Electric Load-Haul-Dump Mining Machine

Abstract

An electric vehicle may include a frame, a set of wheels, and a bucket. In addition, the vehicle may include an electric propulsion system comprising one or more electric motors and one or more electric power sources configured to deliver power to the one or more electric motors. Further, the vehicle may have a payload capacity, the payload capacity being a weight of material that can be loaded into the bucket and transported by the electric vehicle; and the payload capacity may be at least approximately 10 metric tons.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An electric vehicle, comprising:
 a frame, a set of wheels, and a bucket; and   an electric propulsion system comprising one or more electric motors and one or more electric power sources configured to deliver power to the one or more electric motors;   the electric vehicle having a payload capacity, the payload capacity being a weight of material that can be loaded into the bucket and transported by the electric vehicle; and   wherein the payload capacity is at least approximately 10 metric tons.   
     
     
         2 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has a front end and a rear end;
 wherein the bucket is connected to the frame at the front end of the vehicle;   wherein the set of wheels includes a pair of front tires proximate the front end of the vehicle, and a pair of rear tires proximate the rear end of the vehicle; and   wherein the front tires are larger than the rear tires.   
     
     
         3 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the front tires are configured to support a payload of approximately 10 metric tons; and
 wherein the rear tires are configured to support a maximum payload of no more than approximately 7 metric tons.   
     
     
         4 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more electric power sources include a first power source configured to deliver power to the front tires and a second power source configured to deliver power to the rear tires. 
     
     
         5 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the frame proximate the rear tires is configured to provide rear visibility that corresponds with a vehicle having a maximum payload capacity that is substantially less than 10 metric tons. 
     
     
         6 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 5 , wherein the one or more power sources include a battery pack having an angled side edge providing a path of visibility on a driver's side rear of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has a front end and a rear end;
 wherein the bucket is connected to the frame at the front end of the vehicle; and   wherein the frame has a maximum height proximate the front end;   wherein the maximum height of the frame proximate the front end of the vehicle corresponds with a vehicle having a maximum payload capacity that is substantially smaller than the payload capacity of the electric vehicle.   
     
     
         8 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein the bucket has a payload capacity of approximately 10 metric tons and the maximum height of the frame proximate the front end of the vehicle corresponds with a vehicle having a maximum payload capacity of no more than approximately 7 metric tons. 
     
     
         9 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 8 , wherein the bucket has a maximum vertical reach that corresponds with a vehicle having a payload capacity of approximately 10 metric tons. 
     
     
         10 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein the bucket is attached to the frame via a linkage that includes a trunnion mounted hydraulic lift cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . An electric vehicle, comprising:
 a frame defining a front end and a rear end of the vehicle;   a pair of front tires proximate the front end of the vehicle, and a pair of rear tires proximate the rear end of the vehicle;   a bucket connected to the frame at the front end of the vehicle and configured to receive a payload; and   an electric propulsion system including:
 a first electric motor configured to deliver power to the front tires; 
 a first electric power source configured to deliver power to the first electric motor; 
 a second electric motor configured to deliver power to the rear tires; and 
 a second electric power source configured to deliver power to the second electric motor; 
   wherein the front tires are larger than the rear tires;   wherein the electric vehicle has a payload capacity, the payload capacity being a weight of material that can be loaded into the bucket and transported by the electric vehicle;   wherein the frame proximate the rear tires has a maximum height that corresponds with a vehicle having a maximum payload capacity that is substantially less than the payload capacity of the electric vehicle;   wherein the bucket has a maximum vertical reach that corresponds with a vehicle having the same payload capacity as the electric vehicle does; and   wherein the frame has a maximum height proximate the front end of the vehicle, the maximum height proximate the front end of the vehicle corresponding with a vehicle having a maximum payload capacity that is substantially smaller than the payload capacity of the electric vehicle.   
     
     
         12 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 11 , wherein the payload capacity of the electric vehicle is at least approximately 10 metric tons. 
     
     
         13 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 12 , wherein the front tires are configured to support a payload of approximately 10 metric tons; and
 wherein the rear tires are configured to support a maximum payload of no more than approximately 7 metric tons.   
     
     
         14 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 12 , wherein the bucket has a payload of approximately 10 metric tons and the maximum height of the frame proximate the front end of the vehicle corresponds with a vehicle having a maximum payload of no more than approximately 7 metric tons. 
     
     
         15 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 11 , wherein the one or more power sources include a battery pack having an angled side edge providing a path of visibility on a driver's side rear of the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 11 , wherein the bucket is attached to the frame via a linkage that includes a trunnion mounted hydraulic lift cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . An electric vehicle, comprising:
 a frame defining a front end and a rear end of the vehicle;   a pair of front tires proximate the front end of the vehicle, and a pair of rear tires proximate the rear end of the vehicle;   a bucket configured to receive a payload; and   an electric propulsion system including:
 a first electric motor configured to deliver power to the front tires; 
 a first electric power source configured to deliver power to the first electric motor; 
 a second electric motor configured to deliver power to the rear tires; and 
 a second electric power source configured to deliver power to the second electric motor; 
   wherein the vehicle has a front end and a rear end;   wherein the bucket is connected to the frame at the front end of the vehicle; and   wherein the front tires are larger than the rear tires such that the front tires are configured to support a payload of approximately 10 metric tons and the rear tires are configured to support a maximum payload of no more than approximately 7 metric tons.   
     
     
         18 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the frame proximate the rear tires is configured to provide rear visibility that corresponds with a vehicle having a maximum payload substantially less than 10 metric tons. 
     
     
         19 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 18 , wherein the frame proximate the rear tires is configured to provide rear visibility that corresponds with a vehicle having a maximum payload of no more than approximately 7 metric tons. 
     
     
         20 . The electric vehicle according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one of the first power source and the second power source includes a battery pack having an angled side edge providing a path of visibility on a driver's side rear of the vehicle.