Patent ID: 11881653
Assignee: CATERPILLAR INC.
Field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H  B | IPC B  H

Claim 0:
1. A work machine, comprising:
an electric engine;
an air compressor;
a conductor rod, extending along a longitudinal axis, from a first end proximate the work machine to a second end spaced laterally from the work machine, the conductor rod comprising:
a central passageway extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis and pneumatically coupling the first end to the second end,
a first cylindrical shell extending from the first end toward the second end and having a first diameter,
a first stop attached to the first cylindrical shell,
a first sequence of first conductive tubes and first tubular cavities concentrically positioned alternatingly around the central passageway, the first conductive tubes extending from the first end,
a second cylindrical shell extending from the second end toward the first end and having a second diameter different from the first diameter,
a second stop attached to the second cylindrical shell,
a second sequence of second conductive tubes and second tubular cavities concentrically positioned alternatingly around the central passageway, the second conductive tubes extending from the second end, wherein
the first cylindrical shell and the second cylindrical shell are slidably mated along the longitudinal axis,
the first conductive tubes are slidable into the second tubular cavities, and
the second conductive tubes are slidable into the first tubular cavities; and

a retraction cavity positioned between the first cylindrical shell and the second cylindrical shell, and between the first stop and the second stop;

a channel from the air compressor to at least the retraction cavity; and
an open-loop directional control valve configured, in a default state, to couple a first cavity of the first tubular cavities to atmosphere and, in an active state, to couple the first cavity to the channel.