Steering system and operating method for mining truck
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising the steps of:
- receiving data via an electronic control unit indicative of a prospective directional change in an on-trolley availability corridor to be traversed by the mining truck while electrically connected with an overhead trolley line coinciding with the corridor;
outputting a control command via the electronic control unit to a steering mechanism of the mining truck responsive to the data; and
steering the mining truck via the steering mechanism responsive to the control command from a first heading accordant with a first part of the corridor preceding the directional change, toward a second heading accordant with a second part of the corridor succeeding the directional change, and such that the steering commences while the mining truck is within the first part of the corridor.
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Abstract
Operating a mining truck includes receiving data indicative of a prospective directional change in an on-trolley availability corridor, and outputting a control command to a steering mechanism of the mining truck responsive to the data. The mining truck is steered responsive to the control command from a first heading accordant with a first part of the corridor toward a second heading accordant with a succeeding part of the corridor. A related mining truck and steering system are disclosed.
21 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of operating a trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising the steps of:
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receiving data via an electronic control unit indicative of a prospective directional change in an on-trolley availability corridor to be traversed by the mining truck while electrically connected with an overhead trolley line coinciding with the corridor; outputting a control command via the electronic control unit to a steering mechanism of the mining truck responsive to the data; and steering the mining truck via the steering mechanism responsive to the control command from a first heading accordant with a first part of the corridor preceding the directional change, toward a second heading accordant with a second part of the corridor succeeding the directional change, and such that the steering commences while the mining truck is within the first part of the corridor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of operating a trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising the steps of:
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receiving data indicative of a prospective directional change in an on-trolley availability corridor to be traversed by the mining truck while electrically connected with an overhead trolley line coinciding with the corridor; outputting a control command to a steering mechanism of the mining truck responsive to the data; steering the mining truck responsive to the control command from a first heading accordant with a first s art of the corridor succeeding the directional change toward a second heading accordant with a second part of the corridor succeeding the directional change; and powering an electric propulsion motor of the mining truck via electric power from the overhead trolley line during transitioning from the first part to the second part of the corridor; wherein the directional change is defined by a difference in orientation between a first linear segment and a succeeding linear segment, of the overhead trolley line, coinciding with the first and second parts of the corridor, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising:
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a frame; a plurality of ground engaging wheels coupled with the frame; a steering system including a wheel steering mechanism and an electronic control unit in control communication with the wheel steering mechanism; the electronic control unit being configured to receive data indicative of a prospective directional change in an on-trolley availability corridor for electrically powering the mining truck via an overhead trolley line; and the electronic control unit being further configured to output a control command to the wheel steering mechanism responsive to the data, such that the mining truck is steered from a first heading accordant with a first part of the corridor preceding the directional change, toward a second heading accordant with a second part of the corridor succeeding the directional change, while within the first part of the corridor and electrically connected with the overhead trolley line. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A steering system for a trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising:
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a steering mechanism configured to adjust a wheel steering angle of the mining truck; an electronic control unit configured to receive data indicative of a prospective directional change in an on-trolley availability corridor, the on-trolley availability corridor being defined by a tolerance for displacement of the mining truck from an overhead trolley line; and the electronic control unit being further configured to output a control command to the steering mechanism such that the mining truck is steered from a first heading toward a second heading, prior to reaching the directional change in the on-trolley availability corridor; wherein the directional change is defined by a difference in orientation between adjacent segments of the overhead trolley line, and wherein the electronic control unit is further configured to output the control command such that the mining truck is steered toward the second heading prior to electrically connecting a pantograph of the mining truck with the succeeding segment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification