Mobile equipment optimized for a swappable battery solution
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorGrant Steven Peterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Typically, the recharging process for a battery-powered mobile equipment involves driving or otherwise moving the mobile equipment to the location of a stationary recharging station, and recharging the battery of the mobile equipment at the recharging station. During the time of travel and recharging, the mobile equipment is not performing a task in the field. Disclosed embodiments eliminate or reduce the need to transport the mobile equipment to recharging stations. In particular, disclosed embodiments comprise a frame that enables battery packs to be quickly swapped, potentially in the field. Embodiments may comprise movement elements to facilitate swapping and/or a mobile battery-swapping system that can transport battery packs to and from the mobile equipment in the field.
Claims15
A battery-swapping assembly comprising:
- a frame configured to support a battery pack, wherein the frame includes
- a body,
- two arms extending from the body, wherein each of the two arms comprises a first end, joined to the body, and a second end,
- a removable stiffener between the second ends of the two arms,
- a movement system, wherein the movement system includes two or more movement elements, wherein each of the two or more movement elements includes a cylinder barrel, a piston rod that is configured to extend outward from the cylinder barrel and contract inward into the cylinder barrel, and an attachment point at an end of the piston rod, and wherein each attachment point is configured to attach to the battery pack;
- a first traction motor coupled to a first one of the two arms;
- a first ground-engaging member that is driven by the first traction motor;
- a second traction motor coupled to a second one of the two arms;
- and
- a second ground-engaging member that is driven by the second traction motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.