Work Machine System with a Tractor Unit and Interchangeable Trailer Units
AssigneeCaterpillar SARL
InventorStephen HERD
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Interchangeable trailer units for a work machine system and a work machine comprising a tractor unit releasably connectable to interchangeable trailer units by a coupling. Tractor and trailer unit ground engagers, are driven by electrical power systems and the electrical power is distributed across the entire work machine power system. The trailer units can be swapped once their power sources run low.
Claims15
A interchangeable trailer unit for releasably coupling to a tractor unit to form a work machine, the tractor unit comprising a tractor power system, the tractor power system comprising a tractor power distribution system connected to at least one tractor motor, the at least one tractor motor being for driving tractor ground engagers about a tractor rotational axis, wherein the tractor unit comprises no further driven tractor ground engagers and when driven is balanced by the trailer unit, wherein the trailer unit comprises:
- at least one trailer ground engager;
- a trailer power system comprising a trailer power distribution system connected to a trailer power source;
- and
- a trailer services connection for releasably connecting to a tractor services connection of the tractor unit for connecting the trailer power distribution system to the tractor power distribution system such that electrical power can be distributed therebetween such that electrical power from the trailer power source is suppliable to the at least one tractor motor.
A work machine system comprising:
- a tractor unit comprising a tractor power system having a tractor power distribution system connected to at least one tractor motor for driving tractor ground engagers about a tractor rotational axis, wherein the tractor unit comprises no further driven tractor ground engagers;
- and
- a plurality of trailer units, each trailer unit comprising at least one trailer ground engager and a trailer power system having a trailer power distribution system connected to a trailer power source, wherein each trailer unit is releasably coupleable to the tractor unit for balancing the tractor unit,
- wherein, the tractor unit comprises a tractor services connection and each trailer unit comprises a trailer services connection, wherein the tractor and trailer services connections are for releasably electrically connecting the tractor power distribution system to the trailer power distribution system of each trailer unit such that electrical power can be distributed to the tractor motor from the trailer power source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.