Buoyant track amphibious transporter

Abstract

The present invention discloses an amphibious vehicle for transiting deep or shallow waters and / or the full range of wetland and dry soil environments, consists of a box-like structure with buoyant tracks that are powered to move around the structure. The buoyant tracks encircle the vehicle's length and extend laterally for a substantial portion of the vehicle's width or beam. When operating in water the buoyant tracks provide a majority of the buoyancy keeping the box-like structure above water surface or its tracks can be flooded to submerge the vessel. The amphibious vehicle can transport heavy equipment and personnel from ships located offshore, across undeveloped beaches, to positions ashore.

Description

[0001] Cross-References to Related Applications [0001] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 852,422, filed October 18, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0002] The invention relates to an amphibious crawler vehicle that can operate in water and on land. Background technique [0003] Military and commercial operations in undeveloped areas often require the ability to transport equipment and personnel in environments such as soft soil, wetlands, and water where traditional vehicles cannot be used. These operations often require the transfer of heavy equipment and personnel from offshore vessels to ashore locations in areas that do not have or have no access to developed port facilities. Also, in some operations, the transmission of military material will need to operate covertly. [0004] Helicopters and amphibious transports of current design are useful, but lack the capacity to ca...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These vehicles do not allow the tracks to extend the full width of the vehicle and result in a deeper draft and higher ground pressure when in water

Additional access to payload and machinery space is also problematic

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