Mining Truck And Regenerative Braking Strategy Therefor
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorBryan G. Lammers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Operating a trolley assist-capable mining truck having a regenerative braking mechanism and a friction braking mechanism includes receiving data indicative of a change in demand in an electrical power grid for regenerated electrical power from the mining truck, and commanding braking the mining truck such that application of the retarding torque is allocated to the regenerative braking mechanism in a manner responsive to the data. A mining truck and methodology relating to harvesting electrical power regenerated via application of retarding torque is also disclosed.
Claims20
A method of operating a trolley assist-capable mining truck having a regenerative braking mechanism and a friction braking mechanism each configured to apply a retarding torque to ground engaging wheels of the mining truck, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving data indicative of a change in demand in an electrical power grid for regenerated electrical power from the mining truck, the electrical power grid including an overhead trolley line coinciding with a haul road extending between a loading site and a dumping site;
- and
- commanding braking the mining truck such that application of the retarding torque is allocated to the regenerative braking mechanism in a manner which is responsive to the data.
A trolley assist-capable mining truck comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of ground engaging wheels coupled to the frame;
- a braking system coupled with the plurality of ground engaging wheels, and having a friction braking mechanism and a regenerative braking mechanism;
- a line connecting mechanism configured to couple the regenerative braking mechanism with an overhead trolley line of an electrical power grid;
- and
- an electronic control unit in control communication with the braking system, and being configured to receive data indicative of a change in demand for regenerated electrical power in the electrical power grid;
- the electronic control unit being further configured to command braking the mining truck such that application of a retarding torque on the ground engaging wheels is allocated to the regenerative braking mechanism in a manner which is responsive to the data.
A method of controlling a distribution of electrical power in a power grid having an overhead trolley line coinciding with a haul road, where the overhead trolley line is configured to electrically connect with a plurality of mining trucks each having a friction braking mechanism and a regenerative braking mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving data indicative of a change in demand for electrical power in the power grid;
- allocating application of a retarding torque on ground engaging wheels of at least one of the mining trucks to the corresponding regenerative braking mechanism, responsive to the data;
- and
- harvesting electrical power regenerated via application of the retarding torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.