drilling individual holes, while the bulk of a pattern is carried out via power from its 180 m tethered cable. The battery allows greater freedom and flexibility, and more efficient use of time, as the rig can drill immediately while the cable is being set up. The cable tightens itself automatically, according to the direction in which the rig is moved, and it is wound on a single layer, which enables a thinner, more manageable tether. The 1000 V operating voltage helps to enable a lighter cable. Another removable battery approach converts existing Class 8 diesel engine trucks due for a rebuild or replacement, swapping the engine with a new electric motor and a removable battery pack at a comparative cost of rebuilding an existing diesel motor. As the batteries are not permanently fixed to the truck, they can be removed in four minutes, and charged at a Charge and Change Station. This station is designed as a three-way system with a grid-to-battery connection, battery to battery, and battery to grid, enabling renewable energy to be fed back into the grid, helping to balance and minimise surges and outages. The packs have been designed with an eight-year lifetime, but they are upgradeable to newer battery chemistries. Removable batteries A modular battery system for an electric truck improves performance by adding an additional pack, mounted on the rear of the chassis, providing extra power, and improving range and acceleration. The pack is designed to be removable, easily replaceable and it can be charged using renewable energy sources. The modular pack is electronically connected to the main battery pack through a control unit that manages the flow of power between the two. This design can improve the truck’s traction, stability, weight distribution and handling, and it can also be configured to optimise vehicle dynamics and driving performance. To remove a modular battery pack from an EV, the operator must follow a simple process. First, the electronic connections between the modular battery pack and the control unit must be disconnected, which is typically done by unplugging a series of connectors linking them. Then, the pack can be physically removed from its mount on the rear portion of the chassis. Using a modular battery pack can reduce downtime and maintenance costs. This is crucial in applications where the truck is used for heavy-duty tasks, such as hauling cargo or towing. Rather than having to replace the entire main battery pack, which can be costly and time-consuming, the modular one can be quickly and easily replaced in the field, without the need for specialised equipment, allowing the truck to get back to work as soon as possible. The ability to charge the modular battery pack using a solar panel or other renewable energy source can also provide significant cost benefits, reducing reliance on traditional power sources such as the grid. Mounting a modular battery pack on the rear of an electric truck chassis can benefit vehicle dynamics and driving performance. This added weight on the rear end can also improve balance and stability; the truck is less likely to oversteer or understeer when cornering, which can enhance overall handling. Additionally, this can provide greater traction, particularly when the truck is hauling heavy loads, helping to reduce wheel slip and increase grip, which can enhance acceleration too. July/August 2024 | E-Mobility Engineering 38 A battery electric concept drilling rig (Image courtesy of Sandvik) Designing packs for a heavy-duty chassis (Image courtesy of Alpha Motors)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mzk4