EA040986B1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD OF POWER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION FOR ELECTRIC MINING MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

This application claims the priority of Provisional Application No. 62/724930, filed September 6, 2018 and entitled Zero Emissions Electric Mining Machine, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Also, the present application is related to a joint US patent application entitled Electric Mining Loader (Attorney Case Number 123-1086); U.S. patent application entitled Battery Charging Mechanism for Electric Mining LHD (Attorney Case Number 123-1087) and U.S. Patent Application entitled Detachable Trailer Brake Release System (Attorney Case Number 123-1089), which were filed June 7, 2019, and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Prerequisites for the creation of the invention

Technical field

The present application relates in general to electrical machines and vehicles, and in particular to electrical machines and vehicles used in underground workings.

Description of the prior art

For an overview of the environmental conditions in underground workings and a general description of electrical mining machines, see U.S. Patent No. 9,994,117, issued June 12, 2018, entitled Mining Power Supply System and Method, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The present invention relates to heavy machines or vehicles with electric drive, which are capable of operating in a continuous cycle, such as in an underground mine. Electric mining machines use heavy, powerful battery packs, which consist of many battery modules enclosed in a pack casing. Each module consists of many elements. The modules are equipped with an array of operational sensors and electronic components that transmit sensor data to a separate maintenance network. Sensors may include temperature sensors, timing devices, charge level loggers, and other monitoring devices used to provide, to the control center, accurate real-time data on module performance and its evolution over time. Examples of battery packs and battery management systems, and associated data generation and monitoring, are detailed in U.S. Joint Patent No. 9,960,396 entitled Module Backbone Network and filed May 1, 2018, and U.S. Patent No. 10,063,069 entitled Module Maintenance System and registered on August 28, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Concurrently pending joint US Patent Application #15/980,314, filed May 15, 2018, titled Electrically Driven Mining Machine; U.S. Patent Application No. 15/908,794, filed Feb. 28, 2018, titled Electric Mining Truck; U.S. Patent Application No. 15/908,799, filed February 28, 2018, titled Battery Assembly Insertion and Removal System; U.S. Patent Application No. 15/908,802, filed February 28, 2018, entitled Method and System for Installing and Removing Batteries in a Vehicle; and U.S. Patent Application No. 15/908,804, filed Feb. 28, 1018, entitled Alignment and Locking Mechanism for Removable Battery Assembly, describe electric mining machines, batteries, and underground working conditions, and the contents of said applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. by reference.

The essence of the invention

In accordance with the invention, a system and method for power distribution for an electric mining machine is provided.

In one aspect of the present invention, a method for power distribution in an electric mining machine is provided. The method includes receiving information related to the charge level of the first battery pack. The first battery pack supplies power to the front motor configured to drive the front axle of the electric mining machine. The method also includes receiving information related to the charge level of the second battery pack. The second battery pack supplies power to the rear electric motor configured to drive the rear axle of the electric mining machine. The method includes comparing the charge level of the first battery pack with the charge level of the second battery pack, and when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, increasing the power supply to the rear motor of the electric mining machine.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a power management system in an electric mining machine is provided for providing power distribution. The proposed power management system includes a power system controller associated with at least the first battery pack and the second battery pack of the electric mining machine. The first battery pack is configured to supply power to the front electric motor to drive the front axle of the electric mining machine. Second battery pack configured

- 1 040986 to supply power to the rear electric motor, to drive the rear axle of the electric mining machine. The power system controller is configured to compare the charge level of the first battery pack with the charge level of the second battery pack, and when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, to increase power supply to the rear motor of the electric mining machine.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an electric mining machine is provided. The electric mining machine includes a front electric motor configured to drive the front axle of the electric mining machine. The electric mining machine also includes a rear electric motor configured to drive the rear axle of the electric mining machine. The first battery pack is configured to supply power to the front motor, and the second battery pack is configured to supply power to the rear motor. The power system controller is connected to at least the first battery pack, the front motor, the second battery pack, and the rear motor. The power system controller is configured to compare the charge level of the first battery pack with the charge level of the second battery pack, and when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, to increase power supply to the rear motor of the electric mining machine.

After studying the following drawings and a detailed description of the present invention, other systems, methods, as well as additional features and advantages of the present invention can be found by specialists in the present field of technology. It should be understood that all such additional systems, methods, as well as distinctive features and advantages are included in the scope of the present description, as well as the brief description of the invention, the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The following drawings and detailed description serve to better understand the present invention. The components in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale as they are intended to illustrate the principles of the present invention. At the same time, in all the drawings, elements corresponding to each other in various views are designated by similar numerical designations.

In FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electric mining machine.

Fig. 2 is a sketch of one embodiment of an electric mining machine illustrating the components of a power management system.

In FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the components of a power management system for an electric mining machine.

In FIG. 4 is an illustrative drawing of one exemplary embodiment of power distribution in an electric mining machine under load.

In FIG. 5 is an illustrative drawing of one exemplary implementation of power distribution in an electric mining machine during regenerative braking.

In FIG. 6 is a flowchart for one embodiment of a power distribution method for an electric mining machine.

In FIG. 7 is an illustrative drawing for one exemplary implementation of a battery pack replacement procedure for an electric mining machine.

In FIG. 8 is an illustrative drawing for one embodiment of an electric mining machine with a spare battery pack.

Detailed description of the invention

Electric mining machines are usually powered by on-board battery packs. Such machines may be load-haul-dump (LHD) machines, roofers, graders, scraper loaders, rock crushers, cutters, trucks, or a combination thereof. Typically, electric mining machines are heavy vehicles designed for difficult underground conditions in confined spaces and are powered by on-board batteries or other power sources. Typically, such machines have a tool end, heavy duty wheels and tires, an operator's station, controls, and may also include a removable power supply mounted on board the machine.

The present invention relates to a power distribution system and method for an electric mining machine having two main battery packs, each of which powers separate electric motors on the front and rear axles of the electric mining machine. In accordance with the technical principles discussed in the present description, the proposed method and power distribution system provides power distribution between individual electric motors to equalize the residual charge level in the two main battery packs.

In FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electric mining machine 100. In one

- 2 040986 of the embodiments of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 is a load-and-dump (LHD) machine with a capacity of about 10 metric tons. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the technical principles of the proposed power distribution embodiments can be applied to any other types of electric mining machines or electric vehicles.

In accordance with FIG. 1, in this embodiment of the present invention, the electric mining machine includes a chassis (or frame) 102 that contains the main body of the electric mining machine 100. The chassis 102 is configured to interface with a removable power supply 104 that supplies power to the electric mining machine 100. The removable power supply 104 The power supply includes a battery frame 106 that holds the battery packs that provide power to the electric mining machine 100. In this embodiment of the present invention, the removable power supply 104 has two battery packs, including a first battery pack 108 and a second battery pack 110. Each of the battery packs is separate and self-contained and configured to supply power to separate motors, as will be described below.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110 may be heavy and powerful battery packs composed of a plurality of battery modules assembled in a pack housing. Each battery module (or simply module) consists of a plurality of battery cells (or cells). The modules are also equipped with an array of operational sensors and electronic components that transmit sensor data to a separate maintenance network. Appropriate battery modules, as well as associated sensors and components, are described in joint US patents No. 9,960,396 and 10,063,069, which, as mentioned, are incorporated herein by reference.

Removable power supply 104 is removably attached to electric mining machine 100. In the present description, detachable attachment refers to the connection of two components so that they can be detached without destroying one or the other of the components. Those. components can be detached from each other without damage. Examples of removable fasteners include connections with removable fasteners, latches, locks, hooks, and magnetic and other connections.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the removable power supply 104 is removably attached to the chassis 102 at the rear of the electric mining machine 100. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 1, the fastening mechanism 112 is engaged with a portion of the battery frame 106 of the removable power supply 104 by means of a set of hooks. It should be understood that the fastening mechanism 112 in FIG. 1 is just one example, and other types of attachment mechanisms may be used to attach the removable power supply 104 to the electric mining machine 100. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the place of attachment of the removable power supply 104 to the electric mining machine 100 may also differ.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 is a load-and-dump (LHD) machine and has a bucket on the front side. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the electric mining machine may be an electric mining machine or any other type of electric vehicle. In such embodiments, the implementation of the present invention, the electric mining machine can be equipped, depending on its functions, various mechanisms. Those. ladle 114 is optional and not required to implement the proposed technical principles in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the chassis 102 carrying the main body of the electric mining machine 100 may include a first body part 116 and a second body part 118. The first body part 116 may be the rear part of the electric mining machine 100. The second body part 118 may be the front part of the electric mining machine 100. In some of the embodiments of the present invention, a mechanical hitch 120 connects the first body part 116 and the second body part 118, whereby these the two parts can move relative to each other (for example, a swivel or swivel can be used).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 has a propulsion system including one or more electric motors powered by one or more batteries. In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 may include at least two electric motors to drive each of the wheelsets. For example, in this embodiment of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 includes a first wheelset 122 located in a second housing portion 118 related to the front of the electric mining machine 100. The first wheelset 122 is connected to a front axle 124 driven by a front electric motor. . In this embodiment of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 also includes a

- 3 040986 I drive a pair of wheels 126 located in the first part 116 of the body, relating to the rear of the electric mining machine 100. The second pair of wheels 126 is connected to the rear axle 128 driven by the rear electric motor.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each wheelset (eg, first wheelset 122 and second wheelset 126) may include a pair of wheels on each side of the electric mining machine 100 (ie, one wheel on each side). In other embodiments, implementation of the present invention on one of the axles or on both axles can be installed additional wheels. For example, in some cases, the front axle 124 and/or the rear axle 128 may include two wheels on each side of the electric mining machine 100.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, the front axle 124 and the rear axle 128 are not mechanically connected to each other. Those. each of the axles can be driven independently by its own respective electric motor. Thus, the first wheelset 122 on the front axle 124 and the second wheelset 126 on the rear axle 128 may rotate at different speeds and/or be supplied with different power.

In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 may include additional components, including various standard transport hardware and equipment. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 1, the electric mining machine 100 has a cabin 130 for accommodating one or more operators of the electric mining machine 100. Also, in this embodiment of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 includes an auxiliary battery pack 132 located on the second housing part 118 on the chassis 102. The auxiliary battery block 132 is installed separately from the battery packs included in the removable power supply 104 (for example, the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110), and is configured to provide auxiliary power to the electric mining machine 100, for example, during replacement of the removable power supply 104 , as will be described in more detail below.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a removable power supply 104 is placed on the outer surface of the electric mining machine 100. Namely, various outer surfaces of the housing (i.e., battery frame 106) that contains the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110 may form part of the outer surface of the electric mining machine 100. Meanwhile, the auxiliary battery pack 132 is an internal battery and is contained within the chassis 102 of the electric mining machine 100.

In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the auxiliary battery pack 132 may be rigidly attached to the electric mining machine 100. That is, the auxiliary battery pack 132 cannot be separated from the electric mining machine 100 without partially dismantling the electric mining machine 100 and/or destroying one or more parts.

Let us turn to Fig. 2, which is an outline drawing of an electric mining machine 100 to illustrate the components of the power management system 200. In some of the embodiments of the present invention, each of the battery packs of the removable power supply 104 (i.e., the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110) can supply power to different electric motors (and thus different wheelsets). In some cases, each of the battery packs may power a motor on a separate axle (eg, front axle 124 or rear axle 128). For example, in this embodiment of the present invention, the first battery pack 108 supplies power to the front motor 202 to drive the front axle 124, and accordingly, the front wheelset 122 of the electric mining machine 100. Similarly, the second battery pack 110 supplies power to the rear motor 204 to drive the front axle 124. rear axle drive 128, and accordingly, the second wheelset 126.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 2, a first battery pack 108 may be connected, via a power cable 206, to supply power to components on the front axle 124, including a front motor 202. Similarly, a second battery pack 110 may be connected, via a power cable 208, to supply power to the components on the rear axle 128, including the rear electric motor 204.

By having the front and rear axles powered by separate battery packs (for example, the first battery pack 108 powers the front axle 124 and the second battery pack 110 powers the rear axle 128), the power delivered to each source is reduced. This allows the use of smaller power cables (or cables with lower current carrying capacity) that are easier to handle and/or are less likely to fail.

However, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, the power management system 200 may include additional components. For example, as mentioned above, an auxiliary battery pack 132 may be installed in the main body (eg, chassis 102) of the electric mining machine 100. The auxiliary battery pack 132 is connected by a power cable 210 to the rear motor 204 and/or a power cable 212 to the front motor 202 In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the auxiliary battery

- 4 040986 box 132 can be connected to only one of the electric motors by power cable 210 or power cable 212. In such embodiments of the present invention, a coupling device can be used that connects the auxiliary battery pack 132 to both electric motors to power both the front axle 124 and the rear axis 128, for example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 7 below.

Consider Fig. 3, which shows a sketch of the components of the power management system 200 of the electric mining machine 100. In this embodiment of the present invention, the power management system 200 of the electric mining machine 100 includes the components described in accordance with FIG. 2. In addition, as mentioned above, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, the electric mining machine 100 may include other components. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 3, the electric mining machine 100 may include one or more accessories 300. The accessories 300 may include various components installed on the electric mining machine 100 and consuming power from the power management system 200. For example, such devices 300 may be lights, radios, heating and/or cooling appliances, power take-offs, or other components that are connected to and draw electrical power from the power management system 200.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the accessories 300 are powered from the first battery pack 108 by the power cable 302. Thus, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, the first battery pack 103 provides power not only to the front electric motor 202 to drive the front axle 124, but also and accessories 300. As a result, in such embodiments of the present invention, the first battery pack 108 may be under greater stress, or discharge faster, than the second battery pack 110, which powers only the rear motor 204 to drive the rear axle 128. In other embodiments, the implementation of the present of the invention, accessories 300 may be powered by a second battery pack 110 instead of the first battery pack 108.

Accordingly, a power distribution system and method consistent with the technical principles of the embodiments of the present invention discussed herein distributes power between individual motors (for example, front motor 202 and rear motor 204) in such a way as to equalize the remaining charge level between two battery packs (for example, first battery pack 108 and second battery pack 110). With such a scheme, uneven load and/or discharge rate in the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110 can be compensated to provide a better distribution of electrical power load and/or discharge rates.

In one embodiment of the present invention, power management system 200 in electric mining machine 100 may include a power system controller 310 associated with components of power management system 200. For example, in this embodiment of the present invention, the controller 310 of the power system is associated with at least the first battery pack 108, the front motor 202, the second battery pack 110, and the rear motor 204. In some cases, one or more power cables may have the functions connection, for example, it can be the supply cables 206, 208, 210, 212, described above. In other embodiments of the present invention, separate communication cables may be used between the components of the power management system 200 to communicate with the power system controller 310.

Also, in this embodiment of the present invention, each of the battery packs in the removable power supply 104 (e.g., the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110) powers the components of the power management system 200 of the electric mining machine 100 by connecting to the power system controller 310. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 3, first battery pack 108 is connected to power system controller 310 and power management system 200 via power cable 304. Similarly, second battery pack 110 is connected to power system controller 310 and power management system 200 via power cable 306.

Once all battery packs are connected to the power system controller 310, they can supply power to their respective associated components. For example, the first battery pack 108 may supply power to the front motor 202 and accessories 300 through power cable 304, power cable 206, and power cable 302. Second battery pack 110 may supply power to rear motor 204 through power cable 306 and power cable 208. In this embodiment of the present invention, the power cables routed between the battery packs in the removable power supply 104 and the chassis 102 of the electric mining machine 100 are configured to be removably connected for hot replacement of the removable power supply 104. Respectively,

- 5 040986 power cable 304 and power cable 306 are configured to releasably connect and disconnect with connectors associated with the controller 310 of the power system on the main body of the electric mining machine 100 to galvanically connect and disconnect the removable power supply 104 and the power management system 200.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the power system controller 310 may be configured to implement the technical principles of power distribution discussed herein. For example, the power system controller 310 may include a computer or processor configured to execute instructions that implement the power distribution method of the embodiments of the present invention.

Consider Fig. 4 and 5, which illustrate exemplary scenarios for power distribution in an electric mining machine 100 according to the technical principles proposed in the present invention. In FIG. 4 is an illustrative drawing of one exemplary embodiment of power distribution in an electric mining machine 100 under load. In accordance with the illustration of FIG. 4, the electric mining machine 100 is under load, such as loading rock and/or climbing an incline 400. When under load, the power supplied to the electric motors (eg, front motor 202 and rear motor 204) typically must be increased to compensate for the load. .

In this embodiment of the present invention, the first battery pack 108, which supplies power to the front motor 202 to drive the front axle 124 of the electric mining machine 100, has a low charge level 402. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 4, the charge level 402 of the first battery pack 108 indicates that the first battery pack 108 has about 10% or less of its charging capacity. At the same time, the second battery pack 110, which supplies power to the rear motor 204 for driving the rear axle 128 of the electric mining machine 100, has a higher charge level 404. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 4, the charge level 404 of the second battery pack 110 indicates that the second battery pack 110 has about 80% or more of its charging capacity.

The differences in the charge levels of the two battery packs (ie, between the low charge level 402 of the first battery pack 108 and the high charge level 404 of the second battery pack 110) can be due to various factors. For example, as mentioned above, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, the first battery pack 108 may also power accessories 300 and may have a faster discharge rate than the second battery pack 110. In other embodiments of the present invention, the first battery pack 108 may be less efficient, may have one or more defective battery cells, or may operate under different conditions causing it to run out. Regardless of the cause of the disparity in charge level, the technical principles described herein provide a mechanism for equalizing the residual charge level in the two main battery packs (eg, the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110).

In accordance with the illustration of FIG. 4, when the electric mining machine 100 is under load, such as climbing an incline 400 and/or loading rock, the power distribution method proposed in the embodiments of the present invention is configured to increase the power supply 406 of the rear motor 204 of the electric mining machine 100. Increased power supply 406 applied to the rear motor 204 provides increased traction to the rear axle 128, and hence the second wheelset 126. The increase in power 406 to the rear motor 204 provides the second battery pack 110 with the corresponding increased electrical power, resulting in a loss of the second by the battery pack 110 of the charge value 408 from the high charge level 404 .

At the same time, since the electric mining machine 100 under load is driven primarily by the rear motor 204 driving the second wheelset 126 on the rear axle 128, the first battery pack 108 may supply less or no power to the front motor 202 to drive of the first wheelset 122 on the front axle 124. In this arrangement, the second battery pack 110 provides increased power to the rear motor 204 and discharges more (i.e., by a charge 408) than the first battery pack 108 to compensate for the disparity in charge levels between the two battery packs (ie, disparity between the low charge level 402 of the first battery pack 108 and the initially high charge level 404 of the second battery pack 110). Thus, under such conditions, the power distribution system and method provided in the embodiments of the present invention distributes power between the individual motors in an attempt to equalize the residual charge level in the two main battery packs.

At the same time, in the scenario considered in the example of Fig. 4, the first battery pack 108 had a lower charge level than the second battery pack 110. However, it should be understood that in the case where the second battery pack 110 has a lower charge level than the first battery pack 108, similarly increased power can be supplied to the front motor. 202 to

- 6 040986 more heavily discharge the first battery pack 108 in an attempt to equalize the remaining charge level of the two main battery packs.

In FIG. 5 is an illustrative drawing of one example of power distribution in an electric mining machine 100 during regenerative braking. In accordance with the illustration of FIG. 5, the electric mining machine 100 performs regenerative braking, such as when driving down an incline 500. Regenerative braking converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into electricity that can be stored in its battery packs. For example, in the case of an electric mining machine 100, electric motors (e.g., front electric motor 202 and/or rear electric motor 204) may be used to brake respective axles (e.g., front axle 124 and/or rear axle 128) to reduce the speed of rotation of the respective wheel sets ( for example, the first wheelset 122 and/or the second wheelset 126), and respectively, to slow down the movement of the electric mining machine 100. During such regenerative braking, the accumulated electricity generated by braking by the electric motors can be used to recharge the battery packs (for example, the first battery pack 108 and second battery pack 110). However, in some of the embodiments of the present invention for additional, or auxiliary, braking force, in addition to regenerative braking, conventional brakes can also be used.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the first battery pack 108, which supplies power to the front motor 202 to drive the front axle 124 of the electric mining machine 100, has a low charge level 502. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 5, the charge level 502 of the first battery pack 108 indicates that the first battery pack 108 has about 10% or less of its charging capacity. At the same time, the second battery pack 110, which supplies power to the rear motor 204 for driving the rear axle 128 of the electric mining machine 100, has a higher charge level 504. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 5, the charge level 504 of the second battery pack 110 indicates that the second battery pack 110 has about 80% or more of its charging capacity.

As mentioned above, differences in the charge level of the two battery packs (ie, between the low charge level 502 of the first battery pack 108 and the high charge level 504 of the second battery pack 110) can be due to various factors. For example, as mentioned above, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, the first battery pack 108 may also power accessories 300 and may have a faster discharge rate than the second battery pack 110. In other embodiments of the present invention, the first battery pack 108 may be less efficient. , may have one or more defective battery cells, or may operate under different conditions that cause it to discharge. Regardless of the cause of the disparity in charge level, the technical principles described herein provide a mechanism for equalizing the residual charge level between two main battery packs (eg, in the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110).

In accordance with the illustration of FIG. 5, when the electric mining machine 100 performs regenerative braking, such as when descending the slope 500, the power distribution method proposed in the embodiments of the present invention is configured to charge the first battery pack 108 of the electric mining machine 100. Electricity generated in the regenerative braking process (e.g., by braking by the front motor 202 and/or the rear motor 204) may be supplied to the power management system 200 of the electric mining machine 100 and redirected, or transmitted, to the first battery pack 108. For example, the power system controller 310 may direct the electricity generated by the regenerative braking to the first battery pack 108 via the supply cable 304.

Electricity supplied to the first battery pack 108 during regenerative braking causes the charge level of the first battery pack 108 to rise from a low charge level 502 to a higher charge level 506. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 5, the charge level 506 of the first battery pack 108 indicates that the remaining charge level of the first battery pack 108 has increased from about 10% or less to about 50% or more of its charging capacity. In this arrangement, the electricity generated by regenerative braking charges the first battery pack 108 to compensate for differences in charge level between the two battery packs (i.e., between the initially low charge level 502 of the first battery pack 108 and the higher charge level 504 of the second battery pack 108). block 110). Thus, under such conditions, the power distribution system and method provided in the embodiments of the present invention provides charge distribution in an attempt to equalize the residual charge level in the two main battery packs.

At the same time, in the scenario considered in the example of Fig. 5, the first battery pack 108 had a lower charge level than the second battery pack 110. However, it should be understood that in the case where the second battery pack 110 has a lower charge level than the first battery pack 108, the electricity generated by regenerative braking can similarly apply for the WTO

- 7 040986 swarm the battery pack 110 to increase the charge level of the second battery pack 110 in an attempt to equalize the remaining charge level between the two main battery packs.

In FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for one embodiment of a method 600 for power distribution in an electric mining machine. In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the method 600 may be implemented in an electric mining machine 100. In other embodiments of the present invention, the method 600 may be implemented in other electric mining machines and/or electric vehicles. In one embodiment of the present invention, method 600 may be performed by power system controller 310 of electric mining machine 100.

In such an embodiment of the present invention, method 600 begins at operation 602 start. In some of the embodiments of the present invention, start operation 602 may automatically start upon detecting a load on the electric mining machine or upon detecting that regenerative braking is in progress. In other embodiments of the present invention, start operation 602 may be manually initiated by an electric mining machine operator.

In some of the embodiments of the present invention, start operation 602 may include receiving charge level information related to the two main battery packs of the electric mining machine. For example, operation 602 start may include receiving information related to the charge level of a first battery pack that powers a front motor configured to drive the front axle of an electric mining machine, and receiving information related to the charge level of a second battery pack that powers a rear motor configured to drive the rear axle of an electric mining machine.

After step 602, method 600 proceeds to step 604, which compares the charge levels of the two main battery packs. For example, at operation 604, the charge level of a second battery pack (eg, second battery pack 110) that powers a rear motor configured to drive the rear axle of an electric mining machine is compared with the charge level of a first battery pack (eg, first battery pack 108), which powers the front electric motor configured to drive the front axle of the electric mining machine. At operation 604, it is determined if the charge level of the second battery pack is higher than the charge level of the first battery pack.

After determining, at operation 604, whether the second battery pack's charge level is higher than the first battery pack's charge level, method 600 proceeds to operation 606. At operation 606, it is determined whether a vehicle (eg, electric mining machine 100) is under load, such as loading rock and/or moving up an incline. For example, this may correspond to the scenario illustrated above in FIG. 4.

When it is determined at step 606 that the vehicle is under load, method 600 proceeds to step 608. At step 608, power is increased to the rear motor (eg, a motor powered by a second battery pack having a higher charge level). However, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, during operation 608, additionally or alternatively, the power supply on the front motor can be reduced (for example, on the motor powered by the first battery pack with a lower charge level).

Accordingly, by increasing power supplied to the rear motor (and/or decreasing power to the front motor), the second battery pack is more discharged (eg, second battery pack 110) than the first battery pack (eg, first battery pack 108). With this arrangement, method 600 may be used to equalize the residual charge level between two main battery packs (eg, in the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110).

Returning to operation 606, if it is determined that the vehicle (e.g., electric mining machine 100) is not under load, then method 600 proceeds to operation 610. At operation 610, it is determined whether the vehicle (e.g., electric mining machine 100) is performing regenerative braking. For example, this may correspond to the scenario illustrated above in FIG. 5.

When it is determined at step 610 that the vehicle is performing regenerative braking, method 600 proceeds to step 612. At step 612, the generated electricity generated from the regenerative braking process is used to charge a first battery pack (e.g., a battery pack having a lower charge level). ). If during operation 610 it is determined that the vehicle is not performing regenerative braking, method 600 returns to operation 602 start before executing it again.

Returning to operation 604, if it is determined that the second battery pack's charge level is not greater than the first battery pack's charge level, method 600 proceeds to operation 614. At operation 614, it is determined whether the first battery pack's charge level is higher,

- 8 040986 than the charge level of the second battery pack. If it is determined at operation 614 that the charge level of the first battery pack is not greater than the charge level of the second battery pack, method 600 returns to operation 602 until it is re-executed. In other words, at this moment there is no difference in charge level between the two battery packs that needs to be equalized at this moment.

If it is determined at step 614 that the charge level of the first battery pack is greater than the charge level of the second battery pack, method 600 proceeds to step 616. At operation 616, it is determined whether the vehicle (eg, electric mining machine 100) is under load, for example, loads rock and/or moves up an incline. For example, this may be performed in accordance with the scenario discussed above with the example of FIG. 4.

If it is determined at step 616 that the vehicle is under load, method 600 proceeds to step 618. At step 618, power is increased to the first motor (eg, the motor powered by the first battery pack with a higher state of charge). However, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, during operation 618, alternatively or in addition, the power supply to the rear motor (eg, a motor powered by a second battery pack with a lower charge level) can be reduced.

Accordingly, due to an increase in power to the front motor (and/or a decrease in power to the rear motor), the first battery pack (eg, first battery pack 108) is more discharged than the second battery pack (eg, second battery pack 110). With such an arrangement, method 600 may be used to equalize the residual charge level between two main battery packs (eg, in the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110).

Returning to step 616, if it is determined that the vehicle (e.g., electric mining machine 100) is not under load, method 600 proceeds to step 620. At step 620, it is determined whether the vehicle (e.g., electric mining machine 100) is performing regenerative braking. For example, this may be performed in accordance with the scenario discussed above with the example of FIG. 5.

If, at step 620, it is determined that the vehicle is experiencing, or performing, regenerative braking, method 600 proceeds to step 622. At step 622, the generated electricity generated from the regenerative braking process is used to charge a second battery pack (e.g., battery pack, having a lower charge level). If it is determined during operation 620 that the vehicle is not performing regenerative braking, method 600 returns to operation 602 start before executing it again.

With such a scheme, the power distribution method 600 can be used to equalize the residual charge level between the two main battery packs (eg, in the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110) of the electric mining machine (eg, electric mining machine 100).

In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the electric mining machine may include an auxiliary battery pack to allow replacement of the removable power supply. In such embodiments of the present invention, the auxiliary battery pack is configured to supply power to the rear motor and front motor of the electric mining machine during the replacement of any battery pack. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 1-3 above, the electric mining machine 100 has an auxiliary battery pack 132 that supplies power to the rear motor 204 and/or the front motor 202 during replacement of the removable power supply 104 including the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110.

Consider now FIG. 7 and 8, which are illustrative drawings of one exemplary implementation of the procedure for replacing the battery pack of an electric mining machine. In accordance with the illustration of FIG. 7, when one or both of the main battery packs of the electric mining machine 100 is discharged or has reached the minimum remaining charge level, the plug-in power supply 104 may be replaced with another plug-in power supply having charged battery packs. In one example, shown in FIG. 7, the first battery pack 108 is discharged, as illustrated by the charge level 700 indicating little or no charge. Similarly, the second battery pack 110 is also significantly discharged, as illustrated by the charge level 702 indicating a low remaining charge level. In this embodiment of the present invention, the low remaining charge level, illustrated by the charge level 702 of the second battery pack 110, may be below a minimum threshold, such as less than 5% of the remaining capacity.

In this embodiment of the present invention, respectively, the removable power supply 104 comprising the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110 can be replaced to install another removable power supply having charged battery packs on the electric mining machine. In one embodiment of the present invention

- 9 040986 electric mining machine 100 has an auxiliary battery pack 132 that is configured to supply power to the rear motor 204 and/or front motor 202 during replacement of the removable power supply 104. In this embodiment of the present invention, the removable power supply 104 is disconnected from the main body, or chassis 102, of the electric mining machine 100. For example, the removable power supply 104 can be disconnected from the chassis 102 by releasing the securing mechanism 112.

While the removable power supply 104 is disconnected from the electric mining machine 100, the auxiliary battery pack 132 supplies power to the rear motor 204 and/or front motor 202. Referring to the illustration of FIG. 7, the accessory battery pack 132 has a charge level 704 indicating that the accessory battery pack has a significant remaining charge level, such as about 90% or more of its charge capacity. Accordingly, the auxiliary battery pack 132 may be used to supply power to the rear motor 204 and/or the front motor 202 to move and/or position the electric mining machine 100 to receive a removable power supply having charged battery packs.

In one embodiment of the present invention, power cables may be run between the main body or chassis 102 of the electric mining machine 100 and each of the main battery packs (e.g., the first battery pack 108 and the second battery pack 110) to galvanically connect the electric motors to their respective battery packs, supplying power to the respective motors. For example, in accordance with the illustration of FIG. 7, the first supply cable 706 is configured to connect to the first battery pack 108, and the second supply cable 708 is configured to connect to the second battery pack 110. In the process of replacing the plug-in power supply 104, the first supply cable 706 is disconnected from the first battery pack 108 and the second supply cable cable 708 is disconnected from second battery pack 110.

In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the auxiliary battery pack 132 may be electrically coupled to either the rear motor 204 or the front motor 202 only. whereby both motors can be powered by the auxiliary battery 132. For example, a connector can be used to connect the end 710 of the first power cable 706 associated with the front motor 202 to the end 712 of the second power cable 708 associated with the rear motor 204, resulting in whereby the auxiliary battery pack 132 is connected to both engines.

In other embodiments of the present invention, a switch or other device may be incorporated into the power management system 200 to connect the auxiliary battery pack 132 to the rear motor 204 and front motor 202, such as as part of the power system controller 310, or as a device under the control of the aforementioned controller. In such embodiments of the present invention, the connection may be automatic, such as when the plug-in power supply 104 is disconnected, or manually, such as initiated by the operator of the electric mining machine 100.

In accordance with the illustration of FIG. 8, the electric mining machine 100 is equipped with another removable power supply 806 that includes spare battery packs, including a first spare battery pack 808 (configured to power the front motor 202) and a second spare battery pack 810 (configured to power the rear motor 204). ). Removable power supply 806 has a configuration substantially similar to removable power supply 104 described above and includes a battery frame that is configured to hold and secure the first spare battery pack 808 and the second spare battery pack 810. Wherein, the removable power supply 806 has a similar attachment mechanism. , allowing it to be attached to and detached from the main body or chassis 102 of the electric mining machine 100, for example, using a fastening mechanism 112.

With this arrangement, when the removable power supply 806 is connected to the power management system 200, the first spare battery pack 808 may supply power to the front motor 202, and the second spare battery pack 810 may supply power to the rear motor 204. Referring to the illustration of FIG. 8, the spare first battery pack 108 has a charge level 800, which indicates that the first spare battery pack 808 is fully charged (i.e., about 100% of its charge capacity remains), and the second spare battery pack 810 has a charge level 802, indicating that the second spare battery pack 810 is fully charged (i.e., about 100% of its charging capacity remains).

In contrast, the auxiliary battery pack 132 has a charge level 804 which indicates that the remaining charge level of the auxiliary battery pack 132 has decreased from the previous charge level 704 prior to being used in the battery pack replacement process. Reply

- 10 040986 As such, the auxiliary battery pack 132 can supply sufficient power to the rear motor 204 and/or front motor 202 to move and/or position the electric mining machine 100 to receive a removable power source 806 having charged battery packs (e.g., a first spare battery unit 808 and a second spare battery pack 810). Thus, the auxiliary battery pack 132 enables the replacement of the removable power supply of the electric mining machine 100. With this arrangement, fully charged spare battery packs can be quickly and conveniently installed on the electric mining machine 100, thereby reducing or eliminating the downtime of the electric mining machine 100. mining machine 100.

However, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, after the spare plug-in power supply 806 is installed on the electric mining machine 100, the first spare battery pack 808 and/or the second spare battery pack 810 can be used to charge the auxiliary battery pack 132.

Proposed embodiments for power distribution were considered using an electric mining machine having two axles, each driven by a separate electric motor powered by a respective battery pack. It should be understood that the technical principles described herein can also be applied to electric mining machines and/or electric vehicles having more drive axles. For example, the technical principles discussed here may also be applicable to an electric mining machine and/or an electric vehicle with three axles, each driven by a separate electric motor powered by a respective battery pack. In such embodiments of the present invention, the power management system and method discussed in the embodiments of the present invention can be used to equalize the charge level in three battery packs, similar to the above description for two battery packs. Similarly, the technical principles of power distribution discussed here can be applied to other embodiments of the present invention having any number of independent drive axles.

The present description is generally directed to on-board removable batteries such as the removable power supply and/or battery packs described above, however, it should be understood that variations of power sources fall within the scope of the present invention. Those. The replacement power supply can be a battery, another type of battery, a generator, a fuel engine, or an adapter for any existing power infrastructure. It should also be understood that the proposed system can be used with any combination of devices, such as batteries, adapters, and the like. Also, it must be understood that the power source is compatible with and associated with the drive system and drive controller. The power source, whether it be a battery or current collector or other type of source, must be compatible with the drive system and controller. As used herein, an overhead catenary system (OCS) or catenary rail system may be capable of operating wirelessly, such as via a ground-level power system or on-board energy storage systems. Another, third, less developed option is on-board power generation, but this may change with advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology. Any combination of energy systems falls within the scope of the present invention. The power supply system from ground level can be either contact or non-contact. Contact power systems from ground level most often use a laid third rail, usually used in subway systems, which was also used in early versions of tram lines. Significantly improved versions of this technology have their advantages when used in difficult environments, where there are high loads due to the need for heating or cooling, or the need to overcome steep slopes, which can lead to a rapid discharge of the energy storage system.

Another type of existing infrastructure could be a non-contact ground level power system that uses induction coils to power the vehicle. Typically, power transmission occurs only when the vehicle is directly above the coils, and the range of such a system can be extended by combining it with an on-board energy storage, which eliminates the need for coils throughout the system. The onboard power storage is an alternative or supplement to ground level power. Storage mechanisms can include batteries, capacitors, flywheels, and in some cases, braking kinetic energy can be used to improve system energy efficiency. A system that does not provide power to some limited segment will most often recharge the onboard energy storage while driving on the connected segment. Long periods of work without being connected to the grid may require an approach using charging stations, stops at which will require sufficient waiting time. For example, in some tram systems, the programmed dwell time for contact at the charging station is sufficient to recharge the set.

- 11 040986 superchargers on the roof that charge in a short time due to their duty cycle characteristics.

In general, in this document, an electric vehicle means a vehicle that uses electrical energy in at least one of the modes of operation to provide propulsion. Those. electric vehicles include all-electric vehicles (e.g. vehicles with a traction motor and a purely on-board power storage device or a mechanism for receiving power from an off-board source such as a catenary or catenary rail), hybrid electric vehicles (e.g. vehicles with a traction engine, power storage device, hydrojet, and a fuel engine, fuel cell, or similar device for recharging the power storage device and/or directly generating power to operate the traction motor), dual-mode vehicles (e.g., vehicles with engine-only and electric-only mode of operation, or vehicles with a first mode of operation in which traction electricity is provided by the engine and a second mode of operation in which traction electricity is provided derived from another source), diesel-electric and other fuel-electric vehicles (for example, vehicles with an engine that generates electricity to run a traction motor), and combinations and variations thereof. Electric vehicles may have one or more traction motors, whereby a traction motor is understood to mean a motor of sufficient size and power to propel a vehicle of sufficient size to be used for its intended purpose.

The equipment for docking with a vehicle in roadside stations may include plug-in modules, for example, the vehicle can be connected by a plug to a socket in a roadside station to receive electricity from it; an uninterruptible power supply interface by which the vehicle can receive off-board power while driving, such as the aforementioned catenary or third rail; and so on.

The above description of the various embodiments of the present invention is purely illustrative and does not limit the present invention, while those skilled in the art should understand that many additional embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents. However, many changes and modifications are also possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

CLAIM 1. A method for distributing power in an electric mining machine, including: receiving information related to the charge level of the first battery pack, wherein the first battery pack supplies power to a front motor configured to drive a front axle of the electric mining machine; receiving information related to the charge level of the second battery pack, wherein the second battery pack supplies power to a rear motor configured to drive a rear axle of the electric mining machine; comparing a charge level of the first battery pack with a charge level of the second battery pack; and when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, increasing power supply to the rear motor of the electric mining machine. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, the method further comprises reducing the power supply to the front motor of the electric mining machine. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, when it is determined that the charge level of the first battery pack is greater than the charge level of the second battery pack, increasing power supply to the front motor of the electric mining machine. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, the method further comprises charging the first battery pack during regenerative braking. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when it is determined that the charge level of the first battery pack is greater than the charge level of the second battery pack, charging the second battery pack during regenerative braking. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the front axle and the rear axle are not mechanically connected. 7. The method according to claim 1, in which the electric mining machine further includes an auxiliary battery pack; wherein the auxiliary battery pack is configured to supply - 12 040986 power supply to the rear motor and front motor during battery replacement. 8. Power management system in an electric mining machine to ensure power distribution, including: a power system controller in communication with at least the first battery pack and the second battery pack of the electric mining machine; a first battery pack configured to supply power to a front electric motor for driving a front axle of the electric mining machine; a second battery pack configured to supply power to a rear electric motor for driving a rear axle of the electric mining machine; wherein the power system controller is configured to compare a charge level of the first battery pack with a charge level of the second battery pack; and when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, increasing power supply to the rear motor of the electric mining machine. 9. The power management system of claim 8, wherein when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, the power system controller is configured to reduce the power supply to the front motor of the electric mining machine. 10. The power management system of claim 8, wherein the power system controller is further configured to increase power to the front motor of the electric mining machine when it is determined that the charge level of the first battery pack is greater than the charge level of the second battery pack. 11. The power management system of claim 8, wherein when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, the power system controller is configured to charge the first battery pack during regenerative braking. 12. The power management system of claim 8, wherein the power system controller is further configured to charge the second battery pack during regenerative braking when it is determined that the charge level of the first battery pack is greater than the charge level of the second battery pack. 13. The power management system of claim 8, wherein the front axle and rear axle are not mechanically coupled. 14. The power management system of claim 8, wherein the electric mining machine further includes an auxiliary battery pack; wherein the power system controller is configured to control the auxiliary battery pack to supply power to the rear motor and the front motor of the electric mining machine during battery pack replacement. 15. Electric mining machine, including: a front electric motor configured to drive the front axle of the electric mining machine; a rear electric motor configured to drive a rear axle of the electric mining machine; a first battery pack configured to supply power to the front motor; a second battery pack configured to supply power to the rear motor; and a power system controller associated with at least the first battery pack, the front motor, the second battery pack, and the rear motor, the power system controller being configured to compare the charge level of the first battery pack with that of the second battery pack; and when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, increasing power supply to the rear motor of the electric mining machine. 16. The electric mining machine according to claim 15, wherein when it is determined that the charge level of the second battery pack is greater than the charge level of the first battery pack, the power system controller is configured to reduce the power supply to the front motor of the electric mining machine. 17. The electric mining machine of claim 15, wherein the power system controller is further configured to increase power to the front motor of the electric mining machine when it is determined that the charge level of the first battery pack is greater than the charge level of the second battery pack. 18. The electric mining machine of claim 15, wherein, during regenerative braking, the power system controller is configured to select the first battery pack or the second - 13 040986 of a different battery pack to be charged based on which of the first battery pack or the second battery pack has a lower charge level. 19. The electric mining machine of claim 15, wherein the front axle and rear axle are not mechanically coupled. 20. Electric mining machine according to claim 15, further including an auxiliary battery pack; wherein the power system controller is configured to control the auxiliary battery pack to supply power to the rear motor and the front motor of the electric mining machine during battery pack replacement.