The following invention relates to smart material couplings, particularly to shape memory alloy suspension systems to mitigate against shock or blast. There is provided A land vehicle comprising: an armoured v shaped hull; at least one wheel set with a hub, and at least one suspension device comprising a shape memory material operably connecting the hull to the wheel set.

The following invention relates to smart material couplings, particularly to shape memory alloy suspension systems to mitigate against shock or blast. There is provided A land vehicle comprising: an armoured v shaped hull; at least one wheel set with a hub, and at least one suspension device comprising a shape memory material operably connecting the hull to the wheel set.

A drill rig with a steering system may include a substructure having a wheelhouse, a drill floor arranged atop the substructure, a mast extending upwardly and above the drill floor, and a steering system arranged within the wheelhouse. The steering system may include a wheel assembly comprising an electric motor configured for driving rotational motion of a wheel, a deployment device configuring for deploying the wheel assembly to carry the drill rig, and a steering mechanism configured for selective engagement with the wheel assembly and rotating the wheel assembly.

A drill rig with a steering system may include a substructure having a wheelhouse, a drill floor arranged atop the substructure, a mast extending upwardly and above the drill floor, and a steering system arranged within the wheelhouse. The steering system may include a wheel assembly comprising an electric motor configured for driving rotational motion of a wheel, a deployment device configuring for deploying the wheel assembly to carry the drill rig, and a steering mechanism configured for selective engagement with the wheel assembly and rotating the wheel assembly.

A frame assembly for a vehicle can include a main frame assembly defining a passenger compartment, and a front frame assembly. The front frame assembly can include a pair of front frame members extending upwardly, and a pair of intermediate frame members spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each of the intermediate frame members can be connected to a respective one of the front frame members. Each of the intermediate frame members also can be connected to a cross member of the main frame assembly, and can include a bend such that each of the intermediate frame members buckles in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle if a load or kinetic energy applied to each of the intermediate frame members in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.

A chassis for an electrically powered vehicle including a front wheel suspension and a rear wheel suspension each having longitudinal control arms arranged on both sides and a torsion spring actively connected to the longitudinal control arms. The chassis includes a battery housing receiving a propulsion battery. A front transverse carrier extends between the respective longitudinal control arms of the front wheel suspension and a rear transverse carrier extends between the respective longitudinal control arms of the rear wheel suspension. The respective transverse carriers are rigidly connected to the battery housing and couple the longitudinal control arms and the torsion spring.

A frame assembly for a vehicle can include a main frame assembly defining a passenger compartment, and a front frame assembly. The front frame assembly can include a pair of front frame members extending upwardly, and a pair of intermediate frame members spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each of the intermediate frame members can be connected to a respective one of the front frame members. Each of the intermediate frame members also can be connected to a cross member of the main frame assembly, and can include a bend such that each of the intermediate frame members buckles in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle if a load or kinetic energy applied to each of the intermediate frame members in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Described herein are methods and systems of a chassis of a commercial electric vehicle. In various embodiments, the chassis may include a ladder frame with a plurality of frame rails. Batteries and drive units may be packaged within the frame rails of the ladder frame. The chassis may further include an independent front suspension and batteries may be disposed between the suspension members of the independent front suspension.

Described herein are methods and systems of a chassis of a commercial electric vehicle. In various embodiments, the chassis may include a ladder frame with a plurality of frame rails. Batteries and drive units may be packaged within the frame rails of the ladder frame. The chassis may further include an independent front suspension and batteries may be disposed between the suspension members of the independent front suspension.

The invention is directed to an inverted portal axle (1) for use in a low floor bus comprising two hub carriers (2a, 2b) connected by an axle bridge structure (4). Each hub carrier (2a, 2b) comprises a stator of a direct drive electric motor (6) and carries a rotary assembly (7) comprising a flange (8) to support a rim (9) for a single tyre (10). The hub carrier (2a, 2b) comprises a first part (12) which is laterally positioned within the rim and a second part (13a, 13b) which is laterally positioned next to the rim. The rotary assembly (7) is comprised of a wheel hub shaft (15) which is laterally positioned within the rim and tyre combination and a second part (14) which is laterally positioned next to the rim and tyre combination. The second part (13a, 13b) of the hub carrier comprises the stator (19) and the second part of the rotary assembly comprises a rotor (17) of the electric motor (6).