Devices, Systems and Methods for Mining Equipment

• US 20140361729A1
• Filed: 06/05/2013
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Enersys Delaware Incorporated (EnerSys)
• Original Assignee: Enersys Delaware Incorporated (EnerSys)
• Inventors: Cooper, William F.
• Application Number:
  US13/910,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20140361729A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A charging device adapter includes an adapter receptacle that is positioned proximate a charging device. The charging device is configured to charge a rechargeable device and includes multiple charger output plugs that are conductively coupled to the charger. The adapter receptacle is configured to receive one of the charger output plugs when the rechargeable device includes a quantity of charging receptacles that is less than a quantity of the charger output plugs.

Claims

1. A charging device adapter comprising:

an adapter receptacle that is positioned proximate a charging device that is configured to charge a rechargeable device and that includes a plurality of charger output plugs that are conductively coupled to a charging circuit, the adapter receptacle configured to receive one of the plurality of charger output plugs when the rechargeable device includes a quantity of charging receptacles that is less than a quantity of the plurality of charger output plugs.

2. The charging device adapter according to claim 1, further comprising an adapter housing that is configured to be mounted to the charging device and that is configured to receive and support the adapter receptacle.

3. The charging device adapter according to claim 1,

wherein the plurality of charger output plugs comprises a first charger output plug and a second charger output plug,

wherein the quantity charging receptacles on the rechargeable device is one charging receptacle,

wherein the one charging receptacle is configured to receive the first charger output plug, and

wherein the adapter receptacle is configured to receive the second charger output plug.

4. The charging device adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter receptacle comprises:

a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in a non-conductive housing, the non-conductive housing including a first side that is configured to receive the one of the plurality of charger output plugs and a second side that is opposite the first side; and

an electrically conductive jumper that is connected to a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts to cause an electrical short circuit across the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

5. The charging device adapter according to claim 4,

wherein the electrically conductive jumper comprises a first electrically conductive jumper, and

wherein the adapter receptacle further comprises a second electrically conductive jumper that is connected to a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts to cause an electrical short circuit across the third electrical contact and the fourth electrical contact.

6. The charging device adapter according to claim 5,

wherein the first electrical contact is configured to engage a first plug contact corresponding to a positive direct current (DC) charge output of the charging device, and

wherein the second electrical contact is configured to engage a second plug contact corresponding to a negative direct current (DC) charge output of the charging device.

7. The charging device adapter according to claim 6,

wherein the third electrical contact is configured to engage a third plug contact corresponding to an electrical ground, and

wherein the fourth electrical contact is configured to engage a fourth plug contact corresponding to an electrical ground check of the charging device.

8. The charging device adapter according to claim 4, wherein the electrically conductive jumper is connected to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact on the second side of the non-conductive housing.

9. The charging device adapter according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable device comprises mining equipment.

10. The charging device adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter receptacle is configured to operate at a voltage around 200 volts DC and the electrical contacts are configured to carry about 350 amperes DC.

11. A configurable charging system, the system comprising:

a charging circuit that is configured to provide an electrical charging current to a rechargeable mining device;

a first charger output plug that is conductively coupled to the charging circuit via a first multiple conductor cable;

a second charger output plug that is conductively coupled to the charging circuit via a second multiple conductor cable; and

an adapter receptacle that is configured to receive the second charger output plug when the rechargeable mining device includes a single charging receptacle that is configured to receive the first charger output plug,

wherein when the rechargeable mining device includes two charging receptacles, the two charging receptacles are configured to receive the first charger output plug and the second charger output plug.

12. The charging system according to claim 11, wherein the adapter receptacle comprises:

a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in a non-conductive housing, the non-conductive housing including a first side that is configured to receive the second charger output plug and a second side that is opposite the first side; and

an electrically conductive jumper that is connected to a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts to cause an electrical short circuit across the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

13. The charging system according to claim 12,

wherein the electrically conductive jumper comprises a first electrically conductive jumper, and

wherein the adapter receptacle further comprises a second electrically conductive jumper that is connected to a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts to cause an electrical short circuit across the third electrical contact and the fourth electrical contact.

14. The charging system according to claim 13,

wherein the first electrical contact is configured to engage a first plug contact corresponding to a positive direct current (DC) charge output of the charging device, and

wherein the second electrical contact is configured to engage a second plug contact corresponding to a negative direct current (DC) charge output of the charging device.

15. The charging system according to claim 14,

wherein the third electrical contact is configured to engage a third plug contact corresponding to an electrical ground, and

wherein the fourth electrical contact is configured to engage a fourth plug contact corresponding to an electrical ground check of the charging device.

16. The charging system according to claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive jumper is connected to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact on the second side of the non-conductive housing.

17. The charging system according to claim 11, wherein the adapter receptacle is configured to operate at a voltage around 200 volts DC and the electrical contacts are configured to carry about 350 amperes DC.

18. A method of charging a rechargeable mining device, the method comprising:

connecting a first charger output plug to a charging receptacle of the rechargeable mining device;

connecting a second charger output plug to an adapter receptacle that is configured to cause electrical conductivity between a first pair of a plurality of electrical contacts in the second charger output plug when connected to the adapter receptacle.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first pair of the plurality of electrical contacts in the second charger plug correspond to a positive direct current (DC) charge output of the charging device and a negative direct current (DC) charge output of the charging device.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein connecting the second charger output plug to the adapter receptacle is further configured to cause electrical conductivity between a second pair of the plurality of electrical contacts in the second charger plug.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second pair of the plurality of electrical contacts in the second charger plug correspond a ground and a ground check of the charging device.