Abstract: A zero emissions electrically powered haul truck is disclosed. The haul truck has a 40 metric ton hauling capacity and a form factor that allows the truck to travel through underground mines. The truck also includes a primary battery assembly that is externally mounted along the front and sides of the truck.

Abstract: A zero emissions electrically powered haul truck is disclosed. The haul truck has a 40 metric ton hauling capacity and a form factor that allows the truck to travel through underground mines. The truck also includes a primary battery assembly that is externally mounted along the front and sides of the truck.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may include a frame, a set of wheels, and an electric propulsion system comprising an electric motor and a primary battery assembly including a first battery pack that powers the electric motor. The vehicle may also include an auxiliary battery pack configured to power the electric motor when the primary battery assembly is disconnected from the electric motor. The primary battery assembly may be non-destructively removable from the frame. In addition, the auxiliary battery pack may be fixedly attached to the frame.

Abstract: An electric power distribution system and method for an electric mining machine is described. In one embodiment, a method for electric power distribution includes receiving information associated with a state of charge of a first battery pack that supplies electric power to a front electric motor configured to drive a front axle of an electric mining machine. The method also includes receiving information associated with a state of charge of a second battery pack that supplies electric power to a rear electric motor configured to drive a rear axle of the electric mining machine. The method includes comparing the state of charge of the first battery pack and the second battery pack and, upon determining that the state of charge of the second battery pack is greater than the state of charge of the first battery pack, increasing electric power to the rear electric motor of the electric mining machine.

Abstract: A modular cover for a battery system and a method for assembling the modular cover are disclosed. The apparatus can include a first modular segment and a second modular segment that are interconnected. The modular cover can be expanded in size for use with different types of battery systems and housings.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a first panel including a first upper surface and a first lower surface. The first upper surface may include a cavity extending into the first upper surface towards the first lower surface and a bus bar within the cavity. In addition, the apparatus may include a second panel having a second lower surface in direct contact with the first upper surface, wherein the second lower surface extends over a substantial portion of the cavity. In addition, the bus bar may include a first coupling element. The first coupling element may be configured to be mechanically coupled to a terminal of a battery module. Further, the cavity may position the first coupling element to align with the terminal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an articulated vehicle. The vehicle may include a device processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions stored thereon and executable by the device processor for controlling articulation of the vehicle by performing the following steps: utilizing the front drive system to apply drive power to the pair of front wheels; actuating brakes associated with the second front wheel to counteract the application of drive power to the second front wheel; utilizing the rear drive system to apply drive power to the pair of rear wheels; and actuating brakes associated with the first rear wheel to counteract the application of drive power to the first rear wheel.

Abstract: A hydraulic power distribution system and method for an electric mining machine is described. In one embodiment, the electric mining machine includes a first pump motor configured to drive a first hydraulic pump and a second pump motor configured to drive a second hydraulic pump. The electric mining machine further includes a first battery pack supplying electric power to the first pump motor and a second battery pack supplying electric power to the second pump motor. A hydraulic control system in communication with at least the first battery pack, the first pump motor, the first hydraulic pump, the second battery pack, the second pump motor, and the second hydraulic pump is configured to independently control each of the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump so that a combined hydraulic power output satisfies 100% of a hydraulic power output demand for the electric mining machine.

Abstract: An interchange energy device for an electric vehicle enables an electric vehicle to be compatible with existing power lines such as overhead catenary system with little to no modification necessary to a modern electric vehicle. The interchangeable energy device has the same form factor as a battery pack, and is fully compatible with the drive system of the vehicle. The interchangeable device enables a battery pack to be swapped for an adapter to take advantage of existing power systems such as an overhead catenary system.

Abstract: A method for assembling a battery module including a unified connection array with a flexible connector is described. The flexible connector can include a plurality of pads that are secured to a central spine. The flexible connector may be a single piece connector. The flexible connector can include monitors that are mounted to the flexible connector to gather data regarding battery cells of the battery module.

Abstract: The disclosed battery management system generally includes at least one bi-directional balancing circuit and a power supply including a first battery module and a second battery module, each having at least one battery cell. The balancing circuit may be configured to transfer excess charge from one or more battery cells of the first battery module to one or more battery cells of the second battery module. By redistributing the level of charge within one or more battery cells, the balancing circuit can cause the overall charge of a power supply to last longer by taking advantage of excess charge found within one or more battery cells. Additionally, the balancing circuit may be connected to a bus bar that may be utilized to power additional accessories within a vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mining vehicle are disclosed. The embodiments provide mining vehicles that are battery powered rather than diesel powered. The embodiments also provide vehicles that have relatively high hauling capacity relative to their length and footprint (area). The embodiments also provide vehicles with improved forward and rearward ground visibility. In addition, the mining vehicles have a higher density compared to traditional vehicles, which helps to improve traction, as well as better vehicle handing and power density because of increased power relative to diesel powered vehicles.

Abstract: A module maintenance system includes a battery module comprising at least a first battery cell and a second battery cell, and a charging device comprising a bulk output and an equalization output. The battery module has a series configuration and a parallel configuration. In the parallel configuration, the charging device outputs a first voltage to the equalization output to equalize charge levels of the first and second battery cells. In the series configuration, the charging device outputs a second voltage to the bulk output to modify charge levels of the first and second battery cells, wherein the second voltage is greater than the first voltage.

Abstract: A method and system for swapping batteries in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The method includes dismounting a first battery assembly, moving to a second battery assembly and mounting the second battery assembly onto the vehicle. Mounting and dismounting are accomplished by an onboard mounting and dismounting system. The method can be used in a zero infrastructure environment such as an underground mine since mounting and dismounting are accomplished by components on the vehicle itself. An auxiliary battery pack powers the vehicle during between dismounting a battery pack and mounting another battery pack.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may include a frame, a set of wheels, and an electric propulsion system comprising an electric motor and a primary battery assembly including a first battery pack that powers the electric motor. The vehicle may also include an auxiliary battery pack configured to power the electric motor when the primary battery assembly is disconnected from the electric motor. The primary battery assembly may be non-destructively removable from the frame. In addition, the auxiliary battery pack may be fixedly attached to the frame.

Abstract: An alignment and locking system for a battery assembly is disclosed. The system may be located onboard of an electric vehicle powered by a battery pack disposed in the battery assembly. The system includes a set of receiving members fixed to the chassis. The battery assembly includes a cage with mounting bars. When the mounting bars are received in the receiving members they may be locked into place against the chassis. The system can also include a set of v-blocks that engage vertically oriented bars in the cage to help with horizontal alignment of the battery assembly.

Abstract: A battery module having a plurality of battery cells is described. The battery module includes a head unit with corresponding conical positive and negative terminals that allow additional battery modules to mate together and be electrically coupled in an end-to-end relationship. A plurality of battery modules can be combined together into rows of modules that are the electrically coupled to form a multi-modular battery system. The multi-modular battery system uses interchangeable individual battery modules for ease of replacement. Battery modules of a multi-modular battery system can communicate with each other using optical communication methods, including via line-of-sight and/or optical cables.

Abstract: A brake release system for a vehicle is described to transfer mechanical movement between two hydraulic actuators. The system includes a first hydraulic system on a removable portion of the vehicle and a second hydraulic system on a main chassis of the vehicle. The two hydraulic systems are mechanically engaged with each other where the removable portion of the vehicle attaches to the main chassis. In this way, a force applied to the removable portion of the vehicle when the vehicle's tow hook is engaged may be transferred to release the parking brake on the main chassis without a hydraulic connection between the removable portion and the main chassis. This may be useful when a removable battery frame with a tow hook makes up a separable rear portion of an electric vehicle, allowing the battery frame to be quickly and efficiently removed from the main chassis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A zero emissions electrically powered haul truck is disclosed. The haul truck has a 40 metric ton hauling capacity and a form factor that allows the truck to travel through underground mines. The truck also includes a primary battery assembly that is externally mounted along the front and sides of the truck.

Abstract: A method and system for swapping batteries in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The method includes dismounting a first battery assembly, moving to a second battery assembly and mounting the second battery assembly onto the vehicle. Mounting and dismounting are accomplished by an onboard mounting and dismounting system. The method can be used in a zero infrastructure environment such as an underground mine since mounting and dismounting are accomplished by components on the vehicle itself. An auxiliary battery pack powers the vehicle during between dismounting a battery pack and mounting another battery pack.