Abstract:
Embodiments disclose systems and methods for a vehicle with an articulating suspension exploration platform with shock dampening. More specifically, embodiments include a passive articulating of forces by mirroring and chaining bar linkages
Abstract:
A vehicle drive unit and land vehicle comprising the drive unit are disclosed. Each drive unit comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced apart rotatable drive structures. The land vehicle comprises a pair of drive units on opposite sides thereof. The drive units comprise an electric motor for powering the rotatable drive structures and a gear drive assembly comprising structure for disengaging the electric motor. The drive units may be remotely controllable, may be water-tight and may be floatable. The vehicle comprising the drive unit may be amphibious.
Abstract:
An articulatable suspension system for a vehicle includes a front axle assembly, a front pivot assembly, a rear axle assembly, a rear pivot assembly, a frame and at least one equalizer bar. The front axle is pivotally coupled to the front pivot assembly such that the front axle assembly is rotatable about at least one of a longitudinal axis or a lateral axis passing through the front pivot assembly. The rear axle is pivotally coupled to the rear pivot assembly such that the rear axle assembly is rotatable about at least one a longitudinal axis or a lateral axis passing through the rear pivot assembly. Front and rear dampeners extend between the front and rear axle assemblies and the frame. An equalizer bar is coupled to the front and rear pivoting assemblies by front and rear vertical linkages. The equalizer bar is pivotally secured to the frame.
Abstract:
A trailer including a plurality of rearwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of said main frame, each of which includes a tandem with a plurality of wheels mounted thereto; a U-shaped cross member for maintaining said main frame level from side to side; at least one length-adjustable member operatively connected to said main frame and at least one of said plurality of frame arms; selective movement of said length-adjustable member causing said distal end of at least one of said plurality of frame arms to move up or down; and an automatic leveling system for moving each said length-adjustable members and each said corresponding frame arm such that said main frame is maintained in a relatively level orientation when said trailer encounters uneven terrain.
Abstract:
Vehicle suspension having arms (6) and (7) for each wheel (14) and (15) respectively, each arm (6) having more than one sprung strut (18) and (19) of which two such struts each operates exclusively between two different arms. Each arm's rotational axis (28) and (38) respectively intersects a vertical longitudinal plane through the centre of road contact with the wheel at a point (45) and (46) respectively on a straight lines (47) and (48) respectively between the centre of contact with the road and a point at or near the anticipated centre of gravity (49) of the suspended mass projected onto the plane. Preferably, the vehicle transmission avoids applying a moment about the arm's rotation axis, braking is attached to the arm and steering linkage is passed through or near the arm's axis of rotation.
Abstract:
A wheelchair includes a frame, and a front pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame at a front pivot point, the front pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A rear pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame at a rear pivot point, the rear pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A ground engaging mid-wheel drive wheel is connected to the frame. A linkage connects the front and rear pivot arms to each other in a manner such that an upward or downward rotation of one of the pivot arms about its pivot point causes rotation of the other pivot arm about its pivot point in an opposite rotational direction.
Abstract:
A wheel suspension system having under powered acceleration a squat response that begins in the realm of anti squat and passes through a point of lessened anti squat at a further point in the travel.
Abstract:
A vehicle roll control system, comprising a front torsion bar, a front hydraulic actuator (34) attached to the front torsion bar; a rear torsion bar, a rear hydraulic actuator (34) attached to the rear torsion bar; and control means (70-99) connected to the front and rear hydraulic actuators and controlling the operation thereof on detection of a predetermined vehicle condition; wherein each front and rear hydraulic actuator comprises a housing, a piston (62,62) making a sealing sliding fit inside the housing to define a first fluid chamber (58,58) and a second fluid chamber (60,60), and a piston rod (64,64) connected to the piston and extending through the second fluid chamber and out of the housing; wherein the control means acts on detection of the predetermined vehicle condition to apply a fluid pressure to the first fluid chamber of the front hydraulic actuator which is different from the fluid pressure applied to the first fluid chamber of the rear hydraulic actuator and/or apply a fluid pressure to the second fluid chamber of the front hydraulic actuator which is different from the fluid pressure applied to the second fluid chamber of the rear hydraulic actuator, and wherein the control means comprises a source of fluid pressure (80), a fluid reservoir (81), a pressure control valve (99) fluidly connected between the pressure source and the reservoir, a directional valve (82) fluidly connected between the pressure control valve and the hydraulic actuators, and a pressure relief valve (83,84) fluidly connecting the directional valve to the pressure source or the reservoir; wherein the pressure relief valve is actuated to create the pressure differential between the first fluid chambers and/or to create the pressure differential between the second fluid chambers.
Abstract:
A wheel suspension system having under powered acceleration a squat response that begins in the realm of anti squat and passes through a point of lessened anti squat at a further point in the travel.
Abstract:
A tandem wheeled carriage of heavy, very strong steel construction capable of lifting 5 to 30 or more tons of load and transporting the same over difficult roadways, wherein a laterally spaced pair of lift devices is provided on the carriage and adapted to be connected to laterally spaced supporting beams of the load, wherein each lift device is operable independently of the other to selectively lift or lower either or both sides of the load to avoid obstacles, and wherein a steering mechanism is provided to synchronously pivot all wheels of the tandem thru a steering angle whereby the rear of the load can be steered straight ahead or also in lateral directions to avoid obstacles and to allow maneuvering of a long load around corners which are too sharp for conventional transport devices.