US 12,583,326 B2 · Fleet and trolley system for zero-emission machines

Abstract

A fleet and trolley system, a first method of charging a work machine, and a second method of charging a fleet of work machines are disclosed. The fleet and trolley system includes a trolley network, at least one zero-emission work machine, and a controller. The controller manages a scheduled usage of the trolley network, a power draw, and a distribution of the power draw by the work machine. The first method includes monitoring states of the work machine, scheduling a usage of the trolley network, and supplying electric power to the work machine. The second method includes monitoring states of a fleet, monitoring states of the trolley network, scheduling usages of the trolley network, and supplying electric power to one or more machines of the fleet. Advantageously, the disclosed system and methods may improve an efficiency, productivity, and longevity of a fleet of zero-emission work machines.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A fleet and trolley system comprising:

a trolley network configured to connect to and supply electric power to one or more work machines, the trolley network including:
a first terminus;
a second terminus;
and
a contact line;
a zero-emission work machine configured to intermittently connect to and draw electric power from the trolley network, the work machine including:
a frame;
a rechargeable battery;
one or more propulsion motors;
a tractive device;
a charging apparatus;
a positioning module;
and
a first communication module;
a controller in operative communication with the work machine, the controller configured to manage:
a scheduled usage of the trolley network by the work machine;
a power draw by the work machine from the trolley network;
and
a distribution of the power draw between charging the rechargeable battery and driving the tractive device, wherein the controller is configured to monitor;
a type of the work machine;
a state of charge of the rechargeable battery;
a location of the work machine;
and
one or more assigned tasks of the work machine.

21 more elements

A method of charging a fleet of work machines via a trolley network comprising the steps of:

monitoring a plurality of states of the fleet;
monitoring a plurality of states of the trolley network;
scheduling usages of the trolley network by one or more work machines based on the plurality of states, including:
prioritizing one or more work machines;
and
relegating one or more work machines;
supplying electric power from the trolley network to one or more connected work machines, including:
allocating a power draw by each connected work machine;
and
distributing each power draw between charging a rechargeable battery and driving a tractive device of each work machine wherein the controller is configured to monitor;
a type of the work machine;
a state of charge of the rechargeable battery;
a location of the work machine;
and
one or more assigned tasks of the work machine.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fleet and trolley system for zero-emission machines

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Fleet and trolley system for zero-emission machines

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24