Abstract: An adjustable dynamic face seal assembly for an EWGU is provided. The adjustable dynamic face seal assembly includes a first seal ring having a first seal face and a second seal ring have a second seal face. The first seal ring is mounted in a first seal ring retainer, and the second seal ring is mounted in a second seal ring retainer. The adjustable dynamic face seal assembly also includes a first flexible seal element supported by the first seal ring and retained by the first seal ring retainer, and a second flexible seal element supported by the second seal ring and retained in the second seal ring retainer. Adjustment members are selectively insertable to provide a static seal at the sealing interface.

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: System and methods for driving a blower motor of a vehicle such as a mining truck or locomotive are provided. A drive system includes a blower drive circuit configured to receive power from an alternator and use the power from the alternator to drive the blower motor. The blower drive circuit is further configured to receive power from at least one traction motor of the vehicle during a retarding operation of the vehicle and use the power from the at least one traction motor to drive the blower motor. The drive system further includes a bypass circuit configured to electrically isolate the blower motor from the blower drive circuit when a fault is detected in the blower drive circuit and to provide power from the alternator to the blower motor such that the blower motor remains operable without use of the blower drive circuit.

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: Heavy equipment includes a body, an electrical bus, and working components coupled to the body and powered by electricity conveyed via the electrical bus. The heavy equipment further includes a generator set providing an electrical output to the electrical bus, an energy storage element configured to be coupled to the electrical bus, and a computerized controller coupled to the energy storage element. The computerized controller includes a logic module for coupling the energy storage element to the electrical bus in advance of a predicted increase in demand upon the electrical bus, where the increase in demand is anticipated by the computerized controller as forthcoming based upon extrapolation, at least in part, from data related to a previous operation of the heavy equipment.

Abstract: A system, and related method and computer program product are disclosed. The system may comprise a loading machine, a first fleet, a second fleet, and a controller operably connected to the loading machine(s) and the first fleet and the second fleet. The controller may be configured to determine a FF System Efficiency for a first scenario based on a FF Mining Efficiency and a FF Percent Shift Time Difference. The controller may be further configured to determine a SF System Efficiency for a second scenario based on a SF Mining Efficiency and a SF Percent Shift Time Difference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an electrical energy storage unit and a parameter related to the load and based on the monitoring, if the load parameter is greater than a second rate of change of electrical power for a second component of an electrical power system, providing power from the electrical energy storage unit to the second component until the load parameter and the second component have equivalent rates of change of electrical power.

Abstract: A hydraulic tube assembly for connecting two hydraulic components in a hydraulic system is provided. The hydraulic tube assembly may include a first hydraulic component, a second hydraulic component, a tube subassembly, and at least one port connection subassembly. The tube subassembly may include a tube having two ends, a first packing box, and a second packing box. The port connection subassembly may have two ends, with a first end coupled to the tube subassembly and a second end coupled to a hydraulic component. The port connection subassembly may include a packing box flange, at least one tension rod, at least one fluid seal, and a connecting cylinder flange.

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: An anti-cavitation system for hydraulic equipment is provided. The anti-cavitation system includes at least one high pressure hydraulic pump, at least one secondary hydraulic pump, and a motor configured to provide power to the secondary hydraulic pump. The anti-cavitation system also includes at least one accumulator fluidly connected to the secondary hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulic manifold, a control module, and at least one anti-cavitation manifold fluidly connected to at least one accumulator, and also fluidly connected to at least one hydraulic manifold.

Abstract: A valve control for a fluid system is provided. The valve control includes a body, a handle, a flange, a mounting bracket, and a sensor. The body is configured to be releasably connected to a port. The handle is swiveably mounted to the body. The flange is releasably connected to the body. The mounting bracket is releasably connected to the flange. The sensor is offset from the handle and adjustably connected to the mounting bracket such that the handle is configured to be bidirectionally operable.

Abstract: Heavy equipment is designed for operation in a substantially-repetitive work cycle that includes lifting, rotating, and lowering steps. The heavy equipment includes a generator, an electrical bus, an energy storage component, and working components. The generator provides a substantially constant electrical output to the electrical bus, which is communicated to the working components. As such, the working components of the heavy equipment are driven directly or indirectly by the electrical output of the generator. The controller selectively couples the energy storage component to the electrical bus, and the energy storage component is configured to store electricity provided by the generator, and to provide electricity to the working components by way of the electrical bus.

Abstract: A precipitation management system for mobile equipment with multiple modules is provided. The precipitation management system may include a water-resistant seal coupled to a first module, and a seal housing bracket coupled to a second module. The precipitation management system may also include a seal housing assembly configured to receive the water-resistant seal. The seal housing assembly may have two sides, a first side coupled to the first module, and a second side coupled to the seal housing bracket. The water-resistant seal may be disposed within the seal housing assembly, and the precipitation management system may be configured to deter liquid from entering the mobile equipment.

Abstract: An energy system for heavy equipment having an actuator for operating a tool includes a bus, an engine, a generator, an energy storage device, and a controller. The bus is for providing electricity to the actuator as a function of operation of the tool. The engine is for providing a power output and the generator is coupled to the engine and configured to provide electricity to the bus. The energy storage device is configured to receive electricity from the bus for storage of energy, and is further configured to provide electricity to the bus to supplement the electricity provided by the generator. The controller is configured to change the power output of the engine as a function of electrical demand on the bus. In response to a change in the electrical demand, the controller is configured to change the power output of the engine at a rate that is less than a maximum capability of the engine.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes one or more hydraulic pumps, one or more hydraulic motors, a hydraulic tank, and fluid lines. The hydraulic system also includes one or more check valves fluidly connected to the hydraulic pumps and the hydraulic motors. The hydraulic system also includes one or more pilot-operated valves, operably coupled to the check valves by one or more pilot lines. The pilot-operated valves are configured to receive fluid pressure from the fluid lines, opening to allow hydraulic fluid to travel between fluid lines.

Abstract: The maximum electrical power drawn from an electrical power source by a mining excavator comprising electric motors is reduced by supplying supplementary electrical power from an electrical energy storage unit. The input electrical power drawn by the mining excavator is cyclic. An upper limit is set for the electrical power drawn from the electrical power source. When the input electrical power drawn by the mining excavator exceeds the upper limit, electrical power is supplied by the electrical energy storage unit, such as an ultracapacitor bank. The ultracapacitor bank may be charged by the electrical power source during off-peak intervals. Electrical power generated by electrical motors operating in a regeneration interval may also be recaptured and stored in the electrical energy storage unit.

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: 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 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: The operator of a excavator sits in a seat that has a one computer monitor on the left side and another computer monitor on the right side. A control system produces first and second sets of information regarding operation of the excavator with the first set of information being particularly relevant to the digging operation. The selection of which computer monitor displays which of the first and second sets of information depends on a direction that the excavator swings between a digging site and a dumping site and that selection changes as the direction changes. This presents the first set of information on the computer monitor that is easily observable by the excavator operator during the digging operation.