GB2642043A

GB2642043A - External vehicle propulsion infrastructure

Info

Publication number: GB2642043A
Application number: GB2408856.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Smith Luke; John Allen Lever Paul
Original assignee: Anglo American Technical and Sustainability Services Ltd
Current assignee: Anglo American Technical and Sustainability Services Ltd
Priority date: 2024-06-20
Filing date: 2024-06-20
Publication date: 2025-12-31
Also published as: GB202408856D0; WO2025262650A1

Abstract

A transportation system may typically be employed in the field of raw materials handling, such as in the mining industry. The system includes a route extending between a first and second point and at least a first self-propelled vehicle 18 operatively propelled along the route to carry payloads between the first and second points. An external drive system 30 is located at least at a first predetermined location along the route. The self-propelled vehicle and external drive system may be configured such that a predetermined spacing or gap is defined at an operative interface in the range 10mm to 50mm. The self-propelled vehicle may comprise a floating substructure 42 to define and maintain the gap. The predetermined location may comprise an inclining, a relatively horizontal or declining segment. The external drive system may encompass a mechanical coupling, a lift or cable system or a linear electromotive drive system. Interaction between the first self-propelled vehicle and the external drive system results in the provision of additive or supplementary propulsion or generation of electric potential energy.

Description

[0001] EXTERNAL VEHICLE PROPULSION INFRASTRUCTURE

[0002] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to the field of raw materials handling. More particularly, the present invention relates to a propulsion infrastructure system, typically used during hauling, such as raw material handling, aimed at improving system-level energy efficiencies.

[0004] Increased focus on energy efficiency and environmental impact, also in the mining and construction industries, calls for efficiency improvements in excavation and raw materials handling processes. To this end, focus is shifting towards smaller, lighter and/or more efficient haul trucks (lighter in this case facilitates implementation of more energy efficient technologies, greater autonomy and, in some cases, renewable energy).

[0005] Drivetrains of current haul trucks represent a non-negligible proportion of the overall haul truck weight. Drivetrains need to be sized to allow haul trucks, when fully loaded, to ascend steep inclines. Suitable drivetrains are therefore relatively large and heavy (compared to the overall system weight). Furthermore, implementation of electrically powered drivetrains, which is in line with the object of implementing more energy efficient and/or environmentally friendly drivetrain solutions, require large on-board batteries which, again, negatively impacts the system weight.

[0006] It is believed that a reduction in the overall weight of the haul truck could play a vital role in reducing a system-level environmental impact associated with raw material hauling. This may be achieved by an overall reduction in the energy expended during hauling, but furthermore, by bringing the total weight into an order more suitable for use of alternative, environmentally efficient and/or renewable energy resources.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide external vehicle propulsion infrastructure with which the weight of on-board infrastructure could potentially be reduced without a reduction in overall system performance.

[0008] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a transportation system that will, at least partially, address the above disadvantages.

[0009] It is also an object of the invention to provide a transportation system which will be a useful alternative to existing systems

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a transportation system including: a route extending between a first and second point; at least a first self-propelled vehicle operatively propelled along the route to carry a payload between the first and second points; an external drive system located at a predetermined location along the route and configured to interact with the first self-propelled vehicle when same is propelled proximate the predetermined location.

[0012] The first self-propelled vehicle and external drive system may be configured such that during interaction, a predetermined spacing or gap is defined and maintained at an operative interface. The predetermined spacing or gap may be in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm. Preferably the gap may be between 20 mm and 40 mm, such as about 25 mm.

[0013] The spacing or gap may operatively be defined between a mobile interacting module of the first self-propelled vehicle and a stationary interacting module of the external drive system.

[0014] Each self-propelled vehicle may comprise a floating substructure to which the mobile interacting module is mounted. The external drive system may comprise a reference track relative to which the stationary interacting module may be mounted. The floating substructure and reference track may operatively and physically interact to define and maintain the predetermined spacing or gap.

[0015] The floating substructure may be mounted relative to a main structure of the first self-propelled vehicle within at least a first degree of freedom, such as a rotational or linear degree of freedom. The first degree of freedom may be in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of the reference track. A biasing mechanism may be provided which may operatively bias the floating substructure in a direction towards the reference track.

[0016] The floating substructure may comprise at least a first wheel, roller, sprocket or slide which may operatively contact the reference track. The first wheel, roller, sprocket or slide may operatively be displaced along the reference track.

[0017] The reference track may comprise a beam, a channel or a linkage track made up of interlinked track shoes.

[0018] Furthermore, the reference track may be anchored relative to a fixed position at the predetermined location.

[0019] In one example implementation, the predetermined location may comprise an inclining segment of the route or a relatively horizontally extending segment of the route.

[0020] In such an implementation, the interaction between the first self-propelled vehicle and the external drive system may take the form of additive or supplementary propulsion provided by the external drive system to the first self-propelled vehicle.

[0021] The additive or supplementary propulsion may be provided by means of a linear electromotive drive system, in the form of a linear electromagnetic drive system.

[0022] The mobile interacting module may comprise a reaction structure or plate which may comprise permanent magnets mounted to a substructure. The stationary interacting module may comprise an electromagnetic drive unit comprising a substantially linearly extending stator comprising a yoke with embedded windings.

[0023] In another example implementation of the system, the predetermined location may comprise one of a declining segment of the route or a segment of the route in which a velocity of the first self-propelled vehicle operatively is reduced.

[0024] In such an implementation, interaction between the first self-propelled vehicle and the external drive system may take the form of the generation of electric potential energy by means of inductive regenerative charging of a battery system associated with or carried by the first self-propelled vehicle or by means of transmitting of electric potential energy to an external source.

[0025] The external drive system may be connected to an external power source.

[0026] Wheels or tracks of the first self-propelled vehicle may be provided in contact with a road surface of or associated with the route during interaction with the external drive system.

[0027] The stationary interacting module may, in some examples, be incorporated with or within the reference track.

[0028] In another example implementation of the system, the external drive system may comprise a coupling device for mechanically and releasably coupling to the first self-propelled vehicle during interaction.

[0029] In this example implementation, the external drive system may comprise a lift or cable system coupled to the coupling device for exerting a pulling force on the first self-propelled vehicle.

[0030] In any of the preceding implementations of the first aspect of the invention, the external drive system may comprise a first external drive system, the predetermined location may comprise a first predetermined location and the system may include a plurality of external drive systems, each associated with a distinct one of a plurality of predetermined locations.

[0031] Typically, the system may form part of a mining operation. The vehicle may be a mining haul vehicle. The first and second points may be raw material loading and unloading points.

[0032] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle for use in a transportation system according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising: a main structure; an on-board drivetrain for operatively propelling the vehicle along a route; load compartment for operatively carrying a payload; a floating substructure supported within at least a first degree of freedom relative to the main structure; and a mobile interacting module mounted to the floating substructure.

[0033] The first degree of freedom may comprise an articulating or linear displacement degree of freedom, allowing displacement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which a reference track of an external drive system extends.

[0034] The vehicle may further comprise a biasing mechanism which may operatively bias the floating substructure in a direction towards the reference track.

[0035] The floating substructure may comprise at least a first guide, slide, wheel, roller or sprocket which may operatively contact the reference track, thereby maintaining a spacing distance between the floating subframe and the reference track. The first guide, slide, wheel, roller or sprocket may be displaced along the reference track.

[0036] The mobile interacting module may comprise a reaction structure or plate which may comprise permanent magnets mounted to a substructure.

[0037] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided an external drive system for use in a transportation system according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising: a reference track; a stationary interacting module mounted relative to the reference track, configured for interacting with a mobile interacting module associated with a self-propelled vehicle of the system.

[0038] The reference track may include an anchor point for fixing the reference track relative to a predetermined location on a route.

[0039] The reference track may comprise one of a beam, a channel and a linkage track made up of interlinked track shoes.

[0040] The stationary interacting module may comprise a substantially linearly extending stator comprising a yoke with embedded windings.

[0041] The external drive system may be coupled to an external power source.

[0042] The stationary interacting module may in some cases be incorporated with or within the reference track.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a transportation system in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a vehicle forming part of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a floating substructure associated of the vehicle of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an external drive system forming part of the system of Figure 1, in which a reference track is made up of interlinked track shoes; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the external drive system of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a partial perspective view of an example embodiment of a reference track with incorporated stationary interacting module forming part of the system of Figure 1; and Figure 7 shows a side view of the example embodiment of the reference track with incorporated stationary interacting module of Figure 6, in a rolled-up or spooled configuration.

[0045] DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", "engaged" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, "connected" and "engaged" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words "lower", "upper", "upward", "down" and "downward" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term "include" and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

[0047] Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of a transportation system (or just "system"), in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0048] The system 10 comprises a route 12 between a first point 14 and a second point 16. It will be appreciated that the system 10 can take various forms and that the type of route 12 and the type of first and second points (14, 16), will take different forms depending on the type of system 10. The present disclosure is not limited in terms of the type of system 10. It will also be appreciated that the system may comprise more than a first and second point, and that the route may comprise various routes with intersections and the like. For the purpose of the present example only, the system 10 as described hereinafter will be taken to be located at a mining operation where the system is used to transport raw material between a loading point, being the first point 14 and an unloading point, being the second point 16.

[0049] The system 10 includes at least a first self-propelled vehicle 18 which, in the present example, takes the form of a haul truck. The vehicle 18 comprises a main structure 20, such as a chassis or frame and an on-board drivetrain 22 with which wheels 24 are driven in use. The drivetrain 22 may include an internal combustion motor with a gearbox arrangement, an electric motor with batteries and other electrical components, or the like. In some cases, the wheels 24 may be replaced by tracks. The vehicle 18 is considered a "self-propelled" vehicle in that drivetrain 22 allows the vehicle 18 to be propelled on its own along the route 12. The vehicle 18 also includes a load compartment 26 for carrying or transporting a load 28, such as raw material in the form of excavated ore.

[0050] The system 10 furthermore comprises at least a first external drive system 30 or external energy transmission system. As will become apparent from what follows, the external drive system 30 does not extend along a whole length of the route 12. Instead, the external drive system 30 is a discrete subsystem of the system 10 which extends for a limited distance along the route 12. The external drive system 30 is strategically placed or installed (as discussed more fully below) at a predetermined location 32 along the route 12.

[0051] As will be discussed more fully below, the external drive system 30 or energy transmission system may take various forms. In general terms, the external drive system 30 is configured to interact with the vehicle 18 when same is propelled proximate or relative to the predetermined location 32. Therefore, during a discrete portion of the route 12, the external drive system 30 interacts with the vehicle 18.

[0052] As more fully discussed below, in one example, the interaction between the external drive system 30 and the vehicle comprises either additive or supplementary power or drive provided by the external drive system 30 to the vehicle 18. In another example, the interaction between the external drive system 30 and the vehicle comprises regenerative charging of batteries carried onboard the vehicle 18 (and forming part of the drivetrain 22).

[0053] The efficiency of the system in such examples is dependent on the existence of a predetermined spacing or gap 34 between the external drive system 30 and the vehicle 18 (or rather, between specific components of the external drive system 30 and the vehicle 18). This spacing or gap 34 needs to be defined and maintained constant during the interaction. Typically, the spacing or gap 34 is 25 mm or smaller. However, depending on the application, the spacing or gap 34 may fall within a range of between 10 mm and 50 mm or more particularly between 20 mm and 40 mm. The size of the spacing or gap 34 may fall outside of these ranges if the application permits or requires it.

[0054] The spacing or gap 34 is defined at an operative interface 36 of components located on the external drive system 30 and the vehicle 18, respectively. The system 10 is specifically configured to facilitate and maintain this spacing or gap 34 at the interface 36, as discussed more fully below.

[0055] The interface 36 and therefore the spacing or gap 34 are defined between a mobile interacting module 38 associated with the vehicle 18 ("mobile" here is considered relative to the route 12 or the external drive system 30), and a stationary interacting module 40, associated with the external drive system 30.

[0056] The vehicle 18 includes a floating substructure 42, typically in the form of a floating subframe, to which the mobile interacting module 38 is mounted. "Floating" in this sense relates the substructure 42 being mounted or supported relative to the main structure 20 of the vehicle 18 within at least a first a degree of freedom. Therefore, the floating substructure 42 is displaceable relative to the main structure 20.

[0057] Typically, the degree of freedom is a linear displacement degree of freedom, which allows the floating substructure 42 to be displaced in a direction (indicated by reference numeral 44) which is perpendicular to a direction of travel or a direction in which the external drive system 30 extends (this direction indicated by reference numeral 46). In some implementations, the floating substructure 42 may be fixed to the main structure 20 by means of articulating components, such as wishbones (not shown).

[0058] A biasing mechanism 48, typically in the form of springs, air bags or the like, biases the floating substructure 42 in a direction of the external drive system 30 (typically along the degree of freedom).

[0059] The floating substructure 42 is fitted with a set of wheels 50. In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown, the wheels may be replaced by rollers, sprockets or slides. The size of the wheels 50 (or of the rollers, sprockets or slides) is critical in defining and maintaining the spacing or gap 34.

[0060] The external drive system 30 comprises a longitudinal reference track 52 relative to which the stationary interacting module 40 is mounted. The reference track 52 may take various forms, such as a longitudinally extending beam or channel (extending in the direction 46) or (as shown in figures 4 and 5) a track 54 made up of interlinked track shoes 56. Again, a spacing between the reference track 52 and the stationary interacting module 40 is critical in defining the spacing or gap 34.

[0061] Another example embodiment of the reference track 52 is shown in figures 6 and 7. Here the track comprises a chain-type linked assembly. However, now the stationary interacting module 40 (comprising inductive coils, not shown in figures 6 and 7) is contained within or carried by the track 52. The linked assembly typically has a depth of 10-20cm to facilitate carrying the inductive coils. In some examples, the stationary interacting module 40 may now comprise a cable, such as a Litz cable, which may be provided with high frequency alternating current.

[0062] An advantage of using a chain-type linked assembly as shown in figures 6 and 7, is the ease with the track 52 and incorporated stationary module 40 can be spooled, reeled or rolled up. This facilitates quick, easy and cost-effective deployment, disassembly or redeployment throughout the mining environment (especially during route changes and expansion of the mining operations).

[0063] It is believed the linked assembly may be provided in sections spanning between 50 m and 100 m lengths. Various lengths may be coupled together as the need dictates.

[0064] In use, during the interaction as discussed, the wheels 50 physically contact the reference track 52 and runs thereon and there along. The biasing mechanism 48 ensures that contact is relatively consistently maintained between the wheels 50 and the reference track 52. In this way, the spacing or gap 34 is maintained (within acceptable tolerances). The floating substructure 42 and the reference track 52 therefore physically interact during use to define and maintain the spacing or gap 34.

[0065] Typically, the reference track 52 is mounted below the floating substructure 42 such that the biasing mechanism 48 biases the floating substructure downward. That said, alternative configurations, such as where the reference track 52 is mounted to the side of the floating substructure 42, or a configuration where the wheels 50 run on an inner flange or inner surface of a flange of a channel of the reference track 52, therefore wherein the floating substructure 42 is biased upwards, would be feasible. In principle, positive contact between a surface of the refence track 52 and the wheels 50 is maintained to maintain the spacing or gap 34.

[0066] The reference track 52 is typically anchored relative to a surface 58 on which it is supported. It is foreseen, especially, but not exclusively, in cases where the reference track 52 comprises interlinked track shoes, that the reference track 52 and in fact the whole external drive system 30 may comprise a mobile unit which may be installed or anchored relative to the predetermined location 32 temporarily. As the mining operations expand or as the route is changed, the external drive system 30 may therefore be relocated. The external drive system 30 is powered by an external power source (not shown).

[0067] It should be noted that during interaction between the external drive system 30 and the vehicle 18, the wheels 24 of the vehicle 18 are in contact with the surface 58 and the vehicle 18 is therefore supported by the surface 58.

[0068] Reference is now specifically made to the example of figure 1, and in particular, to the first external drive system 30 mounted at the first location 32, which is an inclining portion of the route 12. Here, the external drive system 30 is configured to provide additive or supplementary drive or propulsion to the vehicle 18. The external drive system 30 is therefore configured as a linear electromotive or electromagnetic drive system or motor. The stationary interacting module 40 therefore takes the form of a substantially linearly extending stator comprising a yoke with embedded windings while the mobile interacting module 38 includes a reaction structure or plate (serving as a "rotor", even though the propulsion in this case is substantially linear relative to the stator) which comprises permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are mounted to a substructure.

[0069] Also as shown in figure 1, the system 10 may include a second external drive system 30, which may be located at a second predetermined location 60. In this example, the second predetermined location 60 may be located at a portion of the route 12 which is substantially flat or horizontal, but which may, for example, be associated with a portion of the route 12 where the vehicle needs to accelerate.

[0070] It is foreseen that individual external drive systems 30 may be provided along the route in portions where relatively large or high amounts of power would be required to propel the vehicle 18. By providing external drive systems 30 which are configured to supplement drive provided to the vehicle 18 whilst traversing specific portions of the route, on-board power requirements of the drivetrain 22 of the vehicle 18 may be reduced. Such a reduced on-board power requirement is associated with a physically smaller drivetrain 22 which is relatively lighter than drivetrains of comparable vehicles not provided as part of a system 10 including external drive systems 30. By reducing an overall weight of the vehicle 18, same may be more effective and overall energy consumption requirements may be reduced.

[0071] As mentioned, in some cases, the external drive system 30 is configured as an inductive regenerative braking and/or charging system. In such examples, the external drive system 30 is typically located in declining portions of the route 12 or portions associated with braking or a reduction of speed of the vehicle 18. Regenerative braking is therefore used when the driven load causes the motor of the vehicle to run at speeds higher than its no-load speed. This results in the reversing of the motor current and generation of electric potential energy. Therefore, as the vehicle 18 travels down the declining portion or along the portion where the vehicle 18 needs to reduce speed, interaction between the mobile interacting module 38 and the stationary interacting module 40 may cause on-board batteries to be charged (at least partially) or may cause energy to be transmitted to external sources. In this way, the range of the vehicle 18 may be increased and/or the required size and therefore associated weight of onboard batteries carried by the vehicle 18 as part of the drivetrain 22 may be reduced. Alternatively, or in addition, overall systemwide energy expenditure may be reduced.

[0072] It is believed that the system 10 could accommodate inclining portions of the route having inclinations of up to 10%, with a vehicle 18 having a total combined (laden) weight of 110 tonne, and at speeds of up to 20km/h.

[0073] It will be appreciated that each of the modules (38, 40) may be configurable to have a dual function, in that both additive or supplementary drive and regenerative braking or charging may selectively be facilitated (depending on a specific portion of the route 12).

[0074] It will furthermore be appreciated that the system 10 may typically be associated with a number of external drive systems 30 and a large number of vehicles 18.

[0075] It will be appreciated that the above description only provides an example embodiment of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention.

[0076] For example, at least some of the advantages obtainable by the system 10 can be realised with an alternative version (not shown in the figures) of the system 10, wherein the external drive system includes a coupling device for mechanically and releasably coupling to the vehicle 18 during interaction. In such a case, the external drive system may comprise a lift or cable system coupled to the coupling device with which a pulling force is exerted on the first self-propelled vehicle during interaction. In this way, additive or supplementary drive may be facilitated, and the advantages associated with a reduced drivetrain 22 may, at least partially, be realised.

[0077] It will easily be understood from the present description that the particular features of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged and designed according to a wide variety of different configurations. In this way, the description of the present invention and the related figures are not provided to limit the scope of the invention but simply represent selected embodiments.

[0078] For example, the system 10 may find application outside of mining environments and may theoretically be deployed in a wide range of industries. For example, the route may be a train track and the additive or supplementary drive may be supplied to a train when ascending inclines or when accelerating. Similarly, inductive regenerative braking may be used to charge onboard batteries or even supply surplus power to a grid.

[0079] The skilled person will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment, unless otherwise expressed or it is evident that these characteristics are incompatible. Also, the technical characteristics described one embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this embodiment unless otherwise expressed.

Claims

1. CLAIMS1) A transportation system including: a route extending between a first and second point; at least a first self-propelled vehicle operatively propelled along the route to carry a payload between the first and second points; an external drive system located at a predetermined location along the route and configured to interact with the first self-propelled vehicle when same is propelled proximate the predetermined location.

2. 2) The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the first self-propelled vehicle and external drive system are configured such that during interaction, a predetermined spacing or gap is defined and maintained at an operative interface.

3. 3) The transportation system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined spacing or gap is in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 40 mm, most preferably about 25 mm.

4. 4) The transportation system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the spacing or gap is operatively defined between a mobile interacting module of the first self-propelled vehicle and a stationary interacting module of the external drive system.

5. 5) The transportation system according to claim 4, wherein the first self-propelled vehicle comprises a floating substructure to which the mobile interacting module is mounted, wherein the external drive system comprises a reference track relative to which the stationary interacting module is mounted and wherein the floating substructure and reference track operatively and physically interact to define and maintain the predetermined spacing or gap.

6. 6) The transportation system according to claim 5, wherein the floating substructure is mounted relative to a main structure of the first self-propelled vehicle within at least a first degree of freedom.

7. 7) The transportation system according to claim 6, wherein the first degree of freedom comprises a substantially linear displacement degree of freedom, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of the reference track.

8. 8) The transportation system according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a biasing mechanism which operatively biases the floating substructure in a direction towards the reference track.

9. 9) The transportation system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the floating substructure comprises at least a first wheel, roller, sprocket or slide which operatively contacts and is displaced along the reference track.

10. 10) The transportation system according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the reference track comprises one of a beam, a channel and a linkage track optionally made up of interlinked track shoes.

11. 11) The transportation system according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the reference track is anchored relative to a fixed position at the predetermined location.

12. 12) The transportation system according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the predetermined location comprises one of an inclining segment of the route and a relatively horizontally extending segment of the route.

13. 13) The transportation system according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the interaction between the first self-propelled vehicle and the external drive system takes the form of additive or supplementary propulsion provided by the external drive system to the first self-propelled vehicle.

14. 14) The transportation system according to claim 13, wherein the additive or supplementary propulsion is provided by means of a linear electromotive drive system.

15. 15) The transportation system according to claim 14, wherein the linear electromotive drive system comprises a linear electromagnetic drive system.

16. 16) The transportation system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the mobile interacting module comprises a reaction structure or plate which comprises permanent magnets mounted to a substructure and the stationary interacting module comprises an electromagnetic drive unit comprising a substantially linearly extending stator comprising a yoke with embedded windings.

17. 17) The transportation system according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the predetermined location comprises one of a declining segment of the route or a segment of the route.

18. 18) The transportation system according to any one of claims 4 to 11 or 17, wherein the interaction between the first self-propelled vehicle and the external drive system takes the form of the generation of electric potential energy by means of inductive regenerative charging of a battery system associated with or carried by the first self-propelled vehicle or by means of transmitting of electric potential energy to an external source.

19. 19) The transportation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the external drive system is connected to an external power source.

20. 20) The transportation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein wheels or tracks of the first self-propelled vehicle are provided in contact with a road surface of the route during interaction with the external drive system.

21. 21) The transportation system according to claim 10, wherein the stationary interacting module is incorporated with or within the reference track.

22. 22) The transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the external drive system comprises a coupling device for mechanically and releasably coupling to the first self-propelled vehicle during interaction.

23. 23) The transportation system according to claim 21, wherein the external drive system comprises a lift or cable system coupled to the coupling device for exerting a pulling force on the first self-propelled vehicle.

24. 24) The transportation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the external drive system comprises a first external drive system, wherein the predetermined location comprises a first predetermined location and wherein the system includes a plurality of external drive systems, each associated with a distinct one of a plurality of predetermined locations.

25. 25) The transportation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein system forms part of a mining operation, wherein the vehicle is a mining haul vehicle and wherein the first and second points are raw material loading and unloading points.

26. 26) A vehicle for use in a transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising: a main structure; an on-board drivetrain for operatively propelling the vehicle along a route; load compartment for operatively carrying a payload; a floating substructure supported within at least a first degree of freedom relative to the main structure; and a mobile interacting module mounted to the floating substructure.

27. 27) The vehicle according to claim 26, wherein the first degree of freedom comprises an articulating or linear displacement degree of freedom, allowing displacement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which a reference track of an external drive system extends.

28. 28) The vehicle according to claim 27, further comprising a biasing mechanism which operatively biases the floating substructure in a direction towards the reference track.

29. 29) The vehicle according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the floating substructure comprises at least a first guide, slide, wheel, roller or sprocket which operatively contacts and is displaced along the reference track thereby maintaining a spacing distance between the floating subframe and the reference track.

30. 30) The vehicle according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the mobile interacting module comprises a reaction structure or plate which comprises permanent magnets mounted to a substructure.

31. 31) An external drive system for use in a transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising: a reference track; a stationary interacting module mounted relative to the reference track, configured for interacting with a mobile interacting module associated with a self-propelled vehicle of the system.

32. 32) The external drive system according to claim 31, wherein the reference track includes an anchor point for fixing the reference track relative to a predetermined location on a route.

33. 33) The external drive system according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the reference track comprises one of a beam, a channel and a linkage track optionally made up of interlinked track shoes.

34. 34) The external drive system according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the stationary interacting module comprises a substantially linearly extending stator comprising a yoke with embedded windings.

35. 35) The external drive system according to any one of claims 31 to 34, coupled to an external power source.

36. 36) The external drive system according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the stationary interacting module is incorporated with or within the reference track.