly to facilitate the process of opening and closing the hatch assembly at the opening of the container.
The fluid-driven hatch of the present invention provides a method and system that is adapted for automatically covering and uncovering an opening in a bulk material container. A cover is movable by a fluid-driven cover actuator between an open configuration in which the opening is substantially uncovered, and a closed configuration in which the opening is substantially covered. A single fluid line may be used to actuate a lock release and to actuate the fluid-driven cover actuator in sequence, using different fluid pressures in the fluid line. The fluid-driven hatch is remotely operable by an operator to unlock, open, close, and lock the cover via one or more remote hatch controls such as one or more buttons or toggle switches that can be remotely mounted at a relatively safe and convenient location, such as along the ground or support surface, or in the cab of a vehicle.
According to one form of the invention, a fluid-driven hatch is adapted for use at a hatch opening formed in a bulk material container, and includes a fluid-driven cover actuator coupled to a hatch cover, and a locking device with a latch and a fluid-driven lock actuator. The cover actuator moves the cover between an open configuration in which the hatch opening is substantially uncovered, and a closed configuration in which the hatch opening is substantially covered. A fluid conduit fluidly connects a fluid drive source to the cover actuator and the lock actuator. When the cover is in the closed configuration, the fluid force produced from the fluid drive source can be controlled to increase the fluid pressure in the fluid conduit. When the fluid conduit reaches a first internal pressure, the lock actuator is actuated to move the latch from a locked position to an unlocked position to unlock the cover. When the fluid conduit reaches a second internal pressure, the cover actuator is actuated to move the cover to the open configuration. The cover may be moved to the closed configuration and secured to the container at the hatch opening by redirecting or changing the fluid pressure within the fluid conduit.
In one aspect, while the cover is in the closed configuration, the latch moves from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the first internal pressure before the cover begins to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to the second internal pressure.
In another aspect, the fluid conduit connects the cover actuator and the lock actuator in fluid parallel with one another.
In yet another aspect, the first internal pressure is lower than the second internal pressure.
In still another aspect, the fluid-driven hatch includes a remote hatch control operable to move the cover between the open and closed configurations. Optionally, the remote hatch control is operable to move the latch between the locked and unlocked positions.
In a further aspect, the locking device includes a latch pivot about which the latch rotates between the locked and unlocked positions in response to the lock actuator. In the locked position, the latch is engaged with a latch receiver to secure the cover in the closed configuration. In the unlocked position, the latch is disengaged from the latch receiver. Optionally, a distal portion of the latch includes a ramp surface and a catch surface. As the cover moves towards the closed configuration, the ramp surface slides along the latch receiver causing the latch to pivot towards the unlocked position. Once the ramp surface slides past the latch receiver, the latch pivots back into the locked position where the catch surface engages with the latch receiver.
In yet a further aspect, the fluid-driven hatch includes a bidirectional valve that is fluidly connected to the fluid conduit, and that can be toggled between an opening state and a closing state. In the opening state, the fluid pressure at the lock actuator is increased to the first internal pressure. In the closing state, the fluid pressure at the lock actuator is decreased to less than the first internal pressure.
In still a further aspect, the cover actuator includes a first end, a second end, and a cover actuation rod. When the bidirectional valve is in the opening state, the fluid pressure at the second end of the cover actuator increases to the second internal pressure to urge the cover actuation rod away from the second end of the cover actuator. Optionally, a rack and pinion assembly is coupled to the cover and the cover actuation rod to rotate the cover towards the open configuration as the rack and pinion assembly is actuated by the movement of the cover actuation rod away from the second end of the cover actuator.
In another aspect, the lock actuator is coupled to a resilient member that exerts a biasing force on the lock actuator in a direction opposite to the fluid force exerted on the lock actuator by the fluid drive source. Thus, the biasing member urges the lock actuator to move the latch toward the locked position, and is selectively overcome by the fluid force exerted on the lock actuator to move the latch toward the unlocked position.
Thus, the fluid-driven hatch of the present invention allows for the selective covering of an opening in a bulk material container. This is accomplished through a fluid drive source that is fluidly connected to a fluid-driven cover actuator and a fluid-driven lock actuator via a fluid conduit. The fluid force produced from the fluid drive source is controllable to provide fluid pressure to both the cover actuator, to selectively cover and uncover the opening with a hatch cover, and the lock actuator to unsecure the cover in the covered or closed configuration.
These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
A fluid-driven hatch provides a system and method to selectively cover an opening in a bulk material container. The bulk material container may be associated with vehicles such as rail cars and trailer trucks or, alternatively, could be a stationary container. The fluid-driven hatch utilizes a fluid drive source, such as a pneumatic drive commonly found on rail cars and trailer trucks, to generate a fluid force. The fluid force is transferred through a single fluid conduit that fluidly connects a fluid-driven cover actuator and a fluid-driven lock actuator. Once the fluid pressure in the fluid conduit increases to a first (lower) fluid pressure, the lock actuator is actuated to unlock a closed hatch cover. After the cover is unlocked, the fluid pressure continues to increase until a second (higher) fluid pressure is reached to actuate the cover actuator and open the hatch cover. Using the same components, the hatch cover may be closed and secured to the bulk material container by redirecting or otherwise changing the fluid pressure. Controls to open, close, lock, and unlock the cover may be located remotely in a convenient location for an operator to access.
Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a pneumatically-driven hatch 20 for a bulk material container 22, which may be a fixed container or a portable container that is towable by a train or road vehicle, is shown in
Frame 28 includes a pair of spaced apart support arms 44a, 44b connected by a proximal end member 46, a distal end member 48, and a pair of intermediate cross-members 50a, 50b (
To actuate cover 26, pneumatic drive 36 generates a pneumatic force that is transferred through fluid conduit 42 to cover actuator 38 and a pneumatically-driven lock actuator 56 that is a component of locking device 40 (
As shown in
For added operator convenience, a pair of pressure indicators 68a, 68b and a pair of hatch position indicators 70a, 70b may be mounted near each of toggle switches 60a, 60b (
Referring again to
Cover actuation rod 76 is mechanically connected to a rack and pinion assembly 78 (
Lock actuator 56 is coupled to cover 26 as shown in
Referring to
As shown in
As the pneumatic pressure acting on lock actuator 56 is increased, the biasing force exerted on lock piston 80 by spring 82 is overcome by the pneumatic force. As the spring biasing force is overcome, the pneumatic force moves lock piston 80 to extend from the cylinder of lock actuator 56. The extension of lock piston 80 pivots latch 84 about latch pivot 86 into an unlocked position in which catch surface 90 becomes disengaged from latch receiver 92.
The pneumatic pressure acting on both lock actuator 56 and second end 74b of pneumatic cylinder 74 continues to increase after lock piston 80 has been fully extended. After lock piston 80 has been fully extended and the pneumatic pressure acting on second end 74b has further increased, actuation rod 76 is moved (extended) towards the lower pressure region at first end 74a of cylinder 74. Rack and pinion assembly 78 converts the linear motion of cover actuation rod 76 into rotational motion of rotational shaft 30 about its longitudinal axis (
As a result of the above-described process, the pneumatic actuation of cover actuator 38 as a result of higher air pressure begins only after lock actuator 56 has moved from its locked position to its unlocked position at an earlier, lower air pressure. Movement of lock actuator 56 and cover actuator 38 in this sequence ensures the free opening movement of cover 26 towards the open configuration without interference by latch 84. However, it is envisioned that a fluid-driven hatch could operate in such a way that fluid actuation of a cover actuator and a lock actuator occur at the same pressure while remaining within scope of the present invention, such as by shaping the latch's catch surface to ensure it can release even if there is lifting force being applied to the hatch, or by designing the lock actuator to operate more quickly than the cover actuator at the same air pressure.
It should be recognized that alternative embodiments of a fluid-driven hatch are possible while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a hatch could have a frame with a single support arm and no intermediate cross-members. Optionally, a fluid-driven hatch may not have a frame at all, and could instead include a cover mounted at one end to a base via a hinge.
Another form of a hatch could include a fluid conduit that is a rigid pipe rather than a flexible hose. Furthermore, portions of a fluid conduit could include internal channels defined by other components, such as a cover.
It should also be recognized that the process and components used to move a cover between open and closed configurations may vary within the scope of the present invention. For example, a cover actuator could include a piston that extends and retracts to directly engage with and move a cover between open and closed configurations. In this alternative form, structures such as rotational shaft 30 or frame 28 would be unnecessary as the cover actuator would be in direct contact with the cover to provide motion. Optionally, a cover could be moved between open and closed configurations by sliding horizontally along a pair of rails mounted on each side of a base. In another form, a cover could be rotated in a horizontal plane between an open and closed configuration. Furthermore, a resilient member such as a spring could eliminate the need for a bidirectional valve used to extend and retract a cover actuation rod by altering the direction of a fluid force. A cover actuator in this form would operate in a similar manner as lock actuator 56, described above, in which the balance of the spring biasing force and the fluid force would determine extension and retraction of a rod or member. In another alternative form, a resilient member such as a spring could be connected directly or indirectly to a portion of a cover to bias the cover once a certain degree of rotation has been reached during the opening or closing operation. In this form, fluid force would move the cover for an initial portion of the opening or closing sequence, and biasing force exerted by the spring would move the cover the remainder of the opening or closing sequence. In yet another form, a fluid-driven hatch may move a cover through fluid actuation only to a point where the cover would then rotate downward solely under the force of gravity to reach an open or closed configuration.
Alternative forms of locking device 40 are also envisioned within the scope of the present invention. For example, a locking device may include a latch in the form of a locking pin that extends into a locking pin receiver, or catch, to lock a cover in a closed configuration. In this alternative form, the locking device would transition into an unlocked position by retracting the locking pin out of the catch. Optionally, a locking device could include a latch mounted to a cover in which the latch pivots to securely engage with an annular flange attached to a base flange. Other variations of a fluid-driven hatch may include a locking device or multiple locking devices mounted to a base or a bulk material container rather than a cover. Similarly, a latch receiver or multiple latch receivers could be mounted to (or be an integral extension of) a base, a cover, or a bulk material container. Furthermore, a locking device may operate in a manner similar to cover actuator 38, described above, in which a bidirectional valve governs the extension and retraction of a lock piston by altering the direction of a fluid force. In this form, there would be no need for a resilient member, such as spring 82, in the lock actuator.
Finally, it should be recognized that a fluid-driven hatch may be operated with fluids other than air. For example, a hydraulically-driven hatch assembly could use a liquid as an energy transfer medium to actuate a cover actuator and a lock actuator. Certain components of a pneumatically-driven hatch, such as valves, cylinders, and conduits, may be replaced with appropriate counterpart components based on the fluid being used to transfer energy within a fluid-driven hatch. For example, a pneumatic drive source may be replaced by a hydraulic pump or other source of pressurized liquid in a hydraulically-driven hatch assembly.
Accordingly, the fluid-driven hatch of the present invention provides an effective way to utilize a fluid drive source to selectively cover an opening in a bulk material container. The fluid drive source supplies elevated fluid pressure to a fluid conduit that is in communication with both a fluid-driven cover actuator and a fluid-driven lock actuator. The fluid-driven cover actuator moves a cover or lid to selectively cover an opening in the bulk material container. The fluid-driven lock actuator secures the cover to the container when the cover is covering the container opening, and is unlocked at a lower initial fluid pressure before the fluid pressure builds to a higher level at which the cover actuator is able to raise the cover.
Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/177,592, filed on Apr. 21, 2021, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63177592 | Apr 2021 | US |