Patent Abstract:
A mine transport vehicle is disclosed having two main bodies, one a power and control section and the other a payload section, the two sections being connected by an articulating joint. The power and control section has seating for an operator and a passenger. The payload section has seating for four passengers as well as capacity for at least approximately 2000 pounds of equipment. The weight distribution of each section is such that the stress on the frame and articulating joint is minimized thus providing improved life of the joint.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/794,740 entitled “Mining Utility Transport Vehicle”, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 25, 2006 by the inventors herein, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention generally relates to vehicles and, in particular, to a vehicle specifically designed for reliable transportation of personnel and equipment for the mining industry. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     Operation of vehicles for the transportation of personnel and equipment in deep shaft mines poses problems unlike most other mining operations. The environment of operation includes rough and irregular terrain, poor visibility and clearances, typically rough treatment of equipment, long and often continuous hours of operation from shift to shift, poor availability of repair resources and skills while in the mine, and a rust/corrosion accelerated environment due in part to deep pools of salt and silted water in the mine road paths. Mechanical joints and rotating drive equipment are prone to failure due to these adverse conditions. Additionally, such mechanical joints and connections typically require routine lubrication that inherently attracts the very substances that promote failures. Other designs have attempted to overcome these obstacles but have either failed to do so or have created another failure point in the attempt. 
     There remains a need for a robust mine transportation vehicle designed for operation with simple, minimal controls that are easily located for operation and servicing. There also remains a need for a vehicle with an articulating joint, such that the front and rear vehicle sections are balanced so as to not transmit unnecessary additional stress on the articulating joint. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a vehicle sized and configured to make it suitable for transporting mining equipment and personnel for extended distances and durations with little or no significant downtime. Design criteria focus on elimination or reduction of lubricated joints, exposed rotating equipment, and complicated control systems. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the vehicle has two main bodies, one a power and control section and the other a payload section, the two sections being connected by an articulating joint. The power and control section preferably has seating for an operator and a passenger. The payload section preferably has seating for multiple passengers, preferably at least four passengers, as well as capacity for at least 2000 pounds of equipment. The weight distribution of each section is such that the stress on the frame and articulating joint is minimized, thus providing improved life of the joint. 
     It is desired to provide the mining industry with a vehicle for the transportation of personnel and equipment that can operate continuously with reduced maintenance based on scheduled minor servicing. A vehicle that is capable of meeting these criteria provides a significantly lower cost of operation and reduced loss of operation, thereby improving mine output capability by having workers at the needed locations immediately. Since operation of the vehicle includes traversing pools of salt and silted water, the design includes methods for self-bailing floors and protection of power and drive systems from submersion or exposure. Those components that could be exposed are constructed from materials that are resistant or minimally compromised by rust and corrosion. 
     In order to achieve the reduced service and reduced maintenance goals, the vehicle is designed so that most key drive train components are sealed and do not have exposed joints, shafts, linkages, or moving components. This includes the axle/differential system, the braking system, the drive motors, and the engine/pump power plant. The input to the pinion shaft of the differential is a sealed direct coupling to a hydraulic drive motor and brake device. The power section and the payload section are essentially identical in design with respect to the drive train, having no exposed moving power transmission parts. Power to the hydraulic motors on each section is provided through hydraulic lines from a control valve arrangement on the power section. Hydraulic power to the control valves is provided by a pump system directly coupled to a diesel engine. The control valves are piloted from a return-to-stop foot pedal and are based on a pre-set engine speed. No external drive shafts, universal joints, shaft bearings, transmission, or clutch type equipment exists for fouling and failure. The overall structural design includes materials that are either substantial in size or of special materials such that they are not compromised by impacts or deterioration due to harsh environmental elements. The drawings provide a general view of the vehicle as well as component locations and arrangements. 
     An additional feature of the invention is an articulated joint for connecting the power section and payload section together that allows each section to move rotationally about vertical and horizontal axes. Very high stresses occur in the area of the articulated joint due to the environmental conditions of the mine and rough terrain. Materials designed in the articulated joint preferably include hardened pins, an aluminum/bronze graphite impregnated bushing, high impact non-corrosive liner material, and a hardened backer plate for minimal wear of the rotational device. Furthermore, the stresses on each end of the joint are minimized through the balance of each connected car to improve life of the articulated joint. The joint is designed such that in case of failure, it can be removed and another unit bolted in place. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side elevational view of a mining utility transport vehicle according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of the mining utility transport vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a front elevational view of the mining utility transport vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a rear elevational view of the mining utility transport vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of an articulating joint according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows an assembled, partial sectional view of the articulating joint of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a detail view of a composite disc bearing for use with the articulating joint of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a detail view of a wear surface for use with the articulating joint of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  show a close-up side view of a vehicle suspension according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a plan view of the undercarriage and hydraulics for the mining utility transport vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  shows an illustration of an exemplary turning radius for the mining utility transport vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  shows a close-up view of a mounting assembly for a steering cylinder for use with the mining utility transport vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention summarized above may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-4  show a vehicle, indicated generally as  10 , according to the present invention. The vehicle  10  comprises a power and control section  13  and a payload section  15 . The power and control section  13  comprises an engine compartment  18  for a continuous service diesel engine  19  ( FIG. 11 ) having a large capacity fuel tank  21 . Driver seating  24  and passenger seating  25  is provided in the power and control section  13 . A canopy  28  having a windshield  29  and open sides for access protects the driver seat  24  and passenger seat  25 . The payload section  15  includes four additional passenger seats  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34  and a cargo bay  37  that can carry up to 2000 pounds of payload. A rear canopy  40  having a windshield  41  and open sides for access protects the passenger area of the payload section  15 . 
     The power and control section  13  is connected to the payload section  15  by a sealed greaseless articulating joint  45  that allows lateral and rotational movement between the two sections  13 ,  15 . The articulating joint  45  is designed to be replaceable as a unit. Rotational plates  48  are made from non-corrosive, non-lubricated material. Pivot hinges  49  utilize aluminum-bronze bushings with impregnated graphite. Bump stops  51 ,  52  are provided on the angled rear portion of the power and control section  13  to cushion the extremity of the range of travel when the vehicle  10  is pivoted. 
     As shown more particularly in the exploded view of  FIG. 5  and the close-up assembled view of  FIG. 6 , articulating joint  45  comprises a first subassembly  200  configured to allow rotational movement about a generally horizontal axis A-A between power and control section  13  and payload section  15 , and a second subassembly  300  configured to allow rotational movement about a generally vertical axis B-B between power and control section  13  and payload section  15 . First subassembly  200  includes a bearing surface support plate  210  that is bolted to a backing plate  220  on the interior of payload section  15  via bolts  212 . A support hub  230  has a base  232  which is positioned in a recess  234  on the front wall of payload section  15 , and a threaded end  236  opposite the base  232  configured to receive a threaded clamp ring  238 . Bearing surface support plate  210  has a circular recess  214  configured to receive a composite disc bearing  216 , preferably a composite disc bearing having a blend of carbon fiber for reinforcement and polymer as a binder, such as the composite disc bearings that are readily commercially available from HyComp Inc. under the trademarks WEARCOMP and FIBRECOMP. As particularly shown in the detail view of  FIG. 7 , both support plate  210  and composite disc bearing  216  have a central opening  218  extending therethrough and sized to receive support hub  230 . A wear surface support plate  240  holding a wear surface  242  (preferably a 4140 steel circular plate having a 16-32 RA finish) is situated in facing orientation to the bearing surface support plate  210  and composite disc bearing  216 . Wear surface  242  is sized to fit within recess  214  of bearing surface support plate  210 . As particularly shown in the detail view of  FIG. 8 , both wear surface support plate  240  and wear surface  242  have a central opening  244  extending therethrough and sized to receive support hub  230 . Clamp ring  238  is threaded onto the end of support hub  230  to position composite disc bearing  216  against wear surface  242  while allowing relative rotation between the two. Preferably, wear surface support plate has a circular notch  246  circumscribing wear surface  242  and configured to receive the outer wall of circular recess  214 . This configuration closes composite disc bearing  216  and wear surface  242  within an essentially closed chamber defined by the walls of recess  214  and the front face of wear surface support plate  240 , thus shielding the bearing assembly from harsh environmental elements. 
     Attached to the back of wear surface support plate  240  are hinge members  310 , each having a generally vertical, cylindrical opening  312  extending therethrough. A hinge bracket support plate  320  is bolted to a hinge bracket backer plate  331  by preferably bolting the two together through a back wall of power and control section  13 . Hinge bracket support plate  320  is provided hinge brackets  322 , each of which has a generally vertical, cylindrical opening  324  extending therethrough (and having a diameter equal to that of openings  312  in hinge members  310 ). A hinge pin  330  pivotally attaches each hinge member to a respective pair of hinge brackets  322 , and a locking ring  332  holds each resulting hinge connection in place. This configuration thus allows pivoting of power and control section  13  about a generally vertical axis B-B extending through hinge pins  330  with respect to payload section  15 . 
     The vehicle  10  of the present invention has four-wheel drive, and is designed to operate around-the-clock. It is designed to carry up to six passengers and 2000 pounds of cargo and equipment. Additional features of the vehicle  10  include a plasma cut plate steel frame with welded construction having balanced weight distribution over the axles. The lower portion  55  of the front of the power and control section  13  is sloped to serve as a skid plate. The power and control section  13  and payload section  15  may also be equipped with tow hooks, such as shown at  56 ,  57 ,  58 ,  59 . Furthermore, the power and control section  13  may include front driving headlights  60 ,  61 , and the payload section  15  may include a backup light  64 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the vehicle  10  has air-ride suspension and shock dampening with approximately four inches of travel. The suspension shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  includes a Caterpillar axle unit  67  with an input shaft directly coupled to a hydraulic motor  70 . An air bag  73  is installed over the axle  67 . The leading arm  75  attaches the axle  67  to the body  78  of the power and control section  13  or payload section  15 . A shock absorber  80  is attached between the far side of the leading arm  75  and the body  78 . A tracking arm  83  with spherical bearings is also attached. A bump stop  86  limits vertical travel to approximately four inches. The axle configuration may also include a skid plate  89  to protect the axle unit  67 . 
     The vehicle engine/drive train and motion control is provided by hydraulics as shown in  FIG. 11 . The power system is designed for long engine life at constant 2000-RPM operation. A variable displacement hydraulic pump  90  is coupled directly to the diesel engine  19 . Hydraulic fluid is taken from storage tank  93  and directed under pressure to control valves  96 . The hydraulic motor  70  on the front and rear axle provides rotational motion for the four wheels. A floor mounted single foot pedal in front of the driver seat  24  provides for an accelerator  99  to control the speed of the vehicle  10  and a brake  102 . For braking, a sealed hydraulic brake unit  105  is coupled directly to the hydraulic motor  70 . A parking brake  105  with emergency override  108  may also be provided. There are no mechanical powertrain components exposed to the environment. 
     Motion control is provided by a joystick-operated hydraulic steering system. Joystick  111  is centrally mounted adjacent to the driver seat  24 . Gauge and control instrumentation is provided in a sealed console. A separate steering/auxiliary system hydraulic pump  114  is mounted directly to engine  19 . Hydraulic steering cylinders  117 ,  118  are connected between the power and control section  13  and payload section  15 . The hydraulic steering cylinders  117 ,  118  are extended or contracted to pivot the vehicle  10  around the articulating joint  45  to provide turning.  FIG. 12  illustrates the minimum turning radius for a right hand turn. As particularly shown in  FIG. 13 , hydraulic steering cylinders  117 ,  118  are preferably attached to payload section  15  using a universal-type joint  400 . Joint  400  mounts heads  117   a ,  118   a  of steering cylinders  117 ,  118  to payload section  15  so as to allow rotation about a vertical pin  410  extending through joint housing  420 , and likewise so as to allow rotation in a generally vertical direction, thus accommodating rotation of payload section  15  with respect to power and control section  13 . 
     Additional features include a heat exchanger  121  for the hydraulic fluid and an engine cooling system  124  that uses hydraulic powered cooling fans  126 . All hydraulics are transferred through flexible lines and protected by the vehicle chassis or guarded in chases and sleeves. The hydraulic valves are pilot operated resulting in minimal electronic controls. 
     Some of the preferred service features of a vehicle configured in accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention include:
         Elevated charge-air, engine and hydraulic cooler for less fouling and easier cleaning;   Electric circuits raised, sealed, and protected with waterproof through-wall connectors;   Fully enclosed engine compartment with elevated, easy access ECM;   Elevated oil and air filter service area;   Elevated hydraulic valve bank area; and   Tank-in-tank design for fuel tank and hydraulic tank.       

     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4