Caterpillar presents dynamic charging system for mining trucks
Caterpillar has called the system Cat Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET), which is suitable for the intermediate charging of both battery-only and hybrid mining vehicles. The solution consists of a power module that converts energy from a mining site’s power source for charging the electric trucks, a rail system for dynamic charging, and the aforementioned transfer arms that are attached to the vehicles.
The rail system is mobile and, according to the developers, can be adapted to the customer’s specific mine layouts. The connecting arm can also be flexibly installed on both sides of a lorry and on different truck models. Caterpillar explains that the charging rail means that a mining truck can even be charged while driving up a steep incline, which increases the vehicle’s uptime and operational efficiency. Caterpillar recently presented the solution at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas.
“We believe Cat DET provides a technological leap for the mining industry. Our team of innovators designed this system to provide immediate benefit to miners who want to lower their operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions today while also creating flexibility for the future,” said Denise Johnson, Caterpillar’s Resource Industries group president. “We know customers need choices to fit their unique site objectives.”
The mining and construction vehicle maker has designed the charging system so that it can even be installed on curved haul roads. Caterpillar says that the Cat DET will integrate with the Cat MineStar Command for a hauling solution that merges autonomy and electrification technologies. Mining operations by Fortescue in Western Australia are already using autonomous mining trucks, and a historic deal was signed last week for 360 autonomous electric mining trucks and other electric mining vehicles with Caterpillar competitors Liebherr.
Caterpillar’s charging solution seems to have been well designed to accommodate both new and established mining sites with charging solutions that can adapt to the increasing use of large autonomous vehicles. The company began in California in 1890 and revealed its first massive electric mining tip truck in 2022.
Caterpillar Senior Vice President Marc Cameron explained, “We believe mine sites will benefit from enhanced efficiency with the integration of electrification and automation. When combined, these technologies will help miners achieve production targets while simultaneously managing energy demands.”
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