A door operating mechanism for operating longitudinal doors of a railroad hopper car. The mechanism includes operating members that are coupled to ends of the doors. These operating members are each actuated by a separate actuating device that is coupled to a top surface of a sill of the hopper car. Door supports have one end coupled to a door and an opposite end coupled for rotation to an actuating device. When a power cylinder coupled to the operating member is activated, the actuating devices are rotated. This rotation causes the door supports to shift in opposite directions and to open the longitudinal doors.

A door operating mechanism for operating longitudinal doors of a railroad hopper car. The mechanism includes operating members that are coupled to ends of the doors. These operating members are each actuated by a separate actuating device that is coupled to a top surface of a sill of the hopper car. Door supports have one end coupled to a door and an opposite end coupled for rotation to an actuating device. When a power cylinder coupled to the operating member is activated, the actuating devices are rotated. This rotation causes the door supports to shift in opposite directions and to open the longitudinal doors.

The present invention provides a system for automatic operation of a top hatch cover for a container, comprising a hatch cover, a cylinder mount, a main operating lever, a connecting link, and a hatch locking lever. The cylinder mount is configured for pivotally connecting a piston to the container. A lower portion of the main operating lever is connected to a cylinder rod of an air cylinder. A first extension of the connecting link is rotatably connected to an upper portion of the main operating lever and a second extension of the connecting link is coupled to the hatch cover. The main operating lever and the hatch locking lever are rotatably coupled to a main shaft mount, where the hatch locking lever is configured to pivot around the main shaft mount to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.

The present invention provides a system for automatic operation of a top hatch cover for a container, comprising a hatch cover, a cylinder mount, a main operating lever, a connecting link, and a hatch locking lever. The cylinder mount is configured for pivotally connecting a piston to the container. A lower portion of the main operating lever is connected to a cylinder rod of an air cylinder. A first extension of the connecting link is rotatably connected to an upper portion of the main operating lever and a second extension of the connecting link is coupled to the hatch cover. The main operating lever and the hatch locking lever are rotatably coupled to a main shaft mount, where the hatch locking lever is configured to pivot around the main shaft mount to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.

A fluid-driven hatch for a bulk material container includes a cover is opened by a fluid-driven cover actuator and secured by a fluid-driven lock actuator. A fluid conduit connects both the fluid-driven cover actuator and the fluid-driven lock actuator to a pressurized fluid source. Pressurized fluid is selectively supplied to the fluid conduit such that the fluid-driven lock actuator is actuated at a first pressure to unlock the cover, and the fluid-driven cover actuator is actuated moments later at a second, higher pressure to open the cover.

A fluid-driven hatch for a bulk material container includes a cover is opened by a fluid-driven cover actuator and secured by a fluid-driven lock actuator. A fluid conduit connects both the fluid-driven cover actuator and the fluid-driven lock actuator to a pressurized fluid source. Pressurized fluid is selectively supplied to the fluid conduit such that the fluid-driven lock actuator is actuated at a first pressure to unlock the cover, and the fluid-driven cover actuator is actuated moments later at a second, higher pressure to open the cover.

An apparatus is disclosed for opening and closing a grain or access door on a barge lid or cover, the grain door having a latch connecting the grain door to the barge lid, the apparatus supportable by an overhead lifting system. The apparatus can include a base which is supportable by the overhead lifting system and a mechanical arm assembly connected to the base, the mechanical arm assembly including a first arm rotatably connected to the base, a second arm connected to the first arm, a latch engagement member connected to the second arm; and an actuator connected between the first arm and the second arm, the actuator operable to move the second arm relative to the first arm to disengage the latch on the grain door from the barge lid via the latch engagement member and swing the grain door from a closed position to an open position.

An apparatus is disclosed for opening and closing a grain or access door on a barge lid or cover, the grain door having a latch connecting the grain door to the barge lid, the apparatus supportable by an overhead lifting system. The apparatus can include a base which is supportable by the overhead lifting system and a mechanical arm assembly connected to the base, the mechanical arm assembly including a first arm rotatably connected to the base, a second arm connected to the first arm, a latch engagement member connected to the second arm; and an actuator connected between the first arm and the second arm, the actuator operable to move the second arm relative to the first arm to disengage the latch on the grain door from the barge lid via the latch engagement member and swing the grain door from a closed position to an open position.

A flow rate adjusting device of the present invention includes a flow channel member and a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism includes a rod, a knob and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism is switched by the knob moving in the traverse direction between a prohibited state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the to-be-engaged portion so that the rotation of the rod relative to the flow channel member is prohibited via the knob and a permitted state in which the engagement between the engaging portion and the to-be-engaged portion is undone so that the rod is permitted to rotate relative to the flow channel member.

A trailer door system that comprises at least one trailer door assembly operably engaged with the trailer; and at least one driving assembly operably engaged with the trailer and the at least one trailer door assembly. The at least one driving assembly further comprises an expansion assembly operably engaged with the at least one trailer door assembly. The at least one driving assembly further comprises a rotary actuator operably engaged with the expansion assembly, wherein the rotary actuator is configured to transition the expansion assembly between a collapsed position and an expanded position for pivoting the at least one trailer door assembly between a closed position and an opened position about an axis parallel to a vertical axis defined by the trailer. A trailer monitoring system may be included with the trailer door system for automating the state of the trailer during a towing operation.