MINING MACHINE AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR SAME
First Claim
1. A mobile mining machine comprising:
- a plurality of traction elements;
a plurality of motors, each motor being coupled to an associated one of the plurality of traction elements, each motor configured to be driven by the associated traction element in a first mode, each motor configured to drive the associated traction element in a second mode;
a power source in electrical communication with the plurality of motors; and
an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the power source, the energy storage system including a shaft defining a shaft axis, a rotor secured to the shaft, a stator extending around the rotor and around the shaft axis, and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith,wherein, in the first mode, rotation of the plurality of motors causes rotation of the flywheel to store kinetic energy,wherein, in the second mode, rotation of the rotor and the flywheel discharges kinetic energy to drive the plurality of motors.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile mining machine includes a plurality of traction elements, a plurality of motors, a power source in electrical communication with the plurality of motors, and an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the power source. Each of the motors is coupled to an associated one of the plurality of traction elements. Each of the motors is driven by the associated traction element in a first mode, and drives the associated traction element in a second mode. The energy storage system includes a shaft, a rotor secured to the shaft, a stator extending around the rotor, and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith. In the first mode, rotation of the motors causes rotation of the flywheel to store kinetic energy. In the second mode, rotation of the rotor and the flywheel discharges kinetic energy to drive the motors.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mobile mining machine comprising:
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a plurality of traction elements; a plurality of motors, each motor being coupled to an associated one of the plurality of traction elements, each motor configured to be driven by the associated traction element in a first mode, each motor configured to drive the associated traction element in a second mode; a power source in electrical communication with the plurality of motors; and an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the power source, the energy storage system including a shaft defining a shaft axis, a rotor secured to the shaft, a stator extending around the rotor and around the shaft axis, and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith, wherein, in the first mode, rotation of the plurality of motors causes rotation of the flywheel to store kinetic energy, wherein, in the second mode, rotation of the rotor and the flywheel discharges kinetic energy to drive the plurality of motors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A mobile haulage vehicle comprising:
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a chassis; a boom including a first end pivotably coupled to the chassis and a second end; an attachment coupled to the second end of the boom; and a drive system including, a bi-directional electrical bus; a plurality of traction elements supporting the chassis; a plurality of motors, each motor being coupled to an associated one of the plurality of traction elements and in electrical communication with the bus, each motor configured to be driven by the associated traction element in a first mode, each motor configured to drive the associated traction element in a second mode; a switched reluctance motor in electrical communication with the plurality of motors via the bus; and an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the switched reluctance motor via the bus, the energy storage system including a housing secured to the chassis, a shaft, a rotor secured to the shaft, a stator, and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith, the shaft defining a shaft axis and supported for rotation relative to the housing, the stator extending around the rotor and around the shaft axis, wherein, in the first mode, rotation of the plurality of motors transmits electrical energy to the energy storage system via the bus, the electrical energy driving rotation of the flywheel to store kinetic energy, wherein, in the second mode, rotation of the rotor and the flywheel transmits electrical energy to the motors via the bus, driving the plurality of motors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A drive system for a haulage vehicle, the drive system comprising:
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a bi-directional electrical bus; a plurality of wheels a plurality of motors, each motor being coupled to an associated one of the plurality of wheels and in electrical communication with the bus, each motor configured to be driven by the associated wheel in a first mode, each motor configured to drive the associated wheel in a second mode; a plurality of power converters, each power converter providing electrical communication between the bus and one of the motors; a switched reluctance motor in electrical communication with the plurality of motors via the bus, the switched reluctance motor coupled to at least one hydraulic pump for driving at least one auxiliary actuator; an engine coupled to the switched reluctance motor; and an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the switched reluctance motor via the bus, the energy storage system including a housing, a shaft defining a shaft axis and supported for rotation relative to the housing, a rotor secured to the shaft, a stator, and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation about the shaft axis, the stator extending around the rotor and around the shaft axis.
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Specification