Slidable nested conductors

A work machine, comprising:

• an electric engine;
• a conductor rod for providing electrical energy to the electric engine from a power source, the conductor rod extending a longitudinal axis from a first end proximate the work machine to a second end spaced laterally from the work machine, the conductor rod comprising:
• an arm section inserted into a barrel section, the arm section comprising:
• a first piston conductor affixed to a connector assembly at the second end, the first piston conductor extending along the longitudinal axis having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter;
• a second piston conductor affixed to the connector assembly, the second piston conductor extending along the longitudinal axis having a second inner diameter greater than the first outer diameter and a second outer diameter;
• and
• an arm affixed to the connector assembly, the arm extending along the longitudinal axis having a third inner diameter greater than the second outer diameter and a third outer diameter;
• and
• the barrel section, comprising:
• a first cylinder conductor affixed to a head-end interface at the first end, the first cylinder conductor extending along the longitudinal axis having a fourth outer diameter and a fourth inner, wherein the fourth inner diameter is greater than the first outer diameter of the first piston conductor, wherein a first inner surface of the first cylinder conductor is slidably engaged to a first outer surface of the first piston conductor at a first conducting interface;
• a second cylinder conductor affixed to the head-end interface at the first end, the second cylinder conductor extending along the longitudinal axis having a fifth outer diameter less than the second inner diameter of the second piston conductor and greater than the fourth outer diameter of the first cylinder conductor, wherein a second outer surface of the second cylinder conductor is slidably engaged to a second inner surface of the second piston conductor at a second conducting interface;
• and
• a barrel affixed to the head-end interface, the barrel extending along the longitudinal axis having a sixth inner diameter greater than the third outer diameter of the arm, wherein a third inner surface of the barrel is slidably engaged to a third outer surface of the second piston conductor.

A method of assembling a conductor rod, the method comprising:

• forming a barrel section by:
• affixing a first cylinder conductor to a head-end interface using a first terminal connector,
• affixing a second cylinder conductor to the head-end interface using a second terminal connector,
• affixing a third cylinder conductor to the head-end interface using a third terminal connector, and
• affixing a barrel to the head-end interface using a fourth terminal connector;
• forming an arm section by:
• affixing a first piston conductor to a conductor assembly using a fifth terminal connector,
• affixing a second piston conductor to the conductor assembly using a sixth terminal connector,
• affixing a third piston conductor to the conductor assembly using a seventh terminal connector, and
• affixing an arm to the conductor assembly using an eighth terminal connector;
• and
• inserting the arm section into the barrel section, whereby:
• the first piston conductor is inserted into an interior space of the first cylinder conductor,
• the second piston conductor is inserted into a first cylinder cavity defined by an interior surface of the second cylinder conductor and an exterior surface of the first piston conductor,
• the third piston conductor is inserted into a second cylinder cavity defined by an interior surface of the third cylinder conductor and an exterior surface of second piston conductor, and
• the arm is inserted into a third cylinder cavity defined by an interior surface of the barrel and an exterior surface of the third piston conductor.