The vibrational structures 10 and 12 are positioned on trestle 14. The trestle 14 elevates the rail car 16 in order to allow the rail car 16 to dump its load of materials into receptacle 18. In Fig. 1 , the rail car illustrated is a hopper car but it is to be understood that the rail car can be of varying types of botto dump or side dump rail cars.

The vibrational structure 10 is illustrated from a bottom view in Fig. 2. The vibrational structure 10 utilizes two founda- tion beams 20 and 22. The foundation beams 20 and 22 include a plate 24. The flat plate 24 form the foundation upon which a con¬ ventional rail track 26 is secured. In the preferred embodiment, as set forth in Fig. 3, a vertical bar 28 is positioned between flat plate 24 and lower flat plate 20. Additional support bars 32 may be utilized to add strength to the foundation cross beams 20 and 22.

Secured between the foundation beams 20 and 22 are pipe spreaders 34 and 36. The purpose of pipe spreaders 34 and 36 is to add strength to the vibrational structures 10 and 12 and they also set and secure the distance between the foundation beams 20 and 22. In the preferred embodiment _/ the pipe spreaders 34 and 36 abut the vertical bar 28 and fit between the upper and lower flat plates 24 and 30.

Vibrator support cross bars 38 and 40 are secured between the foundation beams 20 and 22. In the preferred embodiment, the

support cross bars 38 and 40 are square tubing thereby adding structural strength. The vibrator support cross bars 38 and 40 position and secure the vibrator platform 42. The vibrator suppor cross bars 38 and 40 not only position and secure the vibrator platform 42 in place but are capable of transmitting the vibration energy to the foundation plates 20 and 22 and rail track 26.

The vibrator 44 is secured to vibrator platform 42. The vibrator 44 is capable of adjustment to transmit the natural fre¬ quency of the material within the rail car 16. The vibrator 44 is shielded by vibrator cover 46. Thus, as material dumps from the bottom of the rail car the vibrator is shielded and the material does not intrude within the vibrator 44.

In order to prevent the transfer of vibrational energy from the vibrator 44 to the trestle 14, or any other structure, an isolation block 48 is positioned at each of the six places of the vibrational structures 10 and 12. The isolation block 48 is made up of material such as polyurethane which absorbs the vibrational energy and compression is maintained to track height.

The isolation block 48 is solid with a one percent com- pressability. The isolation block 48 includes three holes 50. Th holes 50 are designed to interface with three prongs 52. It is to be understood that an alternate number of prongs 52 and holes 50 c be used equally effectively.

The prongs 52 are secured to prong platform 54. The prong platform 54 is a flat plate. The pronged platform 54 is attached the lower flat plate 30. Thus, vibrational energy is transferred

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from the vibrator 44 to the foundation plates 20 and 22, to the prong platforms 54 and in turn to the prongs 52. The isolation block 48 is secured to the trestle. Since the isolation block 48 absorbs energy, the vibrational energy does not transfer to the trestle 14.

The vibrator and vibrational structures 10 and 12 also take advantage of the fact that every material has a natural fre¬ quency at which it will "dance" and move on its own. The vibrator may achieve the varying frequencies of the various materials by making the following adjustments: adjusting the position of the eccentrics, and adjusting the number of revolutions per minute of the eccentrics. Once the natural frequency is achieved, the materi themselves break up with the proper positioning of the vibrator the material may be effectively moved to the desired position.

The vibrational structures 10 are basic in their configura¬ tion and can be positioned along a trestle track or other structure Thus, a series of vibrational structures 10 can be positioned one after another thereby utilizing a long distance of rail track 26 which transmits energy to the rail car. As an example, if frozen coal were contained within the rail car 10 a series of vibrational structures extend a rail track 26 for one hundred or more feet. Thus, a slow moving rail car 16 experiences vibration for an extended period of time thereby allowing the natural frequency to work on the material within the rail car.

The vibrational energy is transmitted from the vibrator 44 to the cross bars 38 and 40 which in turn transfer the energy to the foundation plates 20 and 22 and rail track 26. The rail track.---

26 meets the rail wheel which transmits the vibrational energy to the rail car 16. The vibrational energy is in turn transmitted throughout the rail car and, thus, the vibrational energy is transmitted to the material within the car at all points where the material touches the rail car.

A hydraulic motor 56 is employed to drive the vibrator mechanism 44. Pneumatic, hydraulic or electric motors may be employed to drive the vibrator 44. The advantage of hydraulic and pneumatic motors is that they preclude the danger of electric sparks which may _t cause a fire, etc. All motors 56 are designed to be reversible thereby giving the vibrator 44 the capability to control the direction of the sinosoidal wave. All motors 56 are also capable of being adjusted to varying revolutions per minute.

When fine materials or frozen materials are encountered, vibrational rams 58 are used to extend from the vibrational struct and abut the underside of the rail car. In the preferred embodime the vibrational ram utilizes a plate platform 68 affixed above two vibration ran support bars 62 and 64. The vibration ram support bars 62 and 64 are secured between either vibrator support cross bar 38 and 40 and either pipe spreader 34 or 36.

Positioned within the plate platform 60 is ram extension housing 66. The ram extension housing 66 houses extending ram 68. The extending ram 68 is powered by the same hydraulic motor as the main vibrator.

In the preferred embodiment, the extending ram utilizes

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a vibrational plate 70 with short vertical sides 72 which are capable of interfacing and abutting the main beam 74 of the rail car.

Sensors 76 are utilized to detect the slightest movement o the rail car. Thus, with the slightest movement the extending ram 68 will withdraw thereby preventing damage. The sensors 76 also detect when the rail car is in place and, thus, can direct the extension ram to rise to abutment with the rail car.

The vibrational ram 58 utilizes vibrational energy passed directly from the vibrator to the vibrational support bars 62 and 64 to the vibrational plate, and in turn to the extension ram itself. This path produces the most direct path of vibrational en

The motor 56 drives motor shaft 73 which is housed within motor plate 80. The motor shaft 78 drives the coupling cup 82. The coupling cup 82 is secured to the shaft 78 in order that every revolution of the shaft 78 produces a revolution of the cup 82. Within the cup 82 are four pegs 84. The pegs 84 are capable of placement within the coupling discs 86. The coupling disc 86 is made of material such as polyurethane which aids in absorbing vibrational and sudden torque forces.

As set forth in Fig. 9, holes 88 are placed about the cir¬ cumference of the coupling disc 86. Holes 88 run through the entire width of coupling disc 86. The motor shaft 78 abuts the face 90 of the coupling disc 86 are the indentations 92 in the face 90. The coupling disc 86 is driven by four pegs 84 extending from

the coupling cup 82 which is rotated by motor shaft 78. Pegs 84 extend into less than one-half of the width Of the coupling cup.

Since both eccentric pegs 94 and pegs 84 within the couplin cup 82 are less than one-half the width of the coupling disc 86, if the disc should disintegrate, both sets of pegs 94 and 84 would rotate without striking one another.

As set forth in Fig. 9, four pegs 94 extending from eccentr 96 are placed into the circumferential holes 88 of the coupling disc 86. The eccentric pegs 94 also extend into less than one- half of the width of the coupling disc 86. The eccentric pegs 94 interface opposite the pegs 84 within the coupling cups 82. Thus, as the coupling cup 82 is caused to rotate, eccentric 96 rotates at the same speed.

Eccentrics 96 and 98 are fan-shaped at their base 100. In the upper portion 102 of the eccentrics 96 and 98, a shaft hole 104 is placed in order to allow the entrance of the eccentric shaf 106. Extending from the shaft hole 104 to the top 108 of eccentri 96 and 98 is slit 110. Running from side 112 of the upper portion 102 of the eccentrics 96 and 98 to opposing side 114 is hole 116 which allows bolt 118 and nut 120 to slightly collapse slit 110 an thereby tighten the upper portions 102 of the eccentrics 96 and 98 about the eccentric shaft 106.

Groove 122 runs below shaft hole 116 in both sufficient wid and depth to accommodate the base 124 of key 126. The securing of the eccentric shaft 106 to eccentrics 96 and 98 is primarily

aσhieved by the placement of the keys 126 within indentations which in the preferred embodiment are machined key ways in the shaft 106. Machined key way 128 is placed towards the end of the eccentric shaft 106 which abuts eccentric 96. Assembly is accomplished by inserting the semicircular portion 130 of key 126 into key way 128 of shaft 106, then the eccentric 96 is slid onto the shaft 106 so that groove 122 aligns and traps the key 126. Machined key way 128 is congruent to the semicircular configura¬ tion of the key. Thus, the rotation of the eccentric 96 drives eccentric shaft 106 at the same rate of revolutions per minute.

Eccentric 98 is attached to eccentric shaft 106 in the same manner as eccentric 96. However, at this end of the eccentri shaft 106 three machined key ways 132, 134 and 136 are placed in the eccentric shaft 106. Machined key way 134 is placed directly down the shaft 106 from machined key way 128. Thus, when eccentri 96 and 98 are secured in machined key ways 128 and 134, the eccentrics 96 and 98 are in perfect alignment. Machines key ways 132 and 136 are parallel to machined key way 134 and are aligned close to each other. However, when eccentric 98 is secured to either machined key way 132 or machined key way 136, eccentrics 96 and 98 are out of alignment, machine key way 136 causing the greatest amount of mis-alignment.

The varying machined key ways 132, 134, and 136 allow the operator to adjust the pounds of force of the vibrator by adjusting the relative positions of the eccentrics 96 and 98. This step

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allows the operator to take one of the three adjustments which achieves the imparting of the necessary frequency and amplitude to the compacted material.

Surrounding eccentric shaft 106 is bearing 138 which abuts eccentric shaft 106 and is housed within the vibrator case cylinde 140, vibrator case cylinder 140 being secured to the vibrator case 142. Bearing 138 abuts identical bearing 144 which is similarly housed within the vibrator case cylinder 140. Vibrator bearing 138 abuts eccentric 96 and vibrator bearing 144 abuts eccentric 98. Eccentric 98 ^* abuts back cover 146 which is secured to the vibrator case 142. Thus, the vibrator case 142 with the securing of the motor plate 80 and back cover 146 to the vibrator case 142 constitutes a complete housing for the vibrator 44. In the pre¬ ferred embodiment the vibrator 44 is one hundred percent fabricate and not molded.

The vibrator case shell 148 surrounds vibrator case cylinde 140 as illustrated in Fig. 11. The vibrator case cylinder is kept in position within the vibrator case shell 148 by cylinder hub sup wall 150. Cylinder hub support wall 150 surrounds approximately two-thirds of the vibrator case cylinder 140. The cylinder hub support wall 150 is secured to the inner side of the vibrator case shell 148.

A hollow rod 152 runs from the sphere through the vibrator case shall 148 and through the vibrator case cylinder 140 to the bearings 138 and 144. Hollow rod 152 is capable of supplying greas or oil to bearings 138 and 144.

SUEST- 'J-^ «κ ^» rs-τ

The vibrator is secured to the vibrator platform 42.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it is to be understood that variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated.

Summary of the Invention

Rail cars necessarily carry a wide variety of materials. Some of the materials carried are fairly easy to dump from a rail car. Examples of _# easily moved materials are as follows: pit run, wood chips and other coarse materials.

However, a number of materials are difficult to move: froze coals and other frozen materials. Also, certain fine packed materi such as iron ore, lead residue and fire coal can be difficult to discharge.

The present invention is effective for all types of material Thus, if the material is easily moved, the rail car can be quickly and approximately set whereupon vibration is transmitted through the track to the rail car and in turn to the material. This added vibrational energy can effectively move material.

If the material is difficult to discharge, the rail car is more accurately positioned. Once the rail car is positioned, a vibrational ram rises from the vibrational structure and directly abuts the undercarriage of the rail car to effectively transfer the vibrational energy.

Thus, the present invention is capable of transmitting vibrational energy to the material within a rail car without difficult adaptions.

Background of the Invention

The unloading of railroad hopper cars or similar dump loading rail cars can be difficult when the materials can congeal or when certain materials such as coal are frozen. Numerous mechanical or compression methods have been utilized to attempt to achieve the breakup of the materials.

An often used method for breakup has been the so-called humping of the cars. In this procedure, the engine causes the rail car to pick up speed whereupon the brakes are applied and the car is brought to a stop. This method is extremely destructive to both the rail cars and couplings.

A less destructive but more labor intensive method is the use of individuals to physically strike the car or to insert prods within the hopper car. Considerable man hours, however, are necess to disengage the materials in the car.

A number of U. S. Patents have addressed themselves to advanced methods of removing material from rail cars.

In ϋ. S. Patent No. 3,237,787 by E. F. Peterson a shaker mechanism which physically grips the opposing walls of a hopper ca is disclosed. The shaker mechanism is attached from overhead. Th shaker mechanism uses mechanical energy, not vibrational energy,

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and therefore must be larger than devices utilizing vibrational energy.

In. U. S. Patent No. 3,133,652 by A. Musschoot a portable car vibrator is illustrated. The vibrator may be tuned while in operation to adjust its resonant frequency to the speed of operati The vibrator includes a frame which may be clamped to the side of the railcar.

The inventor herein, Charles E. Stanfield, also has obtaine a U. S Patent No. 4,207,005. The vibrator disclosed in U. S. Pate 4,207,005 utilizes pronges affixed to a sphere. Both the sphere and the prongs are capable of reaching the natural frequency of the compacted material. However, the previous Stanfield vibrator encou ters the same difficulties as the previously mentioned patents: (1) difficulty and time necessary for individual attachment to eac car; and (2) potential damage to the individual cars.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the rail hopper car passing over the vibrational structure.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the vibrational structure.

Fig. 2 is a side cut-away view taken along lines 3-3 of the vibrational structure.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the vibrational structure taken alo lines 4-4.

Fig. 5 is a side cut-away view of an isolation block secured

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OMPI

to the structure

Fig. 6 is a side view of the pronged inset which interfaces within the isolation block .

Fig. 7 is a sectional side view of the vibrator and shows a cut-away view of the vibrator mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the detached component part of the vibrator.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the coupling cup, coupling disc, a eccentric about to be joined.

Fig. 10 is' a side view of an eccentric about to be secured in one of three positions on the eccentric shaft by use of the key

Fig. 11 is a sectional side view taken along lines 11-11 of the vibrator housed within the cylindrical outer shell.

Claims

I claim:

1. A vibrational structure used to transmit vibrational energy to rail cars and other dumping vehicles comprising: a means for vibration; a means for transmitting the vibrational energy to the trac or platform upon which the rail car or dumping vehicle is riding; a means for isolating the vibrational energy transmitted except for the energy transmitted to the track or platform upon wh the rail car or dumping vehicle is riding.

2. The vibrational structure of claim 1 wherein the means