Modular Power Rail Base With Nested Couplers for Uneven Haul Routes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for providing electrical power to freely steerable heavy work machines, such as those used in mining, face challenges in maintaining a continuous connection due to uneven terrain, curvatures, and slopes, leading to disconnection from power rails.
Innovation Solution
A modular support structure using barriers with nested couplers that restrict longitudinal displacement, lateral displacement, and slope change, ensuring stable positioning of power rails above ground, utilizing tubular couplers with different diameters and vertical slots to maintain alignment and prevent disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power rails are placed on uneven terrain with curvatures and slopes, then the power delivery system can adapt to diverse terrain conditions, but the alignment between power rails and freely steerable machines deteriorates, leading to disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is divided into modular segments that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each barrier module can be adjusted to accommodate terrain variations while maintaining overall system integrity and power delivery continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier modules incorporate movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic repositioning to maintain alignment with freely steerable machines on uneven terrain, rather than being fixed in rigid positions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid joints are used to connect barriers, then structural stability is improved, but the system cannot accommodate angular positioning variations due to curvatures and slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism uses nested tubular structures where inner tubes can rotate or adjust within outer tubes, allowing angular positioning adjustments while maintaining structural stability through the nested configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in angular parameters and orientation of barrier modules to adapt to curvatures and slopes, while maintaining structural integrity through the coupling design that accommodates these parameter variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compliant joints are used to accommodate terrain variations, then adaptability to curvatures and slopes is improved, but longitudinal and lateral displacement control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the coupling mechanism have different properties: some components provide compliance for terrain variations while other components maintain rigid constraints for precise longitudinal and lateral positioning, achieving both adaptability and precision in appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism selectively allows parameter changes (angular orientation) for terrain adaptation while maintaining fixed parameters (longitudinal and lateral position) to ensure precise positioning and alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular structure supports elevated rail segments for delivering electrical power to a moving work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site. Opposite ends of a roadside barrier contain complementary tubular couplers arranged vertically, one having a first diameter supported by an arm and the other having a larger second diameter and a vertical slot. Couplers on adjacent barriers can be mated together concentrically along a central axis. The mated couplers help restrict longitudinal displacement, lateral displacement, slope change, and lateral rotation between adjacent barriers during placement. One barrier may be used as a temporary alignment structure to position barriers spaced alternatingly along a haul route for the work machine.