Battery Powered Raise Climber Drive System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional power systems for raise climbers, such as pneumatic and electric cable drive systems, face limitations in carrying capacity and safety due to weight and potential damage of hoses, while diesel systems pose ventilation and safety hazards, restricting their use in mines.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered drive system using high energy/mass ratio Lithium-Ion batteries connected to variable frequency drives, allowing for regenerative braking and eliminating the need for umbilical cords, enabling efficient and safe operation of raise climbers without the drawbacks of traditional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pneumatic or electric cable drive systems are used, then power can be supplied to the raise climber, but the weight of the hose or cable increases with length, limiting the maximum ascent distance and carrying capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power source from the external umbilical connection and places it directly on the raise climber platform in the form of a battery pack. This eliminates the need for the umbilical hose or cable that adds weight and limits ascent distance, while still providing continuous power supply to the drive motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system is segmented into modular battery packs that can be independently installed and replaced on the raise climber. This allows the power source to be separated from the external mine infrastructure and integrated directly into the mobile platform.
2Use of energy by moving object
If pneumatic or electric cable drive systems are used, then power can be supplied to the raise climber, but the hose or cable may be damaged or severed, interrupting power delivery and creating safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the power source from the vulnerable umbilical connection and relocating it to the protected battery enclosure on the raise climber, the system eliminates the risk of hose or cable damage interrupting power delivery. The battery-powered system maintains reliable power supply even in harsh underground mining environments.
3Length of moving object
If diesel powered drive system is used, then no umbilical hose is required and power degradation is avoided, but fumes are emitted that must be removed by pumping large amounts of air through the work area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the diesel mechanical engine with an electric motor powered by batteries. This substitution eliminates harmful fume emissions while maintaining the ability to operate without external umbilical connections, achieving both long ascent distance capability and clean operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source changes from chemical combustion (diesel) to electrochemical energy conversion (batteries). This parameter change in the energy conversion process eliminates harmful emissions while providing sufficient power for extended ascent operations.
4Use of energy by moving object
If pneumatic or electric cable drive systems are used, then power can be supplied to the raise climber, but the volume of air or electrical capacity decreases as the length of hose or cable is increased, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the power source from the external supply system and installing it directly on the raise climber, the invention eliminates energy loss associated with long hose or cable connections. The battery-powered system maintains constant power output and efficiency regardless of ascent distance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The battery-powered system enhances carrying capacity, safety, and efficiency by providing consistent power without the weight and hazards of traditional systems, allowing longer raises and reducing maintenance costs with cleaner operations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more batteries connected to one or more electric motors through one or more respective variable frequency drives that enables the batteries to power the electric motors when the raise climber ascends and to recharge the batteries when the raise climber descends
Implementation Method 2
A battery powered drive system using high energy/mass ratio Lithium-Ion batteries connected to variable frequency drives, allowing for regenerative braking
Data Source
AI summary
A battery powered raise climber system is provided that uses Lithium ion batteries to drive a single or double electric drive for an existing raise climber. The batteries offer a faster, safer, quieter and cleaner way to move workers and their equipment to and from the work face in a raise and eliminates the need for adding lengths of hose as the raise climber ascends and eliminates the emission of harmful inhalants. The battery powered system also enables high efficiency area lighting to be used at the work face, and as the raise climber descends in the raise, the electric drives can reverse operation to recharge the batteries.