Surge Suppression Apparatus for Railroad Tank Car

Abstract

A surge suppression apparatus configured to be installed inside a railroad tank car and diffuse (or suppress) pressure surges caused by sloshing waves (liquid) within the railroad tank car is described herein. The surge suppression apparatus may comprise a main body defining a fluid path extending between a first end and a second end of the apparatus and having louver openings in sides of the main body that are formed by louver portions that are bent and extend inwardly away from the sides of the main body. These openings may include sets of openings on opposite sides of the main body. The apparatus may be mounted inside the railroad tank car such that the sides of the apparatus having openings are perpendicular to a direction of travel for the railroad tank car (i.e., such that the openings face the direction of the sloshing liquid).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use inside a railroad tank car to diffuse pressure surges caused by sloshing liquid within the railroad tank car, the apparatus comprising:
 a main body having an inner surface defining an interior space extending between a first opening at a first end of the main body and a second opening at a second end of the main body, wherein the main body is substantially rectangular;   a first set of openings in a first side of the main body, wherein the first set of openings are defined by a first set of louver portions bent and extending inwardly away from the first side;   a second set of openings in a second side of the main body opposite the first side, wherein the second set of openings are defined by a second set of louver portions bent and extending inwardly away from the second side,   wherein the apparatus is mounted inside a railroad tank car at the second end of the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interior space defines a fluid path extending between the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body includes a flanged portion at the second end, wherein the apparatus is mounted to an interior side of the railroad tank car via the flanged portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is mounted inside the railroad tank car at a position corresponding with an opening in an interior side of the railroad tank car. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein to mount the apparatus inside the railroad tank car, the apparatus is welded to an underside of a fitting flange. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus is welded to an underside of a fitting flange having a minimum weld throat of ¼ inch. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of openings are a uniform shape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of openings are a uniform size. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of openings and the second set of openings are a uniform shape and/or size. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of openings and the second set of openings are a different shape and/or size. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is mounted inside the railroad tank car such that the first side having the first set of openings and the second side having the second set of openings are each perpendicular to a direction of travel for the railroad tank car. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first louver portion of the first set of louver portions is larger in size than each of the one or more other louver portions of the first set of louver portions. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each of the one or more other louver portions of the first set of louver portions is the same size. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first louver portion extends inwardly from the first side at angle different from each of the one or more other louver portions of the first set of louver portions. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein an opening of the first set of openings corresponding to the first louver extends to an edge of the first side of the main body at the first end of the main body. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first set of louver potions extends inwardly from the first side at a uniform angle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the first set of louver potions extends inwardly from the first side at different angles. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of louver portions are cut from the first side of the main body, and wherein the second set of louver portions are cut from the second side of the main body.