Automated pantograph control for mining truck power system
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a power system in a trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising the steps of:
- receiving data on an electronic control unit indicative of an expected change in suitability of the mining truck for on-trolley operation;
outputting a control command from the electronic control unit to an actuating mechanism for a pantograph of the power system having a linkage and an electrical contactor coupled with the linkage, responsive to the data and prior to occurrence of the expected suitability change; and
adjusting the pantograph between an on-trolley configuration, for powering an electric propulsion motor of the mining truck via electric power supplied via contact between the electrical contactor and an overhead trolley line, and a rest configuration, responsive to the control command;
wherein the step of receiving further includes receiving data indicative of a speed of the mining truck, a travel direction of the mining truck, and a difference between real-time position data for the mining truck and stored map position data, such that the electrical contactor is electrically connected or disconnected from the overhead trolley line via the adjustment of the pantograph, substantially coincident with occurrence of the expected suitability change.
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Abstract
Controlling a power system in a mining truck includes receiving data indicative of an expected change in suitability of the mining truck for on-trolley operation, and outputting a control command to an actuating mechanism for a pantograph responsive to the data and prior to occurrence of the expected suitability change. A mining truck and power system are further provided, wherein a pantograph having an electrical contactor is adjusted between a first configuration contacting an overhead trolley line, and a rest configuration, responsive to data indicative of the expected suitability change.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a power system in a trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising the steps of:
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receiving data on an electronic control unit indicative of an expected change in suitability of the mining truck for on-trolley operation; outputting a control command from the electronic control unit to an actuating mechanism for a pantograph of the power system having a linkage and an electrical contactor coupled with the linkage, responsive to the data and prior to occurrence of the expected suitability change; and adjusting the pantograph between an on-trolley configuration, for powering an electric propulsion motor of the mining truck via electric power supplied via contact between the electrical contactor and an overhead trolley line, and a rest configuration, responsive to the control command; wherein the step of receiving further includes receiving data indicative of a speed of the mining truck, a travel direction of the mining truck, and a difference between real-time position data for the mining truck and stored map position data, such that the electrical contactor is electrically connected or disconnected from the overhead trolley line via the adjustment of the pantograph, substantially coincident with occurrence of the expected suitability change. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power system for a trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising:
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a pantograph for powering an electric propulsion motor of the mining truck via electric power from an overhead trolley line, the pantograph including a linkage configured to couple with a body of the mining truck; the pantograph further including an electrical contactor coupled with the linkage, and an actuating mechanism configured to adjust the pantograph between an on-trolley configuration for contacting the electrical contactor with the overhead trolley line, and a rest configuration; and an electronic control unit in control communication with the actuating mechanism, the electronic control unit being configured to receive data indicative of an expected change in suitability of the mining truck for on-trolley operation, and responsively output a control command to the actuating mechanism prior to occurrence of the expected suitability change; wherein the data includes data indicative of a speed of the mining truck, a travel direction of the mining truck, and a difference between real-time position data for the mining truck and stored map position data, such that the electrical contactor is electrically connected or disconnected from the overhead trolley line via the adjustment of the pantograph in response to the control command, substantially coincident with occurrence of the expected suitability change. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A mining truck comprising:
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a frame; ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame; a power system including an electric propulsion motor, and a pantograph configured for powering the electric propulsion motor via electric power from an overhead trolley line; the pantograph having a linkage, an electrical contactor coupled with the linkage and an actuating mechanism configured to adjust the pantograph between an on-trolley configuration for contacting the electrical contactor with the overhead trolley line, and a rest configuration; and the power system further including an electronic control unit configured to receive data indicative of an expected change in suitability of the mining truck for on-trolley operation, and responsively output a control command to the actuating mechanism prior to occurrence of the expected suitability change; wherein the data includes data indicative of a speed of the mining truck, a travel direction of the mining truck, and a difference between real-time position data for the mining truck and stored map position data, such that the electrical contactor is electrically connected or disconnected from the overhead trolley line via the adjustment of the pantograph in response to the control command, substantially coincident with occurrence of the expected suitability change. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification