Abstract: A method, for providing supplementary heat energy into a cabin of a work machine when a main heating system of the cabin is inactive, includes using an auxiliary heat source to impart heat to an auxiliary coolant stream. The main energy form powers a main heat source of the main heating system. Further, the method includes providing an auxiliary fluid circuit to fluidly couple the auxiliary heat source with one or more heat exchangers to supply the auxiliary coolant stream from the auxiliary heat source to the one or more heat exchangers for circulation therewithin. During the circulation of the auxiliary coolant stream within the one or more heat exchangers, the auxiliary coolant stream dissipates heat to an air flowing across the one or more heat exchangers and into the cabin to provide the supplementary heat energy into the cabin.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a pin inserted within a pinhole of a work machine is disclosed. The system includes a follower, a sensor, and a controller. The follower is biased to be in contact with the pin to follow the pin throughout a movement of the pin within the pinhole. The sensor is configured to detect a state of the follower corresponding to the position of the pin with respect to the pinhole. The controller is configured to determine the position of the pin based on the state of the follower.

Abstract: A system for aligning a removable battery for a vehicle includes a battery enclosure and a battery receptacle formed on the vehicle, the battery receptacle defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a support structure. The system also includes a first horizontally-extending guide, a second horizontally-extending guide, a first recess configured to guide the battery enclosure with the first horizontally-extending guide, and a second recess configured to guide the battery enclosure with the second horizontally-extending guide.

Abstract: An operator cab for an underground mining machine includes a floor portion, an opening to access an interior space of the operator cab, and a seating assembly for the operator cab. The seating assembly includes an operator seating unit, a raiser, and a utility compartment. The operator seating unit is mounted on the floor portion and is housed within the interior space of the operator cab. The raiser defines a surface to mount the operator seating unit thereon. The surface is elevated from the floor portion to raise the operator seating unit with respect to the floor portion. The utility compartment is positioned between the surface and the floor portion and defines an aperture directed towards the opening.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus can access, via a user interface, route properties of a mine site used for controlling one or more work machines as the work machine(s) travel through the mine site. Access regarding the route properties can include viewing one or more of the properties and/or setting requirements (e.g., restrictions or limitations) for one or more of the properties. A candidate route can be selected, validated, and set as a selected route using the user interface to access route properties associated with the selected route. Requirements can be set for one or more of the route properties using the user interface. The work machines can be controlled to traverse the mine site according to the requirements set for the route properties.

Abstract: A method for operating an underground loader is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a controller, a first position of the underground loader within a worksite. The method also includes determining, by the controller, a location of a dumping pit within the worksite. Further, the method includes determining, by the controller, a route for the underground loader to tram from the first position to the location of the dumping pit. Furthermore, the method includes controlling, by the controller, a movement of the underground loader along the route up to the location of the dumping pit. The method also includes moving, by the controller, an implement assembly of the underground loader based on a profile of a terrain along the route and a height of an embankment defined at an edge of the dumping pit.

Abstract: A method for controlling a machine during a transition from a service brake state to a parking brake includes receiving, by a control module, a request for activating a parking brake assembly. The method also includes transmitting, by the control module, control signals for activating a set of first brakes associated with a service brake assembly, a set of second brakes associated with the service brake assembly, and a clutch assembly. The method further includes controlling, by the control module, the set of first brakes for deactivating the set of first brakes. The method includes controlling, by the control module, the parking brake assembly for activating the parking brake assembly. The method also includes controlling, by the control module, the set of second brakes for deactivating the set of second brakes. The method further includes controlling, by the control module, the clutch assembly for deactivating the clutch assembly.

Abstract: An internal support structure for fuel cells within a work machine having a rear end frame with an exterior frame wall in which the fuel cells are stored is disclosed. The internal support structure may include a radiator support housing, a first pedestal and a second pedestal mounted to and extending upward from the bottom wall. The radiator support housing may be disposed proximate a radiator opening of the exterior frame wall, and the pedestals may be disposed forward of the radiator support housing. A first rail may be mounted to the radiator support housing and the first pedestal, and a second rail may be mounted to the radiator support housing and the second pedestal. The internal support structure and the exterior frame wall may define fuel cell cavities for the fuel cell, and a component cavity from components of the electrical power system of the work machine.

Abstract: A method for operating an implement assembly of a machine at a worksite is disclosed. The implement assembly is adapted to receive a load from a location, haul the load, and dump the load at a dump location. The method includes detecting, by a controller, a movement of the machine towards the location. Further, the method includes moving, by the controller, the implement assembly from a first state to a second state if at least one parameter associated with the machine relative to the location falls below a corresponding parameter threshold during the movement of the machine towards the location.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a process by which a weight of a material in a dump body of a machine is computed. The method includes acquiring first values correspondingly from one or more strain sensors in an unladen state of the dump body; activating an actuator to push the dump body against the strain sensors to simulate one or more forces exertable by one or more payloads in a laden state of the dump body; and acquiring second values correspondingly from the strain sensors when the actuator is activated to simulate the forces. Further, the method includes using the first values and the second values to calibrate the process.

Abstract: An actuated shear pin includes an actuator and pin body coupled to the actuator. The actuator selectively configures the pin body in a locking configuration or a stowed configuration. In the locking configuration, the pin body is placed in a travel path of two components configured to move relative to each other, to inhibit such relative movement. In the stowed configuration, the pin body is out of the travel path, thereby allowing the two components to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A method for changing an orientation of a machine at a worksite includes controlling, by a controller, a movement of the machine from a first position to a second position along a first route; controlling, by the controller, a movement of the machine from the second position to a third position along a second route; and controlling, by the controller, a movement of the machine from the third position towards the first position along a third route, Each of the first route, the second route, and the third route define respective apexes and combinedly define a region therebetween. One or more of the apexes are directed inwards into the region.

Abstract: A system for detecting distribution of a weight of a payload in a dump body of a vehicle includes first sensors, second sensors, and a controller. The dump body is pivotable about pins to be selectively seated and titled to a frame of the vehicle. The first sensors are arranged between the dump body and the frame, and detect components of the weight of the payload exerted through the dump body when the dump body is seated relative to the frame. The second sensors are arranged correspondingly within the pins, and detect components of the weight of the payload exerted through the dump body. The controller determines a status of payload distribution in the dump body based on the component of the weight of the payload detected by the first sensors and second sensors, and generate a notification to indicate the status of payload distribution.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling an implement on a work machine may include a hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, a central valve in fluid communication with the pump and configured for controlling the implement, a load sense pressure relief system, and a controller. The controller may be configured for controlling the central valve and the load sense pressure relief system and selecting between operating the hydraulic system at a first pressure and a second pressure based on a factor relating to implement position.

Abstract: A foldable guardrail assembly is provided for selectively facilitating access to a machine component located onboard a vehicle. The vehicle has a platform with a handrail disposed thereon and located adjacent to the machine component. The guardrail assembly includes a set of guardrails pivotally connected to each other in a successive manner via at least a corresponding number of hinge assemblies. A first one of the guardrails is pivotally connected to an upright portion of the handrail via a first hinge assembly. The guardrail assembly further includes a first latch assembly provided, at least in part, on a last one of the guardrails. The first latch assembly is configured to releasably secure the last one of guardrails to the platform when the guardrails operably move into in a fully unfolded position, via the hinge assemblies, for providing access to the machine component located onboard the platform.

Abstract: A bucket for an underground loading machine includes an opened bucket front and a concaved bucket back. To provide abrasive wear resistance, the bucket includes a paddle plate joined to the bucket underside of the bucket floor. The paddle plate can have a trumpet-shape tapering from flared forward edge to a plate tail disposed toward the concaved bucket back. The bucket may be configured as a wedge bottomed bucket and include a plurality of spacer wedges disposed between and spacing apart the bucket underside and the paddle plate.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling an implement on a work machine may include a hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, a central valve in fluid communication with the pump and configured for controlling the implement, a pressure relief system arranged in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump and the central valve, and a controller. The controller may be configured for controlling the hydraulic pump, the central valve and the pressure relief system and selecting between operating the hydraulic system at a first pressure and a second pressure based on a factor relating to implement position.

Abstract: An actuated shear pin includes an actuator and pin body coupled to the actuator. The actuator selectively configures the pin body in a locking configuration or a stowed configuration. In the locking configuration, the pin body is placed in a travel path of two components configured to move relative to each other, to inhibit such relative movement. In the stowed configuration, the pin body is out of the travel path, thereby allowing the two components to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A method for shifting a transmission in a machine. The method includes detecting a request for a directional shift of the transmission and determining a ground speed of the machine in response to the request. The method further includes overriding the request if the ground speed is above a ground speed threshold. Further, the method includes preparing the machine for the directional shift by limiting an output speed of a power source of the machine and by issuing a command to a brake unit of the machine to reduce the ground speed of the machine. Furthermore, the method includes validating and raising the request to the transmission to execute the directional shift if the ground speed is below the ground speed threshold.

Abstract: A wheel chock mounting assembly includes a bracket and a stopper. The bracket has a retention member and is configured to be coupled to a surface of a machine. The bracket defines a receptacle to at least partially receive a wheel chock at a predefined location on the machine. The stopper has an engagement member. The stopper is configured to be mounted on the machine at a predefined distance from the bracket. The bracket and the stopper are structured and arranged to receive and constrain the wheel chock therebetween at the predefined location on the machine.