Abstract: An electric rail infrastructure for a work machine is disclosed. The electric rail infrastructure comprises: a plurality of powered rails; a plurality of energy interfaces positioned throughout the plurality of powered rails; a power module connected to the plurality of energy interfaces for providing electrical power to the plurality of powered rails; a plurality of electric clamps positioned on each end of the powered rails, each electric clamp having at least one resistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed towards a machine requiring separate control of a swing function, travel function and implements. The machine comprises a swing-travel hydraulic system for controlling swing and travel motor arrangements in closed loop circuits with a swing-travel pump arrangement. The machine may further comprise a separate implement hydraulic system operating an implement motor arrangement in an open loop circuit.

Abstract: An electrical substation that transforms AC voltage to DC voltage is configurable between a current-source mode for charging batteries of a stationary work machine and a voltage-source mode for powering motors of a moving work machine. The substation receives medium-voltage AC power from a grid and includes a pair of DC power converters each formed from three-phase transformers and a single stage of silicon-controlled rectifier units. Adjustable connectors enable combining the power converters in parallel or keeping them separate to operate in the current-source mode for charging the machine batteries with up to 4800ADC at 6 MW or for providing up to 1500VDC in powering voltage. The connectors further enable combining the power converters in series to operate in the voltage-source mode for powering the machine motors with up to 3000VDC at 6 MW.

Abstract: A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. Opposite ends of a roadside barrier contain complementary tubular couplers arranged vertically. A lower end of a dielectric post positioned in one of the tubular couplers has opposing dielectric plates at an upper end. A top edge of each plate has a creepage concavity between a pair of rail recesses. Another dielectric post of similar configuration is positioned in the other of the tubular couplers. Holes within the couplers and the posts ensure alignment of respective rail recesses in which conductive rails are placed. Dielectric inserts frictionally lock the rails into the rail recesses.

Abstract: A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. Opposite ends of a roadside barrier contain complementary tubular couplers arranged vertically. A lower end of a dielectric post positioned in one of the tubular couplers has opposing dielectric plates at an upper end. A top edge of each plate has a creepage concavity between a pair of rail recesses. Another dielectric post of similar configuration is positioned in the other of the tubular couplers. Holes within the couplers and the posts ensure alignment of respective rail recesses in which conductive rails are placed. Dielectric inserts frictionally lock the rails into the rail recesses.

Abstract: A power rail retention system includes a heated bracket assembly for supporting conducting power rails. Power rails carrying different voltages supplied by a substation rest on a support plate that includes grooves configured to accept lower sections of angled clips. Upper sections of the clips frictionally hold the power rails against the support plate. A resistor is coupled between the lower sections of at least two conductive clips and is positioned proximate a top edge of the support plate between adjacent rails. When the rails are energized, current flows through the resistor, which may generate ambient heat to evaporate moisture on the support plate, power a light source on the bracket, and provide a ballast load for the substation.

Abstract: An electromechanical joint provides rotational movement in at least two dimensions while conducting electrical power between orthogonal hubs. The joint, shaped as a cross, has four conical shafts positioned orthogonally and apart from each other within an interior of a housing. Apexes of the conical shafts face each other proximate a centroid of the housing. A conductive fluid, such as Galinstan, fills recesses between the conical shafts. Separate yokes attached to pairs of the hubs may impart forces on the shafts, causing the shafts to rotate within the conductive fluid around orthogonal axes. The conductive fluid provides simultaneous conduction of electrical power between the hubs. The yokes may be affixed respectively to a current collector and conductive arms of a work machine for improved movement and power conduction without the need for additional components.

Abstract: A power rail connector for an electric power system in an electric machine includes a linkage having a lower link and an upper link, and a rail contactor coupled to the lower link and including electrical contacts positioned to electrically connect to a power rail. The linkage includes a fold joint, a lift joint, and a pivot, and is adjustable from an extended, current-collecting configuration to a collapsed configuration via rotation of the lower link relative to the upper link and rotation of the upper link relative to the pivot. Related machinery and methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A three-rail power supply system includes a power supply having positive, negative, and neutral terminals, a rail system having a power supply end and a termination end, and an asymmetric resistor network. The rail system includes a positive rail, a negative rail, and a ground rail coupled to the positive terminal, the negative terminal, and the neutral terminal, respectively. The negative rail is disposed parallel to the positive rail. The ground rail is disposed in parallel to, and between, the positive rail and the negative rail, and is electrically grounded at a plurality of intervals between the power supply end and termination end. The asymmetric resistor network includes two pairs of resistors asymmetrically coupled to the rail system at the power supply end and termination end, and is configured to limit a fault current through a faulty connection in response the positive, negative, and/or ground rails experiencing the faulty connection.

Abstract: In one aspect, a boom assembly for a mobile machine includes a front end and a rear end, and further includes an extendable and retractable boom. The boom includes a first end, a second end, a top wall extending from the first end to the second end, and a bottom wall extending from the first end and the second end, the bottom wall being opposed to the top wall, and a central wall. The central wall connects the top wall and the bottom wall so as to form a front compartment on one side of the central wall, and a rear compartment on a second side of the central wall, when the boom is in an extended position. A component of an actuator system is connected to the central wall and located within the rear compartment.

Abstract: A rail connector assembly for connecting a mobile machine to an electrically-conducting rail system includes a boom assembly, a trailing arm assembly and a contactor assembly. The boom assembly includes a main boom and a boom tip. A first end of the main boom is configured to be coupled to the mobile machine, and a second end of the main boom opposite to the first end is pivotably coupled to the boom tip. The boom tip includes an angled portion that extends at a non-zero angle from a longitudinal axis of the main boom. The trailing arm assembly is pivotably coupled to an end of the boom tip. The contactor assembly is pivotably coupled to an end of the trailing arm assembly.

Abstract: A shut off valve for a hydraulic system is provided. The shut off valve comprises a wall of a hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic fluid outlet, a valve seat, a valve plate, a valve arm, and a valve control shaft. The hydraulic reservoir is for holding hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid outlet is formed through the wall. The valve seat is provided on an inner surface of the wall encircling the hydraulic fluid outlet. The valve seat has an engagement surface. The valve plate is shaped to engage with the engagement surface of the valve seat. The valve arm is connected between the valve plate and the valve control shaft. The valve control shaft is formed through the wall spaced apart from the hydraulic fluid outlet. The valve plate is configured to rotate about the valve control shaft between a first position in which the valve plate does not cover the valve seat, and a second position in which the valve plate covers the valve seat to shut off the hydraulic fluid outlet.

Abstract: A modular and scalable AC/DC substation transforms AC voltage to DC voltage for driving a high-voltage and high-current load, such as a heavy work machine. Sized to fit within a standard high-cube ISO shipping container, the substation includes a main transformer attached at a center of a rectangular base with a pair of controlled rectifiers positioned on the base downstream from the main transformer, aligned parallel to a lateral axis of the base, and substantially symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of the base. The arrangement of these components on the base, together with lowpass filters and switchgear, achieves high power density for the substation, provides balanced mass for stability during shipment and placement, and helps protect personnel from accidental electrical arcing.

Abstract: A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. End portions of rail segments having narrower widths than body portions of the rail segments are joined within a split fishplate. Laterally opposing faces within the narrowed end portions form a longitudinal overlap, and connectors underneath the rail segments pull the split fishplate together against the end portions. In arrangements with parallel rails around a curvature, the rail segments are adjusted by sliding so that the longitudinal overlap is larger for rails on an inside of the curvature compared with rails on an outside of the curvature.

Abstract: A mobile machine power conductor linkage for receiving power from a power conductor rail assembly, comprising a movable conductor arm assembly. The movable conductor arm assembly may include a proximal portion including a first proximal end pivotably coupled to a mobile machine and a first distal end, and a distal portion including (i) a second proximal end pivotably coupled to the first distal end of the proximal portion and (ii) a second distal end extendable away from a side of the mobile machine. The side of the mobile machine may be located between a front end and a rear end of the mobile machine; and the movable conductor arm assembly may be movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A slidable current collector has an array of terminals with carbon brushes for contacting conductor rails to deliver electrical power to a moving work machine. The terminals have upper sections with a conductive post, lower sections that include a reservoir of liquid metal, and bladders that connect the upper sections with the lower sections. Magnets surround outer shells of the terminals. Fluid above a threshold pressure fed into the bladders holds the upper sections apart from the lower sections and forces the magnets away from the conductor rails. Fluid below the threshold pressure allows the magnets to clamp the terminals to the conductor, lowers the conductive post into the liquid metal, and urges the carbon brushes against the conductor rails. The bladders provide a fluid suspension distributed across the array of terminals, enabling consistent electrical contact and wear for the carbon brushes.

Abstract: An electric machine and sitewide control system and method that use a trolley power system at a worksite is disclosed. The trolley power system allows electric machines at the worksite to draw power from the trolley power system to concurrently operate to perform tasks and recharge their batteries. This allows the batteries on electric machines to be smaller than they would otherwise be, since a fully charged battery is not needed when operational power can be drawn from the trolley power system. The trolley power system is segmented, such that if one segment is faulted, the other segments can operate to provide power to electric machines at the worksite. Additionally, a sitewide controller initiates operational changes, such as a change in speed, for the electric machines at the worksite to compensate for one or more faulted segments.

Abstract: A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. Opposite ends of a roadside barrier contain complementary tubular couplers arranged vertically, one having a first diameter supported by an arm and the other having a larger second diameter and a vertical slot. Couplers on adjacent barriers can be mated together concentrically along a central axis. The mated couplers help restrict longitudinal displacement, lateral displacement, slope change, and lateral rotation between adjacent barriers during placement. One barrier may be used as a temporary alignment structure to position barriers spaced alternatingly along a haul route for the work machine.

Abstract: An electrical architecture that allows power to be transferred to a battery powered machine while the machine is moving and that allows the machine to be charged while stationary.

Abstract: A fluid control system for controlling pressurized fluid within a mobile energy transfer system, the control system including a compressor configured to pressurize a fluid, an accumulator configured to store the pressurized fluid from the compressor, and a pneumatic control valve for controlling movement for a connecting arm assembly and movement of a plurality of extendable brushes. The fluid control system may include the use of an extension fluid pathway for extending the downstream components and a retraction fluid pathway for retracting the downstream components and regenerating pressure for the control system.