NEW EQUIPMENT NEWS
Caterpillar develops battery electric proof-of-concept LHD
high ambient rock temperatures
where ventilation costs are
pivotal to making the mine
viable,” said Jay Armburger,
product manager with
responsibility for underground
technology. “One means of
reducing ventilation demand is
through electrification of the
mining equipment.”
With over 250 patents in the
electric drive and energy storage
fields, and products like the D7E
dozer; F-Series asphalt pavers;
794 AC and 795F AC large mining
trucks; the recently introduced
988K XE wheel loader; and
even microgrid technology,
Caterpillar has fully integrated
electric drivetrain technology
and components to bring to
underground machines.
Setting high performance
standards
The programme started with a
full production study and data
analysis of the diesel machine
to set a baseline, after which
the transformation of the
Caterpillar’s underground
mining group has shipped a
proof-of-concept battery electric
load-haul-dump (LHD) machine
to a mine site in Canada. The
initial build and validation testing
of this R1300G test unit began
in early 2017 at the Caterpillar
Peoria Proving Grounds and
continues now, moving muck in
a Canadian mine.
The test machine is a proof-
of-concept for packaging and
performance of a lithium-
based energy storage solution
that Caterpillar plans to bring
to the LHD market. After
testing, Caterpillar will launch
a full-fledged new product
introduction programme
that follows a more in-depth,
rigorous design and validation
process. The design of the new
loader will enhance battery life
through the use of load-sensing
hydraulics driven by piston
pumps, such as those on the
new Cat R1700.
“Our customers are planning
for deeper mines with very
Cat proof-of-concept battery LHD underground in a Canadian mine.
10
MARCH 2018
R1300G to a battery electric
proof-of-concept began. The
modifications included removing
the engine, transmission, and
torque converter and then
reconfiguring the engine end
frame to accommodate the
battery boxes and electric
motors. The result is a battery
electric powertrain driving a
conventional and mechanical
drivetrain (drive shafts and
axles).
As an older machine without
the benefit of efficient electro-
hydraulics, the R1300G proof-
of-concept will drive worst-
case scenario loads on the
batteries. The machine will yield
solid understanding of heat
generation and cooling needs,
performance criteria, space
claim, and safety considerations
in the day-to-day operation of the
machine.
Caterpillar is driving the
programme forward with the
help of feedback from several
customers who have operated
the proof-of-concept at the
proving grounds. Recharging
on the machine prevents the
mine from incurring additional
infrastructure costs or from
having to manage or store
replaceable battery packs.
Instead, Caterpillar is focusing
on fast charging of the batteries
on the machine such that
an operator can take a quick
break and come back to a
charged machine. In addition
to developing the LHD itself,
the programme has been
prototyping a robust charging
station with technology unique
to Caterpillar, and using Cat
components and technology.
“We tried hard to break
this machine and technology
before sending it to Canada in
September,” Armburger said.
“With the results we’ve seen
so far, we are confident that
this R1300G proof-of-concept
is giving us the answers we
need to develop a machine that
is safe and lives up to the Cat
brand promise of durability
and reliability.”