Unloading mechanism of discharge flaps in hopper-bottom cars

The mechanism is provided with a pair of flaps closing a hopper hole, pneumatic actuators for driving the flaps, catches (7) attached to the left flap, hooks (4) mounted to actuator cylinders (8), and a locking unit to secure the flaps in closed position. The left flap is provided with a longitudinal shaft (1) ending in levers (2) that are connected to heads (5) of piston rods of the actuator on each side of the flap. At the end of each lever (2) there is a disc (6), which is mating with a comb flank of a hook (4) cam, while an arm of the lever (2) is placed between right (10) and left (11) stoppers, which are part of the left flap. Flanks of flaps are connected to each other through synchronous couplers (9). The mechanism is intended for dump cars of the hopper-bottom type.