Mobile industrial machinery charging assembly and arrangement

Abstract

Provided is a mobile industrial machinery charging assembly (10) comprising a mobile platform (12) configured for traversing an industrial site (14) by means of an electrical drive (16), a controller (18) with sensor array (20) configured to enable remote and / or autonomous traversal control of the mobile platform (12), and a cable reel (22) arranged on the platform (12) and configured to spool a high voltage electrical supply cable (24) thereon, said cable (24) arrangeable, at a distal end thereof, in electrical contact with an electrical power supply system (26) of the industrial site (14). Also included are a multiple winding step-down transformer (28) arranged on the platform (12) and connected at a proximal end of the supply cable (24), the transformer (28) configured to provide first and second outputs (30) and (32) and having a neutral earthing resistor (34) earth continuity protection to the electrical power supply system (26), and a charger arrangement (36) comprising a megawatt charging system (MCS) (38) arranged in electrical contact with the first transformer output (30) and configured for charging heavy mobile industrial machinery (48), and a kilowatt charging system (KCS) (40) arranged in electrical contact with the second transformer output (32) and configured for charging light mobile industrial machinery. In this manner, the charging assembly (10) is remotely and / or autonomously deployable on the industrial site (14) to provide ad hoc charging of heavy and light industrial machinery.

Description

MOBILE INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY CHARGING ASSEMBLY AND ARRANGEMENTTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates broadly to charging of mobile electrical industrial machinery, and more particularly to a mobile industrial machinery charging assembly, a mobile industrial machinery charging arrangement , and an industrial site , such as a mine site , comprising such a mobile industrial machinery charging arrangement .BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art i s intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only . The discussion i s not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application .

[0003] For the last several decades , mining has generally relied on diesel-powered machinery, which tends to be hot and noisy while generating particulate emissions harmful to the environment . With the advent of more modern environmentally- friendlier or similar ' green' technologies , the mining and industrial sectors are moving to a new generation of industrial machinery and equipment that is powered by electricity, generally being a cleaner, cooler and more ef ficient alternative to conventional diesel-powered machinery . Energy for electri fied equipment and machinery generally costs less than diesel fuel , and without diesel particulate emissions and an internal combustion process , there is less need forventilation and cooling, which is a signi ficant cost in mining operations .

[0004] However, supplying heavy machinery such as mining equipment with electrical energy presents its own di f ficulties , as for example mining machinery typically operates in remote and very adverse environments , where tonnes of earth and material are excavated and displaced . Such adverse operating environments pose di f ficulties when providing electrical energy to electrically-powered mobile industrial machinery, where dirt and dust contamination is commonplace , equipment is subj ected to vigorous vibrations , impact damage can occur frequently, work areas are di f ficult to access , etc .

[0005] In mining and associated industrial process , failures , breakages or associated interruptions in energy supply will lead to down-time , which poses s igni ficant financial losses to a miner . Machinery that is out of action do not produce saleable product , while still requiring operational expenditure related to mining personnel and machinery maintenance . As a result , a continuous and adequate supply of electrical energy to a new generation of electrical industrial machinery and equipment is critical to avoiding production interruptions and down-time, as well as improve the safety of on-site personnel .

[0006] Similar to the ongoing ubiquity of consumer electric vehicles on public roads , industrial sites such as mines have begun adopting battery-electric haul trucks and other batteryelectric equipment , with ongoing testing, development and refinement of such equipment . As a result , Applicant has identi fied a need for an improved operational ecosystem to support such a fleet of battery-electric vehicles and equipment on an industrial site .

[0007] In particular, unlike conventional consumer charging stations for electric vehicles , many industrial sites , such as mines , have a signi ficant aspect of dynamicity, where charging requirements of battery-electric vehicles change over time . For example , as an ore body is excavated, charging may be required at speci fic locations on the site to suit the operational characteristics of the battery-electric equipment . As the mining operations and conditions change over time , such as moving to another ore body, these charging locations will vary in order to suit the prevailing requirements necessary to ensure production .

[0008] In light hereof , the current invention was conceived with the goal in mind of providing an operational ecosystem to support battery-electric vehicles and equipment on an industrial site .SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that reference herein to an industrial site is made in a broad and non-exclusive manner and may include any suitable industrial site where activities such as mining and industrial work take place , typically but not necessari ly spread over a relatively large surface area . For example , mining sites , both above ground and underground, industrial manufacturing sites and plants , logistical yards and sites , storage and shipping facilities and the like are non-limiting examples of such industrial sites , with other examples possible and within the understanding of the skilled addressee .

[0010] The skilled addressee is further to appreciate that reference herein to an electrical power supply system broadlycomprises reference to any suitable electrical power supply supplying an industrial site with electrical power . Such an electrical power supply system may include mains power from a grid, local on-site or near-site power generation, and / or the like .

[0011] It is also to be appreciated that reference within this disclosure to mobile industrial machinery generally comprises broad and non-exclusive reference to batteryelectric machinery, such as heavy and light electric vehicles , including haul trucks , light uti lity vehicles , excavators , forkli fts , front-end loaders , cranes , prime movers and similar mobile battery-electric vehicles and machinery generally in use on industrial sites , as per requirements .

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile industrial machinery charging assembly comprising : a mobile platform configured for traversing an industrial site by means of an electrical drive ; a controller with sensor array configured to enable remote and / or autonomous traversal control of the mobile platform; a cable reel arranged on the platform and configured to spool a high voltage electrical supply cable thereon, said cable arrangeable , at a distal end thereof , in electrical contact with an electrical power supply system of the industrial site ; a multiple winding step-down transformer arranged on the platform and connected at a proximal end of the supply cable , the trans former configured to provide first and second outputs and having a neutral earthing resistor earth continuity protection to the electrical power supply system; and a charger arrangement arranged on the platform and comprising :i. a megawatt charging system (MCS) arranged in electrical contact with the first transformer output and configured for charging heavy mobile industrial machinery; and ii. a kilowatt charging system (KCS) arranged in electrical contact with the second transformer output and configured for charging light mobile industrial machinery; wherein the charging assembly is remotely and / or autonomously deployable on the industrial site to provide ad hoc charging of heavy and light industrial machinery.

[0013] In an embodiment, the mobile platform comprises a robust tracked and / or wheeled platform for traversing the industrial site.

[0014] In an embodiment, the electrical drive is supplied with electrical power from the transformer.

[0015] In an embodiment, the sensor array of the controller is selectable from a group consisting of machine vision cameras, radar sensors, LiDAR sensors, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and any other sensor configured to produce an output signal whereby the controller is able to detect a physical phenomenon related to the operation of the charging assembly.

[0016] In an embodiment, the controller comprises a transceiver for transmitting and receiving communications signals to and from, respectively, a remote operating system.

[0017] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to monitor and control the mobile platform and cable reel in order to unspool the supply cable along a predetermined path on theindustrial site, as remotely instructed via the remote operating system.

[0018] In an embodiment, the cable reel is configured to spool at least 500m of electrical cable thereon.

[0019] In an embodiment, the cable reel is positioned towards one end of the mobile platform, the cable reel monitored and controlled by the controller so that said cable is unspooled behind the charging assembly travelling in one direction, and spooled onto the cable reel when the charging assembly travels in an opposite direction.

[0020] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to monitor, via the sensor array, a path along which the supply cable is unspooled, and to transmit a geographic position of said path to the remote operating system.

[0021] In an embodiment, the multiple winding step-down transformer comprises a primary in a range of 6, 6kV to 33kV with a 3,3kV - 6, 6kV secondary as the first output and a 400V - 600V secondary as the second output.

[0022] In an embodiment, the neutral earthing resistor comprises a resistor with a current range between 5A to 15A, such as 10A, or the like.

[0023] In an embodiment, the neutral earthing resistor comprises an adjustable impedance module under control of the controller which is configured to perform dynamic impedance matching with the electrical power supply system to regulate safe fault current.

[0024] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to perform dynamic impedance matching with the electrical power supply system for load matching to maximise power transfer efficiency from the electrical power supply system to the charger arrangement.

[0025] In an embodiment, the megawatt charging system (MCS) of the charger arrangement comprises a DC charging system in the range of 3 MW - 12MW configured for charging batteryelectric mining haul trucks.

[0026] In an embodiment, the megawatt charging system (MCS) of the charger arrangement comprises a deployable charging connector configured to engage a charging port of heavy mobile industrial machinery.

[0027] In an embodiment, the controller is configured, via the sensor array, to determine when heavy mobile industrial machinery, such as a mining haul truck, is at a predetermined charging position or within a charging zone relative to the charging assembly in order automatically to deploy the charging connector to facilitate charging of such heavy mobile industrial machinery.

[0028] In an embodiment, the kilowatt charging system (KCS) of the charger arrangement comprises a 360kW 400V DC charging system.

[0029] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to monitor and report on a charging status of heavy and / or light mobile industrial machinery to the remote operating system.

[0030] In an embodiment , the charging assembly comprises electrical safety and isolation switchgear for isolating the electrical supply cable , trans former and charger arrangement .

[0031] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile industrial machinery charging arrangement comprising : at least two mobile industrial machinery charging assemblies , in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, that are remotely and / or autonomously deployable on an industrial site , such as a mine site , in order to provide ad hoc charging zones wherein heavy and light mobile batteryelectric industrial machinery are chargeable ; and a remote operating system operatively arranged in signal communication with each charging assembly and configured to : i . receive state-of-charge ( SoC ) indicators from a plurality of mobile heavy industrial machinery active on said industrial site ; and ii . remotely deploy the respective charging assemblies in order dynamically to establish charging zones to ensure continued operation of the mobile heavy industrial machinery suited to current operational requirements of the industrial site .

[0032] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a mine site comprising : a plurality of battery-electric haul trucks active on the site ; at least two mobile industrial machinery charging assemblies , in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, that are remotely and / or autonomously deployable across the mine site ; anda remote mine management operating system configured to receive state-of-charge ( SoC ) indicators from the respective haul trucks and to deploy the respective charging assemblies in order dynamically to establish charging zones across the mine to ensure continued operation of the haul trucks according to a current mine plan .

[0033] In an embodiment , the remote mine management operating system is preprogrammed with the mine plan which includes a range of a haul truck according to received state- of-charge ( SoC ) indicators .

[0034] In an embodiment , the battery-electric haul trucks are autonomous and under control and management of the remote mine management operating system .

[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile industrial machinery charging assembly, a mobile industrial machinery charging arrangement , and an industrial site , such as a mine site , comprising such a mobile industrial machinery charging arrangement , substantially as herein described and / or illustrated .BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top-view representation of one embodiment of a charging assembly for mobile industrial machinery, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective-view representation of an embodiment of the charging assembly of Figure 1 ;Figure 3 is diagrammatic perspective-view representation of the charging assembly of Figure 2 , shown sens ing a mining haul truck within a charging zone established by the charging assembly;Figures 4 to 7 are diagrammatic perspective-view rendered representations of automated charging of a mining haul truck via a deployable charging connector of the charging assembly of Figure 1 ;Figure 8 is diagrammatic rear perspective view representation of the charging assembly of Figures 4 to 7 ;Figure 9 is a diagrammatic rear-view representation of the charging assembly of Figure 8 ;Figure 10 is a diagrammatic overview representation of an industrial site , being a mine site , comprising a mobile industrial machinery charging arrangement , in accordance with aspects of the present invention; andFigure 11 is a diagrammatic top overview representation of a mine site comprising a mobile industrial machinery charging arrangement , in accordance with aspects of the present invention .DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof . This description is included solely for the purposes of exempli fying the present invention to the skilled addressee . It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above .

[0037] In the figures , incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments , like reference numerals are used to identi fy like parts throughout . Additionally, features , mechanisms and aspects well-known and understood in the art will not be described in detail , as such features , mechanisms and aspects will be within the understanding of the skilled addressee .

[0038] Additionally, the accompanying figures do not represent engineering or design drawings , but provide a functional overview of the invention only . As a result , features and practical construction details required for various embodiments may not be indicated in each figure , but such construction requirements will be within the understanding of the skilled addressee .

[0039] Broadly, the present invention provides for a charging assembly 10 for mobile industrial machinery, such as mining haul trucks 48 , and the like . The charging assembly 10 typically forms part of a larger charging arrangement comprising a plurality of such charging assemblies 10 deployable strategically across an industrial site 14 , such as a mine site , and described in more detail below .

[0040] With reference now to the accompanying drawings , there is shown on possible embodiment of such a charging assembly 10 . Typically, the charging assembly 10 comprises amobile platform 12 , a controller 18 with sensor array 20 , a cable reel 22 , a trans former 28 and a charger arrangement 36 .

[0041] The charging assembly 10 includes a mobile platform 12 which is generally configured for traversing an industrial site 14 by means of an electrical drive 16 . In one embodiment , the mobile platform 12 comprises a robust tracked and / or wheeled platform for traversing the industrial site 14 . For example , a mine s ite may have dirt or gravel roads or tracks , requiring a robust platform 12 for traversal . In one embodiment , the electrical drive 16 is supplied with electrical power from the trans former 28 . However, variations hereon are possible and expected, for example the platform 12 may include an internal combustion engine or the like to facilitate in traversal of the site 14 , or the like .

[0042] The charging assembly 10 also includes a controller 18 with sensor array 20 configured to enable remote and / or autonomous traversal control of the mobile platform 12 . The controller 18 with sensors 20 are generally configured to allow remote control and / or autonomous operation of the mobile platform 12 . For example , the mobile platform 12 may be remotely controlled from a mining remote operating centre , as is known in the art, or remotely from a control centre on the mine site , or via local remote control proximate the charging assembly 10 , and / or the like . The controller 18 is typically configured for Controller Area Network bus ( CAN-bus ) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition ( SCADA) system integration to enable autonomous fleet coordination and the capability of managing charging assembly 10 deployment via dynamic mine planning and prioritised charging logic for the mobile industrial machinery, such as mining haul trucks 48 , and the like .

[0043] Autonomous or semi-autonomous control of the platform 12 is also possible. For example, the controller 18 may be preconfigured with a map of the industrial site, such as a mine map, or linked with a mine management system that monitors positions of mobile mining machinery on the mine site in real-time, with the controller 18 instructable to move the mobile platform 12 to a specific position on the site in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner, using the sensor array 20 to facilitate such autonomous or semi-autonomous control.

[0044] Accordingly, the skilled addressee is to appreciate that the sensor array 20 of the controller 18 may comprise various types of sensors, such as machine vision cameras, radar sensors, LiDAR sensors, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and any other sensor configured to produce an output signal whereby the controller is able to detect a physical phenomenon related to the operation of the charging assembly. Such sensors comprising the sensor array 20 may also include sensors conventionally used on industrial machinery for sensing operational characteristics, etc.

[0045] The skilled addressee will appreciate that the controller 18 typically comprises any suitable processor or microcontroller configured to receive input, including sensor input, perform logical and arithmetical operations on a suitable instruction set and such sensor input, and provide output, as well as transitory and / or non-transitory electronic storage. For example, industrial controllers such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and the like may be configured as the controller 18. Of course, a plurality of processors and microcontrollers, each individually performing controller tasks on various components, such as the sensor array 20, cable reel 22, electrical drive 16, transformer 28,etc . , may function together to provide the overall functionality of the controller 18 , as described herein .

[0046] In a typical embodiment , the controller 18 al so comprises a transceiver 42 for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from, respectively, a remote operating system 44 , such as mining remote operating centre , a mine management system, or the like . Such an arrangement may facilitate support for over-the-air (OTA) software updates and remote diagnostics for proactive system maintenance , and the like .

[0047] The charging assembly 10 further includes a cable reel 22 which is arranged on the platform 12 and which is configured to spool a high voltage electrical supply cable 24 thereon . The cable 24 is typically arrangeable , at a distal end thereof , in electrical contact with an electrical power supply system 26 of the industrial site 14 , such as a mains power supply grid, or the like .

[0048] In one embodiment , the cable reel 22 is configured to spool at least 500m of electrical cable thereon . In one embodiment , the controller 18 is configured to monitor and control the mobile platform 12 and cable reel 22 in order to unspool the supply cable 24 along a predetermined path on the industrial site 14 , as remotely instructed via the remote operating system 44 .

[0049] In one embodiment , the cable reel 22 is positioned towards one end of the mobile platform 12 , the cable reel 22 monitored and controlled by the controller 18 so that the cable 24 is unspooled behind the charging assembly 10 travelling in one direction, such as a forward direction, and spooled onto the cable reel 22 when the charging assembly 10 travels in anopposite direction, such as a rearward or reverse direction . The cable reel 22 is typically actuated by means of an electrical drive monitored and controlled by the controller 18 to allow required spooling and unspooling of the electrical supply cable 24 . In one embodiment , the controller 18 is configured to monitor, via the sensor array 20 , a path along which the supply cable 24 is unspooled, and to transmit a geographic position of said path to the remote operating system 44 . In this manner, the remote operating system 44 , which is typically capable of managing deployment of the charging assembly 10 via dynamic mine planning and prioritised charging logic, is able to record or log a dynamic position or location of the electrical supply cable 24 in order to keep other industrial machinery active on the site 14 away therefrom, or the like .

[0050] The charging assembly 10 also typically includes a multiple winding step-down trans former 28 which is arranged on the platform 12 and which is connected at a proximal end of the supply cable 24 . The charging assembly 10 may also be configured to provide a 'pass-through' connection for the incoming supply cable 24 , i . e . the charging assembly 10 is connected in parallel to the supply cable 24 , which may pass to other equipment , such as a further charging assembly 10 , or the like . The trans former 28 is configured to provide at least first and second outputs 30 and 32 , and further has a neutral earthing resistor 34 earth continuity protection to the electrical power supply system 26. In this manner, charging assembly 10 is able to move around on the industrial site 14 and able to provide electrical protection via reliance on the earthing system o f the electrical power supply system 26 , i . e . removing the need to install a local and / or semi-permanent earth grid . Importantly, such an earth continuity protection arrangement via a suitable neutral earthing resistor 34facilitates 'mobile ' charging where required on the industrial site 14 .

[0051] In one embodiment , the multiple winding step-down trans former 25 may comprise a primary in a range of 6 , 6kV to 33kV with a 6 , 6kV secondary as the first output and a 400V - 600V secondary as the second output . Variations hereon are , of course , possible and anticipated, e . g . the multiple winding step-down trans former 28 may comprise an l l kV primary with a 6 , 6kV secondary as the first output 30 and a 400V secondary as the second output 32 . The second output 32 may be used to energise various components of the charging assembly 10 , such as the electrical drive 16 , the cable reel 22 , the controller 18 and sensor array 20 , and the like . The charging assembly 10 may also include a battery with charging system (not shown) for supporting static deployment use cases for semi-permanent site operations suppliable from the second output 32 . Such a battery may be used to energise the charging assembly 10 i f the electrical supply cable 24 is not energised, for example . In one embodiment , the neutral earthing resistor 34 comprises a resistor having a current rating of 5A to 15A, but of course variations hereon are possible according to requirements .

[0052] In one embodiment , the neutral earthing resistor 34 comprises an adj ustable impedance module under control of the controller 18 which is configured to perform dynamic impedance matching with the electrical power supply system 26 to regulate safe fault current should a fault occur . In one embodiment , the controller 18 is configured to perform dynamic impedance matching with the electrical power supply system 26 for load matching to maximise power trans fer ef ficiency from the electrical power supply system 26 to the charger arrangement 36 , described in more detail below . Such impedance matching is particularly important given the mobile nature of the chargingassembly 10, where fault currents are and dynamic and dependent on various factors, including a distance of the charging assembly 10 from the electrical power supply system 26, and the like.

[0053] Importantly, the charging assembly 10 further includes a charger arrangement 36 which is arranged on the platform 12 and which comprises a megawatt charging system (MCS) 38 and a kilowatt charging system (KCS) 40. The MCS 38 is arranged in electrical contact with the first transformer output 30 and is generally configured for charging heavy mobile industrial machinery, such as battery-electric mining haul trucks 48. The kilowatt charging system (KCS) 40 is arranged in electrical contact with the second transformer output 32 and is configured for charging light mobile industrial machinery, such as light vehicles, or the like. In one embodiment, the kilowatt charging system (KCS) 40 of the charger arrangement 36 comprises a 360kW 400V DC charging system, such as a rectiformer, a switched-mode supply, or the like. However, the kilowatt charging system (KCS) 40 may also comprise different power and / or voltage ratings, requirements depending .

[0054] In one embodiment, the megawatt charging system (MCS) 38 of the charger arrangement 36 comprises a 3MW to 12MW DC charging system configured for charging battery-electric mining haul trucks. Of course, variations hereon are possible and expected. For example, in another embodiment, the megawatt charging system (MCS) 35 may comprise a 6MW 1500V DC charging system, or a plurality of distinct charging systems for charging a plurality of battery-electric mining haul trucks simultaneously, e.g. two 3MW DC chargers, or the like. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the transmission of electrical energy at a higher voltage potential, such as llkV,via the electrical supply cable 24 , provides improved ef ficiency and typically enables the ef ficient supply and charging of electrical energy to heavy industrial machinery . Typically, the charging assembly 10 comprises electrical safety and isolation switchgear , such as arc flash protection, residual current devices (RCDs ) , and emergency isolation features , for isolating the electrical supply cable 24 , the trans former 28 , and the charger arrangement 36 . Similarly, the charging assembly 10 may include additional electrical isolation and safety measures , as per requirements , and withing the understanding of the skilled addressee . For example , the charging assembly 10 may include an electrical isolation station (not shown) , which isolates and controls electrical energy from the supply cable 24 to a further 'pass-through' connection also supplied via the supply cable 24 , or the like .

[0055] In one embodiment , the megawatt charging system (MCS ) 38 of the charger arrangement 36 comprises a deployable charging connector 46 which is configured to engage a charging port of heavy mobile industrial machinery, such as a mining haul truck 48 . In such an embodiment , the controller 18 may be configured, via the sensor array 20 , to determine when heavy mobile industrial machinery, such as a mining haul truck 48 , is at a predetermined charging position or within a charging zone 50 relative to the charging assembly 10 in order automatically to deploy the charging connector 46 to facilitate charging of such heavy mobile industrial machinery . For example , the controller 18 with sensor array 20 may rely on any suitable automatic identi fication and data capture (AIDC ) techniques to detect a haul truck 48 , which generally refers to any suitable technique or methodology for automatically and without user data entry, identi fying an obj ect and entering relevant data directly into a computer system ( i . e . without human involvement ) . Examples of AIDC technologies include barcodes , Quick Response ( QR) tags , Radio Frequency Identi fication (RFID) , Near-Field Communication (NFC ) , data tags , magnetic stripes , smart cards , etc .

[0056] For example , Figures 3 to 7 show examples of a charging assembly 10 detecting a haul truck 48 arriving within a charging zone 50 proximate the charging assembly 10 . Using AIDC and similar techniques , the charging assembly 10 is able to identi fy once a haul truck 48 is in position in order to deploy and extend a suitable charging connector 46 to charge the haul truck 48 . This process may be autonomously performed, removing the need for human involvement , which is particularly useful on mine sites where autonomous haul trucks 48 and related machinery are used .

[0057] In the manner described, the charging assembly 10 is remotely and / or autonomously deployable on the industrial site 14 in order to provide ad hoc charging of heavy and light industrial machinery, such as battery-electric haul trucks as well as light vehicles .

[0058] In one embodiment, the control ler 18 is further configured to monitor and report on a charging status of heavy and / or light mobile industrial machinery to the remote operating system 44 , i . e . provide state-of-charge ( SoC ) indicators . Such reporting of SoC indicators may facilitate the remote operating system 44 capable of managing deployment via dynamic mine planning and prioritised charging logic in scheduling and determining a deployment of the charging assembly 10 on the industrial s ite 14 , e . g . determine where an ideal position on the industri. al site 14 is to service heavy and light industrial machinery according current operational requirements of the industrial site .

[0059] With reference now to Figures 10 and 11 , the skilled addressee is to appreciate that the present invention includes an associated charging arrangement for mobile industrial machinery, the arrangement comprising at least two charging assemblies 10 , as described above , that are remotely and / or autonomously deployable on an industrial site 14 , such as a mine site , in order to provide ad hoc charging zones 50 wherein heavy and light mobile battery-electric industrial machinery are chargeable .

[0060] The arrangement also includes a remote operating system 44 which is operatively arranged in signal communication with each charging assembly 10 and which is configured to : i . receive state-of-charge ( SoC ) indicators from a plurality of mobile heavy industrial machinery active on the industrial site 14 ; and ii . remotely deploy the respective charging assemblies 10 in order dynamically to establish charging zones 50 to ensure continued operation of the mobile heavy industrial machinery suited to current operational requirements of the industrial site .

[0061] In particular, the present invention includes a mine site 14 comprising a plurality of battery-electric haul trucks 48 active on the site 14 , at least two mobile industrial machinery charging assemblies 10 that are remotely and / or autonomously deployable across the mine site , and a remote mine management operating system 44 configured to receive state-of-charge ( SoC ) indicators from the respective haul trucks 48 and to deploy the respective charging assemblies 10 in order dynamically to establish charging zones 50 across the mine site 14 to ensure continued operation of the haul trucks 48 according to a current mine plan .

[0062] In one embodiment, the remote mine management operating system 44 is preprogrammed with the mine plan which includes a range of a haul truck according to received state- of-charge (SoC) indicators. In one embodiment, the batteryelectric haul trucks are autonomous and under control and management of the remote mine management operating system.

[0063] Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that the present invention provides for a charging assembly, an associated charging arrangement and a mine site whereby an improved operational ecosystem can be provided able to support a fleet of battery-electric vehicles and equipment.

[0064] In the example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee. Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth .

[0065] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and / or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst otheraspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise .

[0066] Variations (e.g. modifications and / or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor (s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor (s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[0067] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and / or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including, " and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A mobile industrial machinery charging assembly comprising : a mobile platform configured for traversing an industrial site by means of an electrical drive ; a controller with sensor array configured to enable remote and / or autonomous traversal control of the mobile platform; a cable reel arranged on the platform and configured to spool a high voltage electrical supply cable thereon, said cable arrangeable , at a distal end thereof , in electrical contact with an electrical power supply system of the industrial site ; a multiple winding step-down transformer arranged on the platform and connected at a proximal end of the supply cable , the trans former configured to provide first and second outputs and having a neutral earthing resistor earth continuity protection to the electrical power supply system; and a charger arrangement arranged on the platform and comprising : i . a megawatt charging system (MCS ) arranged in electrical contact with the first trans former output and configured for charging heavy mobile industrial machinery; and ii . a kilowatt charging system (KCS ) arranged in electrical contact with the second trans former output and configured for charging light mobile industrial machinery; wherein the charging assembly is remotely and / or autonomously deployable on the industrial site to provide ad hoc charging of heavy and light industrial machinery .2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mobile platform comprises a robust tracked and / or wheeled platform for traversing the industrial site .3 . The assembly of either of claims 1 or 2 , wherein the electrical drive is supplied with electrical power from the trans former .4 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the sensor array of the controller is selectable from a group consisting of machine vision cameras , radar sensors , LiDAR sensors , global navigation satellite system ( GNSS ) sensors , ultrasonic sensors , and any other sensor configured to produce an output signal whereby the controller is able to detect a physical phenomenon related to the operation of the charging assembly .5 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the controller comprises a transceiver for transmitting and receiving communications signals to and from, respectively, a remote operating system .6 . The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor and control the mobile platform and cable reel in order to unspool the supply cable along a predetermined path on the industrial site , as remotely instructed via the remote operating system .7 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the cable reel is configured to spool at least 500m of electrical cable thereon .8 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the cable reel is positioned towards one end of the mobile platform, the cable reel monitored and controlled by the controller so that said cable is unspooled behind the charging assembly travelling in one direction, and spooled onto the cable reel when the charging assembly travels in an opposite direction .9 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor, via the sensor array, a path along whichthe supply cable is unspooled, and to transmit a geographic position of said path to the remote operating system .10 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the multiple winding step-down trans former comprises a primary in a range of 6 , 6kV to 33kV with a 3 , 3kV - 6 , 6kV secondary as the first output and a 400V - 600V secondary as the second output .11 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the neutral earthing resistor comprises a resi stor with a current range between 5A to 15A, such as 10A, or the like .12 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the neutral earthing resistor comprises an adj ustable impedance module under control of the controller which is configured to perform dynamic impedance matching with the electrical power supply system to regulate safe fault current .13 . The assembly of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to perform dynamic impedance matching with the electrical power supply system for load matching to maximise power trans fer ef ficiency from the electrical power supply system to the charger arrangement .14 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the megawatt charging system (MCS ) of the charger arrangement comprises a DC charging system in the range of 3 MW - 12MW configured for charging battery-electric mining haul trucks .15 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the megawatt charging system (MCS ) of the charger arrangement comprises a deployable charging connector configured to engage a charging port of heavy mobile industrial machinery .16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured, via the sensor array, to determine when heavy mobile industrial machinery, such as a mining haul truck, is at a predetermined charging position or within a charging zone relative to the charging assembly in order automatically to deploy the charging connector to facilitate charging of such heavy mobile industrial machinery .17 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 16 , wherein the kilowatt charging system (KCS ) of the charger arrangement comprises a 360kW 400V - 600V DC charging system .18 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 17 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor and report on a charging status of heavy and / or light mobile industrial machinery to the remote operating system .19 . The assembly of any of claims 1 to 18 , wherein the charging assembly comprises electrical safety and isolation switchgear for isolating the electrical supply cable , trans former and charger arrangement .20 . A mobile industrial machinery charging arrangement comprising : at least two mobile industrial machinery charging assemblies in accordance with any of claims 1 to 19 , that are remotely and / or autonomously deployable on an industrial site , such as a mine site , in order to provide ad hoc charging zones wherein heavy and light mobile battery-electric industrial machinery are chargeable ; and a remote operating system operatively arranged in signal communication with each charging assembly and configured to : i . receive state-of-charge ( SoC ) indicators from a plurality of mobile heavy industrial machinery active on said industrial site ; andii . remotely deploy the respective charging assemblies in order dynamically to establish charging zones to ensure continued operation of the mobile heavy industrial machinery suited to current operational requirements of the industrial site .21 . A mine site comprising : a plurality of battery-electric haul trucks active on the site ; at least two mobile industrial machinery charging assemblies in accordance with any of claims 1 to 19 , that are remotely and / or autonomously deployable across the mine site ; and a remote mine management operating system configured to receive state-of-charge ( SoC ) indicators from the respective haul trucks and to deploy the respective charging assemblies in order dynamically to establish charging zones across the mine to ensure continued operation of the haul trucks according to a current mine plan .22 . The mine site of claim 21 , wherein the remote mine management operating system is preprogrammed with the mine plan which includes a range of a haul truck according to received state-of-charge ( SoC ) indicators .23 . The mine site of either of claims 21 or 22 , wherein the battery-electric haul trucks are autonomous and under control and management of the remote mine management operating system .

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