Fluidizing hopper slope sheet pad assembly

Claim 2

In a hopper structure, opposed hopper side slope sheets and opposed hopper end slope sheets funneling downwardly to a bottom discharge hopper opening, a mounting flange extending about the bottom discharge hopper opening, a bottom outlet structure mounted beneath the hopper and secured to the mounting flange, a separate independent fluidizing structure mounted on at least one of the hopper slope sheets above the bottom outlet structure and extending across a substantial width of the associated slope sheet, said fluidizing structure comprising a generally flat base sheet in face-to-face contact with the subjacent associated slope sheet and a fluid permeable sheet mounted on the base sheet to form a plenum chamber therebetween, a peripheral flange extending about the entire periphery of said separate fluidizing structure, means securing said peripheral flange to the inner surface of the slope sheet for mounting said fluidizing structure on the slope sheet, and means to supply air to the plenum chamber.

Claim 3

In a covered hopper railway car as set forth in claim 1, a plurality of separate spacers within the plenum chamber secured between the fluid permeable sheet and said generally flat base sheet to space the fluid permeable sheet from the base sheet for forming the plenum chamber.

Claim 4

In a covered hopper railway car as set forth in claim 1, said fluid permeable sheet being dimpled and contacting the base sheet at spaced intervals, the fluid permeable sheet being secured to said base sheet at the dimpled contact areas.

Claim 5

In a covered hopper railway car, opposed hopper side slope sheets and opposed hopper end slope sheets funneling downwardly to a bottom discharge hopper opening, a mounting flange extending about the bottom discharge hopper opening, a bottom outlet structure mounted beneath each hopper and secured to the mounting flange, a separate independent fluidizing pad mounted on at least one of the hopper slope sheets immediately above the bottom outlet structure and extending across a substantial width of the associated slope sheet, said fluidizing pad comprising a generally flat base sheet in face-to-face contact with the subjacent associated slope sheet and a stainless steel fluid permeable sheet mounted on the base sheet, said fluid permeable sheet being formed of a stainless steel wire mesh and secured to the base sheet to form a plenum chamber therebetween, a peripheral flange extending about the entire periphery of said separate fluidizing structure, means securing said peripheral flange to the inner surface of the slope sheet for mounting said fluidizing structure on the slope sheet, and means to supply air to the plenum chamber.

Claim 6

In a covered hopper railway car, opposed hopper side slope sheets and opposed hopper end slope sheets funneling downwardly to a bottom discharge hopper opening, a mounting flange extending about the bottom discharge hopper opening, a bottom outlet structure mounted beneath each hopper and secured to the mounting flange, a separate independent fluidizing pad mounted on at least one of the hopper slope sheets immediately above the bottom outlet structure and extending across a substantial width of the associated slope sheet, said fluidizing pad comprising a generally flat base sheet in face-to-face contact with the subjacent associated slope sheet and a stainless steel fluid permeable sheet mounted on the base sheet, said fluid permeable sheet being formed of a stainless steel wire mesh and secured to the base sheet to form a plenum chamber therebetween, a peripheral flange extending about the entire periphery of said separate fluidizing structure, means securing said peripheral flange to the inner surface of the slope sheet for mounting said fluidizing structure on the slope sheet, and means to supply air to the plenum chamber.

Claim 7

In a covered hopper railway car as set forth in claim 4, a plurality of separate spacers within the plenum chamber secured between the fluid permeable sheet and said generally flat base sheet to space the fluid permeable sheet From the base sheet to form the plenum chamber.

Claim 8

In a covered hopper railway car as set forth in claim 4, said fluid permeable sheet being dimpled and contacting the base sheet at spaced intervals, the fluid permeable sheet being secured to said base sheet at the dimpled contact areas.

Claim 9

In a covered hopper railway car as set forth in claim 4, said fluid permeable sheet having a permeability over around six and being of a thickness less than around 0.10 inch.