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.

A kit and corresponding method can be used to convert wheels of a power machine to track assemblies, such as to convert a four-wheeled power machine to a quad track power machine. A stub shaft (346) can be secured to an axle (328) of a power machine (300) and can be configured to support a track frame (366) of a track assembly in place of a wheel (319). A bearing (368) can be secured to the stub shaft (346) and a bushing (376) can engage the axle (328) to rotatably support the track assembly relative to the axle (328). Pieces of a segmented sprocket (378, 380) can be separately secured to a hub (306) of a power machine (300) to help install and drive a track of a track assembly.

A kit and corresponding method can be used to convert wheels of a power machine to track assemblies, such as to convert a four-wheeled power machine to a quad track power machine. A stub shaft (346) can be secured to an axle (328) of a power machine (300) and can be configured to support a track frame (366) of a track assembly in place of a wheel (319). A bearing (368) can be secured to the stub shaft (346) and a bushing (376) can engage the axle (328) to rotatably support the track assembly relative to the axle (328). Pieces of a segmented sprocket (378, 380) can be separately secured to a hub (306) of a power machine (300) to help install and drive a track of a track assembly.

A vehicle includes a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a power source coupled to the chassis, and a track assembly. The track assembly includes an electric motor coupled to the chassis, a first drive wheel coupled to the electric motor and pivotally coupled to the chassis, a second drive wheel coupled to the engine and pivotally coupled to the chassis, and a track engaging the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel. The engine is configured to provide mechanical energy to the second drive wheel to drive the track and propel the vehicle. The electric motor is configured to receive electrical energy from the power source and provide mechanical energy to the first drive wheel to drive the track and propel the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a power source coupled to the chassis, and a track assembly. The track assembly includes an electric motor coupled to the chassis, a first drive wheel coupled to the electric motor and pivotally coupled to the chassis, a second drive wheel coupled to the engine and pivotally coupled to the chassis, and a track engaging the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel. The engine is configured to provide mechanical energy to the second drive wheel to drive the track and propel the vehicle. The electric motor is configured to receive electrical energy from the power source and provide mechanical energy to the first drive wheel to drive the track and propel the vehicle.

A robotic vehicle comprising a chassis, a right track assembly and a left track assembly for supporting the chassis, and a battery unit comprising a front portion and a back portion with a center of gravity at the front portion. The battery unit is configured for connection to the chassis with the center of gravity forward of the chassis.

A robotic vehicle comprising a chassis, a right track assembly and a left track assembly for supporting the chassis, and a battery unit comprising a front portion and a back portion with a center of gravity at the front portion. The battery unit is configured for connection to the chassis with the center of gravity forward of the chassis.

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.

The present technology generally relates to multi-feature track systems exhibiting enhanced performance, vehicles having track systems, rear track system configurations, support structures for track systems, tensioners for track systems, wheels and wheel assemblies for track systems, seal assemblies, protective cover assemblies, mounting attachments for track systems and endless tracks for track systems.