An automotive technology company has found a way to power mining machinery on just a few volts.
Electric Vehicle Systems and Technology (EVS&T) demonstrated a Toyota Landcruiser retrofitted with a custom ultra-low voltage (ULV) electric drive system, which is promised to much more safely power the internal combustion engine from as little as 3V.
“It removes the electrocution hazard for operators, maintenance personnel and emergency crews in the event of an accident,” EVS&T spokesman Michael Byford said. “The need for training personnel to work with high voltage can be removed.”
Typical mine machinery requires between 340 and 1000 volts, which carry significant safety risks and require strict guidelines and work practices, dedicated charging facilities and well trained operators and maintenance staff.
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Cheap to run, easy to upgrade
An electric drive system removes this need while at the same time helping to reduce ventilation costs, eliminating health concerns over diesel particulate matter and allowing deeper or more productive mining.
The machinery’s total cost of ownership is also promised to decrease due to less frequent maintenance required and lower running costs from using electricity. The technology can be easily upgraded and even performed while the motor is running. There is no dedicated software, meaning it will not become obsolete or hacked into.
This Toyota Landcruiser will be exhibited at the 2019 International Mining and Resources Conference in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre until October 31.
“….custom ultra-low voltage (ULV) electric drive system, which is promised to much more safely power the internal combustion engine…”
Not sure what this means, how does an electric drive system power an interhal combustion engine?