Abstract:
A variable track width vehicle axle has an outer axle casing (12) which supports two drive shafts (13) which are driven at their inner ends by drive means (23) and carry wheel attachment means (13a) at their outer ends. Each drive shaft including first and second parts (13a,13b) which are in screw-threaded engagement with each other so that rotation of one part relative to the other changes the effective length of each shaft and thus the track width of the axle. A clutch means (16) is also provided which in a first position connects the two parts (13a, 13b) of each shaft to prevent relative rotation and in a second position disconnects the two parts of each shaft to allow relative rotation therebetween and rotates one of the screw threaded parts relative to the other part (13b) via the drive means (23) to change the effective length of each drive shaft.
Abstract:
Amphibious construction equipment comprising a working unit supported on a pair of elongate, parallel, buoyant pontoons (2) each of which carries a caterpillar track (3) driven by sprockets mounted on an axles (5), the axles (5) being positioned at or towards the ends of each pontoon (2) on its upper surface, wherein each axle (5) is driven by at least one hydraulic motor (4), all the motors (4) being powered by a single hydraulic pump (7), the motors (4) on each pontoon (2) being arranged such that they run synchronously as to both direction and rate but not necessarily in the same direction or at the same rate as the motors (4) on the other pontoon (2).
Abstract:
A track assembly for providing traction to a vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, a construction vehicle, or another work vehicle The track assembly is mountable to an axle of the vehicle The track assembly comprises a plurality of wheels comprising a leading idler wheel and a trailing idler wheel spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the track assembly, an axis of rotation of the axle of the vehicle being located between an axis of rotation of the leading idler wheel and an axis of rotation of the trailing idler wheel in the longitudinal direction of the track assembly, and a driver wheel for rotating when the axle of the vehicle rotates The track assembly also comprises an endless track disposed around the wheels The endless track comprises an inner side facing the wheels and a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground The endless track engages the driver wheel such that rotation of the driver wheel imparts motion to the endless track.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein elektrisch angetriebenes Fahrzeug, vorzugsweise eine Liegeraupe für die Landwirtschaft. Zum Verfahren weist die Liegeraupe Raupenketten (3) auf. Im oberen Bereich ist mindestens ein schwenkbar gelagertes Photovoltaikpaneel (4) vorgesehen. Der Antrieb erfolgt entweder direkt über die von den Fotovoltaikpaneelen (4) bereitgestellte elektrische Energie oder über Akkumulatoren (5), welche von dem Fotovoltaikpaneel (4) gespeist werden. Die Akkumulatoren (5) und gegebenenfalls mindestens ein Antriebsmotor (6) sind innerhalb der Raupenkette (3) angeordnet. Das Fotovoltaikpaneel (4) ist mit einer Steuerung in drei Achsen, vorzugsweise über mindestens ein Kardangelenk (7) und mindestens einem Verstellhebel (8), verstellbar.
Abstract:
Ein Verfahren zur Messung des Kettendurchhangs an einem Kettenfahrzeug. Am Obertrum (2) der Kette werden drei vom Obertrum vertikal nach unten laufende Verlängerungselemente (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) vorgegebener Länge derart befestigt, dass ein erstes und ein zweites Verlängerungselement (3.1, 3.2) jeweils am Anfangs- und Endpunkt eines vorgegebenen Längenabschnitts (L) des Obertrums (2) angeordnet sind, während ein drittes Verlängerungselement (3.3) auf der Mitte (M) des vorgegebenen Längenabschnitts (L) angeordnet ist. Am ersten und zweiten Verlängerungselement (3.1, 3.2) werden in vorgegebener Höhe unterhalb des Obertrums (2) der Kette die Enden einer Schnur (4) derart befestigt, dass diese in horizontaler Richtung zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Verlängerungselement (3.1, 3.2) aufgespannt ist. Mittels des dritten Verlängerungselements (3.3), das eine Meßskala (3.32) trägt, wird der vertikale Abstand der Mitte des Längenabschnitts (L) des Obertrums (2) der Kette von der Mitte der Schnur (4) bestimmt. Die Verlängerungselemente (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) können als Stäbe ausgebildet sein, die an einem Ende eine als Permanentmagnet ausgebildete Befestigungsplatte (3.11, 3.21, 3.31) tragen.
Abstract:
A modular track suspension system is readily adapted for attachment to any presently manufactured full-size automotive vehicle (10) built with a load-carrying frame (12), being easily substituted for the vehicle's conventional wheeled undercarriage either during or following final assembly. The module uses a pair of endless rubber tracks (14, 15), one track under each respective side of the vehicle; and each track (14, 15) is supported over tandem units (17, 18) with, preferably, side-by-side dual-wheels (20, 21 and 22, 23) having rubber tires. The dual-wheels are each movable in a vertical plane, and each dual-wheel can move separately and independently of the similar independent movement of the other dual-wheel with which it is in tandem. Each dual-wheel is also resiliently biased in the direction of the terrain on which the vehicle is standing or moving.
Abstract:
A vehicle for underground mine shafts comprising a body (11) having a cabin (21) for passengers, a pair of tracks (12) on either side of the cabin (21), a drive means (35) for driving the tracks (12), steering means (239, 287) for steering the body, a suspension system and control means (55, 57) for controlling the drive means (35). The cabin (21) is located in a front section of the body (11) with an entry (23) to the cabin (21) located at the front of the vehicle. An embodiment includes a torsion bar suspension system wherein trailing arms (17) connect the road wheels (16) to torsion bars (118). Steering is affected by selective application of power to the tracks (12).
Abstract:
In a device for vehicles driven by two substantially parallel endless tracks (2), the tracks are arranged at a mutual distance in the transversal direction of the vehicle, so that a space (16) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is formed between the tracks. Each track is associated with wheels (5) rotatably arranged about a rear axle (6) and arranged to bear against the track from inside and assure a rear diverting thereof. Each rear axle is by at least one pivot lever (7) extending forwardly pivotally arranged relative to the chassis (9) of the vehicle about a virtual pivot axis being substantially parallel to the rear axle. Means (18) are arranged in said space in the region of said pivot axis for co-operating with said levers (7) for influencing the pressure exerted by the levers (7) upon the rear axles (6) downwardly towards the ground.
Abstract:
A work vehicle (10) such as, for example, a tractor (74) or loader (27) has a center of gravity (12), a body (14) and first and second continuous track assemblies (18, 20). In the use of the tractor (74), for example, forwardly locating the center of gravity (12) can increase penetration of a bulldozer (76) on the tractor (74) during bulldozing operations. During ripping operations, penetration of a ripper (78) on the tractor (74) can be increased by rearwardly locating the center of gravity (12). Apparatus (22) is provided for controllably moving the body (14) relative to both of the track assemblies (18, 20). Said apparatus (22) thus controllably shifts the center of gravity (12) of the tractor (74) relative to both of said track assemblies (18, 20) for selectively increasing penetration of the ripper (78) or bulldozer (76) depending upon the operation being performed by said tractor (74).