AU2007216811A1

AU2007216811A1 - Hydraulic systems for mining vehicles

Info

Publication number: AU2007216811A1
Application number: AU2007216811A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Edward Ball; Stuart William Buchanan Barclay; Murray Bertram Bell
Original assignee: Waratah Engineering Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Waratah Engineering Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-17
Filing date: 2007-09-17
Publication date: 2009-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-17
Also published as: AU2007216811B2

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title Hydraulic systems for mining vehicles The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- P/00/0 II 5102 P \WP X)CSARS\SPIIC \16 A ,gut_2U2719 it At tI 3pIodM13 W2II7I7 O HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS FOR MINING VEHICLES SThis invention relates generally to apparatus for use in hydraulic systems for vehicles such as shuttle cars for use in subterranean mines.

SShuttle cars are used for transporting mined material from one site in a subterranean mine 00to another. For example, the shuttle car may be used to transport mined material from the Smine head to a storage area from which the material can be conveyed from the mine.

Vehicles of this type are often electrically powered the electricity being transmitted to the CI 10 vehicle from a remote power source via a cable. This provides energy for various systems including, inter alia, the control and lighting system, the traction system, the discharge conveyor and the hydraulic system or power pack which powers for example the vehicle steering and braking systems.

When a shuttle car is required to be relocated to another site in the mine, the electrical power source is disconnected which disables all shuttle car functions including the hydraulic steering and braking systems and the shuttle car is often towed using a diesel powered prime mover. It is the usual practice for the hydraulic system from the prime mover to be used to supply the hydraulic power needed for example for the steering and braking systems of the shuttle car. During the towing procedure the hydraulic system or circuit of the prime mover is in operative fluid connection with the hydraulic system or circuit of the shuttle car. This arrangement provides the potential for operating the various hydraulic functions of the shuttle car. The hydraulic pressure used in the prime mover is usually different to that of the shuttle car and must be reduced to properly operate the shuttle car systems. Furthermore, common oil is used in both machines resulting in the possibility of cross contamination and over fill of the shuttle car oil reservoir the latter which can result in spillage.

In Australian patent specification 2006243875 there is described an apparatus for use with the hydraulic systems of a shuttle car and prime mover. In the normal mode of operation of the shuttle car the car's drive motor and hydraulic pump are used to pump the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic circuit as normal. The shuttle car drive motor is electrically coupled to a remote power source as is conventional. When the electric power source is P'PI9A)( SPDCARSSPFC iE 16 A PI 2027391 4W-l..Jp- gc m 16 pl- 09 2007 2 O disconnected an auxiliary system is used which is in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit of the prime mover which acts as a towing vehicle. The auxiliary system includes an auxiliary motor driven by the prime mover hydraulic circuit and an auxiliary pump which is in fluid connection with the shuttle car hydraulic circuit thereby enabling the various shuttle car systems to operate. In this mode of operation the auxiliary pump is driven by the auxiliary motor. The arrangement is such that the hydraulic circuits are at all 00 times isolated from one another.

INDI

The present system is an improvement over that described above.

S According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in hydraulic systems the apparatus including a main drive motor, a main hydraulic pump operatively connected to the main drive motor so that in a first mode of operation it is driven by the main drive motor, the pump forming part of a first hydraulic circuit, an auxiliary hydraulic device which in a second mode of operation operates as an auxiliary hydraulic motor operatively connected to the main pump and in the second mode of operation adapted to form part of a second hydraulic circuit, the arrangement being such that in the first mode of operation the pump is adapted to be driven by the main drive motor and the auxiliary device is operatively disconnected from the second hydraulic circuit and in the second mode of operation the main drive motor is disabled and the pump is adapted to be driven by the auxiliary hydraulic device.

The apparatus may include a hydraulic fluid reservoir which forms part of the first hydraulic circuit, the main pump and the auxiliary hydraulic device being disposed within the reservoir. In use the main pump and auxiliary hydraulic device are at least partially immersed in hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid reservoir.

In one form the auxiliary hydraulic device may be operatively connectable to a filtering system such that when the apparatus is in the first mode of operation, hydraulic fluid within the reservoir is pumped by the auxiliary hydraulic device from the reservoir through the filtering system and returned to the reservoir. In the first mode of operation the auxiliary device is operatively disconnected or isolated from the second hydraulic circuit.

P DP[ MCS ARSPWICIE\I6 Augusl_202739I4W-A. 1 .g g p. f pid d. r31E 3 The first hydraulic circuit may be associated with a first vehicle and the second hydraulic Scircuit may be associated with a second vehicle. For example the first vehicle may be a shuttle car for a mine and the second vehicle may be a prime mover for towing the shuttle car when in the second mode of operation. Thus in the improved arrangement the main drive motor is operatively connected to the main drive pump and has an auxiliary device Soperatively connected to the main pump which can operate either as an auxiliary pump or 00motor. In the first or normnal mode of operation the auxiliary device acts as a pump which can be operatively connected to a filtering system for filtering the hydraulic fluid of the shuttle car. In this mode it is disconnected from the hydraulic circuit of the prime mover.

S 10 When the vehicle is being towed the main motor is disconnected from its power source and the auxiliary device is operatively connected to the hydraulic circuit of the prime mover and functions as a motor to drive the main pump.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a typical shuttle car with which the apparatus of the present invention is suitable for use; Figure 2 is a first schematic perspective view of apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a second schematic perspective view of the apparatus shown in figure 2; Figure 4 is a first side elevation of the apparatus shown in figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a second side elevation of the apparatus shown in figures 2 and 3; and Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of part of the hydraulic circuits forming part of the apparatus.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a typical shuttle car 10 having a vehicle body 12 which is supported on ground engaging wheels 14. A conveyor extends P 'A P[CS'ANSSP (IE I6 A A20273914_W A lgcl )g hll pM fr conipwlac dx -13 0'2(OJ7 4 O between the ends of the car and includes a conveyor section which is pivotally mounted to Sthe vehicle body 12 so that it can move from a lowered transport position to a raised discharge position. The shuttle car has a hydraulic system which provides the hydraulic power for various hydraulic functioning systems of the shuttle car such as by way of example only the steering, cable reeling, braking, conveyor elevation and lubrication systems.

00 Referring to figures 2 to 5 the apparatus of the invention generally indicated at 100 includes a main drive motor 112 which is mounted to reservoir casing 122 which has a S 10 reservoir 123 which contains hydraulic fluid for a first hydraulic circuit for the various systems of the shuttle car such as described above. Weirs 137 and 138 (Figures 3 and 4) are provided within the reservoir. The casing 122 has access doors 124 and 126 (Figure 1) together with sight glasses 121 (Figure The motor 122 is an electric motor which can be powered from a power source remote from the shuttle car and is operatively connected to that power source by means of an electric cable. The apparatus further includes a main hydraulic pump 116 which is operatively connected to the drive motor so as to be capable of being driven thereby. The hydraulic pump 116 forms part of the first hydraulic circuit and is in fluid connection with main hydraulic manifold 118. The main hydraulic pump 116 is immersed in hydraulic fluid within the reservoir 123 and when the main drive motor 112 is operating, pumps the hydraulic fluid to the manifold 118 for subsequent operation of the various systems described above.

The apparatus further includes an auxiliary hydraulic device 128 which is operatively connected to the hydraulic pump 116. As shown the auxiliary hydraulic device 128 is mounted within the reservoir 123. A common drive shaft 129 operatively connects the main drive motor 112, the main pump 116 and auxiliary device 128. This is shown schematically in figure 6. The auxiliary device 128 is adapted in a first mode of operation to operate as a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 123 through a filter system 132 via towing manifold 136 and back to the reservoir. The filter system 132 includes a return conduit 133 which returns filtered hydraulic fluid to the reservoir 123. In a second mode of operation the device 118 is adapted to act as a hydraulic motor which forms part of a second hydraulic circuit isolated from the first hydraulic circuit. The device 128 is operatively connected to towing manifold 136. The towing manifold P A P[)DCS ARSSPECIPM6 Aupsl 20273 14 IW-A, igup- Ig c -plcod-31 (P9 '(K)7 O includes a diverter valve 139 the purpose of which will be described later. In the second a mode of operation the main drive motor 112 is disabled and hydraulic fluid in the second C/ hydraulic circuit is delivered to the auxiliary motor 18 which in turn drives the hydraulic pump 116. In this particular mode of operation the device is disconnected from the filtering system 132. The towing manifold 136 may be integrated into main manifold 118.

0The main pump 116 is in the fornm of a variable displacement pressure compensated piston pump. The hydraulic device 128 is a fixed displacement device which as explained above circulates the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir 123 through a filter system 132 when the S 10 apparatus is in its first mode of operation but drives the main pump 116 when in the second mode of operation which is for example, when the shuttle car is being towed. The reservoir may include a series of weirs for stabilising the flow of hydraulic fluid therein.

Hydraulic lines such as conduits or hoses (not shown) operatively connect the pump 116 to main hydraulic manifold 118 from which the various hydraulic functional systems are powered by the first hydraulic circuit which utilises the hydraulic fluid in reservoir 123 and towing manifold 136. When in the first operating mode the auxiliary device 128 is operatively connected to filter system 132 by means of hydraulic lines such as conduits or hoses. The towing manifold includes a diverter valve 139 which controls the flow of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic circuits. When in the second mode of operation the auxiliary device 128 is operatively connected to hydraulic circuits of the towing vehicle by hydraulic lines (not shown). When in this mode of operation hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic circuit passes from manifold 136 to the device 128 which now functions as a motor to drive main pump 116. The hydraulic fluid of the second hydraulic circuit is at all times substantially separated from the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir.

The operation of the apparatus will hereinafter be described. In the first mode of operation the main motor 112 is operatively connected to an electric power source via a cable. In this operational mode the shuttle vehicle can be fully functional with the main motor 112 driving pump 116 which in turn powers the shuttle car hydraulic circuit. There is no requirement for the prime mover and auxiliary device 128 to be operatively connected to filter system 132 via manifold 136. The device 128 is driven by main pump 116 and serves as an auxiliary pump causing hydraulic fluid within the reservoir to pass through P 'WP1JCSARS\SPECIE\J6 Augusl 20273914 W-14 b gistcatt 10, conipl0- dx -13092007 6 O filter system 132.

V, In the second operational mode, the shuttle is adapted to be towed by a prime mover. In _this mode the main drive motor 112 is disconnected from the electric power source and is disabled. The auxiliary device 128 is disconnected from the filter system 132 and Soperatively connected to the second hydraulic circuit. Hydraulic fluid from the second 00hydraulic circuit is that from the prime mover and is delivered to the manifold 136 and Sthereafter to the device 128 which in this operational mode functions as a motor which drives main pump 116. The hydraulic fluid of the second hydraulic circuit is isolated from that of the first circuit ensuring no cross contamination. This is because the hydraulic fluid of the second hydraulic is delivered from the prime mover (as a result of the prime mover's normal drive) to the manifold 136 and via conduits to and from device 128.

By way of further explanation, reference can be made to figure 6. In the normal mode of operation motor 112 drives pump 116 and hydraulic fluid within reservoir 123 is pumped along line 144 to line 145 where it is thereafter delivered to the main manifold which controls the shuttle vehicle systems. In this first mode of operation diverter valve 139 adopts a position where lines 146 and 147 which connect to the hydraulic circuit from the towing vehicle are isolated from auxiliary device 128. In this mode of operation, the auxiliary device 128 is driven by motor 112 through pump 116 and acts as an auxiliary pump delivering hydraulic fluid from the reservoir through one way valve 141 along lines 152, 151 and 148. Hydraulic line 148 delivers hydraulic fluid to the filtering system 132 after which it is returned to the reservoir 123.

In the towing mode of operation, motor 112 is shut down and the diverter valve 139 is activated so that the second hydraulic circuit is operatively connected to the auxiliary device 128 via lines 146 and 147 and line 149. In this mode of operation, hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic circuit is delivered to valve 139 via line 146 whereupon it travels along line 149 to device 128 via lines 146 and 147 and line 149. One way valve 141 prevents the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic circuit entering reservoir 123.

The hydraulic fluid drives the auxiliary device 128 which in turn drives pump 116. Fluid from auxiliary device 128 returns to the second hydraulic circuit via line 147, line 148 being disconnected.

P WPDO(S\ARS\SPECIE\I6 A~gst2273914W, r. g~~ronp,cdc-39f2('7 7 Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may V) be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or arnbit of the invention.

00

Claims

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a hydraulic fluid reservoir which forms part of the first hydraulic circuit, said pump and said auxiliary hydraulic device being disposed within said reservoir.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said auxiliary hydraulic device is operatively connectable to a filtering system such that when the apparatus is in the first mode of operation hydraulic fluid within the reservoir is pumped by the auxiliary hydraulic device from the reservoir through the filtering system and returns to the reservoir.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first hydraulic circuit is associated with a first vehicle and the second hydraulic circuit is associated with a second vehicle. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first vehicle is a shuttle car and the second vehicle is a prime mover for towing the shuttle car when in the second mode of operation.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein said main drive motor is operatively mounted to the reservoir externally of the wall thereof.