Back to results
US 12,431,260 B2Granted
High-velocity air-fuel coatings for conductor corrosion resistance
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorDaniel Joseph Sordelet
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. Electrical connectivity between conductors within the conductor rod are provided using a conductive liquid. Corrosion barriers are used to protect the conductors while maintaining the electrical connectivity between the conductors.
Claims20
A work machine, comprising:
- an electric engine;
- traction devices configured to cause movement of the work machine when powered by the electric engine;
- a conductor rod configured to convey electrical energy to the work machine during a movement of the work machine, the conductor rod having a first end and a second end, the conductor rod comprising:
- a barrel comprising a barrel conductor having an inner diameter and a longitudinal center defining an axis between the first end and the second end;
- and
- an arm comprising a cylinder conductor arranged concentrically and slidable engaged into the barrel conductor around the axis;
- a liquid space configured to contain a conductive liquid, the liquid space defined by an interior surface of the cylinder conductor and an outer surface of the barrel conductor;
- a first corrosion barrier along the interior surface of the cylinder conductor and a second corrosion barrier along the outer surface of the barrel conductor, the first corrosion barrier and the second corrosion barrier comprising a metal alloy having a chemical resistance and a low permeability to the conductive liquid contained within the liquid space;
- and
- a liquid junction formed from the liquid space, the first corrosion barrier, the second corrosion barrier, and the conductive liquid, the liquid junction configured to electrically connect the barrel conductor to the cylinder conductor.
7 more elements
A conductor rod, comprising:
- a barrel comprising a barrel conductor having an inner diameter and a longitudinal center defining an axis between a first end and a second end;
- and
- an arm comprising a cylinder conductor arranged concentrically and slidable engaged into the barrel conductor around the axis;
- a liquid space configured to contain a conductive liquid, the liquid space defined by an interior surface of the cylinder conductor and an outer surface of the barrel conductor;
- a first corrosion barrier along the interior surface of the cylinder conductor and a second corrosion barrier along the outer surface of the barrel conductor, the first corrosion barrier and the second corrosion barrier comprising a metal alloy having a chemical resistance and a low permeability to the conductive liquid contained within the liquid space;
- and
- a liquid junction formed from the liquid space, the first corrosion barrier, the second corrosion barrier, and the conductive liquid, the liquid junction configured to electrically connect the barrel conductor to the cylinder conductor.
4 more elements
A method of manufacturing a conductor rod, the method comprising:
- applying a first corrosion barrier to at least a portion of an interior surface of a cylinder conductor using a using a high velocity air fuel process, the first corrosion barrier comprising a first matrix of a nickel chromium alloy (Ni-20Cr) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles;
- applying a second corrosion barrier to at least a portion of an exterior surface of a barrel conductor using the high velocity air fuel process, the first corrosion barrier comprising a second matrix of a nickel chromium alloy (Ni-20Cr) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles, and wherein the interior surface of the cylinder conductor and the exterior surface of the barrel conductor define a liquid space for containing a conductive liquid;
- inserting the cylinder conductor into the barrel conductor to form a conductor rod;
- and
- filling at least a portion of the liquid space with the conductive liquid.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.