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EP-4737163-A1 - ARCHITECTURE FOR HYBRID MINING TRUCKS

EP4737163A1EP 4737163 A1EP4737163 A1EP 4737163A1EP-4737163-A1

Abstract

Architectures of heavy equipment vehicles, such as mining trucks, are presented herein for hybridization of such vehicles. For example, the architectures provided herein may relate to the placement of a battery pack module, a hydraulic liquid tank, a second liquid tank such as a fuel tank, and various components required for operation of a hybrid mining truck.

Inventors

  • RICHARDS, KIERAN J.

Assignees

  • Cummins, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251007

Claims (15)

  1. A mining haul truck, comprising: a chassis; a first wheel coupled to a first side of the chassis at a first forward position; a second wheel coupled to the first side of the chassis at a first rearward position, the first wheel and the second wheel defining a space therebetween; a third wheel coupled to a second side of the chassis at a second forward position; a fourth wheel coupled to the second side of the chassis at a second rearward position, the third wheel and the fourth wheel defining a space therebetween; a hydraulic tank coupled to the chassis within the space defined between the third wheel and the fourth wheel; and a fuel tank coupled to the chassis within the space defined between the third wheel and the fourth wheel.
  2. The mining haul truck of claim 1, further comprising a second fuel tank positioned in the space defined between the third wheel and the fourth wheel.
  3. The mining haul truck of claim 2, further comprising a third fuel tank positioned in the space defined between the first wheel and the second wheel.
  4. The mining haul truck of claim 1, further comprising a second fuel tank positioned in the space defined between the first wheel and the second wheel.
  5. The mining haul truck of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a battery pack module coupled to the chassis in the space defined between the first wheel and the second wheel.
  6. The mining haul truck of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic tank is coupled to the chassis adjacent to the chassis at an interior position and the fuel tank is coupled to the chassis adjacent to the hydraulic tank at an exterior position so that the hydraulic tank is positioned between the chassis and the fuel tank.
  7. A mining haul truck as claimed in claim 1, the chassis having a first longitudinal frame member on a first side of the chassis extending from a first end of the chassis to a second end of the chassis and a second longitudinal frame member on a second side of the chassis extending from the first end of the chassis to a second end of the chassis, the first longitudinal frame member and the second longitudinal frame member defining a space therebetween; the mining haul truck further comprising an internal combustion engine positioned in the space defined between_first longitudinal frame member and the second longitudinal frame member; and a battery pack module coupled to the chassis within the space defined between the first wheel and the second wheel.
  8. The mining haul truck of claim 7, wherein the battery pack module is coupled to a thermal management system and a DC/DC system, and optionally wherein the thermal management system and the DC/DC system are supported by the chassis on a forward position thereof.
  9. The mining haul truck of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the battery pack module and the first wheel define a first clearance area therebetween, and/or wherein the battery pack module and the second wheel define a second clearance area therebetween.
  10. The mining haul truck of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the battery pack module includes a plurality of battery pack layers in a vertical arrangement, each battery pack layer of the plurality of battery pack layers including at least one battery pack.
  11. A mining haul truck as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis supports a deck on a forward position thereof; and wherein the mining haul truck further comprises a resistor grid positioned in a first region associated with a first side of the deck; an operator cab positioned in a second region associated with a second side of the deck; a DC/DC system positioned in the first region in a forward position relative to the resistor grid, the DC/DC system and the resistor grid defining a space therebetween; and a thermal management system positioned at least partially in the space defined between the DC/DC system and the resistor grid.
  12. The mining haul truck of claim 11, further comprising a radiator mounted at a first end portion of the chassis adjacent a first end of the chassis.
  13. The mining haul truck of claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising an inverter cabinet positioned at a rearward position of the deck and optionally partially in the first region and partially in the second region.
  14. The mining haul truck of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the deck defines a space at a forward position configured to receive an on-board trolley system.
  15. The mining haul truck of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the thermal management system is fluidly coupled to the DC/DC system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to architectures, or component arrangement, of hybrid mining trucks. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the arrangement of vehicle components for the retrofitting or first fitting of mining trucks for operation of the mining trucks using hybrid powertrain systems. BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE Environmental and efficiency considerations have resulted in the electrification of vehicles across industries and purposes. While electric and hybrid passenger and cargo vehicles are becoming more commonplace, electrification and/or hybridization of large equipment vehicles poses its own set of challenges. For example, large equipment vehicles, such as mining trucks, cranes, bulldozers, etc. may require a workload and/or have a sheer size component that make implementation of alternative powertrains more difficult. Additionally, the components required for hybridization and/or electrification of such vehicles may be difficult to arrange due to the space available relative to the respective vehicle for mounting such components. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE Architectures of heavy equipment vehicles, such as mining trucks, are presented herein for hybridization of such vehicles. For example, the architectures provided herein may relate to the placement of a battery pack module, a hydraulic liquid tank, a second liquid tank such as a fuel tank, and various components required for operation of a hybrid mining truck. The invention is set out in the appended set of claims. In a first aspect of the disclosure, a mining haul truck is provided. The mining haul truck includes a chassis; a first wheel coupled to a first side of the chassis at a first forward position; a second wheel coupled to the first side of the chassis at a first rearward position; a third wheel coupled to a second side of the chassis at a second forward position; and a fourth wheel coupled to the second side of the chassis at a second rear ward position. The first wheel and the second wheel define a first space therebetween. The third wheel and the second wheel define a second space therebetween. The mining truck also includes a hydraulic tank coupled to the chassis within the second space and a fuel tank coupled to the chassis within the second space. In another aspect of the disclosure, a mining haul truck is provided. The mining haul truck includes a chassis having a first longitudinal frame member on a first side of the chassis extending from a first end of the chassis to a second end of the chassis and a second longitudinal frame member on a second side of the chassis extending from the first end of the chassis to a second end of the chassis. The first longitudinal frame member and the second longitudinal frame member define a first space therebetween. The mining truck also includes a first wheel coupled to a first side of the chassis at a first forward position; a second wheel coupled to the first side of the chassis at a first rearward position; a third wheel coupled to a second side of the chassis at a second forward position; and a fourth wheel coupled to the second side of the chassis at a second rearward position. The first wheel and the second wheel define a second space therebetween. The third wheel and the fourth wheel define a third space therebetween. The mining haul truck further includes an internal combustion engine positioned in the first space and a battery pack module coupled to the chassis within the second space. In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a mining haul truck is provided. The mining haul truck includes a chassis supporting a deck on a forward position thereof; a resistor grid positioned in a first region associated with a first side of the deck; an operator cab positioned in a second region associated with a second side of the deck; and a DC/DC system positioned in the first region in a forward position relative to the resistor grid. The DC/DC system and the resistor grid define a space therebetween. The mining haul truck also includes a thermal management system positioned at least partially in the space. In another aspect of the disclosure, a mining haul truck is provided. The mining haul truck includes a chassis supporting a deck on a forward portion thereof; a resistor grid positioned in a first region associated with a first side of the deck; an operator cab positioned in a second region associated with a second side of the deck; a DC/DC system positioned on the resistor grid; and a thermal management system positioned at least partially in the first region. In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a mining haul truck is provided. The mining haul truck includes a chassis supporting a deck on a forward portion thereof; a resistor grid and a DC/DC system positioned in a first region associated with a first side of the deck; an operator cab positioned in a second region associated with a second side of the deck; and a fl