Connector assembly for conductor rod having multiple degrees of freedom
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorIgor Strashny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site, includes a conductor rod housing concentric metal tubes for receiving electrical power from a contactor sliding on a power rail. A connection assembly includes lugs branching orthogonally from respective ones of the concentric metal tubes to an exterior of the conductor rod. The lugs include ball-and-socket joints configured to enable semi-spherical movement of the lugs at the exterior with respect to the joints. When attached to the contactor via conductive arms, the connection assembly provides multiple degrees of freedom for the conductor rod relative to the contactor and avoids detachment of the contactor from the power rail.
Claims20
An apparatus for conducting electrical energy, comprising:
- a rigid tubular shell having a first end and a second end, the shell having a longitudinal center defining an axis between the first end and the second end;
- a first metal tube extending along the axis;
- a second metal tube disposed concentrically around and apart from the first metal tube;
- and
- a terminal at the second end, comprising:
- a first metal lug electrically coupled to the first metal tube and extending orthogonally from the axis and exterior to the shell;
- and
- a second metal lug electrically coupled to the second metal tube and extending orthogonally from the axis and exterior to the shell.
A conductor assembly, comprising:
- a first metal tube extending along a longitudinal axis;
- a second metal tube arranged concentrically around and apart from the first metal tube;
- a first metal lug electrically coupled to the first metal tube and extending orthogonally from the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a second metal lug electrically coupled to the second metal tube and extending orthogonally from the longitudinal axis,
- wherein at least one of the first metal lug and the second metal lug comprises a pivot joint.
A work machine, comprising:
- an electric engine;
- traction devices configured to cause movement of the work machine when powered by the electric engine;
- and
- a conductor rod configured to convey electrical energy to the work machine during the movement of the work machine, the conductor rod comprising:
- a first tubular conductor and a second tubular conductor extending concentrically around a longitudinal axis and separated, at least in part, by air;
- and
- a first lug and a second lug disposed at an exterior of the conductor rod, the first lug and the second lug branching orthogonally from the first tubular conductor and the second tubular conductor, respectively, to the exterior, the first lug and the second lug comprising pivot joints adjacent the exterior, the pivot joints being configured to enable the first lug and the second lug to move around a hemispherical space with respect to the pivot joints.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.