# This newly developed system, besides being power efficient and cost-effective, is also in tune with the objective of Net Zero Emission.
RNS: At a time when there is a renewed focus on energy conservation across the world in tune with the call for Net Zero emission by 2050, two faculty members of the Mechanical Engineering Department of IIT ISM, Dhanbad, have developed a hydraulic circuit system for Load Haul Dump (LHD) vehicles used in mining operations, that helps in ensuring energy conservation.
The newly developed system can also be helpful during emergencies like- pump failure to drive out the LHD vehicles to safer places.
The two researchers, led by Professor Ajit Kumar, an Assistant Professoressor and Nirajan Kumar, Associate Professoressor, have developed the new system in around two years as part of an institute-funded project worth Rs 6 lakh, which began in 2019.
Mining equipment manufacturers—particularly LHD vehicle manufacturers—can use the concept commercially.
Notably, Load Haul Dump (LHD) vehicles are improvised front-end loaders developed for the toughest hard rock mining operation as they are extremely rugged, highly manoeuvrable and more productive, said Rajni Singh, Dean, Media & Branding of ISM.
Giving details, Professor Ajit Kumar, Principal Investigator of the project, said, “In the traditional Hydraulic Circuit Arrangement of LHD vehicles, there is a separate hydraulic system for the operation of Cable Reeling Drum (CRD) that requires an additional pump along with the couplers, thereby increasing the overall power requirement of the vehicles.”
In the proposed design, an integrated hydraulic circuit system for the LHD vehicle’s steering system and CRD Drive has been introduced to facilitate the simultaneous operations of the vehicle’s steering system and CRD drive using a single power pack unit, thus minimizing the overall power required for the vehicle.
Moreover, though there is no arrangement in the traditional LHD vehicles to steer during a state of emergency, but in the improvised design of LHD vehicles, an accumulator is used in the Hydraulic Steering Circuit that acts as a power assist unit (PAU) to account for the Vehicles Emergency operation, like during the state of pump failure.
Explaining the working of the accumulator, Professor Ajit Kumar said, “The accumulator flow can be utilized to steer the vehicle for a limited time and be brought to a safer location for troubleshooting”.
Divulging more details, Kumar said the invention relates to an open circuit proportional directional valve-controlled hydraulic power steering system coupled with a priority valve and an accumulator for Load Haul Dump (LHD) vehicles.
The invention for which a patent application has already been filed is in the laboratory stage, and its field trial would be conducted soon.
