Patent classifications
B60M1/02
TRACKED ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEMS
Electrified roadway systems include a roadway, and vehicles configured to operate on the roadway. The roadway has a base, and two electrically-conductive rails mounted on the base. One of the rails is electrically connected to a source of electric power, and the other rail is electrically connected to an electrical ground. The vehicles include non-electrically-conductive tires, and an electric motor mechanically connected to, and configured to rotate at least one of the tires to propel the vehicle along the roadway. The vehicles draw electric power from the roadway via two electrical pickups that contact the respective rails, and a retracted position at which the pickups are out of contact with the rails. A wear-resistant cover can be positioned on each of the rails. The wear resist covers can have features that maximize the contact area and the contact force between the covers and the rails.
TRACKED ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEMS
Electrified roadway systems include a roadway, and vehicles configured to operate on the roadway. The roadway has a base, and two electrically-conductive rails mounted on the base. One of the rails is electrically connected to a source of electric power, and the other rail is electrically connected to an electrical ground. The vehicles include non-electrically-conductive tires, and an electric motor mechanically connected to, and configured to rotate at least one of the tires to propel the vehicle along the roadway. The vehicles draw electric power from the roadway via two electrical pickups that contact the respective rails, and a retracted position at which the pickups are out of contact with the rails. A wear-resistant cover can be positioned on each of the rails. The wear resist covers can have features that maximize the contact area and the contact force between the covers and the rails.
RELOCATABLE BASE FOR ELEVATED POWER RAILS AND METHOD OF DEPLOYMENT
A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. Opposite ends of a roadside barrier contain complementary tubular couplers arranged vertically, one having a first diameter supported by an arm and the other having a larger second diameter and a vertical slot. Couplers on adjacent barriers can be mated together concentrically along a central axis. The mated couplers help restrict longitudinal displacement, lateral displacement, slope change, and lateral rotation between adjacent barriers during placement. One barrier may be used as a temporary alignment structure to position barriers spaced altematingly along a haul route for the work machine.
RELOCATABLE BASE FOR ELEVATED POWER RAILS AND METHOD OF DEPLOYMENT
A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. Opposite ends of a roadside barrier contain complementary tubular couplers arranged vertically, one having a first diameter supported by an arm and the other having a larger second diameter and a vertical slot. Couplers on adjacent barriers can be mated together concentrically along a central axis. The mated couplers help restrict longitudinal displacement, lateral displacement, slope change, and lateral rotation between adjacent barriers during placement. One barrier may be used as a temporary alignment structure to position barriers spaced altematingly along a haul route for the work machine.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR JOINING POWER RAIL SEGMENTS
A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. End portions of rail segments having narrower widths than body portions of the rail segments are joined within a split fishplate. Laterally opposing faces within the narrowed end portions form a longitudinal overlap, and connectors underneath the rail segments pull the split fishplate together against the end portions. In arrangements with parallel rails around a curvature, the rail segments are adjusted by sliding so that the longitudinal overlap is larger for rails on an inside of the curvature compared with rails on an outside of the curvature.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR JOINING POWER RAIL SEGMENTS
A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. End portions of rail segments having narrower widths than body portions of the rail segments are joined within a split fishplate. Laterally opposing faces within the narrowed end portions form a longitudinal overlap, and connectors underneath the rail segments pull the split fishplate together against the end portions. In arrangements with parallel rails around a curvature, the rail segments are adjusted by sliding so that the longitudinal overlap is larger for rails on an inside of the curvature compared with rails on an outside of the curvature.
Line Selection for the Operation of Electrically Driven Rail Vehicles
The invention relates to a line section for the operation of electrically driven rail vehicles, with a track which exhibits two parallel rails, with a contact line borne by an insulator, said contact line being arranged on one side of the track in a spatial region extending parallel to the rails, wherein the contact line is intended to supply current-collectors of the electrically driven rail vehicles with current and to support said current-collectors from underneath, and wherein the contact line and the insulator bearing the contact line are intermittently interrupted or not interrupted.
The invention is distinguished in that a support device which is non-functional for the power supply of the rail vehicle is arranged on the other side of the track in a second spatial region extending parallel to the rails, said support device being intended to support current-collectors of the electrically driven rail vehicles from underneath without supplying them with current.
Line Selection for the Operation of Electrically Driven Rail Vehicles
The invention relates to a line section for the operation of electrically driven rail vehicles, with a track which exhibits two parallel rails, with a contact line borne by an insulator, said contact line being arranged on one side of the track in a spatial region extending parallel to the rails, wherein the contact line is intended to supply current-collectors of the electrically driven rail vehicles with current and to support said current-collectors from underneath, and wherein the contact line and the insulator bearing the contact line are intermittently interrupted or not interrupted.
The invention is distinguished in that a support device which is non-functional for the power supply of the rail vehicle is arranged on the other side of the track in a second spatial region extending parallel to the rails, said support device being intended to support current-collectors of the electrically driven rail vehicles from underneath without supplying them with current.
Device having two rigid conductor rails and a section insulator
The section insulator for rigid conductor rails has conductive runners, a ramp and an insulating runner, each connected to one conductor rail. The conductor runners (7, 7′) and the ramps (11, 11′) are connected to one another at one end and at their other ends to the conductor rail, wherein the latter mentioned ends are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (3). The two conductor rails (1, 2) are rigidly and torsion-resistantly connected to one another by insulating profiles (5, 6). Insulating runners (14, 14′) are attached to the insulating profiles opposite the respective conductive runner, so that a current collector is properly guided when passing by. An insulating spacing is present between the ends of the conductive runners (7, 7′) and the ends of the closest insulating runner (14, 14′).
Device having two rigid conductor rails and a section insulator
The section insulator for rigid conductor rails has conductive runners, a ramp and an insulating runner, each connected to one conductor rail. The conductor runners (7, 7′) and the ramps (11, 11′) are connected to one another at one end and at their other ends to the conductor rail, wherein the latter mentioned ends are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (3). The two conductor rails (1, 2) are rigidly and torsion-resistantly connected to one another by insulating profiles (5, 6). Insulating runners (14, 14′) are attached to the insulating profiles opposite the respective conductive runner, so that a current collector is properly guided when passing by. An insulating spacing is present between the ends of the conductive runners (7, 7′) and the ends of the closest insulating runner (14, 14′).