Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing task assignments for a plurality of work machines at a site. An assignment engine may: receive first state data for a work machine including historical data, operating condition, and location data, and second state data for the site including characteristic data for materials and a plurality of available tasks; predict performance data and energy consumption data of the work machine for a task; select a task for the work machine by inputting first state data and second state data into a trained reinforcement-learning model, wherein: the model has been trained to learn an assignment policy that optimizes a reward function such that the learned policy selects a task for at least one work machine from the plurality of tasks available at the site; and cause the at least one work machine to be operated according to the at least one task assignment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing task assignments for a fleet of haul trucks at a mine site. An assignment engine may: receive state data for a haul truck including haul weight data and second state data for the mine site that is indicative of a plurality of available tasks and associated task material weight data; assign a task to the haul truck by inputting the state data into a trained reinforcement-learning model, wherein: the model has been trained to learn an assignment policy that optimizes a reward function, such that the learned policy accounts for vehicle performance variance due to changing vehicle haul weight and/or road conditions; and cause the at least one haul truck to be operated according to the at least one task assignment.

Abstract: A system for efficient machine control may include feedback devices for identifying operating conditions of a work machine and a controller for controlling a primary system and an auxiliary system. The controller may calculate a total energy loss by adding a primary system energy loss based on power requests from the primary system to an auxiliary system energy loss based on support requests from the auxiliary system. The controller may adjust a setting of the auxiliary system, repeat the calculating of the total energy loss, and compare the result to a previously calculated total energy loss until further adjustment of the setting fails to reduce the total energy loss. The controller may then send control requests to the auxiliary system based on the setting used when the total energy loss failed to reduce.

Abstract: A fleet and trolley system, a first method of charging a work machine, and a second method of charging a fleet of work machines are disclosed. The fleet and trolley system includes a trolley network, at least one zero-emission work machine, and a controller. The controller manages a scheduled usage of the trolley network, a power draw, and a distribution of the power draw by the work machine. The first method includes monitoring states of the work machine, scheduling a usage of the trolley network, and supplying electric power to the work machine. The second method includes monitoring states of a fleet, monitoring states of the trolley network, scheduling usages of the trolley network, and supplying electric power to one or more machines of the fleet. Advantageously, the disclosed system and methods may improve an efficiency, productivity, and longevity of a fleet of zero-emission work machines.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a friction brake cooling system for a machine. The cooling system includes at least one pump connected to at least one reservoir containing cooling fluid. A controller is configured to divert a cooling fluid flow through a valve to a first friction brake system and to a second friction brake system based on the use of the systems. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of cooling a first friction brake system and a second friction brake system including diverting a flow of brake cooling fluid to the systems based on the use of the systems.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a friction brake cooling system for a machine. The cooling system includes at least one pump connected to at least one reservoir containing cooling fluid. A controller is configured to divert a cooling fluid flow through a valve to a first friction brake system and to a second friction brake system based on the use of the systems. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of cooling a first friction brake system and a second friction brake system including diverting a flow of brake cooling fluid to the systems based on the use of the systems.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a friction brake cooling system for a machine. The cooling system includes at least one pump connected to at least one reservoir containing cooling fluid. A controller is configured to divert a cooling fluid flow through a valve to a first friction brake system and to a second friction brake system based on the use of the systems. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of cooling a first friction brake system and a second friction brake system including diverting a flow of brake cooling fluid to the systems based on the use of the systems.

Abstract: An electric drive machine includes an axle assembly having a central axle housing. An electric drive motor, having a motor housing, is oriented along an axis and disposed within the central axle housing. An air cooling system includes a blower fluidly connected to and positioned upstream of an opening of the central axle housing. An airflow path through the central axle housing includes an upstream segment and a downstream segment. The upstream segment extends from the opening to an airflow deflector, and is configured for airflow in a first direction along an axial path. The downstream segment extends from the airflow deflector to the motor housing, and is configured for airflow in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, along a helical path.

Abstract: An electric drive machine includes an internal combustion engine remotely coupled to an electrical power generator, which is electrically connected to an electrical components system. The electrical components system is electrically connected to a pair of electric drive motors that are configured to drive wheels of the electric drive machine. A cooling system includes a blower fluidly connected to, and positioned downstream of, the electrical components system. The blower is fluidly connected to, and positioned upstream of, the electrical power generator and the pair of electric drive motors.

Abstract: The control system may have an electric motor and a traction device connected to an output of the motor. The control system may also have a decelerator and a controller. The controller may be in communication with the motor and the decelerator. The controller may be configured to determine a creep torque and apply the creep torque to the traction device when the decelerator is actuated.

Abstract: An electric drive machine includes an axle assembly having a central axle housing. An electric drive motor, having a motor housing, is oriented along an axis and disposed within the central axle housing. An air cooling system includes a blower fluidly connected to and positioned upstream of an opening of the central axle housing. An airflow path through the central axle housing includes an upstream segment and a downstream segment. The upstream segment extends from the opening to an airflow deflector, and is configured for airflow in a first direction along an axial path. The downstream segment extends from the airflow deflector to the motor housing, and is configured for airflow in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, along a helical path.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a friction brake cooling system for a machine. The cooling system includes at least one pump connected to at least one reservoir containing cooling fluid. A controller is configured to divert a cooling fluid flow through a valve to a first friction brake system and to a second friction brake system based on the use of the systems. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of cooling a first friction brake system and a second friction brake system including diverting a flow of brake cooling fluid to the systems based on the use of the systems.

Abstract: The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a method of braking a machine having an electric drive configuration. The electric drive configuration includes at least one electric retarding system connected to a first set of wheels. Additionally, a first friction brake system connects to the first set of wheels to provide a braking output torque. A second friction brake system connects to a second set of wheels and provides a second braking output torque. The system calculates and applies a braking ratio between the electric and friction braking systems based upon both user controls and conditions encountered.

Abstract: An electric drive machine includes an internal combustion engine remotely coupled to an electrical power generator, which is electrically connected to an electrical components system. The electrical components system is electrically connected to a pair of electric drive motors that are configured to drive wheels of the electric drive machine. A cooling system includes a blower fluidly connected to, and positioned downstream of, the electrical components system. The blower is fluidly connected to, and positioned upstream of, the electrical power generator and the pair of electric drive motors.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system may have an electric motor and a traction device connected to an output of the motor. The control system may also have a decelerator and a controller. The controller may be in communication with the motor and the decelerator. The controller may be configured to determine a creep torque and apply the creep torque to the traction device when the decelerator is actuated.