Looking for breakthrough ideas for innovation challenges? Try Patsnap Eureka!

Wheel-retraction apparatus and method for amphibious vehicle

a technology for amphibious vehicles and axles, applied in the field of amphibious vehicles, can solve problems such as limiting the speed of vehicles through water

Inactive Publication Date: 2000-10-03
GIBBS HLDG
View PDF14 Cites 21 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention further provides suitable compartments (integral with the body) which, firstly: enclose the apparatus, secondly: support the apparatus, thirdly: largely enclose the wheel in the retracted position and, fourthly: provide sealing to prevent water passing inboard the vehicle.

Problems solved by technology

Numerous amphibious vehicles have been designed and manufactured; the majority of these leave the wheels in place when the vehicle is water-borne, thereby limiting the speed of the vehicle through water.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Wheel-retraction apparatus and method for amphibious vehicle
  • Wheel-retraction apparatus and method for amphibious vehicle
  • Wheel-retraction apparatus and method for amphibious vehicle

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

Referring to the drawings: FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show three views of an amphibious vehicle (generally indicated by arrow 1) comprising a body 2 being a buoyant vessel, having wheels 3 (indicated by 3P for the protracted position, and 3R for the retracted position). As shown, this preferred embodiment has four wheels; however, other configurations, such as three wheels, or multiple wheels, are possible.

The vehicle includes a motor 4 or similar power-source to provide power through transmission 5 to differentials 6A (front) and 6B (rear), each having drive-outputs 7, as shown. The motor 4 also provides power through a gearbox 8 to a marine propulsion unit 9. Various combinations of motors, transmissions and propulsion units can be assembled however, without change to the principle of the invention. The essential functions of this apparatus would be suited to numerous configurations of land-water amphibious vehicles. A wheel-retraction apparatus according to the present invention, is gen...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

An apparatus for retracting axle-driven wheels onboard an amphibious vehicle provides a retracting process by which the wheels of the vehicle may be moved from a land-support position, to a water-borne position wherein the wheels are substantially above the waterline of the vehicle when afloat. The wheels are axle-driven, with pivotable connections allowing the axles to guide the retracting process; steering connections are pivotably able to follow the process, and steering motion is self-cancelling in the retracted mode. Suitable compartments enclose and support the apparatus in all positions, and seals are provided at the axles to prevent water entering the vehicle interior. A variety of devices may be employed to actuate the apparatus, and also to provide suspension to the vehicle on land.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to an amphibious vehicle, and particularly, an apparatus and method for retracting axle-driven wheels onboard such vehicle.2. Description of Prior ArtNumerous amphibious vehicles have been designed and manufactured; the majority of these leave the wheels in place when the vehicle is water-borne, thereby limiting the speed of the vehicle through water.U.S. Pat. No. 3,903,831 describes a vehicle having a retractable wheel-system to retract the wheels into cavities within the hull of the craft. This mechanism does not draw the wheels to a position fully above the waterline when afloat, but instead uses a complex mechanism to pivot the wheels to within the hull and to close a hatch over the opening of the wheel-cavities to reduce drag in the water. The pivoting apparatus of this design also of necessity requires chains as the drive-means; such chains require a higher degree of attention and maintenance than more ...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B60F3/00B62D61/12B62D61/00B60G3/26
CPCB60F3/003B60G3/26B62D61/125B62D61/12B60F2301/04B60G2200/144B60G2200/422B60G2202/40B60G2204/47B60G2206/50B60G2300/28B60G2200/44
Inventor ROYCROFT, TERENCE J.ROYCROFT, MARIE A.
Owner GIBBS HLDG
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Patsnap Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Patsnap Eureka Blog
Learn More
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic, Popular Technical Reports.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap|About US| Contact US: help@patsnap.com