초록 ▼

A vehicle drive system providing abrupt turning capability under control of local or remote steering commands. The vehicle consists of a platform supported by two drive wheels and at least one castor wheel. An engine powers a hydraulic pump which drives two independently controlled hydraulic motors

A vehicle drive system providing abrupt turning capability under control of local or remote steering commands. The vehicle consists of a platform supported by two drive wheels and at least one castor wheel. An engine powers a hydraulic pump which drives two independently controlled hydraulic motors transmitting power to the drive wheels. Hydraulic fluid flows from the pump to the motor and is controlled through a network of valves to provide torque limiting capabilities to the drive wheels which prevents slippage with the ground. Free wheeling capability is also selectively applied during dynamic turning maneuvers to permit minimal energy changes and resulting in a short turning radius.

대표청구항 ▼

A mobile vehicle apparatus comprising: mobile platform means, including a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel for propelling the platform and including at least one caster wheel, the platform being supported by the first and second drive wheels and the caster wheel; power means, including an

A mobile vehicle apparatus comprising: mobile platform means, including a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel for propelling the platform and including at least one caster wheel, the platform being supported by the first and second drive wheels and the caster wheel; power means, including an engine to supply rotational power; power conversion means, including a pressure regulated hydraulic pump for accepting said rotational power from said power means and developing fluid flow to derive a power limited source of drive power, the pressure regulation of the pump provides torque limiting regulation to said first drive wheel and said second drive wheel to prevent drive wheel slippage with the contacting travel bed surface; first drive control means, including a first hydraulic motor for accepting said source of drive power and for transmitting and regulating the amount of drive power supplied to said first drive wheel, including a first bypass valve across the first hydraulic motor which permits the first drive wheel to be disconnected from the drive power when the first bypass valve is opened to permit free wheeling; second drive control means, including a second hydraulic motor for accepting said source of drive power and for transmitting and regulating the amount of drive power supplied to said second drive wheel, including a second bypass valve across the second hydraulic motor which permits the second drive wheel to be disconnected from the drive power when the second bypass valve is opened to permit free wheeling; steering control means, including at least one directional control valve for directing said fluid flow to said first drive control means and said second drive control means whereby the direction of travel of said mobile vehicle is determined, including a bypass valve controller to selectively open no more than one of either the first bypass valve or the second bypass valve.