Methods and systems are provided related to a self-propelling work machine in the form of a tracked vehicle having an electric drive, with a generator drivable by an internal combustion engine, an auxiliary unit connected to the engine, and a braking apparatus for braking the work machine. The braking apparatus provides regenerative braking by the electric drive and comprises a feedback apparatus for feeding back electrical motor braking power of the electric motor to the generator to apply the motor braking power on the engine and on the auxiliary unit. A controller automatically increases or decreases the electrical load of the auxiliary unit based on the electrical motor braking power fed back to the engine and/or based on an engine speed.

A method for controlling a braking torque of a drive system and for braking a vehicle includes in a first state connecting phase connections of a synchronous machine to one another by a changeover apparatus and short circuiting the phase connections such that a first braking torque develops at the synchronous machine. In a second state the phase connections are connected to one another by the changeover apparatus and to a resistance, such that a second braking torque develops at the synchronous machine. The changeover apparatus periodically switches between the first and second states at a switching frequency of 10 Hz or higher to produce a pre-settable braking torque at the synchronous machine, with the changeover between the first state and the second state being controlled by a timing element in an unregulated manner.

A method for controlling a braking torque of a drive system and for braking a vehicle includes in a first state connecting phase connections of a synchronous machine to one another by a changeover apparatus and short circuiting the phase connections such that a first braking torque develops at the synchronous machine. In a second state the phase connections are connected to one another by the changeover apparatus and to a resistance, such that a second braking torque develops at the synchronous machine. The changeover apparatus periodically switches between the first and second states at a switching frequency of 10 Hz or higher to produce a pre-settable braking torque at the synchronous machine, with the changeover between the first state and the second state being controlled by a timing element in an unregulated manner.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for storing energy in a mining machine. One embodiment provides a haulage vehicle including a bi-directional electrical bus, a power source coupled to the bi-directional electrical bus, a motor coupled to the bi-directional electrical bus and operating a drive mechanism included in the haulage vehicle, a kinetic energy storage system coupled to the bi-directional electrical bus, and a controller configured to communicate with the kinetic energy storage system and the power source. The kinetic energy storage system includes a flywheel and a switched reluctance motor. The controller is configured to operate the kinetic energy storage system as a primary power source for the bi-directional electrical bus and to operate the power source as a secondary power source for the bi-directional electrical bus when the kinetic energy storage system cannot satisfy an energy demand on the bi-directional electrical bus.

A locomotive propelled by a hybrid power system includes a boost mode of operation accessible on-demand by the operator. When a throttle is set to deliver maximum power from a diesel-electric engine, an operator can select actuators separate from the throttle to request that a control module deliver additional electrical power from batteries. The actuators may be soft keys or a touchscreen on a computer monitor or mechanical switches as part of the locomotive cab. The actuators provide boost notches of additional power beyond the typical eight notches on the throttle at least for transient conditions, and existing locomotives may be easily and inexpensively retrofitted with the actuators.

A method for operating a vehicle when stopping the vehicle and/or when holding the vehicle at a standstill, in particular after a failure in a brake system, for example, a brake-by-wire system of the vehicle. The vehicle can have an electric motor. The method has the steps of: carrying out a deceleration, in particular a regenerative deceleration of the vehicle, the deceleration preferably being initiated automatically, and switching the electric motor to an active short-circuit, preferably after a regenerative deceleration of the vehicle in order to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

A mobile mining machine includes a plurality of traction elements, a plurality of motors, a power source in electrical communication with the plurality of motors, and an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the power source. Each of the motors is coupled to an associated one of the plurality of traction elements. Each of the motors is driven by the associated traction element in a first mode, and drives the associated traction element in a second mode. The energy storage system includes a shaft, a rotor secured to the shaft, a stator extending around the rotor, and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith. In the first mode, rotation of the motors causes rotation of the flywheel to store kinetic energy. In the second mode, rotation of the rotor and the flywheel discharges kinetic energy to drive the motors.

A vehicle control device includes a drive source controller configured to control a drive source on the basis of a creep drive force set so that a vehicle does not slip down when being stopped on a gradient road, and a braking force calculator configured to calculate a braking force generated on the basis of a braking operation of a driver. The drive source controller reduces a drive force generated by the drive source when the braking force is larger than the creep drive force when the vehicle is stopped. The creep drive force is a force not smaller than a force balanced with a force acting in a slip-down direction of the vehicle at a minimum gradient at which a hill hold function is activated.

A vehicle control device includes a drive source controller configured to control a drive source on the basis of a creep drive force set so that a vehicle does not slip down when being stopped on a gradient road, and a braking force calculator configured to calculate a braking force generated on the basis of a braking operation of a driver. The drive source controller reduces a drive force generated by the drive source when the braking force is larger than the creep drive force when the vehicle is stopped. The creep drive force is a force not smaller than a force balanced with a force acting in a slip-down direction of the vehicle at a minimum gradient at which a hill hold function is activated.

Provided herein is a system including a resistor grid having a resistor element and a sensor configured to sense a condition indicative of a temperature of the resistor element. The system also includes a processing circuit comprising memory communicably coupled to one or more processors. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the processing circuit to determine a speed of an electric drive machine as resistive braking is applied to the electric drive machine, determine the temperature of the resistor element of the resistor grid as the resistive braking is applied to the electric drive machine, calculate, in response to the temperature satisfying a temperature threshold, a maximum resistive braking speed, and apply the maximum resistive braking speed to a governor of the electric drive machine to prevent the electric drive machine from exceeding the maximum resistive braking speed.