Apparatus and method for a dual power system

A power system including a pump drive having a first side and a second side, a motor that is operationally connected to the first side of the pump drive, an engine that is operationally connected to the second side of the pump drive, and a pump that is operationally connected to the pump drive. The preferred power system is adapted to power the item of equipment with either the motor or the engine. A method for providing power to an item of equipment by engaging the pump drive with the engine and/or the motor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods for power systems, and particularly to apparatuses and methods for dual power systems for rock crushers and screens.

BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

It is known to use apparatuses and methods to produce power for items of heavy equipment. Conventional apparatuses and methods, however, suffer from one or more disadvantages. For example, conventional apparatuses and methods do not easily vary the speed at which the equipment operates. Conventional apparatuses and methods also do not easily reverse the operating direction of the item of heavy equipment. Further, conventional apparatuses and methods require an onboard engine that must be running in order for the equipment to operate. Still further, conventional apparatuses and methods require undesirably large engines which are expensive and result in difficulties obtaining permits to operate. In addition, conventional apparatuses and methods are undesirably bulky and expensive to operate. Conventional apparatuses and methods are also undesirably susceptible to power loss at elevations and blockage in dusty or dirty conditions.

It would be desirable, therefore, if an apparatus and method for a power system could be provided that would easily vary the operating speed of an item of heavy equipment. It would also be desirable if such an apparatus and method for a power system could be provided that would easily reverse the operating direction of an item of heavy equipment. It would be further desirable if such an apparatus and method for a power system could be provided that would not require an onboard running engine in order for the item of heavy equipment to operate. It would be still further desirable if such an apparatus and method for a power system could be provided that would have a smaller, less expensive engine. In addition, it would be desirable if such an apparatus and method for a power system could be provided that would be less bulky and less expensive to operate. It would also be desirable if such an apparatus and method for a power system could be provided that would be less susceptible to power loss at elevations and less susceptible to blockage in dusty or dirty conditions.

Advantages of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention claimed herein to provide an apparatus and method for a power system that easily varies the operating speed of an item of heavy equipment. It is also an advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention claimed herein to provide an apparatus and method for a power system that easily reverses the operating direction of an item of heavy equipment. It is another advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention claimed herein to provide an apparatus and method for a power system that does not require an onboard running engine in order for the item of heavy equipment to operate. It is still another advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention claimed herein to provide an apparatus and method for a power system that has a smaller, less expensive engine. It is yet another advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention claimed herein to provide an apparatus and method for a power system that is compact and less expensive to operate. In addition, is an advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention claimed herein to provide an apparatus and method for a power system that is less susceptible to power loss at elevations and less susceptible to blockage in dusty or dirty conditions.

Additional advantages of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the drawings and the ensuing description.

Explanation of the Technical Terms

As used herein, the term “engine” means a device, mechanism, assembly, or combination thereof adapted convert thermal energy into mechanical energy. The term “engine” includes without limitation heat-type engines, combustion engines (internal, external, and air-breathing), and non-combusting heat engines.

As used herein, the term “motor” means a device, mechanism, assembly, or combination thereof adapted to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy using forces exerted by magnetic fields on current-carrying circuits. The term “motor” includes without limitation self-commutated motors, brushed DC motors, electronic commutator motors, universal AC-DC motors, externally commutated motors, induction motors synchronous motors, doubly-fed electric motors, magnetic motors, rotary motors, and linear motors.

As used herein, the term “pump” means a device, mechanism, assembly, or combination thereof adapted to convert mechanical energy into fluid energy by any of a variety of technologies, including without limitation, suction or compression, in order to move fluid into, through, and/or out of a system. The term “pump” includes without limitation positive displacement pumps (rotary-type, reciprocating-type, and linear-type), gear pumps, screw pumps, rotary vane pumps, plunger pumps, diaphragm pumps, piston pumps, radial piston pumps, rotary lobe pumps, progressive cavity pumps, rotary gear pumps, progressing cavity pumps, roots-type pumps, peristaltic pumps, double-diaphragm pumps, rope pumps, impulse pumps, ram pumps, pulsar pumps, airlift pumps, velocity pumps, radial-flow pumps, axial-flow pumps, educator-jet pumps, gravity pumps, steam pumps, and valveless pumps.

As used herein, the terms “pump drive” means a device, mechanism, assembly, or combination thereof adapted to drive a pump using one or more gears.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the invention comprises a power system including a pump drive having a first side and a second side, a motor that is operationally connected to the first side of the pump drive, an engine that is operationally connected to the second side of the pump drive, and a pump that is operationally connected to the pump drive. The preferred power system is adapted to power the item of equipment with either the motor or the engine.

The method of the invention comprises a method for providing power to an item of equipment. The preferred method comprises providing a power system adapted to power an item of equipment. The preferred power system comprises a pump drive having a first side and a second side, a motor that is operationally connected to the first side of the pump drive, an engine that is operationally connected to the second side of the pump drive, and a pump that is operationally connected to the pump drive. The preferred power system is adapted to power the item of equipment with either the motor or the engine. The preferred method further comprises engaging the pump drive with the motor and/or the engine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the preferred s of the power system in accordance with the present invention are illustrated byFIGS. 1 through 6. As shown inFIGS. 1-6, the preferred power system is adapted to easily vary the operating speed and easily reverse the operating direction of an item of heavy equipment. The preferred power system also does not require an onboard running engine in order for the item of heavy equipment to operate and has a smaller, less expensive engine. The preferred power system is also compact and less expensive to operate. In addition, the preferred power system is less susceptible to power loss at elevations and less susceptible to blockage in dusty or dirty conditions.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a right side view of the preferred embodiment of the power system in accordance with the present invention shown on an exemplary item of equipment is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 1, the preferred power system is designated generally by reference numeral20. Preferred power system20is mounted to exemplary item of equipment22and adapted to power the item of equipment. Exemplary item of equipment22has feeder end24which includes a feeder drive. Exemplary item of equipment22also comprises track drive26, crusher drive28, and conveyor drive30at conveyor end32. Preferably, each of the drives are hydraulic drives, but it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that one or more of the drives may be pneumatic, electrical, mechanical, or any other suitable type of drive. WhileFIG. 1illustrates the preferred power system mounted on the exemplary item of equipment, it is also contemplated within the scope of the invention that the power system may not be mounted on an item of equipment and instead placed at a location remote from the item of equipment.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a perspective view of power system20is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 2, preferred power system20comprises pump drive40, motor42, engine44, and pump46. Preferred pump drive40is a hydraulic pump drive and comprises one or more gears. Preferred motor42is an electric motor or a high definition electric motor and it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that preferred power system20may comprise more than one motor. The preferred engine44is a diesel engine and is operationally connected to the pump drive via clutch48. Preferred clutch48is an electronic clutch. Preferred pump46is a hydraulic pump that is mounted on pump drive40. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that preferred power system20may comprise more than one pump.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a sectional perspective view of preferred power system20is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 3, preferred power system20comprises pump drive40, motor42, engine44, and pump46.

Referring toFIG. 3A, a sectional front view of preferred power system20is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 3A, preferred power system20comprises pump drive40, engine44, and clutch48.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a front view of a portion of preferred power system20is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 4, preferred power system20comprises pump drive40, motor42, pumps46, clutch48, and flywheel housing50. Preferred pump drive40has first side60and second side62. Preferred motor42is operationally connected to first side60of pump drive40and preferred engine44is operationally connected to second side62of pump drive40. Preferably, engine44is operationally connected to second side62of pump drive40via clutch48. Preferred pumps46are operationally connected to pump drive40.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a sectional front view of a portion of preferred power system20is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 5, preferred power system20comprises pump drive40, motor42, clutch48, and flywheel housing50.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a schematic view of an exemplary plant including the preferred power system is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 6, preferred power system is designated generally by reference numeral120. Preferred power system120comprises pump drive140, motor142, engine144, pumps146, and clutch148. Preferred pump drive140is operationally connected to pumps146which are operationally connected to items of equipment such as crusher150, tracks151, feeder152, conveyors153, and setup154.

Still referring toFIG. 6, preferred motor142is operationally connected to motor invertor160which is operationally connected to grid interface unit162. Preferred grid interface unit162includes AC/DC power supply164which is adapted to supply electrical energy from either line power or a generator (genset) or a combination thereof. Preferred grid interface unit162also includes DC capacitor166which has the ability to store electrical energy and block the flow of direct current. The exemplary plant also includes control center170which is adapted to control power system120, motor inverter160, and grid interface unit162.

The claimed invention also comprises a method for providing power to an item of equipment. The preferred method comprises providing a power system adapted to power an item of equipment. The preferred power system comprises a pump drive having a first side and a second side, a motor that is operationally connected to the first side of the pump drive, an engine that is operationally connected to the second side of the pump drive, and a pump that is operationally connected to the pump drive. The preferred power system is adapted to power the item of equipment with either the motor or the engine. The preferred method further comprises engaging the pump drive with the motor and/or the engine. In another preferred embodiment of the method for providing power to an item of equipment, only the motor engages the pump drive when the item of equipment is fully operational.

In operation, several advantages of the preferred embodiments of the power system are achieved. For example, the preferred embodiments of the power system easily varies the operating speed and easily reverses the operating direction of an item of heavy equipment. The preferred power system also does not require an onboard running engine in order for the item of heavy equipment to operate. The preferred power system is also less expensive to operate. In addition, the preferred power system is less susceptible to power loss at elevations and less susceptible to blockage in dusty or dirty conditions.

The preferred pump drive is a gearbox having mounting pads for mounting the hydraulic pumps. Preferably, the pump drive has two inputs. One input is the diesel engine and the other input is the electric motor. The outputs of the pump drive are located where the hydraulic pumps are mounted. The hydraulic pumps are driven by the pump drive, and the hydraulic pumps pump oil to the hydraulic motor(s) on the item of equipment.

Preferably, when the diesel engine is used as the power source, the electric motor spins, but does not provide any power to the pump drive. When the electric motor is used as the power source, the diesel engine is disconnected from the pump drive via the clutch not being engaged. In this condition, all of the power comes from the electric motor to drive the hydraulic pumps through the pump drive. The diesel engine and the electric motor may also run simultaneously. In this condition, the electric motor can function as a genset and potentially produce excess energy that can be stored in a battery or a battery pack for spikes in the power requirement and/or to power additional power systems and/or items of equipment on site.

Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as well as the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the invention. The invention, as described herein, is susceptible to various modifications and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.