OVERHEAD POWER GRID FOR MOBILE MINING MACHINES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for providing electrical power to a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a first track including a first conducting portion carrying a current having a first phase configuration, the first conducting portion in electrical communication with a power source, the first conducting portion including a first end;
a second track including a second conducting portion carrying a current having a second phase configuration different from the first phase configuration, the second conducting portion including a second end associated with and positioned proximate the first end;
a trolley movable sequentially along the first track and the second track, the trolley including a contact, the contact in electrical communication with the first conducting portion while the trolley moves along the first track, the contact in electrical communication with the second conducting portion while the trolley moves along the second track, the contact conditioned to receive current having the first phase configuration while the contact is in electrical communication with the first conducting portion; and
a connector positioned between the first conducting portion and the second conducting portion, wherein when the contact of the trolley engages the connector, the contact is conditioned to receive current having the second phase configuration when the contact is in electrical communication with the second conducting portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle is provided that connects to an power structure for powering and guiding the vehicle. The power structure includes a trolley, a track along which the trolley runs, a power source connected to the track, and a cable connected to the trolley and configured to attach to the vehicle moving on a surface. The vehicle includes a chassis and a cable connected to the chassis and configured to mechanically and electrically connect the vehicle to the power structure. The chassis includes a connector rotatable 360 degrees, and the cable connects to the chassis through the connector.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for providing electrical power to a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a first track including a first conducting portion carrying a current having a first phase configuration, the first conducting portion in electrical communication with a power source, the first conducting portion including a first end; a second track including a second conducting portion carrying a current having a second phase configuration different from the first phase configuration, the second conducting portion including a second end associated with and positioned proximate the first end; a trolley movable sequentially along the first track and the second track, the trolley including a contact, the contact in electrical communication with the first conducting portion while the trolley moves along the first track, the contact in electrical communication with the second conducting portion while the trolley moves along the second track, the contact conditioned to receive current having the first phase configuration while the contact is in electrical communication with the first conducting portion; and a connector positioned between the first conducting portion and the second conducting portion, wherein when the contact of the trolley engages the connector, the contact is conditioned to receive current having the second phase configuration when the contact is in electrical communication with the second conducting portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. The system of claim 8, wherein the connector includes a first member, a second member, and a third member, the first member positioned between the first conductor of the first conducting portion and the first conductor of the second conducting portion, the second member positioned between the second conductor of the first conducting portion and the second conductor of the second conducting portion, the third member positioned between the third conductor of the first conducting portion and the third conductor of the second conducting portion.
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9. A switch device for a power structure for a vehicle, the switch device comprising:
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a first track portion including a plurality of first electrical conductors, each of the plurality of first electrical conductors including a first end; a second track portion including a plurality of second electrical conductors, each of the plurality of second electrical conductors including a second end; an actuator for moving the second track portion relative to the first track portion to selectively form a continuous path between the first track portion and the second track portion; and a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors disposed on at least one of the first end of the first electrical conductors and the second end of the second electrical conductors, each of the plurality of connectors being electrically non-conductive such that the connectors form a dead zone between the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for moving an electric vehicle relative to a power supply grid, the power grid including a first track having a first conducting portion and a second track having a second conducting portion, the second track coupled to the first track the method comprising:
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moving a trolley along the first track such that a contact receives a first electrical current from the first conducting portion, the first current having a first phase configuration, the trolley providing electrical communication between the first conducting portion and the machine; conditioning the contact to receive electrical current having a different phase configuration; and after conditioning the contact, moving the trolley along the second track such that the contact receives a second electrical current from the second conducting portion, the second electrical current having a second phase configuration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification