Patent classifications
B62D55/084
Track system for a vehicle
A track system for a vehicle (e.g., an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)) in which the track system is configured to enhance traction, floatation, and/or other aspects of its performance, such as, for example, to maintain proper contact with the ground (e.g., even if it is cambered) and/or to better absorb shocks when it encounters obstacles on the ground.
RECONFIGURABLE WHEEL-TRACK ASSEMBLY WITH HALF-MOON CONFIGURATION
The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) is a novel mechanism that allows a wheel to transform into a track, and vice-versa. The wheel permits a vehicle to travel quickly over smooth and semi-rough terrain, then, on-the-fly, transform rapidly into a powered track for crossing extreme terrain. The reconfigurable wheel-track consists of several main components: an outer tire/tread, drive mechanisms for the wheel and track, support mechanisms for the outer tread when in either wheel mode or track mode, and a reconfiguration mechanism that facilitates the transformation from a wheel to a track and vice-versa. The reconfigurable wheel-track includes sensing, actuation, and controls to facilitate efficient and effective transition from wheel to track and vice-versa, and securely maintain each shape.
RECONFIGURABLE WHEEL-TRACK ASSEMBLY WITH HALF-MOON CONFIGURATION
The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) is a novel mechanism that allows a wheel to transform into a track, and vice-versa. The wheel permits a vehicle to travel quickly over smooth and semi-rough terrain, then, on-the-fly, transform rapidly into a powered track for crossing extreme terrain. The reconfigurable wheel-track consists of several main components: an outer tire/tread, drive mechanisms for the wheel and track, support mechanisms for the outer tread when in either wheel mode or track mode, and a reconfiguration mechanism that facilitates the transformation from a wheel to a track and vice-versa. The reconfigurable wheel-track includes sensing, actuation, and controls to facilitate efficient and effective transition from wheel to track and vice-versa, and securely maintain each shape.
Hull and cargo hold cleaning apparatus and method
An apparatus for cleaning the outer side of the hull of a marine vessel and for cleaning the wall of cargo holds, the apparatus including a housing provided with magnetic continuous tracks at opposing lateral sides of the housing, a front wheel and a rear wheel for each of the magnetic continuous tracks, each magnetic continuous track including a plurality of links interconnected by drive pins, the links having an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side, a guide configured to engage the drive pins for preventing the links in a first portion of the extent of the of at least one of the magnetic continuous tracks between the front wheel and the rear wheel from moving in the direction in which the outwardly facing side faces and a submersible apparatus for cleaning the outer side of the hull of a marine vessel and for cleaning the wall of cargo space in the cargo holds that comprises a watertight housing provided with continuous magnetic tracks at opposing lateral sides of the housing. A watertight housing provided with continuous magnetic tracks at opposing lateral sides of said housing. At least one drive motor in the housing operably connected to at least one continuous magnetic track for driving the continuous magnetic tracks. The housing being provided with a main side between the continuous magnetic tracks.
Undercarriage assembly for a work machine and method of use
A work machine includes an undercarriage assembly. The undercarriage assembly includes a chassis and a ground-engaging mechanism for rotating around the chassis to move the work machine. A pair of rails is coupled to the chassis. A pair of sliders is coupled to a front-assembly. The sliders are aligned with the rails and movable relative to the rails to facilitate movement of the front-end assembly relative to the chassis.
Undercarriage assembly for a work machine and method of use
A work machine includes an undercarriage assembly. The undercarriage assembly includes a chassis and a ground-engaging mechanism for rotating around the chassis to move the work machine. A pair of rails is coupled to the chassis. A pair of sliders is coupled to a front-assembly. The sliders are aligned with the rails and movable relative to the rails to facilitate movement of the front-end assembly relative to the chassis.
Magnetic track for traveling on wall and ceiling of steel structure
A magnetic track for traveling on a wall and a ceiling of a steel structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a front wheel which is connected to a main body and positioned at one end; a rear wheel which is connected to the main body and positioned at the other end to face the front wheel; and a chain which is connected, in the form of a loop, to the front wheel and the rear wheel, in which multiple support devices are provided between the front wheel and the rear wheel to support the chain.
Track system for vehicle
A track system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a drive axle, the track system comprising a drive sprocket including a hub structured to be connected to the drive axle, a plurality of teeth radially outward of the hub, a rim at least indirectly attached to the hub, the rim including: a body, a body outer surface, a recess in the rim body inward of the body outer surface, a resiliently deformable ring disposed in the recess, the ring structured and arranged with respect to the body so as to be less rigid than the body, a resiliently deformable tread extending outwardly of the rim-outer surface, the tread connected to the ring, a resiliently deformable track disposed around the drive sprocket, the track having a track-inner surface in contact with the tread.
Idler height adjustment in undercarriage system using displacement of flowable matertal
An undercarriage system for a track-type machine includes an idler height adjustment system having piston assemblies supported in a frame, in opposition to one another, to contact upper and lower sides of an idler support element or block. A conduit connects the piston assemblies and has therein a fluid exchange valve adjustable to an open position where a flowable material such as grease is exchanged through the conduit between the piston assemblies, and a closed position where fluid connection between the piston assemblies is blocked and idler height is fixed.
Idler height adjustment in undercarriage system using displacement of flowable matertal
An undercarriage system for a track-type machine includes an idler height adjustment system having piston assemblies supported in a frame, in opposition to one another, to contact upper and lower sides of an idler support element or block. A conduit connects the piston assemblies and has therein a fluid exchange valve adjustable to an open position where a flowable material such as grease is exchanged through the conduit between the piston assemblies, and a closed position where fluid connection between the piston assemblies is blocked and idler height is fixed.