An autonomous self-driving assembly that includes a shape-shifting tread unit. The tread unit is utilized the support the mobility of the assembly while also of a shape-shifting capacity to brace the assembly in a narrow space of a confined area. In this manner, a load-based application may be performed with the assembly in a stable and reliable manner. Once more, the shape-shifting tread unit includes jacking mechanisms to support the raising of the vertical profile of the unit to attain the bracing. At the same time, tensioners are used to cooperatively shorten the vertical profile so as to maintain a predetermined range of tension on the treads of the unit during the shape shifting.

An autonomous self-driving assembly that includes a shape-shifting tread unit. The tread unit is utilized the support the mobility of the assembly while also of a shape-shifting capacity to brace the assembly in a narrow space of a confined area. In this manner, a load-based application may be performed with the assembly in a stable and reliable manner. Once more, the shape-shifting tread unit includes jacking mechanisms to support the raising of the vertical profile of the unit to attain the bracing. At the same time, tensioners are used to cooperatively shorten the vertical profile so as to maintain a predetermined range of tension on the treads of the unit during the shape shifting.

The present invention relates to a vehicle (10) comprising an arrangement for determining the weight of load on the vehicle, said vehicle (10) comprising: a vehicle body (11, 12); at least two ground support assemblies (30; 130; 230) arranged to support said vehicle body (11, 12), each ground support assembly comprises a support beam (31; 131; 231) arranged to support at least two wheels (132; 232), or track road wheels (32), at least one sprocket (33) and an endless track (34) arranged around the track road wheels (32) and the sprocket (33); a suspension device (40; 140; 240) for suspension of each of said ground support assemblies (30; 130; 230) to said vehicle body (11, 12), said suspension device (40; 140; 240) is arranged to allow a movement of the ground support assembly (30; 130; 230) relative to the vehicle body (11, 12) in a substantially vertical plane extending in the longitudinal direction of said ground support assembly (30; 130; 230); and a control unit (70), wherein said suspension device (40; 140; 240) comprises sensors arranged to measure the loads on the respective ground support assembly (30; 130; 230) and forward the information to the control unit (70) where the weight of the vehicle load is determined based on the information from the sensors.

The present invention relates to a method (M1) performed by a control device (100) for controlling driving operation of an articulated tracked vehicle (V). Said articulated tracked vehicle (V) comprises a drive arrangement (120) for operating the vehicle. The articulated tracked vehicle (V) comprises a first vehicle unit (V1) and a second vehicle unit (V2) steerably connected to the first vehicle unit (V1) by means of a steering device (D) for mutually pivoting said vehicle units (V1, V2). The mutual pivoting comprises steering movement about a steering axis (Y). The steering device (D) comprises a steering arrangement (A1) for said steering movement. The method comprises the step of controlling (S1) the steering arrangement (A1) of the steering device (D) so as to control mutual steering movement of said vehicle units (V1, V2) for dynamic stability control. The present invention also relates to a control device for controlling driving operation of an articulated tracked vehicle. The present invention also relates to a computer program and a computer readable medium.

Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.

A vehicle includes a plurality of track systems, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid lines fluidly connecting the fluid pump to at least some of the tires of the wheels of each of the track systems, a plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, a plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators, and a system controller. The system controller is in electronic communication with the fluid pump, the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. The system controller is operable to selectively adjust fluid pressure in select ones of the wheels of any one of the track systems of the vehicle by actuating corresponding ones of the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. A track system has at least one of the leading idler wheels, trailing idler wheels, and mid-roller wheels including a tire containing a fluid.

A vehicle includes a plurality of track systems, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid lines fluidly connecting the fluid pump to at least some of the tires of the wheels of each of the track systems, a plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, a plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators, and a system controller. The system controller is in electronic communication with the fluid pump, the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. The system controller is operable to selectively adjust fluid pressure in select ones of the wheels of any one of the track systems of the vehicle by actuating corresponding ones of the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. A track system has at least one of the leading idler wheels, trailing idler wheels, and mid-roller wheels including a tire containing a fluid.

A modular frame for a track system is disclosed. The modular frame includes an upper frame member operatively connectable to an axle of a vehicle and removably connectable to a first lower frame member. The first lower frame member is configured to connect with at least one of a support wheel assembly and an idler wheel assembly, and connection of the upper frame member to the first lower frame member confers a first lower frame member-specific function to the track system. Another modular frame, track systems having the modular frames, tensioners and track systems having the tensioners are also disclosed.

An unmanned ground vehicle includes a main body, a drive system supported by the main body, a manipulator arm pivotally coupled to the main body, and a sensor module. The drive system includes right and left driven track assemblies mounted on right and left sides of the main body. The manipulator arm includes a first link coupled to the main body, an elbow coupled to the first link, and a second link coupled to the elbow. The elbow is configured to rotate independently of the first and second links. The sensor module is mounted on the elbow.

An unmanned ground vehicle includes a main body, a drive system supported by the main body, a manipulator arm pivotally coupled to the main body, and a sensor module. The drive system includes right and left driven track assemblies mounted on right and left sides of the main body. The manipulator arm includes a first link coupled to the main body, an elbow coupled to the first link, and a second link coupled to the elbow. The elbow is configured to rotate independently of the first and second links. The sensor module is mounted on the elbow.