System and method for providing auxiliary power by regeneration power management in mobile mining equipment

• US 8,698,437 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Large Drives LLC (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Mazumdar, Joy
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US13/033,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20110175579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 318430-434, 318440-442, 318478-479, 318/490
• US Class Current: 318/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/033 characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries for propulsion puposes B60K1/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06; testing of charge state G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/304 with the dipper-arm slidably mounted on the boom E02F3/305 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/207 of the type electric propulsion units, e.g. electric motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2075 of the hybrid type for vehicles in general B60W20/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2091 Control of energy storage means for electrical energy, e.g. battery or capacitors energy recovery arrangements in hydraulic or pneumatic drives E02F9/2217
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 5/74 controlling two or more ac dynamo-electric motors H02P5/46, H02P5/60 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

A method for operating an ultracapacitor system used in a mining excavator powered by an electrical power source. The method includes the step of detecting whether a line power from the electrical power source is present. Next, a voltage level of the ultracapacitor system is measured if the line power is not present. The measured voltage level is then compared with a minimum voltage level for the ultracapacitor system. If the measured voltage level is more than the minimum voltage level, auxiliary power is supplied from the ultracapacitor system to operate mining excavator systems. The auxiliary power may be used to power electronic systems and components such as computers, displays, control systems, gas insulated switchgear and lighting systems.

Claims

1. A method for operating an ultracapacitor system used in a mining excavator powered by an electrical power source, wherein an electrical load of the mining excavator comprises a first electrical load with at least one electrical motor and a second electrical load without an electrical motor, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting whether a line power from the electrical power source is present;

measuring a voltage level of the ultracapacitor system if the line power is not present;

comparing the measured voltage level with a minimum voltage level for the ultracapacitor system; and

supplying auxiliary power from the ultracapacitor system to the second electrical load if the measured voltage level is more than the minimum voltage level.

2. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of stopping operation of the mining excavator if the measured voltage is less than the minimum voltage level.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the ultracapacitor system is configured to provide approximately 8 hours of normal operation.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the minimum voltage level is 1500V.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein a nominal voltage for the ultracapacitor system is approximately 1800V.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of charging the ultracapacitor system with electrical power drawn from the electrical power source.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source comprises a direct connection to a public utility electrical power grid.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source outputs three-phase alternating current with a minimum voltage of at least one kilovolt.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the minimum voltage is at least three kilovolts.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one mining excavator comprises at least one of:

an electric shovel; and

a dragline.

11. A method for operating an ultracapacitor system used in a mining excavator powered by an electrical power source, wherein an electrical load of the mining excavator comprises a first electrical load with at least one electrical motor and a second electrical load without an electrical motor, the method comprising the steps of:

operating the mining excavator to provide a cyclic load;

charging the ultracapacitor system with electrical power generated by the cyclic load during a regeneration interval;

detecting whether a line power from the electrical power source is interrupted;

measuring a voltage level of the ultracapacitor system if the line power is interrupted;

comparing the measured voltage level with a minimum voltage level for the ultracapacitor system; and

supplying auxiliary power from the ultracapacitor system to the second electrical load if the measured voltage level is more than the minimum voltage level.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of charging the ultracapacitor system with electrical power drawn from the electrical power source.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical power source comprises a direct connection to a public utility electrical power grid.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical power source outputs three-phase alternating current with a minimum voltage of at least one kilovolt.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the minimum voltage is at least three kilovolts.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one mining excavator comprises at least one of:

an electric shovel; and

a dragline.

17. The method according to claim 11 further including the step of stopping operation of the mining excavator if the measured voltage is less than the minimum voltage level.

18. The method according to claim 11 wherein the ultracapacitor system is configured to provide approximately 8 hours of normal operation.

19. The method according to claim 11 wherein the minimum voltage level is 1500V.

20. The method according to claim 11 wherein a nominal voltage for the ultracapacitor system is approximately 1800V.