Protective Housing Attachment for Railcar

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/740,472, entitled “PROTECTIVE HOUSING ATTACHMENT FOR RAILCAR,” filed Dec. 31, 2024.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to a railcar, and more particularly to improved protective housing attachment for a railcar.

BACKGROUND

Railcars, such as tank cars, transport a wide variety of commodities including liquids, gasses and other fluids. Most tank cars are designed with at least one access opening or nozzle located in the upper portion of the associated tank.

A fittings cover plate may be attached to the nozzle. A fittings cover plate separates the interior of the tank car from the exterior. Valves, fittings and other components are typically mounted on the fittings cover plate and may be selected based on characteristics and properties of the commodity or lading being transported in the tank car.

Pressure car fittings typically include two “liquid or fluid” valves for loading and unloading an associated commodity. Respective check valves and induction piping may also be provided with the respective loading and unloading valves. One or more vapor valves, gauging devices and safety relief valves may also be mounted on the fittings cover plate.

Some tank cars may have smaller valves for drawing samples of lading and thermal wells for measuring the temperature of the lading. Non-pressurized tank cars may also have similar valves and fittings mounted on a fittings cover plate similar to a pressurized tank car. These covers are usually liquid-tight, fixed and not removed or adjusted during normal use.

Various types of protective housing assemblies or dome structures are often disposed on the upper portion of a tank car to protect associated piping, valves, fittings and other components. All pressurized tank cars and many non-pressurized tank cars are required to have such protective housing assemblies or dome structures covering any pipes, valves, fittings and other components located on an upper portion of the pressurized tank car.

A relatively thick, steel ring or cylindrical portion, referred to as a protective housing, is often attached around the fittings cover plate to protect the valves, fittings, and other components in the event the tank car is derailed and overturns. A protective housing cover or lid is typically bolted or otherwise secured to the fittings plate attached to the opening at the top of the nozzle or protective housing to allow only limited or authorized access by personnel to the valves, fittings, etc. or to the interior of the tank.

On some tank cars, access to the interior of the tank may be through a manway. The opening is usually secured with a bolt-on cover referred to as a manway cover. A manway cover may or may not be surrounded by a protective housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein include an improved protective housing attachment for a railcar. Particular embodiments disclosed herein include multiple configurations for attaching a protective housing to, for example, a tank car nozzle or nozzle reinforcement.

According to particular embodiments, a railway tank car comprises a tank for transporting a commodity, a nozzle for accessing the tank coupled to the tank, a fittings plate coupled to the nozzle and providing an attachment surface for one or more fittings, and a protective housing coupled to nozzle to protect the one or more fittings. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body and an extended nozzle flange. The extended nozzle flange comprises: an inner portion comprising attachment points for the fittings plate; and an outer portion comprising attachment points for the protective housing.

According to particular embodiments, a railway tank car comprises a tank for transporting a commodity and a nozzle for accessing the tank coupled to the tank. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body and a nozzle flange. The tank car further comprises a fittings plate coupled to the nozzle flange and providing an attachment surface for one or more fittings and nozzle reinforcements. A first end of the nozzle reinforcement is coupled to the nozzle reinforcing pads, a middle portion of the nozzle reinforcement is coupled to the nozzle flange, and a second end of the nozzle reinforcement extends upwards past the nozzle flange. The tank car further comprises a protective housing coupled to nozzle reinforcement proximate the second end of the nozzle reinforcement.

Advantages of particular embodiments include increased effective attachment strength and/or reduced size and cost of a fittings plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete and thorough understanding of the particular embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a side view of a railway tank car;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car top fitting arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car top fitting arrangement with protective housing attachment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with a nozzle reinforcement;

FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and extended nozzle flange, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and a welded extended nozzle flange, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5C is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and extended nozzle flange with a nozzle reinforcement, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-section of another example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and extended nozzle flange, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6B is a schematic overhead cross-section of the protective housing attachment and extended nozzle flange of FIG. 6A, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and extended nozzle reinforcement, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment with extension, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment with extension and nozzle reinforcement, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an example protective housing with segmented attachment flange, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Current United States and Canadian regulations require protective housings for certain specification tank cars and require that the housings be bolted to the manway cover with not less than twenty ¾ inch nominal diameter studs or bolts. Forthcoming regulations may allow other configurations.

For example, Canadian standard CGSB-43.147-2023 has been adopted by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) but not yet accepted by the Canadian Regulations. The standard provides for a protective housing for pressure tank cars. A class 105, 112, or 120 tank car shall be equipped with a protective housing that conforms to the following requirements. A protective housing of cast, forged or fabricated materials shall be fastened to the manway cover or joined to the nozzle or tank reinforcing pad with joint(s) strength not less than twenty 19.1 mm (¾ in.) nominal diameter studs or bolts. The strength of the attachment of the protective structure to its base structure shall not exceed 70% of the attachment strength of the base structure to its associated base structure. For example, if the protective structure is attached to the nozzle, the strength of the attachment of the protective structure to the nozzle shall not exceed 70% of the strength of the attachment of the nozzle to the tank.

Particular embodiments disclosed herein include multiple configurations for attaching a protective housing to, for example, a tank car nozzle or nozzle reinforcement. Advantages of particular embodiments include increased effective attachment strength and/or reduced size and cost of a fittings plate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a side view of a railway tank car. A customary railway tank car 10 includes a tank 12. Tank 12 includes a generally elongated hollow cylinder 18 enclosed at a first end 20 of tank car 10 and a second end 22 of tank car 10.

A head 42 is coupled to cylinder 18 at first end 20. Similarly, a head 44 is coupled to cylinder 18 at second end 22. Cylinder 18 and heads 42 and 44 at least partially define tank 12. Tank 12 may include jacket 24 that provides protection for cylinder 18 and heads 42 and 44. Jacket 24 may comprise a metal covering surrounding the tank designed to protect and/or secure insulation and/or thermal protections systems.

Tank car 10 may be used to transport a variety of hazardous and non-hazardous liquid or semi-liquid bulk commodities. Fluid commodities may be loaded into tank 12 through a variety of tank fittings attached to fittings plate 40 (typically within a protective housing 46).

Fittings plate 40 (located inside protective housing 46) joins the fittings to tank 12 via nozzle 48. Fittings plate 40 is typically a circular shaped plate bolted to tank 12 via nozzle 48 (specifically to nozzle flange 62 illustrated in FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car top fitting arrangement. Nozzle 48 is typically a walled cylinder of circular or oval cross-section attached to cylinder 18 of tank 12. The connection between nozzle 48 and cylinder 18 may be strengthened via reinforcing pad 61. Jacket 24 and insulation 23 provide protection for tank 12.

Nozzle 48 projects away from tank 12 and is used for the application of a manway cover, pressure or fittings plate, valves, pressure relief devices, and other fittings. In the illustrated example, fittings 66 are coupled to nozzle 48 via fittings plate 40.

Fittings 66 may include fill holes; eduction pipes; safety vents; valves, such as pressure release valves; gauges; and the like.

Nozzle 48 comprises a nozzle body (vertical cylindrical portion for accessing the tank) nozzle flange 62. Nozzle flange 62 provides a mating surface for fittings plate 40. Fittings plate 40 is coupled to nozzle 48 via bolting or other fastening mechanism to nozzle flange 62.

Protective housing 46 is coupled to fittings plate 40 and provides protection for fittings 66. Protective housing 46 comprises hinged housing cover 68 that provides access to fittings 66. Protective housing 46 may be coupled to fittings plate 40, for example, via twenty ¾ inch nominal diameter studs or bolts.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car top fitting arrangement with protective housing attachment. FIG. 3 illustrates section A of FIG. 2.

The illustrated example highlights the coupling of fittings plate 40 to nozzle flange 62 and the coupling of protective housing 46 to fittings plate 40.

Fittings plate 40 may be bolted to nozzle flange 62. Gasket 66 may provide a seal between the mating surfaces of fittings plate 40 and nozzle flange 62.

Fittings plate 40 extends beyond the edge of nozzle flange 62 to provide attachment points for protective housing 46. Protective housing 46 comprises attachment flange 64 for mating with fittings plate 40. In the illustrated example, attachment flange 64 is bolted to fittings plate 40.

The bolted connections between fittings plate 40 and nozzle flange 62 may be significantly stronger than the bolted connections between protective housing 46 and fittings plate 40.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with a nozzle reinforcement. The fittings arrangement is similar to the fittings arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3, with the addition of nozzle reinforcement 68.

As illustrated, a first end of nozzle reinforcement 68 is coupled to tank 12 (e.g., via reinforcing pad 61) and a second opposite end of nozzle reinforcement 68 coupled to nozzle flange 62. Jacket 24 and insulation 23 is coupled to nozzle reinforcement 68, instead of nozzle 48 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Nozzle flange 62 comprises tapped holes 70 for attachment of fittings plate 40. Tapped holes 70 provide attachment points for threaded studs. Threaded studs are used because nozzle reinforcement 68 prevents access to the underside of nozzle flange 62, which prevents access for bolted connections.

In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the circumference of fittings plate 40 is significantly larger than the circumference of nozzle flange 62 to facilitate attachment of protective housing 46. The radius difference between fittings plate 40 and nozzle flange 62 may be two inches or more.

Particular embodiments described herein facilitate a reduced radius fittings plate, which is less expensive to manufacture than a larger radius fittings plate. In some embodiments, the nozzle flange is extended to provide attachment points for the protective housing. In some embodiments, the nozzle reinforcement is extended to provide attachment points for the protective housing. The connections between the protective housing and the extended nozzle flange or extended nozzle reinforcement may be stronger than the previous connections between the protective housing and the fittings plate.

Particular embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to FIGS. 5A through 9, wherein like reference numbers indicate like features.

FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and extended nozzle flange, according to some embodiments. The nozzle includes extended nozzle flange 82.

Extended nozzle flange 82 comprises an inner concentric portion (“inner portion”) comprising attachment points for fittings plate 80 and an outer concentric portion (“outer portion”) comprising attachment points for protective housing 46.

Protective housing 46 comprises attachment flange 64 for mating with the outer concentric portion of extended nozzle flange 82 and a vertical wall coupled to attachment flange 64 and extending away from attachment flange 64.

Protective housing 46 is coupled to extended nozzle flange 82 via mechanical fasteners 84 and 86 and attachment flange 64. In the illustrated example, mechanical fasteners 84 and 86 comprise a threaded stud 84 and nut 86. In other embodiments, mechanical fasteners 84 and 86 may comprise a bolt and nut, or any other suitable fasteners.

Because protective housing 46 is coupled to extended nozzle flange 82, and not fittings plate 80, a circumference of fittings plate 80 is smaller than a circumference of the outer-concentric portion of extended nozzle flange 82. Thus, reduced radius fittings plate 80 is less expensive to manufacture than a conventional fittings plate. Also, the connection between protective housing 46 and extended nozzle flange 82 may be stronger than a conventional connection between a protective housing and a fittings plate. Some embodiments may use more or fewer connection points depending on the strength of the connection.

FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and a welded extended nozzle flange, according to some embodiments. The illustrated tank car nozzle arrangement is similar to the tank car nozzle arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A, except the extended nozzle flange comprises two or more pieces instead of a single piece.

In the illustrated example, flange extension 88 is welded (via welds 90 and 92) to nozzle flange 62 to create the extended nozzle flange. Flange extension 88 comprises the outer concentric portion comprising attachment points for protective housing 46.

Flange extension 88 may be welded to nozzle flange 62 for ease of manufacturing, and/or may be used to retrofit conventional nozzles.

FIG. 5C is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and extended nozzle flange with a nozzle reinforcement, according to some embodiments. The illustrated tank car nozzle arrangement is similar to the tank car nozzle arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A, with the addition of nozzle reinforcement 68. In the illustrated embodiment, mechanical fastener 84 comprises a threaded stud. This is because nozzle reinforcement 68 prevents access to the underside of extended flange 82, preventing bolt access. For the same reason, fittings plate 80 is coupled to extended nozzle 82 via stud 94.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate particular examples wherein the attachment points for the protective housing comprise vertical bolt holes or tapped holes in the outer-concentric portion of the extended nozzle flange (i.e., the holes extend from a top portion of the extended nozzle flange towards or through a bottom portion of the extended nozzle flange).

Other embodiments may include other configurations. Another example is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-section of another example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and extended nozzle flange, according to some embodiments. The illustrated tank car nozzle arrangement is similar to the tank car nozzle arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A, except the attachment points for the protective housing comprise horizontal (i.e., radial) tapped holes in an outer edge of the outer-concentric portion of the extended nozzle flange.

As illustrated, extended nozzle flange 82 comprises radial tapped holes 96 around its outer edge. Protective housing 46 is coupled to extended nozzle flange 82 via threaded bolts 98 and tapped holes 96. Protective housing 46 does not include an attachment flange in the illustrated example.

FIG. 6B is a schematic overhead cross-section of the protective housing attachment and extended nozzle flange of FIG. 6A, according to some embodiments. In the illustrated example, radial tapped holes 96 in the outer edge of the outer-concentric portion of extended nozzle flange 82 are angularly offset from the attachment points for the fittings plate in the inner concentric portion of extended nozzle flange 82. The angular offset prevents interference between the two sets of holes in some embodiments and may provide additional strength.

Although in the illustrated examples the inner and outer portions of the extended nozzle flange are illustrated as concentric, some embodiments may include other configurations, such as an eccentric configuration.

The examples illustrated in FIGS. 5A-6B includes extended nozzle flanges. Some embodiments may include a conventional nozzle flange and an extended nozzle reinforcement. An example is illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment and extended nozzle reinforcement, according to some embodiments. The illustrated example includes extended nozzle reinforcement 100.

A first end of extended nozzle reinforcement 100 is coupled to the tank (via reinforcing pad 61), a middle portion of extended nozzle reinforcement 100 is coupled to nozzle flange 62, and a second end of nozzle reinforcement 100 extends upwards past nozzle flange 62. Protective housing 46 is coupled to extended nozzle reinforcement 100 proximate the second end of extended nozzle reinforcement 100.

Protective housing 46 is coupled to extended nozzle reinforcement 100 via mechanical fastener 102, such as a bolt and nut.

In some embodiments, horizontal shear resistance is improved via extending the vertical portion of the protective housing below the attachment flange. Examples are illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment with extension, according to some embodiments. The illustrated tank car nozzle arrangement is similar to the tank car nozzle arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A, with an additional protective housing extension.

In the illustrated example, the vertical portion of protective housing 46 extends below attachment flange 64 (indicated by overlap 104). The vertical portion of protective housing 46 may be coupled to attachment flange 64 by welds 106 at both the top and bottom joints. The overlap provides additional strength in the horizontal shear direction.

FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-section of an example tank car nozzle arrangement with protective housing attachment with extension and nozzle reinforcement, according to some embodiments. The illustrated tank car nozzle arrangement is similar to the tank car nozzle arrangement illustrated in FIG. 8A, with the addition of a nozzle reinforcement.

The illustrated example includes overlap 104 used in conjunction with nozzle reinforcement 68.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an example protective housing with segmented attachment flange, according to some embodiments. In the illustrated example, attachment flange 108 comprises two or more segments. The segmented attachment flange may be simpler to manufacture and/or install.

In some embodiments, the vertical wall of protective housing 46 comprises openings that align with gaps between the two or more segments of attachment flange 108. The openings may provide inspection access, drainage, ventilation, etc.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following example embodiments.