SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A CONDUCTIVE ROD POWERING A WORK MACHINE

• Main Author: STRASHNY, Igor
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 02.10.2024
• Subjects: BLASTING; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT OR PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLEDVEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES, IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVO-MOTORS; HEATING; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL; LIGHTING; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; POWER SUPPLY LINES, AND DEVICES ALONG RAILS, FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A work machine powered electrically by a conductor rod includes a pneumatic control system for moving the conductor rod axially to contact power rails along a haul route. The conductor rod has a central passageway pneumatically coupling a head to a tip. A barrel extending from the head and an arm extending from the tip have concentric tubular conductors radially offset from each other and slidably mated together. Arrangements of pneumatic control valves provide pressurized air to selected cavities formed at ends or sides of the tubular conductors, causing axial forces that are balanced to effect retraction and extension of the arm within the barrel. In an open-loop mode, the pneumatic control system enables attachment of the arm to the power rails. In a closed-loop mode, mechanical feedback of relative position between the arm and power rails leads to axial adjustment pneumatically so that contact with electrical power is maintained despite lateral movements caused by steering or road conditions.