Radial and axial interface between conductor rod and work machine
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorIgor Strashny
Life of this patent
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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. A head-end interface of the conductor rod proximate the work machine includes metallic rings spaced apart and extending circumferentially around the head-end interface. Bores pass longitudinally through the head-end interface and into cavities within the conductor rod between the concentric metal tubes. The metallic rings enable the delivery of electrical power radially from the conductor rod for powering the work machine, while the bores enable the delivery of pneumatic power longitudinally into the conductor rod for powering axial movement of the conductor rod.
Claims6
A work machine, comprising:
- an electric engine;
- a battery;
- 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 rigid outer tube having an outer diameter and a longitudinal center defining an axis between the first end and the second end;
- tubular conductors successively arranged concentrically around the axis and separated, at least in part, by air;
- and
- metallic rings attached respectively to terminations of the tubular conductors proximate the first end, individual ones of the metallic rings extending orthogonally from corresponding ones of the tubular conductors to the outer diameter and being spaced apart along the axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.