A wheel assembly, a track system and a vehicle are disclosed. The track system has a frame defining a longitudinal center plane, a wheel assembly rotationally and pivotably connected to the frame, and the endless track having the inner surface and surrounding the frame and the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly has a non-linear axle and a wheel. The non-linear axle has a first segment and a second segment. The wheel is rotationally connected to the first segment extending along a rotation axis of the wheel. The second segment being pivotably connected to the frame. The second segment is offset from the first segment so that the second segment is closer to an inner surface of an endless track than the first segment.

A wheel assembly, a track system and a vehicle are disclosed. The track system has a frame defining a longitudinal center plane, a wheel assembly rotationally and pivotably connected to the frame, and the endless track having the inner surface and surrounding the frame and the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly has a non-linear axle and a wheel. The non-linear axle has a first segment and a second segment. The wheel is rotationally connected to the first segment extending along a rotation axis of the wheel. The second segment being pivotably connected to the frame. The second segment is offset from the first segment so that the second segment is closer to an inner surface of an endless track than the first segment.

A cargo transport system is provided that has an ability to move cargo in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner, using a compact lift vehicle capable of lifting relatively heavy objects. The system includes a cargo loading system, a sensor suite coupled with a controller, dunnage detection, cross-decking capability, cargo stacking capability, autonomous navigation, tip detection and prevention, or any combinations thereof. The system may include a fork assembly coupled with a mast and movable in a vertical direction relative to the mast. Further, the mast may be coupled with a platform or deck and movable in a horizontal direction relative to the platform, to allow the fork assembly to be lowered below a top plane of the platform when the mast is at a forward location relative to the platform. The controller and sensor suite and may provide for autonomous or semi-autonomous control and movement of the cargo transport system.

An unloading type sinking rescue device of a subsea mining vehicle and a use method thereof are provided. The unloading type sinking rescue device includes an assembly support, an unloading system, an ejection system and a control system. The assembly support is box-shaped, fixed to a subsea mining vehicle, and provided with a plurality of enclosed cavities. The unloading system includes a counterweight, a counterweight cable, a counterweight fixing bracket and a counterweight recovery cavity. The ejection system includes an anchor, an ejection cavity, an anchor cable, an anchor recovery shaft, a pulley, a spring and a boosting device. The control system controls the operation of the unloading system and the ejection system. The use method includes: (1) unloading; (2) ejection; (3) recovery of a part of counterweights; (4) recovery of the anchor; and (5) recovery of remaining counterweights.

An unloading type sinking rescue device of a subsea mining vehicle and a use method thereof are provided. The unloading type sinking rescue device includes an assembly support, an unloading system, an ejection system and a control system. The assembly support is box-shaped, fixed to a subsea mining vehicle, and provided with a plurality of enclosed cavities. The unloading system includes a counterweight, a counterweight cable, a counterweight fixing bracket and a counterweight recovery cavity. The ejection system includes an anchor, an ejection cavity, an anchor cable, an anchor recovery shaft, a pulley, a spring and a boosting device. The control system controls the operation of the unloading system and the ejection system. The use method includes: (1) unloading; (2) ejection; (3) recovery of a part of counterweights; (4) recovery of the anchor; and (5) recovery of remaining counterweights.

An in-pipe moving apparatus that can freely and smoothly move in a pipe having a bent portion and a branching portion, is not stuck in the pipe even if a drive motor of a movement mechanism fails or otherwise experiences a problem, and can be readily taken out of the pipe. The in-pipe moving apparatus includes two sets of wheel-based traveling elements (2A) and (2B), which each have two driving wheels (8A) and (8B) linearly arranged, and a variable bag, which is expanded and contracted in accordance with the pressure of a fluid supplied to the variable bag, and the two sets of wheel-based traveling elements (2A) and (2B) are so disposed as to sandwich the variable bag (3) and are fixed to the outer surface of the variable bag (3).

An in-pipe moving apparatus that can freely and smoothly move in a pipe having a bent portion and a branching portion, is not stuck in the pipe even if a drive motor of a movement mechanism fails or otherwise experiences a problem, and can be readily taken out of the pipe. The in-pipe moving apparatus includes two sets of wheel-based traveling elements (2A) and (2B), which each have two driving wheels (8A) and (8B) linearly arranged, and a variable bag, which is expanded and contracted in accordance with the pressure of a fluid supplied to the variable bag, and the two sets of wheel-based traveling elements (2A) and (2B) are so disposed as to sandwich the variable bag (3) and are fixed to the outer surface of the variable bag (3).

A drive system includes a main track frame adapted to be coupled with the associated tracked vehicle, a sprocket carrier, and a gear assembly operable to communicate rotational power from an associated input driving member to the sprocket carrier for driving the sprocket carrier relative to the main track frame. The main track frame includes an inboard support member, and an outboard member. The inboard and outboard support members are spaced apart relative to each other defining a gap therebetween. The sprocket carrier spans the gap and is rotatably carried by the inboard and outboard support members, and is adapted to couple with the associated sprocket of the associated tracked work vehicle. The gear assembly may be a planetary gear system. The planetary gear system may be disposed in the gap between the inboard and outboard support members. The planetary gear system may be disposed in the sprocket carrier.

A drive system includes a main track frame adapted to be coupled with the associated tracked vehicle, a sprocket carrier, and a gear assembly operable to communicate rotational power from an associated input driving member to the sprocket carrier for driving the sprocket carrier relative to the main track frame. The main track frame includes an inboard support member, and an outboard member. The inboard and outboard support members are spaced apart relative to each other defining a gap therebetween. The sprocket carrier spans the gap and is rotatably carried by the inboard and outboard support members, and is adapted to couple with the associated sprocket of the associated tracked work vehicle. The gear assembly may be a planetary gear system. The planetary gear system may be disposed in the gap between the inboard and outboard support members. The planetary gear system may be disposed in the sprocket carrier.

A tracked climbing vehicle containing a compliant suspension apparatus to prescribe the distribution of forces on the adhering members in the tracked climbing machine. The compliant suspension apparatus is configured to negotiate irregularities in a climbing surface without the vehicle tracks losing full surface contact and adhesion by distributing the loads from the climbing machine chassis to the adhering traction members in a specific prescribed fashion. The apparatus thus avoids exceeding the allowable force in any adhering traction member and significantly improves the performance of the climbing machine.