A convertible ducted fan engine having a shroud, a drive shaft connected to a mechanical fan, and a rotational drive motor configured to rotate the mechanical fan. An embodiment includes a linear drive motor configured to translate the drive shaft and mechanical fan in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shroud. The convertible ducted fan engine includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow, and a drive-wheel configuration in which the shroud rotates about the rotational axis.

A dual mode vehicle that operates on both guided rails and roadways includes a capsule, a carriage, a left motor, a right motor, a road drive system, a rail drive system, a pod control unit, and at least one battery. The carriage includes a spherical frame-housing, a left wheel housing, and a right wheel housing. A spherical cabin of the capsule is attitudinally mounted within the spherical frame-housing. The left motor is adjacently mounted to the left wheel housing. The right motor is adjacently mounted to the right wheel housing. The left and right motors are operatively coupled with the road drive system through the at least one battery and the pod control unit to operate a roadways transportation mode. The left and right motors are operatively coupled with the rail drive system through the at least one battery and the pod control unit to operate a railway transportation mode.

A retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising an actuator, a retraction linkage assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, a suspension assembly at least partially connected to the retraction linkage assembly and movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and at least one wheel and/or track drive, wherein when the retraction linkage assembly and the suspension assembly are protracted then the retraction linkage and/or suspension assembly supports and/or holds at least one wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land.

A track system for transporting people and goods with two support rails plus a side stabilizer mechanism associated with one or both rails. The side stabilizer is employed to provide lateral stability and keep a vehicle's rail wheels on the support rails. The side stabilizer may be a protruding bar or a recessed groove. This track system enables vehicles to change support rails at a junction with stationary non-switching rails. Rail wheels roll over the support rails and support the weight of the vehicle while on the rails. Interior side rollers contact the interior of the bar side stabilizer and maintain the vehicle's rail wheels centered over the support rails. Exterior side rollers contact an exterior of one of the bar side stabilizers and forces the vehicle to stay on the current track or to change to a different track. Recessed grooves and dual-flange wheels can alternately provide side stabilization. At track junctions the vehicle can change direction, pass other vehicles, change lanes, turn-around, and load or unloading passengers or freight. This track system may be integrated with a conventional road system or with a controlled-access (autobahn/interstate) highway system. Optional road wheels allow the vehicle to exit the track system and travel on conventional roads, or dual-mode road/rail wheels can be used for travel on both track and pavement. An automatic traffic control system controls traffic on the track system and enables self-driving vehicles. Powering for the vehicles can be provided by the track system. The system can be miniaturized and used for the model/toy market.

A railroad switch (in USA), turnout, or [set of] points (Europe) is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another, such as at a railway junction or where a spur or siding branches off. This invention describes a rail transportation system that allows vehicles to change tracks at railroad switch locations while all supporting and guiding rails remain static. Vehicles have diverters that apply lateral force to direct the vehicle to go onto the desired track, right, left, or straight ahead. This is enabled by the diverters plus rail wheels that have inside flanges and wide cylindrical surfaces. This innovation allows rail vehicles to travel through a connected rail system like a highway system that is transporting trucks, buses, and cars on paved roads. This system may operate under a computerized traffic control system and allows mass transit systems to respond to ride requests, enabling 24-hour route-adaptive mass transit. The track system can be placed into a road, like tram (or street cars) tracks. Vehicle can form into coupled trains while moving, and passengers can change routes in transit by changing coupled cars. Rail switches can be static for self-switching vehicles, but normally static components can adapt to accommodate conventional rail-switched rail vehicles.

A high speed actuation system for protracting and retracting a retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly of an amphibian includes an actuator, at least one retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly comprising at least one wheel and/or track drive supported directly or indirectly by a suspension assembly and movable between a protracted and retracted positions, an energy source for providing power to the actuator, and a controller that controls in amount the power provided by the energy source to the actuator such that the time of actuation to retract the at least one retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly from a protracted position to a retracted position, or to protract the at least one retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly from a retracted position to a protracted position, is less than 5 seconds.

A vehicle includes a hull defining one or more holes in a keel of the hull. The one or more holes are provided for ice fishing from the one or more holes. The holes include a hatch or a tube extending upwards, for preventing water from entering the hull. The vehicle also includes continuous track assemblies for providing traction on an ice surface. The continuous track assemblies may also provide a motive force when the vehicle is suspended in water. By the hull design, the vehicle may float on the water, allowing the vehicle to access ice surfaces which may otherwise be inaccessible to ice-fishers. The vehicle also increases safety while fishing during thin or unstable ice conditions.

A hi-rail device for mounting on a vehicle, comprising a locking slot comprising a first locking end and a second locking end, and a locking pin movable in translation within the locking slot and captured therein. The locking slot which is continuous between the first locking end and the second locking end, thereby being confined between the first locking end and the second locking end. A linkage is provided, and is foldable and unfoldable to displace an axle assembly for holding wheels. A spring-extended locking cylinder extends from the linkage to the locking pin, comprising a locking spring to urge the locking pin into the respective abutting surface of any one of the first locking end and the second locking end when the locking pin is in any one of them, thereby using only spring force in extension to lock the linkage into either locking position.

An amphibious vehicle such as a tug boat, comprising a running gear configured to be at least positioned in a deployed position suited to the rolling of the vehicle, and at least one retracted position suited to the navigation of the vehicle. The running gear comprises a fairing element rigidly connected to the running gear, so that the fairing element advantageously serves as an anti-projection device in the deployed position of the running gear. According to one option, the vehicle comprises a semi-rigid shell.

There is described a hi-rail device for mounting on a vehicle, comprising a linkage between an axle assembly for holding wheels and a mounting assembly. The linkage, pivotally connected to an upper pivot connection thereof, is foldable and unfoldable to translate the axle assembly relative to the upper pivot connection. An active suspension between the linkage and the mounting assembly is provided and comprises a suspension body to swivel about the mounting assembly, actuated by a spring proximally urging on the suspension body to provide the swivel. The suspension body comprising the upper connection to the linkage, which can move along with the suspension body to provide active suspension. Also, a locking pin, extending through the linkage, can be locked in a slot using a hydraulic cylinder, distinct from a hydraulic cylinder for deployment, and which comprises a spring for default locking not involving hydraulic power.