A gasket that prevent leaks around the mating surface where two or more objects meet. The gasket includes a substantially planar horizontal top surface defining a body under the top surface; a substantially planar horizontal bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface; a substantially planar vertical edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface to define the height or thickness of the gasket; and a step that is integral with the body and has an “L” shape defined by a substantially planar vertical leg and a substantially planar horizontal leg, the step having a bottom and ending in a substantially planar vertical edge that extends between the bottom surface and the horizontal leg to define the height of the step, with the bottom of the step flush with the bottom surface of the gasket. Also disclosed are processes for manufacturing and a railway car including the gasket.

An direct drive automated hatch system for a hopper rail car with a central longitudinal trough with coaming and a unitary hatch cover; 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 and one or more guide rail assemblies are evenly spaced between the outermost guide rail assemblies; a cable network connecting the guide rail assemblies to the batch and external coaming of the trough; and means for activating the cable network to open and close the hatch and to align the opposing ends of the hatch cover during opening and closing. A hatch cover open/closed indicator visible from the side of the railcar is provided.

An direct drive automated hatch system for a hopper rail car with a central longitudinal trough with coaming and a unitary hatch cover; 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 and one or more guide rail assemblies are evenly spaced between the outermost guide rail assemblies; a cable network connecting the guide rail assemblies to the batch and external coaming of the trough; and means for activating the cable network to open and close the hatch and to align the opposing ends of the hatch cover during opening and closing. A hatch cover open/closed indicator visible from the side of the railcar is provided.

Various embodiments provide a hopper railroad car top hatch cover assembly including a hatch cover and a hatch cover securer configured to secure the hatch cover in a closed position engaging a coaming of the hopper railroad car. Various embodiments provide a hopper railroad car having a top hatch cover assembly including a hatch cover and a hatch cover securer configured to secure the hatch cover in a closed position engaging a coaming of the hopper railroad car.

A ceiling module for a vehicle has a pivotally mounted ceiling flap for covering a ceiling opening, and a carrier device for holding one or more electrical components. In order to save space in the vehicle, the carrier device includes a lateral wall with a hinge opening on which the ceiling flap is pivotally mounted.

A ceiling module for a vehicle has a pivotally mounted ceiling flap for covering a ceiling opening, and a carrier device for holding one or more electrical components. In order to save space in the vehicle, the carrier device includes a lateral wall with a hinge opening on which the ceiling flap is pivotally mounted.

A manway open and close assist device that is operably connected to at least one upper hinge attachable to a manway cover and a lower hinge attached to a vessel or tank. The device comprises. A disc-like piston is mounted on a threaded input screw and at least one anti-rotation member to provide linear translation of the piston due to rotation of the input screw. A cylindrical and tubular housing that receives the threaded input screw, the anti-rotation member, and the piston, wherein the housing has a plurality of helical grooves disposed in its inner surface that receive teeth on the outer surface of the piston. The housing may be fixed to the upper hinge member(s) and a rotation of the housing and attached hinge member(s) is effectuated by rotating the input screw and resulting linear movement of the piston to open and close the manway cover.

A manway open and close assist device that is operably connected to at least one upper hinge attachable to a manway cover and a lower hinge attached to a vessel or tank. The device comprises. A disc-like piston is mounted on a threaded input screw and at least one anti-rotation member to provide linear translation of the piston due to rotation of the input screw. A cylindrical and tubular housing that receives the threaded input screw, the anti-rotation member, and the piston, wherein the housing has a plurality of helical grooves disposed in its inner surface that receive teeth on the outer surface of the piston. The housing may be fixed to the upper hinge member(s) and a rotation of the housing and attached hinge member(s) is effectuated by rotating the input screw and resulting linear movement of the piston to open and close the manway cover.

A hatch cover assembly for a hopper railroad car includes a door configured to move from an open position to a closed position, a running track configured to support the door in the open position, a roller assembly attached to the door and configured to move along the running track, a locking clip configured to engage a leading edge of the door, and an actuator configured to move the door between the open position and the closed position.

A hatch cover assembly for a hopper railroad car includes a door configured to move from an open position to a closed position, a running track configured to support the door in the open position, a roller assembly attached to the door and configured to move along the running track, a locking clip configured to engage a leading edge of the door, and an actuator configured to move the door between the open position and the closed position.