A suspension element includes a housing, a first joint, and a second joint. The housing is configured to couple a tractive element assembly to a vehicle. The housing has a first end configured to engage a portion of the vehicle and a second end configured to interface with the tractive element assembly. The first joint includes a first actuator and a first resilient member. The first actuator is configured to facilitate linear extension and retraction of the suspension element. The second joint includes a second actuator and a second resilient member. The second actuator is configured to facilitate rotational movement of the suspension element. The first resilient member and the second resilient member are configured to support a static load of the vehicle.

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.

A pressure system of a suspension device for an amphibious vehicle includes: a pump configured to discharge a working fluid; a first control valve disposed in a first flow path extending between the pump and a first hydraulic chamber, the first control valve being configured to control supply of the working fluid from the pump to the first hydraulic chamber; a pilot check valve disposed in a portion of the first flow path which extends between the first hydraulic chamber and the first control valve, the pilot check valve being configured to open and close the first flow path in accordance with a pilot pressure; and a second control valve disposed in a pilot flow path extending between the pump and the pilot check valve, the second control valve being configured to control supply of the pilot pressure to the pilot check valve.

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 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.

The present invention provides, with reference to Figure, a retractable single front wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising a single front wheel and/or track drive. The retractable single front wheel and/or track drive assembly comprises an actuator, a suspension assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and a single front wheel and/or track drive. When the suspension assembly is protracted then the suspension assembly supports and/or holds the single front wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land, and the front single wheel is moved forward and upwards on retraction. The present invention also provides a retractable single rear wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian. The present invention further provides an amphibian comprising the retractable single front and/or rear wheel and/or track drive assembly.

The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, 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. 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 retractable suspension system for use with an amphibious vehicle is provided and includes three rotation points disposed on the vehicle body of the vehicle, three integration points disposed on an integration element of a tire, an actuating device and a damping component, so as to render the retractable suspension system structurally simple and multifunctional.

A vehicle drive unit and land vehicle comprising the drive unit are disclosed. Each drive unit comprises a pair of longitudinally aligned and longitudinally spaced apart ground wheels. The land vehicle comprises a pair of drive units on opposite sides thereof. The drive units comprise an electric motor for powering the pair of wheels and a gear drive assembly comprising structure for disengaging the electric motor from the ground wheels. The drive units may be remotely controllable, may be water-tight and may be floatable. The vehicle comprising the drive unit may be amphibious.

A retractable suspension system for use with an amphibious vehicle is provided and includes three rotation points disposed on the vehicle body of the vehicle, three integration points disposed on an integration element of a tire, an actuating device and a damping component, so as to render the retractable suspension system structurally simple and multifunctional.