EP-4737175-A1 - THERMAL MANAGEMENT FOR HYBRID MINING TRUCKS

EP4737175A1EP 4737175 A1EP4737175 A1EP 4737175A1EP-4737175-A1

Abstract

A mining truck can include a resistor grid, an electronics unit, and a thermal management system positioned on a deck of the mining truck. The thermal management system can include an air transfer zone arranged between the resistor grid and the electronics unit. The air transfer zone can be configured to receive exhaust air from the resistor grid. The thermal management system can further include one or more heat exchangers positioned above the resistor grid. The one or more heat exchangers can be configured to receive a cooling fluid for cooling one or more electronic components of the mining truck.

Inventors

RICHARDS, Kieran
Trudell, Tanner
SOPP, Daniel

Assignees

Cummins, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20251023

Claims (15)

A mining truck comprising: a chassis extending along a longitudinal length of the mining truck, the chassis having a front end portion and a rear end portion; a deck supported by the front end portion of the chassis; a resistor grid supported by the deck; an electronics unit supported by the deck and spaced apart from the resistor grid; and an air transfer zone arranged between the resistor grid and the electronics unit, the air transfer zone configured to receive exhaust air from the resistor grid.
The mining truck of claim 1, wherein the electronics unit includes a battery.
The mining truck of either of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an insulation layer disposed between the air transfer zone and the electronics unit.
The mining truck of any preceding claim, wherein the resistor grid is configured to move the exhaust air in a first direction, and wherein the air transfer zone forms a flow path in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
The mining truck of claim 4, wherein the resistor grid includes one or more fins oriented to direct the exhaust air toward the second direction.
The mining truck of claim 4 or 5, wherein the air transfer zone is configured to vent the exhaust air in the second direction.
The mining truck of claim 6, wherein the deck has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the second side including an operator cab of the mining truck, the first side including the air transfer zone, wherein the air transfer zone is configured to vent the exhaust air away from the mining truck from the first side, and wherein the second direction extends from the first side to an ambient area adjacent the first side.
The mining truck of claim 7, further comprising: a mirror coupled to the first side of the mining truck; and a line-of-sight defined between the mirror and the operator cab; wherein neither of the resistor grid nor the electronics unit intersect the line-of-sight defined between the mirror and the operator cab.
The mining truck of any preceding claim, wherein the electronics unit comprises one or more DC/DC converters.
The mining truck of any preceding claim, wherein the resistor grid comprises a top-side access panel and wherein the mining truck preferably further comprises one or more condenser tubes positioned above the resistor grid.
The mining truck of any preceding claim, further comprising a front support member positioned between the resistor grid and the air transfer zone, and wherein the front support member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion removably attached to the lower portion.
The mining truck of any preceding claim, further comprising: one or more heat exchangers positioned above the resistor grid, the one or more heat exchangers configured to receive a cooling fluid for cooling one or more electronic components of the mining truck.
The mining truck of claim 12, wherein the one or more heat exchangers are positioned above the air transfer zone, such that the air transfer zone is enclosed by the resistor grid, the electronics unit, the deck, and a base support member of the one or more heat exchangers and preferably wherein an insulation layer is disposed between the air transfer zone and the one or more heat exchangers.
The mining truck of either of claim 12 or 13, wherein the one or more heat exchangers are positioned above the electronics unit.
The mining truck of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the one or more heat exchangers includes a first heat exchanger configured to cool the battery of the mining truck and a second heat exchanger configured to cool the electronics unit and wherein the mining truck preferably further comprises a radiator configured to cool the electronics unit, wherein the one or more heat exchangers are configured to cool the battery of the mining truck.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to architectures, or component arrangements, of hybrid mining trucks. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the arrangement of vehicle components associated with a thermal management system of a hybrid mining truck. 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 DISCLOSURE A mining truck can include a resistor grid, an electronics unit, and a thermal management system. The resistor grid, electronics unit, and thermal management system can be positioned on a deck of the mining truck. The thermal management system can include an air transfer zone. The air transfer zone can be arranged between the resistor grid and the electronics unit. The air transfer zone can be configured to receive exhaust air from the resistor grid. The thermal management system can further include one or more heat exchangers. The one or more heat exchangers can be positioned above the resistor grid. The one or more heat exchangers can be configured to receive a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid can be for cooling one or more electronic components of the mining truck. In a first aspect of the disclosure, a mining truck is provided. The mining truck includes a chassis extending along a longitudinal length of the mining truck. The chassis has a front end portion and a rear end portion. The mining truck further includes a deck supported by the front end portion of the chassis, a resistor grid supported by the deck, an electronics unit supported by the deck and spaced apart from the resistor grid, and an air transfer zone arranged between the resistor grid and the electronics unit. The air transfer zone is configured to receive exhaust air from the resistor grid. In another aspect of the disclosure, a mining truck is provided. The mining truck includes a chassis extending along a longitudinal length of the mining truck, a deck supported by the chassis, a resistor grid supported by the deck, and one or more heat exchangers positioned above the resistor grid. The one or more heat exchangers are configured to receive a cooling fluid for cooling one or more electronic components of the mining truck. In various aspects of the disclosure, the electronics unit may include a battery. In various aspects of the disclosure, the mining truck may further include an insulation layer disposed between the air transfer zone and the electronics unit. In various aspects of the disclosure, the resistor grid is configured to move the exhaust air in a first direction. The air transfer zone may form a flow path in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The resistor grid may include one or more fins oriented to direct the exhaust air toward the second direction. The air transfer zone may be configured to vent the exhaust air in the second direction. The deck may have a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second side may include an operator cab of the mining truck. The first side may include the air transfer zone. The air transfer zone may be configured to vent the exhaust air away from the mining truck from the first side. The second direction may extend from the first side to an ambient area adjacent the first side. The mining truck may further include a mirror coupled to the first side of the mining truck and a line-of-sight defined between the mirror and the operator cab. Neither of the resistor grid nor the electronics unit may intersect the line-of-sight defined between the mirror and the operator cab. In various aspects of the disclosure, the electronics unit may include one or more DC/DC converters. In various aspects of the disclosure, the resistor grid may include a top-side access panel. In various aspects of the disclosure, the mining truck further includes one or more condenser tubes positioned above the resistor grid. In various aspects of the disclosure, the mining truck may further include a front support member positioned between the resistor grid and the air transfer zone. The front support member may include an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion may be removably attached to the lower portion. In various aspects of the disclosure, the mining truck may further