Patent ID: 7053568

Claim:
A battery-powered apparatus adapted to be driven over the roadways existing in and around an underground mine, said apparatus comprising: a wheeled vehicle including a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels, said first set of wheels including at least first and second wheels; a battery carried by said vehicle, said battery being the primary power source for said vehicle; and a drive system supported on said vehicle, said drive system including a first AC induction motor coupled to said first wheel; a second AC induction motor coupled to said second wheel; a drive assist means coupled to said second set of wheels; a first DC/AC conventer for converting DC voltage from said battery into an AC voltage for driving said first AC induction motor, said first DC/AC converter having an input connected directly to said battery and an output connected directly to said first induction motor; and a second DC/AC converter for converting DC voltage from said battery into an AC voltage for driving said second AC induction motor, said second DC/AC converter having an input connected directly to said battery and an output connected directly to said second induction motor.