GUSSETS FOR REINFORCEMENT IN TANK CARS AND TANK CARS INCLUDING GUSSETS.

摘要

A gusset (50) is capable of providing reinforcement in tank cars (10), particularly for nozzles in tank cars. A tank car includes a body (12) having a curved wall portion, a nozzle opening (40) formed in the wall, a reinforcing pad (60) disposed on the wall, adjacent to the nozzle, and a gusset (50) configured to support the nozzle (40). The gusset (50) includes a portion of a cylinder having a predetermined radius (R). The portion of the cylinder includes a first edge disposed adjacent to a circumferential surface of the nozzle (40) and a second edge disposed adjacent to a circumferential surface of the reinforcing pad (60), such that an axis of the portion of the cylinder intersects an axis of the nozzle at a predetermined angle (A). The predetermined radius (R) and the predetermined angle (A) are configured such that an arc of the portion of the cylinder extends less than approximately 180 degrees around the circumference of nozzle (40).