Energy storage system

#The present disclosure relates generally to energy management and storage systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to energy storage systems for operation with heavy equipment for mining, excavating, and construction etc.

#Machines, such as power shovels and excavators, may include a deck or other platform that rotates above continuous tracks, wheels, pontoons, etc. Extending from the deck, the machine may further include a boom for an articulated arm or crane designed to operate a bucket, a breaker, a hook, or any other such work tool. Accordingly, such machines typically include one or more actuators designed to move the tracks, rotate the deck, and operate the articulated arm and work tool.

#Above machines are designed to operate in substantially-repetitive work cycles. By way of example, a power shovel or excavator may typically operate in work cycles which may include digging, lifting, swinging, dumping, and returning steps for operating a bucket to dig and load fragmented rock, earth, minerals, overburden, and the like for mining purposes. Powering these operations are mechanical or electro-mechanical power systems designed for supplying power for a combined maximum power demand of the work tool and some auxiliary loads, including cooling loads etc. of the machine. Most of the time the machine underutilizes the available power due to non-uniform peak power demand based on repetitive nature of work cycles. Thus, the machine operates with an engine that is oversized for majority of its power demand profile. The oversized engine affects initial purchasing cost, operating and repairing costs, and overall life of the machine.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an energy storage system of the machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

#FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of power demand over a work cycle of the machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

#Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary machine 100. The machine 100 is illustrated as a hydraulic shovel which may be used, for example, for mining and other allied industries. While the following detailed description describes an exemplary aspect in connection with the hydraulic shovel, it should be appreciated that the description applies equally to the use of the present disclosure in other machines as well.

#The machine 100 includes an upper swiveling body 102 supported on a ground engaging element 104. Although, the ground engaging element 104 is illustrated as continuous tracks, it should be contemplated that the ground engaging element 104 may be any other type of ground engaging element as well, for example, wheels etc. The upper swiveling body 102 includes a power compartment 106, a storage compartment 108, a hydraulic compartment 110, an operator cabin 112, and a cooling compartment 114. Various stairwells 116 and walkways 118 may be incorporated with the upper swiveling body 102 for movement of an operator throughout the machine 100 to access various components as per application requirements.

#The machine 100 includes a work tool 120 having a boom 122 operably coupled to an arm 124 for operating a bucket 126. According to an exemplary embodiment, a pair of boom cylinders 128 extends between the upper swiveling body 102 and the boom 122 to control movement of the boom 122 relative to the upper swiveling body 102. Similarly, a pair of arm cylinders 130 extends between the boom 122 and the arm 124 to control movement of the arm 124 relative to the boom 122. Further, a pair of curl cylinders 132 extends between the boom 122 and the bucket 126 to control movement of the bucket 126 relative to the arm 124. According to an exemplary embodiment, the hydraulic cylinders 128, 130, 132 may be double-acting cylinders, configured to receive hydraulic fluid on both ends of the respective piston. Additional actuators (e.g., electric or hydraulic motors) may be used to propel the machine 100 via the ground engaging element 104, and/or to rotate the upper swiveling body 102 relative to the ground engaging element 104.