Abstract: A rail segment for a rotating assembly of a machine is provided. The rail segment includes a first surface configured to face a support structure of the machine. The rail segment further includes a second surface configured to face a roller of the rotating assembly. The second surface includes an arcuate shape along a circumferential direction with respect to a rotation axis of the rotating assembly. Furthermore, the second surface is substantially parallel along a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating assembly.

Abstract: A power shovel including a tool for lifting, a machine house, a hoist drum, hoist drum machinery and an auxiliary weight box having a perimeter, the hoist drum and hoist drum machinery being at least partially disposed within the perimeter of the auxiliary weight box and the hoist drum being disposed outside of the machine house.

Abstract: Power supply systems and methods for controlling such systems are provided. One power supply system includes a generator set configured to provide an electrical output to an electrical bus, over which power is supplied to heavy equipment. The power supply system further includes a computerized controller configured to be coupled to an energy storage element, wherein the computerized controller is configured to couple the energy storage element to the electrical bus in advance of a predicted increase in demand upon the electrical bus to maintain a substantially constant voltage on the electrical bus during the predicted increase in demand and prevent a drop in voltage on the electrical bus that would otherwise result from the predicted increase in demand. The predicted increase in demand is anticipated by the computerized controller as forthcoming based upon extrapolation, at least in part, from data related to a past operation of the heavy equipment.

Abstract: A sealed hydraulic tank system for a mining shovel (10) includes an upper tank (68) and a lower tank (70). An air bladder (69) system is coupled to the upper tank to exchange air between the tank system and the bladder. The tanks include baffles (100,102,104,106,108) which filter the hydraulic fluid and which direct fluid flow along an elongated path to allow for de-aeration of the oil in the tank.

Abstract: A shearer system for removing material along a mineable distance relative to a mining environment includes a rail assembly to support movement of a shearer carriage thereon. The system further includes a haulage motor structured and arranged to move the shearer carriage along the rail assembly. The system has a rotatably driven cutter that is positionable relative to the shearer carriage. The system further includes an actuator supported by the shearer carriage for changing a cutting height of the cutter. The system further includes a controller that can control a velocity of the shearer carriage based on a translation speed of the cutter, a maximum speed of the shearer carriage, a current cutter height, and a desired cutter height. Optionally, the controller can further control the velocity of the shearer carriage based on a predetermined stopping distance of the shearer carriage.

Abstract: A dipper assembly includes a dipper, a dipper door, a closure mechanism, and one or more block assemblies. The dipper door is pivotally mounted to the dipper, and has a closed position in which the dipper door covers the dipper bottom. The closure mechanism has a locked position and an unlocked position, and is coupled to the dipper back and the dipper door. In the locked position, the closure mechanism holds the dipper door in the closed position. In the unlocked position, the closure mechanism allows the dipper door to swing away from the closed position. The block assemblies are coupled to the dipper back and limit a rotation of the side link plate to a pre-defined angle that corresponds to the closed position.

Abstract: An implement system for a machine is provided. The implement system includes an implement having a door. The door is selectively locked to the implement. The implement system includes a crowd mechanism configured to move the implement along a first direction. The implement system includes a hoist mechanism configured to move the implement along a second direction. The implement system includes a controller communicably coupled to the hoist mechanism and the crowd mechanism. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of unlocking the door from the implement. The controller is also configured to actuate the crowd mechanism to move the implement along the first direction. The controller is further configured to actuate the hoist mechanism to move the implement along the second direction.

Abstract: A braking system can include a monitor circuit and/or a contactor control circuit. The braking system utilizes a number of contactors coupled between a power bus. The contactors selectively provide power to resistive elements. The monitor circuit is configured to determine the number of closed contactors of the contactors using current transformers. The contactor control circuit is configured to open and close the contactors. The control circuit includes a solid state timer circuit for each coil associated with the contactors. The solid state timer circuit bypasses a resistive element in series with the coil for a period of time.

Abstract: A hydraulic tank fill system for a machine includes a tank, a valve operatively coupled to the tank, and a supply line in communication with the valve and the tank. The supply line supplies a fluid into the tank from a fluid source. A breather device installed on a top portion of the tank exerts a pressure on the fluid in the tank for controlling at least one of an operating pressure associated with the tank. A vent line in communication with the valve and the top portion of the tank to receive an excess quantity of the fluid based on the exertion of pressure on the fluid in the tank. An orifice disposed in the vent line exerts a back pressure on the excess quantity of the fluid received into the vent line.

Abstract: A crowd machinery guard system for a mining shovel is provided. The crowd machinery guard system includes a mounting bracket assembly coupled to the front of the mining shovel frame. The crowd machinery guard system also includes at least one support leg rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket assembly, and an impact plate assembly coupled to the support leg. The impact plate assembly includes an impact plate configured to receive dipper impacts, at least one support leg bracket coupled to the impact plate, and at least one cushion subassembly including a dampening portion. The crowd machinery guard system is configured to absorb and distribute the force of dipper impacts.

Abstract: A track for a tracked vehicle includes two or more track shoes. The track shoes include one or more links having a first link end and a second link end, one or more pins received by one or more links and movable between an installed position and a dislodged position, and one or more pockets positioned adjacent to the pin and formed to receive a hydraulic jack. A first link end of a first track shoe is configured to pivotally couple with a second link end of a second track shoe, and a second link end of a first track shoe is configured to pivotally couple with a first link end of a third track shoe. The track may also include a pin removal system configured to dislodge the pin from the track.

Abstract: A dipper assembly includes a dipper, a dipper door, a closure mechanism, a trip assembly, and a camshaft support assembly. The dipper door is pivotally mounted to the dipper for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the dipper door covers the dipper bottom. The closure mechanism is configured to retain the dipper door in the closed position. The trip assembly is configured to release the dipper door for movement to the open position, and includes a trip arm coupled to a camshaft and also coupled to a trip rope. The camshaft support assembly is configured to receive the camshaft, and includes a bearing block receiving a rotatable bearing member, and a sealing mechanism.

Abstract: A crowd assembly (30) for a power shovel (10) includes a saddle block (34) adapted for pivotal connection to the shovel boom (24). A tubular dipper handle (32) is slideably supported by the saddle block. A hydraulic actuator (50) has a cylinder (52) and a piston rod (54) that is outwardly extendable from one end of the cylinder. One of the cylinder or the piston rod is fixed to the dipper handle and the other one is attached to the saddle block. The cylinder and the piston rod are within the tubular dipper handle which is able to slide longitudinally over the cylinder. A guide bushing (70) extends around the one end of the cylinder and engages an interior surface of the dipper handle. The guide bushing thereby supports that end of the cylinder and inhibits hydraulic actuator from deflecting within the dipper handle when the piston rod is extended from the cylinder.

Abstract: A dipper assembly includes a dipper, a dipper door, and a closure mechanism. The dipper door is coupled to the dipper, and has a closed position in which the dipper door covers the dipper bottom. The closure mechanism has a first position and a second position. In the first position the closure mechanism is configured to permit movement of the dipper door away from the dipper bottom. In the second position, the closure mechanism is configured to retain the dipper door in the closed position. The closure mechanism includes a link having a first leg and a second leg, one or more side link plates coupled to the link and to the dipper back, and a closure mechanism pin assembly configured to adjust the position of the link relative to the dipper door.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for controlling a component of a hydraulic machine includes an actuator having a head end chamber and a rod end chamber, the actuator having an extended position for moving the component in a first direction and a retracted position for moving the component in a second direction. The hydraulic circuit includes a regeneration valve having an open position for fluidly connecting the head end chamber to the rod end chamber, a first control valve having a first open position, a second open position for fluidly connecting the regeneration valve to the return tank and substantially fluidly the rod end chamber from the fluid source, and a closed position, and a second control disconnecting valve having a first open position, a second open position, and a closed position for substantially fluidly disconnecting the rod end chamber from the fluid source.

Abstract: A machine includes a boom, a stick, a bucket, and a hose arrangement. The stick is pivotally coupled to the boom. The bucket is operatively coupled to the stick and defines a pivotal axis therein. The bucket has a bowl-shaped portion for holding material on a first side and a recessed portion on a second side. The hose arrangement is coupled to the bucket and includes a first and a second manifold, and a first and a second set of hoses. The first manifold is coupled to the bucket and disposed in the recessed portion proximal to the pivotal axis. The second manifold is coupled to the bucket and disposed on the second side of the bucket. The first set of hoses is fluidly connected to the first manifold. The second set of hoses is fluidly connected to the first and second manifolds.

Abstract: A dragline bucket includes a main body moveable between a digging orientation and a dumping orientation and a pivotable spreader beam coupled to the main body at a pivot point. The dragline bucket further includes an energy capture mechanism including an actuator coupled to the main body and the pivotable spreader beam and an energy storage mechanism coupled to the actuator.

Abstract: System and methods for protecting motors of a vehicle are provided. A system includes a current transformer device for each phase of the three-phase power received by each protected motor. Each current transformer device includes a switch that is normally in a first position and is configured to monitor an output current of fuse through which the power is transmitted, compare the output current to a threshold current level, and, when the output current is below the threshold current level, change the switch to a second position. The system also includes a processing circuit configured to control operation of the one or more motors of the vehicle. The processing circuit is configured to determine whether one or more of the switches of the plurality of current transformer devices is in the second position and, if so, activate a fault condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a drive system for a ground engaging member of a machine. The drive system includes first and second hydraulic motors that are disposed parallel to each other. The drive system also include first and second brake valves that are configured to regulate flow of fluid through the first and second hydraulic motors in order to selectively perform braking. The first hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with a first input line and a first output line. The second hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with a second input line and a second output line. A first connection line is configured to fluidly communicate the first input line with the second input line to equalize pressure therebetween. A second connection line is configured to fluidly communicate the first output line with the second output line to equalize pressure therebetween.

Abstract: A hoist includes a platform, a drum, and a motor. The drum is supported by and configured to rotate with respect to the platform, and the motor is coupled to the drum and configured to rotate the drum. The hoist further includes a shaft having a splined section and an interlock system configured to constrain rotation of the shaft. The shaft is coupled to at least one of the drum and the motor, and communicates torque between the drum and the motor. The interlock system includes a keyed ring and an arm. The keyed ring is configured to slide onto and engage the splined section of the shaft. The arm extends from the keyed ring and is configured to provide leverage to limit rotation of the keyed ring, thereby interlocking rotation of the shaft when the keyed ring is engaged with the splined section of the shaft.