Battery Powered Hauling Car Operated by Remote Control

• US 20100308639A1
• Filed: 06/08/2010
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Phillips Machine Service, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Phillips Machine Service, Inc.
• Inventors: Cushman, Thomas Scott
• Application Number:
  US12/796,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20100308639A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 299/18
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 13/02 Transport of mined mineral in galleries

Abstract

A hauling system and hauling car for hauling mined materials includes a body defining a storage area for receiving the mined materials, a conveyor positioned in a bottom portion of the storage area, and a motor coupled with the conveyor and driving the conveyor. The motor is controllably operable via a remote control system, and the body includes at least one connector connectable to a winch system that controllably advances and retrieves the hauling car. The use of a winch system for advancing and retrieving the hauling car provides for increased volumetric capacity. Additionally, the structure enables transport of evenly distributed loads and more efficient dumping.

Claims

1. A hauling system for hauling mined materials, the hauling system comprising:

a hauling car including;

a body defining a storage area for receiving the mined materials,

a conveyor positioned in a bottom portion of the storage area, and

a motor coupled with the conveyor and driving the conveyor;

a control system remotely communicating with the motor, the control system enabling remote selective operation of the motor; and

a winch system coupled with the hauling car, the winch system controllably advancing and retrieving the hauling car.

2. A hauling system according to claim 1, wherein the hauling car comprises a control box including onboard controls for operation of the hauling car and including communication structure that receives signals from the remote control system.

3. A hauling system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one supplemental conveyor positioned in a sidewall of the storage area.

4. A hauling system according to claim 1, further comprising batteries positioned on the hauling car, the batteries providing electric power to the motor.

5. A hauling system according to claim 1, further comprising a connection to a power line integrated with the winch system, the power line providing electric power to the motor.

6. A hauling system according to claim 1, further comprising skid rails on which the hauling car is supported for movement.

7. A hauling system according to claim 1, further comprising a camera positioned in view of the storage area, the camera supplying images of a payload in the storage area.

8. A hauling system according to claim 1, wherein the hauling car comprises at least one connector coupleable to the winch system.

9. A hauling system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one of hooks, loops, holes, quick-release couplings, and fasteners.

10. A hauling system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one connector is disposed at one of a front end of the hauling car, a rear end of the hauling car, and sides of the hauling car.

11. A hauling car for hauling mined materials, the hauling car comprising:

a body defining a storage area for receiving the mined materials;

a conveyor positioned in a bottom portion of the storage area;

a motor coupled with the conveyor and driving the conveyor; and

at least one battery secured to the body and providing electric power to the motor,

wherein the motor is controllably operable via a remote control system, and wherein the body includes at least one connector connectable to a winch system that controllably advances and retrieves the hauling car.

12. A method of hauling mined materials using a hauling car, the hauling car including a body defining a storage area for receiving the mined materials, a conveyor positioned in a bottom portion of the storage area, and a motor coupled with the conveyor and driving the conveyor, the method comprising:

(a) advancing the hauling car to a position adjacent a miner to receive the mined materials from the miner;

(b) receiving the mined materials from the miner at a receiving end of the hauling car;

(c) controlling the motor to drive the conveyor and distribute the mined materials in the storage area; and

(d) retrieving the hauling car via a winch system and controlling the motor to drive the conveyor and dump the mined materials from the storage area.