AERODYNAMIC RAILCAR PANEL

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/720,943, filed November 15, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a panel assembly for a railcar with integrated hoppers, and more specifically to a panel assembly configured to reduce aerodynamic drag caused by air turbulence generated by movement of the railcar.

BACKGROUND

A hopper railcar may be used to transport loose bulk commodities such as grain, minerals, coals, etc. These railcars typically have chutes that lead down through hoppers extending down in a funnel-like shape from the bottom of the railcar. The hoppers have doors on the bottom of the chutes to aid in emptying cargo by the force of gravity. However, the geometry of hopper railcars can result in adverse effects, including an increase in aerodynamic drag and thus fuel-inefficiencies caused by gaps in the lower surfaces of the railcars between the hoppers, which can lead to catches in airflow and prohibiting the distribution of air pressure along the railcars. It would be beneficial to reduce aerodynamic drag to increase fuel efficiency of locomotive engines that transport hopper railcars.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system may include a railcar having a first hopper spaced longitudinally from a second hopper of the railcar. The system also includes a panel assembly that may be provided to span between the first hopper and the second hopper. The panel assembly is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag caused by air turbulence generated by movement of the railcar. The panel assembly may include a panel portion having a perimeter edge defining a generally trapezoidal shape a frame having a plurality of frame members engaged along sections of the perimeter edge of the panel portion. The frame may include a first slot configured to movably engage an attachment feature on the first hopper and a second slot configured to movably engage an attachment feature on the second hopper.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a panel assembly for installation between two hoppers of a railcar and configured to reduce aerodynamic drag caused by air turbulence generated by movement of the railcar may include a panel portion having a perimeter edge and a metal frame. The metal frame may include frame portions engaged at least partially along sections of the perimeter edge and include U-shaped channels configured to slidably receive the panel portion. The frame may be configured to movably engage with an attachment feature on a first railcar hopper and movably engage with an attachment feature on a second railcar hopper spaced longitudinally to the first railcar hopper.

In some examples, the plurality of frame members may include a lower frame member, an upper frame member, a first side frame member, and a second side frame member. The frame members may be separate members connected at corner brackets. In other examples, the frame members may be connected as a single frame member. In some examples, the first side frame member has a first length and the second side frame member has a second length equal to the first length. The first side frame member may extend along an edge of the first hopper and the second side frame member extends along an edge of the second hopper. The lower frame portion may have a third length and the upper frame portion may have a fourth length shorter than the third length.

In some examples, each of the plurality of frame members may include an inner flange and an outer flange defining a U-shaped channel. The panel portion may be slidably received in the U-shaped channel. A distance between the inner flange and the outer flange may be at least a thickness of the panel portion to receive the panel and large wide enough to allow for expansion and contraction of the panel material under elements such as heat. In some examples, the panel portion may include a first panel element and a second panel element that each have a planar body disposed adjacent to each other in the frame. The panel portions may be comprised of a substrate material having a honeycomb center. The first panel element may be configured to slide into U-shaped channels of the first side frame member, the upper frame member, and the lower frame member defining a first side of the frame. The second panel element may be configured to slide into the U-shaped channels of the second side frame member, the upper frame member, and the lower frame member defining a second side of the frame. The upper and lower frame members

may each include an opening in an outer flange of the U-shaped channel to allow the first and second panel elements to be slidably removed and inserted from the frame. The frame may include a vertical reinforcement member extending on an inboard side of the panel portion and attached between the upper frame member and the lower frame member. In some examples, the frame may include an upper reinforcement member attached along a mid portion of the upper frame member and a lower reinforcement member attached along a mid portion of the lower frame member for reinforcing the mid portions of the frame. The frame may include a plurality of corner brackets that include the first and second slots for movably engaging with attachment points on the railcar hoppers. The plurality of corner brackets may each include a first plate and a second plate attached at least to two of the plurality of frame members.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the preceding features in various combinations. The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, advantages, purposes, and features will be apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a railcar having panel assemblies provided between integrated hoppers of the railcar.

FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view of the railcar of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary panel assemblies of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the exemplary panel assemblies.

FIG. 5 is a schematic, front view of an exemplary panel assembly.

FIG. 6 is a schematic, rear view of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic, top view of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic, bottom view of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9A is a schematic, side view of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9B is a schematic, expanded view of the upper corner bracket of the frame member of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a schematic, perspective, rear view of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a schematic, perspective, front view of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, schematic, rear view of a horizontal reinforcement of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, schematic, front view of the horizontal reinforcement of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, schematic, view of an upper corner bracket of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, schematic, view of a lower corner bracket of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a schematic, perspective, front view of an exemplary panel assembly.

FIG. 17 is a schematic, perspective, rear view of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a schematic, front view of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, front view of an upper corner bracket of the exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is an expanded view of the exemplary panel assembly.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a railcar 102 is shown as a hopper railcar attached in a train of six hopper railcars, which are transported by a locomotive. As generally understood, there may be more or fewer railcars in the train. The hopper railcar 102 may include two or more hoppers integrated in the railcar 102, which may correspond with one or more internal compartments or bays of the railcar. The internal compartments or bays may be divided internally for separately storing loose materials or may be joined together for storing a single load of loose material. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the railcar 102 may include a first bay104, a second bay106, and a third bay108 spaced longitudinally along the length of the railcar 102. Each bay may include a hopper 105, 107, 109 at the lower portion of the respective bay, such that the first bay 104 has a first hopper 105, the second bay 106 has a second hopper 107, and the third bay 108 has a third hopper 109. In additional examples, more or fewer bays may be provided in a railcar and each bay may may include more or fewer hoppers. The hopper 105, 107, 109 may be configured in a tapered shape, such as shown in FIG. 2 as an upside-down or inverted trapezoidal shape. In this shape, loose materials, such as bulk commodities, stored in the bays may flow down and settle towards a bottom section 110 of the respective hopper under the force of gravity, where a door or valve may be provided for ease of emptying the corresponding bay and hopper.

As further shown in FIGS. 1-3, the railcar 102 has at least one panel assembly 112 attached to and spanning between two adjacent hoppers 105, 107, 109 to reduce aerodynamic drag caused by air turbulence generated by movement of the railcar. The panel assembly 112 may span between adjacent hoppers, creating a flush and streamlined lower side profile of the railcar 102 by covering gaps where air would otherwise catch, creating aerodynamic drag generated by movement of the railcar. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, a panel assembly 112 spans from the hopper 105 of the first bay 104 to the hopper 107 of the second bay 106, creating a generally flush surface between the exterior surfaces of the hoppers. The laterally facing exterior surfaces of the hoppers 105, 107, 109 are each generally flat or planar surfaces and have bordering edges that define upside-down or inverted trapezoidal shapes that are canted inward relative to the exterior side surface of the corresponding bay or main body of the railcar. Accordingly, the laterally facing exterior surfaces of the hoppers are in substantially planar alignment with each other, or in other words these surfaces are each generally situated in planar extensions of each other. Similar to the first panel assembly, an additional or second panel assembly 112 spans from the hopper 107 of the second bay 106 to the hopper 109 of the third bay 108, creating a generally flush exterior surface. It is also understood that panel assemblies may be provided on the other side of the rail car, which would generally be a mirror image of what is shown in FIGS. 1-3.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary panel assembly 112 is illustrated uninstalled and positioned in front of a gap 120 between the adjacent hoppers 105, 107 where the panel assembly 112 is configured to be installed. The panel assembly 112 includes a panel portion 114 and a frame 116. The panel portion 114 may comprise a left panel element 122 and a right panel element 124. The panel portion 114 may have a perimeter edge 118 defining a generally trapezoidal shape and the frame 116 may include frame members engaged along sections of the trapezoidal shape. In some examples, the frame members may include a lower frame member 126, an upper frame member 128, a first side frame member 130, and a second side frame member 132. The panel assembly 112 may be configured to fit generally in the trapezoidal gap 120 formed by adjacent hoppers 105, 107 of the railcar 102. For example, the first side frame member 130 may extend along an edge of the first hopper 105 and the second side frame member 132 may extend along an edge of the second hopper 107. The lower frame member 126 may be configured to align with a lower edge of the first and second hoppers 105, 107, and the upper frame member 128 may be configured to align with an upper edge of the bottom sections 110 of the hoppers 105, 107. Thus, the configuration creates a nearly flush surface between the laterally facing exterior surface of the first hopper 105, the panel assembly 112, and the laterally facing exterior surface of the second hopper 107 so that the gap 120 is covered to prevent or reduce air from catching between hoppers and causing drag.

Referring to FIGS. 5-20, an exemplary panel assembly 212 is illustrated. The panel assembly 212 includes a panel portion 214 and a frame 216. The panel portion 214 may have a perimeter edge 218 defining a generally trapezoidal shape and the frame 216 may include frame members engaged along sections of the trapezoidal shape. In some examples, the frame members may include a lower frame member 226, an upper frame member 228, a first side frame member 230, and a second side frame member 232. The panel portion 214 may include a plurality of panel elements, for example, a first panel element 222 and a second panel element 224. In other examples, the panel portion 214 may include a single panel element or more than two panel elements. As shown, the first panel element 222 and the second panel element 224 each have a planar body disposed adjacent to each other in the frame 216. The first panel element 222 may be configured as a first side of the generally trapezoidal shape of the panel portion 214 and the second panel element 224 may be configured as a second side of the generally trapezoidal shape of the panel portion 214. In some examples, the panel portion 214 may be as a substantially rigid panel comprised of one or more materials, such as a polymer, a metal, or combinations thereof. For example, the panel portion 214 may include a substrate, such having a honeycomb panel structure. In some examples, the panel portion 214 may include a 9.5mm honeycomb panel to maintain a rigid structure, while reducing the weight of the panel assembly 212. The increased structural integrity and reduced weight of a honeycombed panel element allows the frame 216 to be comprised of a lighter weight frame using, for example, 14-guage, 11-guage, or 4-guage materials. Thus, resulting in a generally lightweight panel assembly 212 to ease installation and minimize the added weight attached to the railcar 102.

The frame 216 may include a plurality of frame members generally disposed in a trapezoidal shape and engaged along sections of the perimeter edge of the panel portion 214. In examples, the first side frame member 230 may have a first length and the second side frame member 232 may have a second length. The first length and the second length may be equal to each other and equal to a side edge of corresponding hoppers on which the panel assembly is engaged. The lower frame member 226 may have a third length and the upper frame member 228 may have a fourth length. The fourth length may be shorted than the third length. The first side frame member 230 may extend between a first end of the upper frame member 228 and a first end of the lower frame member 226. The second side frame member 232 may extend between a second end of the upper frame member 228 and a second end of the lower frame member 226. The upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 may extend parallel to each other. Thus, the frame members may provide a generally trapezoidal shape that corresponds to the generally trapezoidal shape of the perimeter edge 218 of the panel portion 214. In some examples, the panel members may be separate members. In other examples, the panel members may be connected. In examples, the panel members may be connected as a single member. In other examples, the panel members may be connected through intermediate connections such as through brackets or other attachment pieces.

Each of the plurality of frame members may include an inner flange 234 and an outer flange 236 extending from the frame member, defining a U-shaped channel 238. The inner flange 234 may be provided on an inboard facing side of the frame members and the outer flange 236 may be provided on an outboard facing side of the frame members. A distance between the inner flange 234 and the outer flange 236 may be at least a thickness of the panel portion 214, defining the U-shaped channel 238 with a width which is able to slidable receive the panel portion 214. The width of the U-shaped channel 238 is configured to receive the panel portion 214 while allowing the panel portion 214 to expand and/or contract due to temperature changes without distorting the channel 238. The upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 may each include an opening 240, 242 in the outer flange 236 at the midpoint of the upper and lower frame members 226, 228. The openings 240, 242 are configured to allow the panel portion 214 to be slidably removed from and inserted into the frame 216 at the openings 240, 242. For example, the first panel element 222 may be configured to be slidably received in the U-shaped channel 238 at the openings 240, 242 and configured to slide into the U-shaped channel 238 of the upper frame member 228 on a first side of the opening 240, the U-shaped channel 238 of the lower frame member 226 on the first side of the opening 242, and the U-shaped channel 238 of the first side frame member 230, defining a first side of the panel assembly 212. The second panel element 224 may be configured to be slidably received in the U-shaped channel 238 at the openings 240, 242 and configured to slide into the U-shaped channel 238 of the upper frame member 228 on a second side of the opening 240, the U-shaped channel 238 of the lower frame member 226 on the second side of the opening 242, and the U-shaped channel 238 of the second side frame member 232, defining a second side of the panel assembly 212. The openings 240, 242 allow the panel elements 222, 224 to be positively captured in the U-shaped channel 238 without interference of the frame 216 after the frame 216 is mounted to the railcar. Thus, allowing for insertion, removal, and/or replacement of panel elements without additional procedures or removal of frame members.

The frame 216 may include a vertical reinforcement member 244 extending between the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 on an inboard side of the panel portion 214. In some examples, the vertical reinforcement member 244 may be attached to the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226. In other examples, the vertical reinforcement member 244 may attach to the panel portion 214, connecting to the first panel element 222 and the second panel element 224 along the seam between the two panel elements to reduce undesired movement of the panel portion 214 in the frame 216. The frame 216 may also include a lower reinforcement member 246 attached along a midportion of the lower frame member 226 on the inboard side of the panel assembly 212 and an upper reinforcement member 248 attached along a mid portion of the upper frame member 248 on the inboard side of the panel assembly 212. The lower and upper reinforcement members 246, 248 may be provided opposite the openings 240, 242 of the outer flanges 236 of the lower and upper frame members 226, 228 to provide additional structural stability to the mid portion of the frame 216.

The frame 216 may include a plurality of corner brackets including upper corner brackets 250 and lower corner brackets 252 for connecting pairs of frame members to define the trapezoidal shape. The corner brackets 250, 252 may each have a first plate 258 and a second plate 260 for attaching to at least two of the plurality of frame members. In one example, the frame 216 may include a first and second upper corner bracket 250 and a first and second lower corner bracket 252. The first upper corner bracket 250 may have a first plate 258 for attaching to the first side frame member 230 and a second plate 260 for attaching to the upper frame member 228. The second upper corner bracket 250 may have a first plate 258 for attaching to the upper frame member 228 and a second plate 260 for attaching to the second side frame member 232. The first

lower corner bracket 252 may have a first plate 258 for attaching to the lower frame member 226 and a second plate 260 for attaching to the first side frame member 230. The second lower corner bracket 252 may have a first plate 258 for attaching to the lower frame member 226 and a second plate 260 for attaching to the second side frame member 232.

The corner brackets 250, 252 may also include at least a first slot 254 and a second slot 256 configured to movably engage with an attachment feature on adjacent hoppers of a railcar 102. For example, the first slot 254 may be configured to movably engage with an attachment feature on a first hopper 105 and the second slot 256 may be configured to movably engage with an attachment feature on a second hopper 107. The first upper corner bracket 250 and the first lower corner bracket 250 may each have a first slot 254 for engaging with attachment features on the first hopper 105. The second upper corner bracket 252 and the second lower corner bracket 252 may each have a second slot 256 for engaging with attachment features on the second hopper 107. The first slot 254 and the second slot 256 may be configured as longitudinal slots that allow an attachment features such as bolts to slide within the slots 254, 256. Thus, allowing for the panel assembly 212 and frame members to float and accommodate flexing and twisting of the railcar 102 without structurally compromising the attachment points between the panel assembly 212 and the railcar 102.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the exemplary panel assembly 212 is illustrated from the front and the rear, respectively. The panel assembly 212 includes the panel portion 214 having the first panel element 222 and the second panel element 224. The first and second panel elements 222, 224 have planar bodies that are placed adjacent to each other to form the perimeter edge 218 defining a generally trapezoidal shape. The frame 216 includes a plurality of frame members engaged along sections of the perimeter edge 218, including the lower frame member 226, the upper frame member 228, the first side frame member 230, and the second side frame member 232. Each of the frame members includes the inner flange 234 and the outer flange 236 defining the U-shaped channel 238. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the outer flange 236 is provided on the outboard side of the frame members. The upper frame member 228 includes the opening 240 in the outer flange 236 at the mid portion of the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 includes the opening 242 in the outer flange 236 at the mid portion of the lower frame member 226. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the frame 216 includes the upper reinforcement member 248 extending along the mid portion of the upper frame member 228 on the inboard side, opposite

the opening 240. The frame 216 includes the lower reinforcement member 246 extending along the mid portion of the lower frame member 226 on the inboard side, opposite the opening 242. The frame 216 includes the vertical reinforcement member 244 extending between the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 on the inboard side. The corner brackets 250, 252 include a second plate 260 extending on an inboard side of the corner brackets 250, 252 having one of a first slot 254 or a second slot 256. The first slot 254 and the second slot 256 are longitudinal slots configured to movably engage with an attachment point on adjacent hoppers. The second plate 260 is provided on the inboard side to allow flush mounting of the frame 216 to the hoppers prior slidably inserting the panel portion 214 into the frame 216.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the exemplary panel assembly 212 is illustrated from a top view and a bottom view, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the panel assembly 212 includes the upper frame member 228 that extends from the first upper corner bracket 250 to the second upper corner bracket 250. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lower frame member 226 extends from the first lower corner bracket 252 to the second lower corner bracket 252. The lower frame member 226 includes the second length that is longer than the first length of the upper frame member 228. The first side frame member 230 extends at an angle from the first lower corner bracket 252 to the first upper corner bracket 250. The second side frame member 232 extends at an angle from the second lower corner bracket 252 to the second upper corner bracket 250. Referring to FIG. 7, the frame 216 includes the upper reinforcement member 248 extending along the mid portion of the upper frame member 228 on the inboard side, opposite the opening 240. Referring to FIG. 8, the frame 216 includes the lower reinforcement member 246 extending along the mid portion of the lower frame member 226 on the inboard side, opposite the opening 242.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the exemplary panel assembly 212 is illustrated from a side view. The second side frame member 232 extends from the second lower corner bracket 252 to the second upper corner bracket 250. In other examples as illustrated in FIGS. 5-20, the first side frame member 230 extends from the first lower corner bracket 252 to the first upper corner bracket 250. Referring to FIG. 9B, an enlarged illustration of the upper corner bracket 250 illustrates the gusset attachment points of the upper frame member 228 and the first side frame member 230 attached to the first plate 258 and the second plate 260 of the first upper corner bracket 250.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the exemplary panel assembly 212 is illustrated from a rear and front perspective view, respectively. The panel assembly 212 includes the panel portion 214 having the first panel element 222 and the second panel element 224. The first and second panel elements 222, 224 have planar bodies that are placed adjacent to each other to form the perimeter edge 218 defining a generally trapezoidal shape. The frame 216 includes a plurality of frame members engaged along sections of the perimeter edge 218, including the lower frame member 226, the upper frame member 228, the first side frame member 230, and the second side frame member 232. Each of the frame members includes the inner flange 234 and the outer flange 236 defining the U-shaped channel 238. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the outer flange 236 is provided on the outboard side of the frame members. The upper frame member 228 includes the opening 240 in the outer flange 236 at the mid portion of the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 includes the opening 242 in the outer flange 236 at the mid portion of the lower frame member 226. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the frame 216 includes the upper reinforcement member 248 extending along the mid portion of the upper frame member 228 on the inboard side, opposite the opening 240. The frame 216 includes the lower reinforcement member 246 extending along the mid portion of the lower frame member 226 on the inboard side, opposite the opening 242. The frame 216 includes the vertical reinforcement member 244 extending between the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 on the inboard side. The corner brackets 250, 252 include a second plate 260 extending on an inboard side of the corner brackets 250, 252 having one of a first slot 254 or a second slot 256. The first slot 254 and the second slot 256 are longitudinal slots configured to movably engage with an attachment point on adjacent hoppers. The second plate 260 is provided on the inboard side to allow flush mounting of the frame 216 to the hoppers prior slidably inserting the panel portion 214 into the frame 216.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper frame member 228 and the upper reinforcement member 248 is illustrated. The upper reinforcement member 248 is attached to the upper frame member 228 at a mid portion of the upper frame member 228. The reinforcement member 248 is provided on the inboard side of the panel assembly 212 opposite the upper opening 240. The upper reinforcement member 248 may also be a U-shaped channel having a first reinforcement flange 262 and a second reinforcement flange 264 extending inward. The upper reinforcement member 248 may be configured to provide additional support to the frame 216 where the opening 240 in the outer flanges 236 may weaken the upper frame member 228.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, one of the upper corner brackets 250 and one of the lower corner brackets 252 are illustrated, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the upper corner bracket 250 includes the first plate 258 and the second plate 260 which are attached to at least two frame members, for example, the upper frame member 228 and the first side frame member 230. The first plate 258 and the second plate 260 may be configured to receive the ends of the frame members to define a corner of the trapezoidal shape of the panel assembly 212. The second plate 260 may include a first slot 254 for movably engaging an attachment point on an adjacent hopper. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the lower corner bracket 252 includes the first plate 258 and the second plate 260 which are attached to at least two frame members, for example, the lower frame member 226 and the first side frame member 230. The first plate 258 and the second plate 260 may be configured to receive the ends of the frame members to define a corner of the trapezoidal shape of the panel assembly 212. The second plate 260 may include a first slot 254 for movably engaging an attachment point on an adjacent hopper.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the exemplary panel assembly 212 is illustrated without the panel portion 214 installed in the U-shaped channel 238 of the frame 216 from a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively. The frame 216 includes a plurality of frame members engaged along sections of the perimeter edge 218, including the lower frame member 226, the upper frame member 228, the first side frame member 230, and the second side frame member 232. Each of the frame members includes the inner flange 234 and the outer flange 236 defining the U-shaped channel 238. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the outer flange 236 is provided on the outboard side of the frame members. The upper frame member 228 includes the opening 240 in the outer flange 236 at the mid portion of the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 includes the opening 242 in the outer flange 236 at the mid portion of the lower frame member 226. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the frame 216 includes the upper reinforcement member 248 extending along the mid portion of the upper frame member 228 on the inboard side, opposite the opening 240. The frame 216 includes the lower reinforcement member 246 extending along the mid portion of the lower frame member 226 on the inboard side, opposite the opening 242. The frame 216 includes the vertical reinforcement member 244 extending between the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 on the inboard side. The corner brackets 250, 252 include a second plate 260 extending on an inboard side of the corner brackets 250, 252 having one of a first slot 254 or a second slot 256. The first slot 254 and the second slot 256 are longitudinal slots configured to movably engage with an attachment point on adjacent hoppers. The second plate 260 is provided on the inboard side to allow flush mounting of the frame 216 to the hoppers prior slidably inserting the panel portion 214 into the frame 216.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the exemplary panel assembly 212 is illustrated from a front perspective and the first upper corner bracket 250 is illustrated from a front perspective, respectively. The frame 216 includes a plurality of frame members engaged along sections of the perimeter edge 218, including the lower frame member 226, the upper frame member 228, the first side frame member 230, and the second side frame member 232. Each of the frame members includes the inner flange 234 and the outer flange 236 defining the U-shaped channel 238. The outer flange 236 is provided on the outboard side of the frame members. The upper frame member 228 includes the opening 240 in the outer flange 236 at the mid portion of the upper frame member 228 and the lower frame member 226 includes the opening 242 in the outer flange 236 at the mid portion of the lower frame member 226. The upper corner bracket 250 includes the first plate 258 and the second plate 260 which are attached to at least two frame members, for example, the upper frame member 228 and the first side frame member 230. The first plate 258 and the second plate 260 may be configured to receive the ends of the frame members to define a corner of the trapezoidal shape of the panel assembly 212. The second plate 260 may include a first slot 254 for movably engaging an attachment point on an adjacent hopper.

Thus, according to the disclosure, a system may include a railcar having a first hopper spaced longitudinally from a second hopper, and a panel assembly spanning between the first hopper and the second hopper. The panel assembly may be configured to reduce aerodynamic drag caused by air turbulence generated by movement of the railcar. The panel assembly may include a panel portion having a perimeter edge defining a generally trapezoidal shape a frame having a plurality of frame members engaged along sections of the perimeter edge of the panel portion. The frame may include a first slot configured to movably engage an attachment feature on the first hopper and a second slot configured to movably engage an attachment feature on the second hopper.

Also, according to the disclosure, a panel assembly for installation between two hoppers of a railcar and configured to reduce aerodynamic drag caused by air turbulence generated by movement of the railcar may include a panel portion having a perimeter edge and a metal frame. The metal frame may include frame portions engaged at least partially along sections of the perimeter edge and include U-shaped channels configured to slidably receive the panel portion. The frame may be configured to movably engage with an attachment feature on a first railcar hopper and movably engage with an attachment feature on a second railcar hopper spaced longitudinally to the first railcar hopper.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature; may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components; and may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated.

The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like, as used herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to denote element from another.

Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by implementations of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount.

Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the orientation shown in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that various alternative orientations

may be provided, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in this specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law. The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.