Internal Support Structure for Underground Battery Machines

A work machine comprising:

• a rear end frame having an exterior frame wall and a bottom wall;
• and
• an internal support structure comprising:
• a radiator support housing mounted to the bottom wall of the rear end frame, extending upward from the bottom wall and disposed proximate a radiator opening of the exterior frame wall,
• a first pedestal mounted to the bottom wall, extending upward from the bottom wall and disposed forward of the radiator support housing,
• a second pedestal mounted to the bottom wall, extending upward from the bottom wall and disposed forward of the radiator support housing,
• a first rail mounted to the radiator support housing and the first pedestal, and
• a second rail mounted to the radiator support housing and the second pedestal.

An internal support structure for fuel cells within a work machine have a rear end frame with an exterior frame wall in which the fuel cells are stored, the internal support structure comprising:

• a radiator support housing mounted to a bottom wall of the rear end frame, extending upward from the bottom wall and disposed proximate a radiator opening of the exterior frame wall;
• a first pedestal mounted to the bottom wall, extending upward from the bottom wall and disposed forward of the radiator support housing;
• a second pedestal mounted to the bottom wall, extending upward from the bottom wall and disposed forward of the radiator support housing;
• a first rail mounted to the radiator support housing and the first pedestal, wherein the first pedestal, the first rail, a first frame portion of the exterior frame wall and a first bottom portion of the bottom wall define a first fuel cell cavity in which a first fuel cell of the fuel cells is disposed;
• a second rail mounted to the radiator support housing and the second pedestal, wherein the second pedestal, the second rail, a second frame portion of the exterior frame wall and a second bottom portion of the bottom wall define a second fuel cell cavity in which a second fuel cell of the fuel cells is disposed, and wherein the radiator support housing, the first pedestal, the second pedestal, the first rail, the second rail and a central bottom wall portion of the bottom wall define a component cavity that receives components of an electrical power system of the work machine;
• and
• a support tray mounted between the first rail and the second rail, wherein the support tray receives and supports a battery within the rear end frame.