Improvements in or relating to bridges

Abstract

A system is provided for aligning a vehicle-borne bridge launcher (5) and a deployable bridge (45). The system comprises means for adjusting an interface (55) between the launcher (5) and the bridge (45) independently of the vehicle position.

Description

[0001] IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BRIDGES

[0002] The present invention relates generally to bridges and particularly, although not exclusively, to temporary bridges which are deployable from a vehicle.

[0003] Temporary bridges are often transported on, and launched from, military vehicles.

[0004] There are many examples of bridge deploying mechanisms, such as WO2012083943, EP2251486, US4225280 and GB2574227.

[0005] In order for a deployable bridge system to function efficiently the interaction between the bridge and the deploying / recovering vehicle is important.

[0006] Typically, when recovering a bridge, a vehicle approaches and a probe provided on or by the vehicle interfaces with the bridge. Alignment of the probe with the bridge is required and the tolerances involved are often tight (in some cases just 2-3 cm either side, for example). Manoeuvring the vehicle to align with the bridge can be problematic and especially because the bridge:probe interface is often a considerable distance away from the vehicle operator.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to deployable bridges.

[0008] An aspect of the present invention provides a system for aligning a vehicle-borne bridge launcher and a deployable bridge, the system comprising means for adjusting an interface between the launcher and the bridge independently of the vehicle position.

[0009] In some embodiments the mechanism permits a bridge launching system to engage with a bridge without the launcher and bridge being perfectly aligned. This can have a significant benefit on the time required to recover a bridge in comparison to existing solutions.

[0010] The host vehicle could, for example, be a trailer or self-propelled (e.g. a prime mover).

[0011] The means for adjusting may be configured to adjust angular and / or lateral position relative to a bridge.

[0012] The interface may comprise rollers for engaging a bridge.

[0013] The interface may comprise pads for engaging a bridge.

[0014] The interface may comprise pins for engaging a bridge.

[0015] The interface may comprise hooks for engaging a bridge. The system may comprise a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for transverse adjustment.

[0016] The system may comprise a gearbox and motor for transverse adjustment.

[0017] A further aspect of the present invention provides an interface for a deployable bridge launch and recovery probe, the interface comprises rollers for rollingly engaging a deployable bridge and alignment means for adjusting the position of the rollers with respect to the probe.

[0018] The alignment means may be configured for lateral movement of the rollers.

[0019] The interface may comprise one or a plurality of rollers provided on each side thereof.

[0020] The interface may comprise a central hydraulic cylinder actuator.

[0021] The interface may comprise linear motion guides.

[0022] The interface may, for example, be configured for approximately + / -100mm range of motion.

[0023] A further aspect provides a deployable bridge launch and recovery probe comprising an interface as described herein.

[0024] The interface may be fixedly mounted on the probe.

[0025] The interface may be mounted at or towards a proximal end of the probe (i.e. proximal to the bridge). Alternatively or additionally an interface may be provided distant from the proximal end (e.g. at some point along the length of an elongate probe).

[0026] This mechanism could apply to any interfacing features of a bridge launching mechanism. The principle being that the ability to move the interfacing features assists in picking up a misaligned bridge.

[0027] The interface rollers may constitute a front roller set.

[0028] The probe may further comprise a rear roller set.

[0029] The probe may further comprise a camera system.

[0030] The probe may further comprise an end stop. A further aspect provides a deployable bridge launch and recovery system comprising a probe as described herein.

[0031] The system may be provided as, or as part of, front / rear end equipment.

[0032] The system may be interchangeable with a range of other (front end) equipment.

[0033] The bridge launcher may be trailer-borne i.e. the vehicle is a trailer.

[0034] The present invention also provides a vehicle fitted with a system as described herein.

[0035] Vehicles may be configured as trailers i.e. unpowered and fitted so as to be pushed or towed by a powered vehicle.

[0036] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide or relate to deployable bridge launch and recovery systems providing additional articulation using a side-shift mechanism for moving rollers from side to side to assist with alignment.

[0037] Some aspects and embodiments provide or relate to a bridge launch mechanism including aside-shift mechanism for a roller interface.

[0038] In some embodiments the deployable bridge itself may be a single section; in other embodiments the bridge comprises two or more bridge sections (which may, for example, be articulated with respect to each other e.g. by a pivot).

[0039] The or at least one of the bridge sections may be inverted during deployment. Therefore the or at least one of the sections may be stored “upside down” and flipped the right way up during deployment.

[0040] A further aspect provides a method of recovering a deployed bridge as described herein.

[0041] A further aspect provides a method which permits a bridge launching system to engage with a bridge without the launcher and bridge being perfectly aligned.

[0042] Different aspects and / or embodiments of the invention may be used separately ortogether.

[0043] Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0045] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

[0046] The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a bridge launch mechanism 5 mounted to a host vehicle 10 and comprising the following components:

[0049] + Rear Bridge Support 15

[0050] + Mount Plate Assembly 20

[0051] + Foot Assembly 25 and Foot Cylinders 30

[0052] + Probe Assembly 35 and Probe Cylinders 40

[0053] In this embodiment the bridge launch mechanism 5 uses end-stops 50 to support the bridge 45 whilst lifted vertically. A side-shift mechanism 55 allows operators to perform final alignment of the bridge launch mechanism to a bridge for recovery.

[0054] Bridge launch mechanisms of this general type are typically installed on heavy vehicles and require significant vehicle conversion / integration. By comparison, the present invention is simple to integrate, more suitable for lighter and non-dedicated vehicles, and lower cost.

[0055] Figure 2 shows the probe 35 (which may also be known as a tongue) assembly in further detail.

[0056] The interface mechanism 55 is shown separately in Figure 3 and comprises:

[0057] + Mounting blocks 60 incorporating linear bearings within which motion rails / guides traverse, driven by a hydraulic cylinder 65.

[0058] + Central tube 70 (onto which the rollers are mounted).

[0059] + Hydraulic cylinder / actuator 75.

[0060] The components which interface with the bridge (in this embodiment being rollers) are mounted to the central tube 65.

[0061] In use the central tube (carrying the rollers), the rod of the hydraulic cylinder 70 and the linear motion rails 75 move together.

[0062] The side-shift misalignment tolerance may be approximately + / - 100mm (e.g. + / - 85mm) => + / - 3deg (e.g. + / - 2.5deg) in this embodiment.

[0063] Figures 4A to 4C illustrate front roller side-shift capability. Left and right front roller sets 60a, 60b are shown in this embodiment.

[0064] Initial alignment / engagement of front rollers 60a, 60b is possible; and alignment of the bridge with rear rollers 80a, 80b e.g. when a bridge is partially lifted (see below).

[0065] Figure 5 shows the host vehicle 10 having approached a bridge 45, at which point the side shift mechanism 85 can be used for an initial alignment of interfacing features 60a, 60b with the bridge, as illustrated in Figures 6A to 6C (which show different initial bridge alignments).

[0066] The rollers 60a, 60b can then be engaged with the bridge 45.

[0067] First phase: align rollers 60a, 60b with bridge 45.

[0068] In this embodiment the vehicle / bridge then reach a second alignment phase with the probe assembly 35 further advanced - Figure 7. Figure 8A to 8C illustrate the second alignment phase, in which the side-shift mechanism 55 moves. The far end of the bridge is still on the ground; the near end of the bridge may be lifted by the probe. This causes the bridge to pivot to align with the rear roller set 80a, 80b. Figures 8A to 8C also illustrate misalignment possibilities that can be rectified by the side shift mechanism.

[0069] Second phase: align bridge 45 with rear rollers 80a, 80b.

[0070] Once the rear rollers 80a, 80b are engaged the bridge can then be recovered and stowed on the vehicle - Figure 9.

[0071] In this embodiment an “up and over” bridge mechanism is illustrated. In other embodiments (not shown) the principles of the present invention could be applied to other types of launch mechanism, for example a horizontal launch mechanism.

[0072] The side shift feature permits the mechanism and bridge to connect / mate mechanically whilst misaligned (angularly and / or laterally) with the host vehicle.

[0073] The side shift feature allows the mechanism to align the bridge with the vehicle prior to recovering the bridge.

[0074] Alignment can be achieved without the need to shuffle the vehicle. This reduces the time and operator precision required to recover a bridge.

[0075] Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment in which a bridge launch mechanism 105 is mounted on a trailer 190 which is shown being towed by a powered vehicle 195. The mechanism works in the same way as the mechanism 5.

[0076] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for aligning a vehicle-borne bridge launcher and a deployable bridge, the system comprising means for adjusting an interface between the launcher and the bridge independently of the vehicle position.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 , in which the means for adjusting is configured to adjust angular and / or lateral position relative to a bridge.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the interface comprises rollers for engaging a bridge.

4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the interface comprises pads for engaging a bridge.

5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the interface comprises pins for engaging a bridge.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the interface comprises hooks for engaging a bridge.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a linear actuator such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for transverse adjustment.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a gearbox and motor for transverse adjustment.

9. An interface for a deployable bridge launch and recovery probe, the interface comprises rollers for rollingly engaging a deployable bridge and alignment means for adjusting the position of the rollers with respect to the probe.

10. An interface as claimed in claim 9, in which the alignment means is configured for lateral movement of the rollers.

11. An interface as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, comprising one or a plurality of rollers provided on each side thereof.

12. An interface as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 , comprising a central hydraulic cylinder actuator.

13. An interface as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, comprising linear motion guides.

14. An interface as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13 and configured for approximately + / - 100mm range of motion.

15. A deployable bridge launch and recovery probe comprising an interface as claimed in any of claims 9 to 14.

16. A probe as claimed in claim 15, in which the interface is fixedly mounted on the probe and17. A probe as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, in which the interface is mounted at or towards a proximal end of the probe.

18. A probe as claimed in any of claims 15 to 16, in which the interface rollers constitute a front roller set.

19. A probe as claimed in claim 18, in which the probe comprises a rear roller set.

20. A probe as claimed in any of claims 15 to 19, further comprising a camera system.21 . A probe as claimed in any of claims 15 to 20, further comprising an end stop.

22. A deployable bridge launch and recovery system comprising a system, an interface or a probe as claimed in any preceding claim.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22 and mounted to a vehicle so as to be interchangeable with other equipment24. A system as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23 and provided or configured to fit on the front or rear end of a vehicle.

25. A vehicle fitted with a system as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24.

26. A vehicle as claimed in claim 24, configured as a trailer.

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