According to some embodiments, an apparatus comprises an air pump configured to couple to a capstan, and a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the air pump at a first end of the pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder comprises a piston. Rotation of the capstan in a first rotational direction causes the air pump to provide air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder. In response to the air pump providing air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder, the piston of the pneumatic cylinder moves in a first linear direction. The piston is coupled to a longitudinal beam of a longitudinal door system of a railcar. In response to the piston moving in the first linear direction, the longitudinal beam moves in the first linear direction, opening a door of the longitudinal door system.

According to some embodiments, an apparatus comprises an air pump configured to couple to a capstan, and a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the air pump at a first end of the pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder comprises a piston. Rotation of the capstan in a first rotational direction causes the air pump to provide air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder. In response to the air pump providing air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder, the piston of the pneumatic cylinder moves in a first linear direction. The piston is coupled to a longitudinal beam of a longitudinal door system of a railcar. In response to the piston moving in the first linear direction, the longitudinal beam moves in the first linear direction, opening a door of the longitudinal door system.

The invention provides an engineering vehicle having a ballast unloading device (100) and a ballast leveling device (200). The engineering vehicle includes a vehicle body (10), and the ballast unloading device (100) and the ballast leveling device (200) arranged on the vehicle body (10). The ballast unloading device (100) includes: a ballast carrying portion (20) provided with ballast unloading openings (21), and the ballast carrying portion (20) being arranged on the vehicle body (10); ballast unloading doors (30) capable of rotating relative to the ballast carrying portion (20), inner unloading passages (31) and outer unloading passages (32) being arranged on the ballast unloading doors (30), the ballast unloading doors (30) further including stop portions (33) located between the inner unloading passages (31) and the outer unloading passages (32). The ballast leveling device (200) includes: a plough piece (220) slidably fixed to the vehicle body (10) so as to ascend or descend relative to the vehicle body (10), and a plough head (224) used for leveling ballasts being arranged on the plough piece (220); a first crank (230) rotationally fixed to the vehicle body (10); a connecting rod (240), with one end being rotationally connected with the first crank (230), and the other end being rotationally connected with the plough piece (220); and a driving part (250) used for driving the first crank (230) to rotate.

An automated hatch system tor a hopper railcar having a central longitudinal trough with coaming, having 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 hatch 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.

An automated hatch system tor a hopper railcar having a central longitudinal trough with coaming, having 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 hatch 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.

According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position.

According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position.

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.

According to some embodiments, an apparatus comprises an air pump configured to couple to a capstan, and a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the air pump at a first end of the pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder comprises a piston. Rotation of the capstan in a first rotational direction causes the air pump to provide air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder. In response to the air pump providing air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder, the piston of the pneumatic cylinder moves in a first linear direction. The piston is coupled to a longitudinal beam of a longitudinal door system of a railcar. In response to the piston moving in the first linear direction, the longitudinal beam moves in the first linear direction, opening a door of the longitudinal door system..

Systems and methods for actuating automatic sliding doors on railroad hopper cars are disclosed. The system includes a cylinder having a first cap end mounted on a hopper car, and a second rod end having a clevis. The cylinder has a piston rod which extends, causing an actuating reinforcer coupled to the clevis to rotate around a coupled main shaft. The rotational motion of the actuating reinforcer causes an operating lever, also coupled to the main shaft, to rotate. A connecting link translates the rotational motion of the operating lever to a door pan fulcrum mounted to a sliding door, causing the door pan fulcrum to pull the sliding door open. The system also enables automatic locking in an analogous way, with the door pan fulcrum pushed to close the sliding door, when the cylinder piston rod returns to its original position.