Diesel-electric drivetrain launch control

Abstract

A mining machine having a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain with launch control includes a diesel engine, an electric generator in communication with the diesel engine to produce electrical power, at least one electric traction motor, at least one brake resistor, and a power controller including a processor. The processor is configured to initiate launch control by receiving an instruction to initiate launch control, increasing electrical power to the at least one brake resistor, increasing power output of the diesel engine to cause the electric generator to produce the increased electrical power, and, upon receiving a launch command, redirecting the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor to the at least one electric traction motor.

Description

DIESEL-ELECTRIC DRIVETRAIN LAUNCH CONTROLTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to diesel-electric machines and vehicles, and more specifically to diesel-electric machines and vehicles used in mining environments.BACKGROUND

[0002] Machines and vehicles used in mining environments include a variety of different configurations suited for specific tasks. In particular, mining vehicles in the form of loaders or dump trucks are often used in mining environments for moving material from one place to another. Power generation for these vehicles may be provided using combustion engines, such as diesel engines, battery electric systems, and / or hybrid technologies, including diesel-electric drivetrains.

[0003] Diesel engines generally operate at lower rotational speeds compared with other combustion engines and require a greater amount of time to accelerate and / or to warm to operating speeds. As a result, diesel powered drivetrains may stall or struggle when launching from a standstill on inclined surfaces or when pushing into material from a low speed.

[0004] There exists a need in the art for an improved system and method of launch control for a diesel-electric drivetrain that overcomes the drawbacks caused by the slow response of diesel engines.SUMMARY

[0005] A launch control system and method for a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain of a vehicle are provided according to the techniques described herein. The disclosed system and method ramp up electrical power to one or more brake resistors in order to increase the power output of a diesel engine before redirecting the electrical power to electric traction motors to launch the vehicle.

[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a mining machine including a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain with launch control. The hybrid dieselelectric drivetrain includes a diesel engine, at least one electric generator in communication with the diesel engine to produce electrical power, at least one electric traction motor, at least one brake resistor, and a power controller including a processor. The processor is configured to initiate launch control by receiving an instruction to initiate launch control, increasing electrical power to the at least one brake resistor, increasing power output of the diesel engine to cause the electric generator to produce the increased electrical power, and, upon receiving a launch command, redirecting the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor to the at least one electric traction motor.

[0007] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of launch control for a mining machine having a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain including a diesel engine, at least one electric generator in communication with the diesel engine to produce electrical power, at least one electric traction motor, and at least one brake resistor. The method is implemented by a power controller including a processor. The method to initiate launch control comprises receiving an instruction to initiate launch control, increasing electrical power to the at least one brake resistor, increasing power output of the diesel engine to cause the electric generator to produce the increased electrical power, and, upon receiving a launch command, redirecting the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor to the at least one electric traction motor.

[0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a mining machine having a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain with launch control. The mining machine includes a pair of front wheels associated with a first axle and a pair of rear wheels associated with a second axle. The hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain includes a diesel engine, at least one electric generator in communication with the diesel engine toproduce electrical power, at least one electric traction motor associated with one of the first axle or the second axle, at least one brake resistor, a brake chopper associated with the at least one brake resistor, a bus in electrical communication with the at least one electric generator, the at least one electric traction motor, the at least one brake resistor, and the brake chopper, and a power controller including a processor. The processor is configured to initiate launch control by receiving an instruction to initiate launch control, increasing electrical power to the at least one brake resistor, increasing power output of the diesel engine to cause the electric generator to produce the increased electrical power, and, upon receiving a launch command, redirecting the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor to the at least one electric traction motor over the bus.

[0009] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the disclosed system and method will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the disclosed system, and be protected by the following claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The disclosed system and method can be better understood with reference to the following figures and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosed system and method. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a hybrid dieselelectric mining machine;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of an example embodiment of a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain for a mining machine;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example embodiment of a method of implementing launch control for a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain in a mining machine;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain upon activation of launch control;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain ramping up power to brake resistors in response to activation of launch control;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain redirecting power to electric traction motors to launch the mining machine;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a representative view of an example embodiment of a mining machine using launch control to start moving on an inclined surface; and

[0018] FIG. 8 is a representative view of an example embodiment of a mining machine using launch control to push into a pile of material.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present disclosure is directed to mining machines or vehicles that include a hybrid diesel-electrical drivetrain. The disclosed launch control system may be utilized by any type of vehicle having a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain architecture. It will be understood that the term “vehicle,” as used herein, shall refer to any type of vehicle. It will also be understood that the disclosed system and techniques have particular applicability to mining machines and vehicles, and even more particularly to hybrid diesel-electric mining machines.

[0020] Hybrid diesel-electric mining machines generally include a diesel engine and a generator which generates electric power and electric traction motors that use the generated electric power to drive the wheels and / or axles of the mining machine. The mining machines may be loaders, dump trucks, load-haul-dump (LHD) machines, scalers, graders, scoops, rock breakers, cutters, haulers, or a combination. In general, mining machines and vehicles are heavy duty vehicles engineered for challenging mining environments. The mining machines generally include a tool end, heavy-duty wheels and tires, an operator area, controls, and may include one or more power sources mounted onboard the machine.

[0021] This disclosure is directed to a launch control system and method for a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain in a mining machine. According to the techniques described herein, the disclosed launch control system and method for a hybrid dieselelectric drivetrain ramp up electrical power to one or more brake resistors in order to increase the power output of the diesel engine before redirecting the electrical power from the one or more brake resistors to the electric traction motors to launch the mining machine. The techniques described herein allows the mining machine to accelerate faster and avoid stalling under load caused by, e.g., starting on inclined surfaces or pushing into a pile of material. The techniques described herein may also be used to quickly bring the diesel engine of the mining machine up to operating temperature.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a hybrid diesel-electric mining machine 100. In some embodiments, mining machine 100 is a front-end loader, dump truck, or load-haul-dump (LHD) machine with a hauling capacity of approximately 10-20 metric tons. In other embodiments, however, the techniques ofthe present embodiments for hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain launch control may be applied to any type of mining machine or mining vehicle.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, mining machine 100 includes a chassis 102 (or frame) that comprises the main body of mining machine 100. In an example embodiment, mining machine 100 extends between a front end 104 and a rear end 106. In some embodiments, chassis 102 may be provided in two sections configured to articulate relative to one another such that front end 104 may move relative to rear end 106. In other embodiments, chassis 102 may be fixed such that front end 104 and rear end 106 do not move relative to one another. In addition, mining machine 100 may include a set of wheels, including a pair of front wheels 108 associated with a first axle proximate front end 104 of mining machine 100 and a pair of rear wheels 110 associated with a second axle proximate rear end 106 of mining machine 100.

[0024] In an example embodiment, each set of wheels (e.g., pair of front wheels 108 and pair of rear wheels 110) may comprise one wheel on each side of mining machine 100 per axle. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , mining machine 100 includes four wheels in total. In other embodiments, additional wheels may be provided on one or both axles of mining machine 100. For example, in some cases, one or both of the first axle and / or the second axle may include two wheels on each side of mining machine 100. In some cases, the number of wheels associated with mining machine 100 may vary depending on the type of mining machine or vehicle and / or its intended function.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1 , mining machine 100 may include an operator cab or cockpit 112 that may include numerous windows or openings in order to permit substantially unimpeded visibility 360 degrees around the cockpit location of mining machine 100. In an example embodiment, mining machine 100 may be controlled by an operator located within cockpit 112. In some embodiments, an operator of mining machine 100 may initiate the launch control techniques described herein by actuating a switch, button, or screen icon associated with launch control mode that is accessible to the operator from within cockpit 112. Additionally, in some cases, launch control may be optionally or alternatively initiated by the operator through a predictive control routine, such as by pressing down on both an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal ofmining machine 100 to cause launch control mode to be initiated. It should be understood that cockpit 112 also includes conventional controls to operate mining machine 100, including, but not limited to accelerator / throttle, steering, braking, and implement controls to operate a bucket and / or bed of mining machine 100.

[0026] As also shown in FIG. 1 , mining machine 100 may include a work implement, such as a bucket 114, connected to chassis 102 at front end 104 of mining machine 100. The work implement, e.g., bucket 114, may be configured to receive a payload. In different embodiments, the payload capacity of mining machine 100 could vary. In some embodiments, mining machine 100 could have a payload capacity of approximately 10 to 20 metric tons.

[0027] In an example embodiment, mining machine 100, including front wheels 108 and / or rear wheels 110, may be powered using electricity generated by a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain. In one embodiment, the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain includes an onboard diesel engine connected to an electric generator to produce electricity that powers components of mining machine 100. In some embodiments, each wheel of front wheels 108 and / or rear wheels 110 may be independently driven using an electric traction motor (e.g., one electric traction motor for each wheel). In other embodiments, front wheels 108 and / or rear wheels 110 may be driven using an electric traction motor associated with each respective axle (e.g., one electric traction motor driving the first axle to move front wheels 108 and another electric traction motor driving the second axle to move rear wheels 110). In another embodiment, one of front wheels 108 or rear wheels 110 may be driven using an electric traction motor associated with the first or second axle, while the wheels on the other axle are driven independently using an electric traction motor for each wheel on that axle. For example, one electric traction motor may be used to drive the first axle to move front wheels 108 and rear wheels 110 may be driven using one individual electric traction motor for each wheel.

[0028] In some embodiments, the work implement of mining machine 100, such as bucket 114, may be powered directly using electricity generated by the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain. In other embodiments, the work implement may be powered using a hydraulic system that is driven by motors powered using the electricitygenerated by the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain. Other typical components of a mining machine may also be provided.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, a system block diagram of an example embodiment of a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 for mining machine 100 is shown. In an example embodiment, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 includes an engine 202. In this embodiment, engine 202 is a diesel combustion engine. Engine 202 is connected to one or more electric generators 204 that convert the output from engine 202 into electricity. For example, an output shaft of engine 202 may turn or rotate a rotor of electric generator(s) 204 to induce an electric current in electric generator(s) 204. In some embodiments, the combination of engine 202 and electric generator(s) 204 may be referred to collectively as a “genset”. In one embodiment, electric generator(s) 204 produce alternating current (AC) which may be converted to direct current (DC) using an AC / DC converter 206 that is in electrical communication with electric generator(s) 204. In other embodiments, the one or more electric generators 204 may be or include a different type of generator that is capable of producing DC current without use of AC / DC converter 206. Additionally, in different embodiments, AC / DC converter 206 may be a DC / DC converter or DC / AC converter, depending on the configuration of hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200.

[0030] In an example embodiment, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 includes a power controller 208 that is operationally connected to the components of hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200. Power controller 208 includes one or more processors with instructions to control operations of hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200, including communicating commands to control distribution of electric power generated by engine 202 and electrical generator(s) 204 to other components of hybrid dieselelectric drivetrain 200 over a bus 210. In one embodiment, bus 210 is a DC bus.

[0031] In some embodiments, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 includes a plurality of electric traction motors that are configured to provide a motive force to mining machine 100 to move mining machine 100 by converting electricity into rotational energy or torque. For example, as described above, in some cases, mining machine 100 may include individual electric traction motors associated with each wheel of mining machine 100. In this embodiment, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 includes four electric traction motors, including a first electric traction motor 212 and asecond electric traction motor 214 associated with pair of front wheels 108 on the first axle (as shown in FIG. 1 ), and a third electric traction motor 216 and a fourth electric traction motor 218 associated with pair of rear wheels 110 on the second axle (as also shown in FIG. 1 ). It should be understood that mining machine 100 may include a different number of electric traction motors, including electric traction motors configured to turn each axle to drive mining machine 100, rather than each individual wheel, or a combination of both.

[0032] In some embodiments, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 may further include one or more DC / AC converters (not shown) located between bus 210 and each electric traction motor to convert the direct current electrical power from bus 210 to alternating current supplied to the electric traction motors. In one embodiment, the number of DC / AC converters is equal to the number of electric traction motors or generators. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a DC / AC converter may be located between bus 210 and each of first electric traction motor 212, second electric traction motor 214, third electric traction motor 216, and fourth electric traction motor 218.

[0033] In addition, in this embodiment, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 includes one or more brake resistors 222 in electrical communication with bus 210 via a brake chopper 220. Brake resistor(s) 222 are configured to dissipate excess electricity on bus 210 in the form of heat. In some cases, regenerative braking utilizing the electric traction motors may be used to provide a stopping force to mining machine 100 to slow or stop movement of mining machine 100 by converting kinetic energy into electricity. In these cases, some or all the electricity generated by the electric traction motors during regenerative braking may be dissipated as heat by the brake resistor(s) 222.

[0034] In this embodiment, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 includes at least one brake resistor 222. In other embodiments, however, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 of mining machine 100 may include additional brake resistors. In an example embodiment, brake resistor(s) 222 are driven by brake chopper 220 which is an electrical switch that regulates the voltage on bus 210 by releasing excess electricity to brake resistor(s) 222 to be dissipated as heat. In some cases, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, brake chopper 220 may be a separate componentof hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200. In other embodiments, the functions of brake chopper 220 may be integrated into another component, such as AC / DC converter 206.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart of an example embodiment of a method 300 of implementing launch control for hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 in mining machine 100 is shown. In some embodiments, method 300 may be implemented by a processor of power controller 208 (shown in FIG. 2). In other embodiments, method 300 may be implemented by another processor associated with a control unit of mining machine 100, either alone or in combination with the processor of power controller 208.

[0036] In an example embodiment, method 300 may begin at an operation 302 where launch control is initiated. For example, at operation 302, launch control may be initiated by an instruction or command from an operator of mining machine 100. In one example, an operator of mining machine 100 may initiate launch control by pressing down on both an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal and / or by actuating a switch, button, or screen icon associated with launch control mode that is accessible to the operator from within cockpit 112. Power controller 208 may receive a signal indicating that the operator is pressing down on both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal to initiate launch control. In other embodiments, launch control may be initiated at operation 302 using other operator inputs, such as a dedicated input that places hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 of mining machine 100 into launch control mode.

[0037] Next, method 300 may proceed to an operation 304. At operation 304, in response to the initiation of launch control mode at operation 302, hybrid dieselelectric drivetrain 200 increases or ramps up electrical power to one or more brake resistors. For example, at operation 304, power controller 208 of hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 may control brake chopper 220 to begin providing electricity to the one or more of brake resistors 222 over bus 210. Each of the one or more brake resistor(s) 222 is configured to dissipate up to a predetermined amount of electricity (e.g., power dissipation capacity). For example, in one embodiment brake resistor(s) 222 may dissipate up to approximately 210 kilowatts (kW) of electricity. Operation 304 ofmethod 300 causes the electrical power on bus 210 to be directed to the brake resistors in preparation for launch of mining machine 100.

[0038] In some embodiments, operation 304 of method 300 may cause the electrical power on bus 210 to be increased up to a power dissipation capacity of the brake resistor(s). For example, in one embodiment, hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 increases or ramps up electrical power to approximately 210kW.

[0039] In response to operation 304, method 300 next proceeds to an operation 306. At operation 306, a power output of engine 202 of mining machine 100 is increased in response to the demand for increased or ramped up electrical power to the brake resistor(s) at operation 304. This increased demand for electrical power causes generator 204 to apply torque to engine 202, and, in response, engine 202 starts to get “loaded” and begins developing its own torque to maintain the speed of the engine thereby increasing power output. Power output of engine 202 is a function of engine rotational speed and torque (e.g., Power (P) = Speed (n) x Torque (M)). Increasing torque of engine 202 generates an increased power output that is converted by generator 204 into electricity on bus 210 that is directed to brake resistor(s) 222. When that electricity is dissipated into heat by brake resistor(s) 222, generator 204 provides additional electricity to bus 210 to maintain the voltage on bus 210 at a desired operating point (e.g., voltage level).

[0040] That is, at operation 306, the power output of engine 202 is caused to increase, for example, by a processor of power controller 208 and / or an engine control unit (ECU) of engine 202, to a higher power output in order to drive generator 204 to maintain the DC voltage on bus 210 while the one or more brake resistor(s) are dissipating electricity as heat. In this manner, the power output of engine 202 increases in advance of launching mining machine 100.

[0041] Method 300 may then proceed to an operation 308 where a launch vehicle command is initiated. Operation 308 may include a processor or power controller 208 receiving an input from an operator of mining machine 100 to launch mining machine 100. In an example embodiment, operation 308 may be implemented when an operator of mining machine 100 lifts his or her foot from the brake pedal. Power controller 208 may receive a signal indicating that the operator has stopped pressing down on the brake pedal to launch mining machine 100. Upon release of thebrake pedal, the launch vehicle command is issued to begin moving mining machine 100. In other embodiments, the launch vehicle command at operation 308 may be initiated using other mechanisms, for example, a switch, button, or screen icon accessible within cockpit 112 of mining machine 100.

[0042] Upon receiving the launch vehicle command at operation 308, method 300 proceeds to an operation 310. At operation 310, electrical power on bus 210 is redirected from the brake resistor(s) to the electric traction motors to launch mining machine 100. For example, at operation 310, the electricity which was previously dissipated by the one or more brake resistor(s) 222 is redirected by brake chopper 220 via bus 210 to one or more of first electric traction motor 212, second electric traction motor 214, third electric traction motor 216, and fourth electric traction motor 218. With this arrangement, when mining machine 100 starts to move after implementing launch control, maximum torque is provided to the electric traction motors 212, 214, 216, 218 and engine 202 is already operating at a higher power output to avoid stalling or being overloaded when launching mining machine 100.

[0043] An example embodiment of method 300 for launch control for hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 in mining machine 100 is shown with reference to FIGs. 4 through 6. Referring first to FIG. 4, a schematic view of the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 is shown upon activation of launch control. In this embodiment, a series of processes 400 may be implemented as part of operation 302 and operation 304 of method 300. As shown in FIG. 4, upon activation of launch control 402 via power controller 208, electric power 404 generated using engine 202 and electric generator 204 is routed through bus 210 to brake resistor(s) 222 to be dissipated as heat. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, brake resistor(s) 222 are shown receiving electric power 404 from brake chopper 220 via bus 210 to be dissipated as heat 404.

[0044] Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic view of hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 ramping up electric power to brake resistor(s) 222 in response to activation of launch control. In this embodiment, a series of processes 500 may be implemented as part of operation 304 and operation 306 of method 300. As shown in FIG. 5, as electric power 404 is being ramped up to brake resistor(s) 222 (e.g., by brake chopper 220 via bus 210), an engine power output 502 of engine 202 increases (e.g., to a higher power output) to cause electric generator 204 to generate electric power 404 to maintain theDC-link voltage on bus 210 to compensate for electric power 404 being dissipated as heat 404 by brake resistor(s) 222.

[0045] Once the power output of engine 202 has increased to a target threshold level or range (e.g., based on the electricity demand to be required by the electric traction motors), mining machine 100 may be ready to launch. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200 redirecting electric power to electric traction motors 212, 214, 216, 218 to launch mining machine 100. In this embodiment, a series of processes 600 may be implemented as part of operation 308 and operation 310 of method 300. As shown in FIG. 6, upon an instruction 602 to launch mining machine 100, electric power 404 which was previously dissipated as heat is now redirected from brake resistor(s) 222 by brake chopper 220 to first electric traction motor 212, second electric traction motor 214, third electric traction motor 216, and fourth electric traction motor 218 via bus 210.

[0046] With this arrangement, first electric traction motor 212, second electric traction motor 214, third electric traction motor 216, and fourth electric traction motor 218 are able to provide maximum torque to launch mining machine 100 and engine power output 502 of engine 202 is already increased (e.g., within a target threshold level or range) and ready to continue to deliver electric power 404 to components of hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200. The launch control techniques of the present embodiments are able to compensate for the typical slow response time of engine 202 by preloading the brake resistor(s) with electric power that is redirected to the electric traction motors upon launch to assist with moving the mining machine under various states of load, including hill starts and pushing into a pile of material.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 7, a representative view of an example embodiment of mining machine 100 is shown using launch control to start moving on an inclined surface. As shown in this embodiment, in some cases, mining machine 100 may be required to start moving on an inclined surface 700, such as in the case of an uphill start. In an example embodiment, a grade 702 of inclined surface 700 is significant (e.g., 20%), but the benefits of launch control are provided for mining machine 100 on any degree of inclined surface 700. As described above, upon launch of mining machine 100, the electric power redirected from the brake resistor(s) to the electric traction motors allows front wheels 108 and rear wheels 110 to have sufficienttorque to launch mining machine 100 forward uphill on inclined surface 700 without stalling or bogging down engine 202.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 8, a representative view of an example embodiment of mining machine 100 using launch control to push into a pile of material is shown. As shown in this embodiment, in some cases, mining machine 100 may be required to start moving when pushing into a pile of material 800. For example, mining machine 100 may be a front-end loader with bucket 114 that is configured to scoop or pick up material 800. As described above, upon launch of mining machine 100, the electric power redirected from the brake resistor(s) to the electric traction motors allows front wheels 108 and rear wheels 110 to have sufficient torque to push mining machine 100 and bucket 114 forward into pile of material 800 without stalling or bogging down engine 202.

[0049] Additionally, it should be understood that the launch control techniques of the present embodiments described herein may be used in other situations or scenarios other than only those shown in FIGs. 7 and 8. For example, in some embodiments, launch control may be used to bring the diesel engine of a hybrid dieselelectric drivetrain (e.g., engine 202 of hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain 200) up to an appropriate temperature for operation. This may be particularly useful in cold environments where diesel engines require a significant amount of time to warm up before operation. Other uses for the launch control techniques described herein may also be provided without departing from the scope of disclosure.

[0050] While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with, or substituted for, any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will be understood that any of the features shown and / or discussed in the present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attachedclaims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A mining machine including a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain with launch control, comprising: a diesel engine; at least one electric generator in communication with the diesel engine to produce electrical power; at least one electric traction motor associated with an axle of the mining machine; at least one brake resistor; and a power controller including a processor, wherein the processor is configured to initiate launch control by: receiving an instruction to initiate launch control; increasing electrical power to the at least one brake resistor; increasing power output of the diesel engine to cause the at least one electric generator to produce the increased electrical power; and upon receiving a launch command, redirecting the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor to the at least one electric traction motor.

2. The mining machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one brake resistor and the at least one electric traction motor are electrically connected over a bus.

3. The mining machine according to claim 2, wherein the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor is redirected to the at least one electric traction motor over the bus.

4. The mining machine according to claim 2, further comprising a brake chopper in communication with the at least one brake resistor and the bus.

5. The mining machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one electric generator is configured to generate alternating current (AC) electrical power; andwherein the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain further comprises a converter to convert the AC electrical power to direct current (DC) electrical power.

6. The mining machine according to claim 1 , further comprising: at least one electric traction motor associated with a first axle; and at least one electric traction motor associated with a second axle.

7. The mining machine according to claim 6, further comprising: an electric traction motor associated with each wheel of a pair of wheels on the first axle; and an electric traction motor associated with each wheel of a pair of wheels on the second axle.

8. The mining machine according to claim 6, wherein the at least one electric traction motor associated with the first axle is configured to drive a pair of wheels on the first axle; and wherein each wheel of a pair of wheels on the second axle is driven by a separate electric traction motor.

9. The mining machine according to claim 1 , wherein the instruction to initiate launch control includes receiving a signal indicating an operator is pressing down both on an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal.

10. The mining machine according to claim 1 , wherein the instruction to initiate launch control includes receiving a signal from actuating a switch, a button, or a screen icon associated with launch control mode.11 . The mining machine according to claim 9, wherein receiving the launch command includes receiving a signal indicating that the operator has stopped pressing down on the brake pedal.

12. The mining machine according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical power to the at least one brake resistor is increased up to a power dissipation capacity of the brake resistor.

13. A method of launch control for a mining machine having a hybrid dieselelectric drivetrain including a diesel engine, at least one electric generator in communication with the diesel engine to produce electrical power, at least one electric traction motor, and at least one brake resistor, the method implemented by a power controller including a processor, wherein the method comprises: receiving an instruction to initiate launch control; increasing electrical power to the at least one brake resistor; increasing power output of the diesel engine to cause the at least one electric generator to produce the increased electrical power; and upon receiving a launch command, redirecting the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor to the at least one electric traction motor.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one brake resistor and the at least one electric traction motor are electrically connected over a bus; and wherein the method includes redirecting the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor to the at least one electric traction motor over the bus.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one electric generator is configured to generate alternating current (AC) electrical power; and wherein the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain further comprises a converter to convert the AC electrical power to direct current (DC) electrical power.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain further comprises: at least one electric traction motor associated with a first axle; and at least one electric traction motor associated with a second axle.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain further comprises: an electric traction motor associated with each wheel of a pair of wheels on the first axle; and an electric traction motor associated with each wheel of a pair of wheels on the second axle.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the at least one electric traction motor associated with the first axle is configured to drive a pair of wheels on the first axle; and wherein each wheel of a pair of wheels on the second axle is driven by a separate electric traction motor.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein receiving the instruction to initiate launch control includes receiving a signal indicating an operator is pressing down both on an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein receiving the instruction to initiate launch control includes receiving a signal from actuating a switch, a button, or a screen icon associated with launch control mode.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein receiving the launch command includes receiving a signal indicating that the operator has stopped pressing down on the brake pedal.

22. The method according to claim 13, wherein the electrical power to the at least one brake resistor is increased up to a power dissipation capacity of the brake resistor.

23. A mining machine having a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain with launch control, comprising: a pair of front wheels associated with a first axle;a pair of rear wheels associated with a second axle; wherein the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain comprises: a diesel engine; at least one electric generator in communication with the diesel engine to produce electrical power; at least one electric traction motor associated with one of the first axle or the second axle; at least one brake resistor; a brake chopper associated with the at least one brake resistor; a bus in electrical communication with the at least one electrical generator, the at least one electric traction motor, the at least one brake resistor, and the brake chopper; and a power controller including a processor, wherein the processor is configured to initiate launch control by: receiving an instruction to initiate launch control; increasing electrical power to the at least one brake resistor; increasing power output of the diesel engine to cause the at least one electric generator to produce the increased electrical power; and upon receiving a launch command, redirecting the electrical power from the at least one brake resistor to the at least one electric traction motor over the bus.

24. The mining machine according to claim 23, wherein the at least one electric generator is configured to generate alternating current (AC) electrical power; and wherein the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain further comprises a converter to convert the AC electrical power to direct current (DC) electrical power.

25. The mining machine according to claim 23, wherein the hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain further comprises: an electric traction motor associated with each wheel of the pair of wheels on the first axle; andan electric traction motor associated with each wheel of the pair of wheels on the second axle.

26. The mining machine according to claim 23, wherein the mining machine is one of a front end loader, a dump truck, or a load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicle.

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