Auxiliary motivation system for work machines

An auxiliary motivation system for a work machine may be provided where the work machine has a power source for powering a hydraulic system to hydraulically power a hydraulic motor of a drive system of the work machine. The auxiliary motivation system may include an auxiliary motivation device that includes an auxiliary power source and an auxiliary hydraulic system powered by the auxiliary power source. The auxiliary hydraulic system may be configured for fluid coupling to the hydraulic motor of the drive system of the work machine to drive the work machine in place of the hydraulic system on the work machine.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to auxiliary power systems for work machines such as tracked drills, electric rope shovels, excavators, or “bull dozers.” More particularly, the present application relates to auxiliary power systems for electrically powered work machines. Still more particularly, the present application relates to auxiliary power systems for electrically powered work machines that rely on a hydrostatic transmission for propulsion and steering.

BACKGROUND

Electrically powered work machines may rely on a tether system to provide high voltage power. For example, the work machines may include reels that hold and/or house electrical power cables. The electrical power cable may be relatively long and may allow the work machine to be powered by relatively nearby power stations or by a series of power stations along the route of the work machine. That is, when the work machine needs to move from one location to another, the power cable may be pulled to a power station in front of the work machine to power a traction or drive system of the work machine. As the work machine moves toward and passed the power station, the power cable may be drawn in and then paid back out to allow the work machine to move. When all of the power cable is paid out, the work machine may stop, and the power cable may be pulled to another power station in front of the work machine. This process can be cumbersome and slow, cable reels can break, or other operational problems can occur, and power stations may not be available. While the work machine may have onboard batteries, the batteries may not be sufficient to move the work machine long distances, the batteries may not have sufficient power to move the machine at all, or it may simply not be desirable to rely on the battery power for this purpose.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,493 relates to a skid-steer loader power source attachment and method of manufacture. A power source attachment is provided that runs only off the auxiliary hydraulics of a skid-steer, loader, or other prime mover. It can run lights and still have extra power to run one or more electrically operated tools on a construction or other jobsite, such as welders, jackhammers, air compressors, saws, drills, grinders, and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,886 relates to hydraulic power packs. A hydraulic power pack includes a prime mover driving a plurality of hydraulic pumps, a hydraulic circuit including a reservoir connected to an inlet of said pumps, an outlet circuit from said pumps, one or more pressure relief valves in the outlet circuit and a plurality of external connectors on the outlet circuit.

SUMMARY

In one or more examples an auxiliary motivation system for a work machine may be provided where the work machine includes a power source for powering a hydraulic system to hydraulically power a hydraulic motor of a drive system of the work machine. The auxiliary motivation system may include an auxiliary motivation device including an auxiliary power source and an auxiliary hydraulic system powered by the auxiliary power source. The auxiliary hydraulic system may be configured for fluid coupling to the hydraulic motor of the drive system of the work machine to drive the work machine in place of the hydraulic system on the work machine.

In another example, a work machine may include a power source, a hydraulic system powered by the power source, and a drive system comprising a hydraulic motor configured for receiving hydraulic power from the hydraulic system to drive the work machine. The work machine may also include a machine-side interface configured for coupling to an auxiliary motivation device to receive hydraulic power to drive the hydraulic motor in place of the hydraulic system.

In still another example, a method of driving a work machine may be provided. The work machine may include a power source for powering a hydraulic system to hydraulically power a hydraulic motor of a drive system of the work machine. The method may include delivering hydraulic power to the work machine from an auxiliary motivation device and controlling the delivering to drive the hydraulic motor of the drive system to drive the work machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a front and right-side perspective view of a work machine100in the form of an electrically powered blast hole drilling machine. As shown, the work machine100may include an onboard electrical power supply102such as battery or battery bank, cable reel for corded power, or other power supply102. The work machine100may include a ground-engaging and motion imparting drive system such as a track system, wheel system, skid feet, or other drive system104. In one or more examples, the work machine may include a hydraulic system106for operating one or more aspects of the work machine100including, for example, the drive system104. The hydraulic system106may include a pump driven by the power supply102. The pump may be in fluid communication with a hydraulic circuit for driving the drive system104. In one or more examples, a hydrostatic transmission may be provided for delivering power from the pump or other aspect of the hydraulic system106to the drive system104. In the case of a blast hole drilling machine, the hydraulic power may be leveraged for erecting the mast, drilling, and other functions of the work machine.

The work machine100may also include an operator station108. The operator station108may include a cab or enclosure including a seat or chair for the operator. The station108may also include one or a series of input mechanisms such as a joystick, steering wheel, foot pedals, or other operational levers, switches, buttons, or other input devices. An output screen and/or dash and/or panel allowing for machine signals, messages, imagery, or other output to be presented to the operator may also be provided. While a drilling machine100has been highlighted here, still other work machines100may be provided including most any work machine100having a hydrostatic transmission for driving a drive system104for moving the work machine100.

Turning now toFIG.2, an auxiliary motivation system110for the work machine100may be provided. In particular, the auxiliary motivation system110may include an auxiliary source of hydraulic power particularly adapted for fluid coupling to the work machine100to hydraulically power the drive system104of the work machine100. The auxiliary motivation system110may be well suited for assisting the work machine in moving from one location to another where power stations might not be present at or between locations, where a cable reel is not available or not functioning, where power stations are without power, or other circumstances where auxiliary power is desired for moving the work machine. The auxiliary motivation system110may include both onboard and offboard components112/114, where the onboard components112function to allow interaction of the offboard components114with the work machine100and the offboard components114provide hydraulic power, control, electrical power, and/or other functionality. In some cases, the one or more of the offboard components114may be somewhat redundant to components on the work machine100and may be deemed auxiliary components.

With continued reference toFIG.2, the offboard components114may be configured to provide hydraulic power and may also be configured to provide control signals and/or electrical power to the work machine. As shown, the offboard components114may include an auxiliary motivation device, which may include a transport system116and equipment118being transported.

The transport system116may include a dolly such as a cart, a skid, a mule, a wagon, or a barrow, for example. The equipment118being transported may be arranged on the dolly and may include a power source120such as an engine, a battery, or a fuel cell, for example. In one or more examples, the power source120may include a diesel engine. In the case of an engine, the power source120may include a power takeoff for coupling to and driving the pump124. In the case a battery power source, the battery may run a motor that drives the pump.

The dolly may include a frame for supporting the power source120and/or the pump124, as the case may be. The frame may be supported above or at or near the ground by a ground engaging system126such as a wheel system, track system, ski or skid system, or other ground engaging feature. The ground engaging system126may be a powered system or a passive system.

In the case of a powered ground engaging system, this may include one or more powered wheels or tracks for moving and/or steering the dolly. For example, a hydraulic system may be provided where the pump provides hydraulic power and the ground engaging system may be powered and steered by the hydraulic system.

In the case of a passive ground engaging system, this may include non-powered wheels, tracks, or skids, for example. For the passive system, or even one of the powered ground engaging systems, the dolly may include a hitch system128for hitching to the work machine100to be pulled by the work machine100. The hitch system128of the dolly may be coupled to a pivoting front axle on the dolly, for example, to facilitate following of the work machine100by the dolly. The hitch may be similar to a wagon where a relatively rigid post or frame is removably connectable to a hitch on the work machine100and lateral motion of a front end of the post or frame causes pivoting of the front axle about a vertical axis to steer the wagon. In one or more examples, a passive ground engaging system may include a dolly that is permanently or temporarily mounted to the work machine100. Here, the dolly may take the form of a platform that is removably attachable to the work machine100or more permanently attached.

In one or more examples, the dolly may be omitted and the equipment118may, instead, be arranged on a surface on the work machine100adapted to physically support the otherwise offboard equipment118. That is, while referred to as an offboard components114, the work machine may, in some circumstances, carry the offboard components114.

As mentioned, the equipment118may include a pump124. The pump124may be an auxiliary pump as part of an auxiliary hydraulic system132of the offboard equipment118and may be configured to deliver hydraulic fluid flow suitable for use by the work machine100to move the work machine100. That is, the auxiliary hydraulic system132may include a system where fluid is supplied from a tank130to the auxiliary pump124and driven by the auxiliary pump124to connecting lines for connecting to the work machine100.

With respect to the auxiliary hydraulic system132, a particular example is shown inFIG.5where multiple auxiliary pumps124A/B may be provided as part of the offboard equipment. For example, the auxiliary hydraulic system132of the offboard equipment118may mirror that of the work machine100. That is, where two hydraulic pumps24A/B are provided on the work machine100, two auxiliary hydraulic pumps124A/B may be provided as part of the offboard equipment118. The auxiliary pumps124A/B may be smaller than the pumps on the work machine since the auxiliary pumps may be used for moving the work machine and might not be sized to support the other hydraulic operations of the work machine. Nonetheless, each of the auxiliary pumps124A/B may be configured to be placed in fluid communication with the fluid supply/return lines134A/B that are normally supplied with hydraulic fluid by the pumps on the work machine. For example, a first pump24A on the work machine100may include a supply and return line36A leading to right-side drive track38A and a second pump24B on the work machine100may include a supply and return line36B leading to the left-side drive track38B. The offboard equipment118may, likewise, include a first auxiliary pump124A and, when fluidly coupled to the work machine100, may supply fluid to the right-side drive track38A and provide a return. The offboard equipment may also include a second auxiliary pump124B and, likewise, when fluidly coupled to the work machine100, may supply fluid to the left-side drive track38B and provide a return. While discussed in more detail below, suffice to say for now that diverter valves140A/B may be provided on the work machine100that allow for selecting between the fluid supply/return to be provided by the pump(s)24A/B on the work machine100or the auxiliary pump(s)124A/B of the offboard equipment118.

The auxiliary hydraulic system132may be coupled to the work machine100with hydraulic hoses142extending from outlet ports on the one or more auxiliary pumps or from other aspects of the auxiliary hydraulic system132. Hydraulic hoses142may also extend from the one or more inlet ports on the tank or other aspects of the auxiliary hydraulic system132. The hoses142may be adapted for coupling to the work machine100to provide supply and return lines to and from the work machine100for providing hydraulic power to the work machine100. In one or more examples, the hoses142may include couplings at the free ends thereof for coupling to a machine-side interface144described in more detail below.

It is to be appreciated that while multiple auxiliary pumps124A/B are shown as part of the offboard equipment118, more or fewer auxiliary pumps may be provided. For example, where a single auxiliary pump is provided, a control valve may be provided with the offboard equipment118that allows for directing fluid to each of the right-side drive track, the left-side drive track, or both. Still other numbers of auxiliary pumps and valve arrangements may be provided.

As shown inFIG.5, an auxiliary hydraulic fluid tank130may be provided as part of the offboard equipment118and may be used by the auxiliary hydraulic system110to deliver hydraulic power to the work machine100. As shown, the one or more auxiliary pumps124A/B may draw fluid from the auxiliary tank130and deliver the fluid to work machine supply lines146. In one or more examples, rather than providing an auxiliary tank130, the offboard equipment118may leverage the hydraulic fluid tank on the work machine100. That is, for example, return lines from the drive tracks on the work machine100may lead to the tank on the work machine and additional return lines may extend from the tank on the work machine to the machine-side interface144allowing the auxiliary pump or pumps124A/B of the offboard equipment118to draw hydraulic fluid from the work machine100to, in turn, supply fluid to the drive tracks38A/B of the work machine100. Still other tank arrangements may be provided.

An electronic control module148(seeFIG.2) may be provided as part of the offboard equipment118for controlling operation of the offboard equipment118and/or operation of the work machine100. The electronic control module148may include a computer readable storage medium with computer-implemented instructions stored thereon for operating the offboard equipment118, the dolly, and/or the work machine100. The computer-implemented instructions may include hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The computer-implemented instructions may include operational instructions and/or signals that allow for operation of the associated equipment. The details of the operation are discussed in more detail below regarding operation and use. The electronic machine control (ECM) may be in signal and/or electrical communication with the power source120and power-driven drive portions of the dolly and/or other operable components of the dolly or the offboard equipment118. In addition, the ECM may be configured to be placed in signal and/or electrical communication with work machine100. That is, the ECM may be connectable to the work machine100, for example, with a control cord150for providing control signals to the work machine100. The control cord150may have a plug/outlet end for coupling to a work-machine interface144or other feature on the work machine100. In addition, electrical power cords may also be provided, which may extend, for example, from the battery and may include a plug/outlet end for coupling to a machine-side interface144or other feature on the work machine100.

It is to be appreciated that the hydraulic lines/hoses142, control cords or lines150, and/or electrical power cords or lines152extending between the offboard equipment118and the work machine100may be generally permanently associated with and/or attached to the offboard equipment118as described above, since their use may be relatively dependent on the presence of the offboard equipment118. As such, a dedicated dolly-side interface has not been described. However, a dolly-side interface may be provided similar to the machine-side interface144described below. In this situation, the hydraulic lines/hoses, control lines/cords, and electrical lines/cords on the offboard equipment118may extend to the dolly-side interface. During use, a user may couple hydraulic hoses, control cords, and electrical cords between the respective ports on the dolly-side interface and the machine-side interface144. Still other approaches to coupling the offboard equipment118to the work machine100may be provided.

With continued reference toFIGS.2and5, several onboard components112of the auxiliary motivation system110may be provided to accommodate operation of the work machine100by, or in conjunction with, the offboard components114. That is, the onboard components112may be configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the offboard components114, return the hydraulic fluid to the offboard components114and also to receive control signals and/or electrical power from the offboard components114. The onboard components112may also be configured to, for example, adjust the hydraulic system of the work machine100so that it may function with the offboard components114. As shown, the work machine100may include a machine-side interface144, offboard-fluid supply and return lines146, one or more diverter valves140A/B and associated controls141A/B, and a control line154(seeFIG.2).

The machine-side interface144may be configured to allow fluid coupling of the auxiliary hydraulic system110to the hydraulic system on the work machine100. The machine-side interface144may also allow for coupling of the offboard control and/or electrical systems to control and/or electrical systems on the work machine100. For example, the machine-side interface144may allow for electrical and/or data communication between the ECM148of the offboard equipment118and an ECM156of the work machine100. The machine-side interface144may include a plurality of hydraulic ports for connection of hydraulic hoses where the fluid flow from the auxiliary motivation device may be delivered and transferred to the work machine100and, in turn, used to drive one or more portions of the work machine100such as the drive system106or a part thereof. In one or more examples, the machine-side interface144may include a supply port and a return port for placement in fluid communication with the first auxiliary pump124A of the offboard equipment118and a supply port and a return port for placement in fluid communication with the second auxiliary pump124B of the offboard equipment118. The ports may include quick connect hose fittings that provide for connection of hoses that may have their other end connected to the offboard equipment. In one or more examples, the fittings may include check valves for closing the ports when a hose is not connected to prevent entry of foreign matter. Fitting covers or other protective devices may also be provided.

Supply and return lines146may extend from the machine-side interface144to a diverter valve140A/B for each of the right-side drive track38A and the left-side drive track38B or other hydraulically operated drive system106. The diverter valve140A/B may include two positions including a machine power position and an auxiliary power position. For example, the diverter valve140A/B may be biased in the machine power position that places the supply and return lines36A/B from the machine in fluid communication with supply and return lines134A/B of the respective drive track38A/38B. However, the diverter valve140A/B may be operable by a solenoid that may shift the valve to an auxiliary power position that places the supply and return lines146from the auxiliary hydraulic system132in fluid communication with the supply and return lines134A/B of the respective drive track38A/B. Each or both of the diverter valves140A/B may be in signal communication with a diverter valve control141A/B which may be operable based on a hydraulic signal or pilot line configured to sense when pressure is present in the supply and return lines146extending from the machine-side interface144. That is, when pressure is present in the supply/return lines146coming from the offboard equipment118, the control141A/B may trigger the solenoid to shift the diverter valve140A/B to the auxiliary power position. In one or more other examples, the diverter valves140A/B could be controlled by pilot pressures or they could be electronically controlled.

As shown inFIG.2, a control cord or line154may be provided extending from the electronic machine control (ECM)156on the work machine100to the machine-side interface144. As mentioned, a control cord or line150may be provided extending from the ECM148of the offboard equipment118to a free end adapted for connecting to the machine-side interface144. As such, the ECM156on the work machine100may be placed in communication with the ECM148of the offboard equipment118.

With continued reference toFIG.5, a machine park release control circuit is shown. In one or more examples, the brakes on the work machine and/or the transport system may be spring-applied brakes that default to a braking condition. The brake system may be similar to air brake systems, but the brakes may be releasable with hydraulic pressure rather than air pressure. The ECM148may be in control communication with the park release control circuit of the work machine and/or the transport system to allow for the release of the brakes when movement of one or the other is desired.

With reference toFIG.3, a remote operator station158may be provided for operating the work machine100and/or the auxiliary motivation device. The remote operator station100may mimic the operator station108described with respect to the work machine100and may include many or all of the same features described with respect to the operator station108on the work machine100. In some examples, the remote operator station158may include additional screens to provide the remote operator with visual information about the surroundings of the work machine. In some cases, the remote operator station may include virtual reality systems such as head ware or other features to assist with the awareness of the operator. The remote operator station158may include a transceiver160for communication with a network in wired or wireless fashion and the work machine100and/or the auxiliary motivation device may also include transceivers162/164for wireless connection to a network providing for communication of controls and output between the remote operator station158and the work machine100and/or the auxiliary motivation device.

With reference toFIG.4, a handheld device166may also be provided that may provide for operating the work machine100and/or the auxiliary motivation device. The handheld device166may include many of the same input features of the operator station108on the work machine and/or the remote operator station158. Fewer of the output features may be provided and may be more limited to, for example, power lights, warning lights, sound alerts and the like. In other examples, the handheld device166may include many or all of the same features as the operator station108on the work machine or the remote operator station158. The handheld device166may include a transceiver168that may be in direct (e.g., short-range wireless) or indirect (e.g., via cellular or other network) wireless or wired/tethered communication with the work machine100and/or the auxiliary motivation device. As mentioned, the work machine100and/or the auxiliary motivation device may also each include a transceiver162/164for wireless communications. Where the handheld device166is wired to the auxiliary motivation device, the transceiver168may include a wired transceiver. Still other configurations of wired and/or wireless communications may be provided.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In operation and use, and as shown inFIG.6, a method200of driving a work machine using an auxiliary motivation system may include coupling202an auxiliary motivation device to a machine-side interface of a work machine. In particular, this may include fluidly coupling the auxiliary hydraulic system of the offboard equipment to the machine-side interface. The method may also include triggering204, automatically or manually, a diverter valve to place one or more traction devices on the work machine in fluid communication with the auxiliary hydraulic system. The method may also include controlling206the one or more traction devices using the auxiliary hydraulic system. That is, controlling the one or more traction devices may include directing fluid flow to the right and/or left traction devices or both using the pumps and/or valves on the offboard equipment, which may also include controlling the direction of the flow to allow for forward or reverse operation of each track.

It is to be appreciated that there may be several ways to implement the above method based on the various control systems that have been described above. For example, the operator of the work machine may operate or control208the work machine in conjunction with the auxiliary motivation system from the operator station on the work machine. Here, the operator may operate the drive system of the work machine in a same or similar manner to the way the operator would operate the drive system were the auxiliary motivation device not connected. For this example, coupling the auxiliary motivation device to the machine-side interface may include connecting a control cord of the offboard equipment to the machine-side interface, which may trigger the ECM on the work machine to recognize that control of the drive system may be handled by the ECM of the offboard equipment. Accordingly, as the operator provides control signals from the operator station, the control signals received210by the ECM on the work machine may be transmitted or passed along212to the ECM of the offboard equipment to allow the offboard equipment to control the drive system of the work machine. The ECM of the offboard equipment may receive the control signals and drive214the traction or drive system of the work machine by providing fluid flow to the respective left, right, or both traction systems based on the signals.

In another example, an operator may be operating or controlling216the work machine from a remote operator station. That is, the operator may be drilling blast holes or operating the respective work machine in a manner consistent with what it was designed for. These activities may be conducted wirelessly due to the wireless communication between the remote operator station and the work machine. When it comes time to move to a new location, onsite personnel may connect the auxiliary motivation device to the machine-side interface. In other examples (e.g., when the offboard equipment is arranged on the work machine), the auxiliary motivation device may already be connected to the machine-side interface and the remote operator may provide an input (e.g., flip a switch, change a setting, etc.) that activates the offboard equipment. As with the example where the operation is from the operation station on the work machine, the activation of the offboard equipment may cause the ECM on the work machine to recognize that drive operations are going to be controlled by the ECM of the offboard equipment. As such, when the operator provides drive instructions, such signals may be received210by the ECM on the work machine and passed along212to the ECM of the offboard equipment allowing the offboard equipment to drive214the drive system of the work machine.

In still another example, an operator may be onsite, but using a handheld device to operate the auxiliary motivation device. For example, onsite personnel may use a handheld device to operate or control218the work machine in its normal manner or the handheld device may be dedicated to operating the auxiliary motivation device. In the case of a handheld device configured for operating the work machine, the handheld device may be used in a manner similar to that of a remote operator station where, once triggered, drive instructions received by the work machine ECM may be passed along to the ECM of the offboard equipment to provide fluid to the drive system of the work machine and, thus, drive the work machine. Where the handheld device, instead, is in communication with the auxiliary motivation device, signals from the handheld device may be received220more directly by the ECM of the offboard equipment allowing the offboard equipment to provide fluid to the drive system of the work machine and drive214the work machine. It is to be appreciated that the onboard operator station and the remote operator station may also be configured to communicate directly with the auxiliary ECM to drive the work machine using the auxiliary ECM and offboard equipment. That is, the onboard operator station and the remote operator station may not communicate with the auxiliary ECM via the onboard ECM.

In still further examples, an operator station such as a sitting station or stand on station may be provided on the auxiliary motivation device where the inputs/outputs described with respect to the handheld or other operator stations are provided directly on the auxiliary motivation device. This system may be operated in a manner similar to a handheld device in communication with the auxiliary motivation device. Still other operational approaches may also be used.