초록 ▼

A suspension system for a tracked vehicle that includes at least four suspension cylinders for suspending at least two track module frames to a chassis of the tracked vehicle to allow torsional flexing to accommodate terrain unevenness with significantly less terrain damage to provide a smoother, sa

A suspension system for a tracked vehicle that includes at least four suspension cylinders for suspending at least two track module frames to a chassis of the tracked vehicle to allow torsional flexing to accommodate terrain unevenness with significantly less terrain damage to provide a smoother, safer ride, with bump absorption and improved stability. The suspension cylinders can be hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders for air bags, powered jackscrews or manual jackscrews. The suspension system also includes lateral links for attaching the at least two track frame module to the chassis to allow the track module frame to move vertically, to tilt and to angle for resiliently tracking uneven surfaces. Longitudinal links for attaching each of the at least two track frame module to the chassis to keep the at least two track module frames centered within the chassis of the tracked vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A suspension system for a tracked vehicle comprising: at least two track module frames having two or four, or more, independently driven track wheel connected thereto for driving at least two flexible track assemblies, each of the at least two track module frames including: at least two

I claim: 1. A suspension system for a tracked vehicle comprising: at least two track module frames having two or four, or more, independently driven track wheel connected thereto for driving at least two flexible track assemblies, each of the at least two track module frames including: at least two sliding members for expanding and contracting a length of parallel sides of each of the at least two track module frames for adjusting a position of corresponding ones of the at least two or four independently driven track wheels closer and further away from another one of the independently driven track wheels or idlers; and at least four suspension cylinders for suspending a front and a rear of each of the at least two track module frames to a chassis of the tracked vehicle to allow torsional flexing to accommodate terrain unevenness with significantly less terrain damage and provide a smoother, safer ride, with bump absorption and improved stability. 2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least four suspension cylinders are one of a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or air bags. 3. The suspension system of claim 1 further comprises: at least two longitudinal links for attaching each of the at least two track module frames to the chassis to keep the at least two track module frames centered within the chassis of the tracked vehicle. 4. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two track module frames include: at least two sliding members for expanding and contracting a length of parallel sides of each of the at least two track module frames for adjusting a position of corresponding ones of the at least two or four independently driven track wheels closer and further away from another one of the independently driven track wheels or idlers. 5. A tracked vehicle comprising: a left and a right track module frame; at least two or four independently driven track wheels, two connected to each of the left and the right track module frame; at least two flexible tracks each coupled with two of the at least four independently driven track wheels, wherein at least four independently driven track wheels drive the at least two flexible tracks and the flexible tracks are fully articulated with independent leveling tilting, castor, camber, and toe-in; a suspension system for connecting the left and the right track module frames with a chassis of a tracked vehicle cabin; and a controller for controlling the at least four independently driven track wheels in response to a driver command, wherein by suspending the right and left track module frame from the tracked vehicle chassis, shocks encountered by the right and left track frame module are not transmitted to the tracked vehicle chassis. 6. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, wherein the at least two flexible tracks comprise: track assemblies skewed for operation on slope. 7. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, wherein each of the left and right track module frames comprise: suspension attachment plates having front and rear attachment points for connecting the track module frame to the suspension system to allow torsional flexing to accommodate terrain unevenness with significantly less terrain damage and provide a smoother, safer ride, with bump absorption, improved stability, and a faster allowable speed of navigation of uneven surfaces. 8. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, wherein the suspension system comprises: suspension cylinders for connecting a front and a rear of the left and right track module frame to the tracked vehicle chassis. 9. The tracked vehicle of claim 8, further comprising: front and rear lateral links for attaching a front and rear of each side of the left and right track module frame to the cbassis of the tracked vehicle to allow the left and right track module frame to independently move vertically, to tilt and to angle for resiliently tracking uneven surfaces rather than flattening out the high spots, this increasing track life and minimizing the disturbance to the terrain. 10. The tracked vehicle of claim 9, further comprising: a longitudinal link for attaching an interior side of each of the left and right track module frame to the tracked vehicle chassis to keep the left and right track module frame centered within the tracked vehicle chassis. 11. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, wherein the suspension system comprises: individual suspension devices, wherein varying amount of pressure in the individual suspension devices results in adjusting and correcting ride height, ground clearance, and tilt compensation. 12. The tracked vehicle of claim 11, wherein the individual suspension devices are selected from a group consisting of hydraulic cylinders, air cylinders and air bags. 13. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, wherein each of the left and right track module frames comprise: parallel frame sides to balance loads within the track module frame, wherein a driving torque of the corresponding at least four independently driven track wheels is reacted to the track module frame. 14. The tracked vehicle of claim 13, wherein the parallel frame sides comprise: sliding members for expanding and contracting a length of each of the left and right track module frames for adjusting a position of each one of the at least four independently driven track wheels closer or further away from another one of the at least four independently driven track wheels. 15. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, wherein the at least two flexible tracks comprise: a material having a torsional compliance to allows each one of the at least four independently driven track wheels to tilt at a different angle according to the localized terrain irregularities encountered. 16. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, wherein suspension system comprises: four suspension units for each of the left and right track module frame, the suspension units selected from one of hydraulic, pneumatic, and spring. 17. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, further comprising: a shock absorber between the track module frame and the vehicle chassis to dampen oscillations. 18. The tracked vehicle of claim 5, further comprising: load sharing Bogey wheels individually suspended from parallel frame sides of the left and right track module frames. 19. A suspension system for a tracked vehicle comprising: at least two track module frames having two or four, or more, independently driven track wheel connected thereto for driving at least two flexible track assemblies; at least four suspension cylinders for suspending a front and a rear of each of the at least two track module frames to a chassis of the tracked vehicle to allow torsional flexing to accommodate terrain unevenness with significantly less terrain damage and provide a smoother, safer ride, with bump absorption and improved stability; and at least two longitudinal links for attaching each of the at least two track module frames to the chassis to keep the at least two track module frames centered within the chassis of the tracked vehicle. 20. A suspension system for a tracked vehicle comprising: at least two track module frames having two or four, or more, independently driven track wheel connected Thereto for diving at least two flexible track assemblies each of the at least two track module frames including: at least two sliding members for expanding and contracting a length of parallel sides of each of the at least two track module frames for adjusting a position of corresponding ones of the at least two or four independently driven track wheels closer and further away from another one of the independently driven track wheels or idlers; and at least four suspension cylinders for suspending a front and a rear of each of the at least two track module frames to a chassis of the tracked vehicle to allow torsional flexing to accommodate terrain unevenness with significantly less terrain damage and provide a smoother, safer ride, with bump absorption and improved stability. 21. A tracked vehicle comprising: a left and a right track module frame; at least two or four independently driven track wheels, two connected to each of the left and the right track module frame; at least two flexible tracks each coupled with two of the at least four independently driven track wheels and the flexible tracks are skewed for operation on slope, wherein at least four independently driven track wheels drive the at least two flexible tracks; a suspension system for connecting the left and the right track module frames with a chassis of a tracked vehicle cabin; and a controller for controlling the at least four independently driven track wheels in response to a driver command, wherein by suspending the right and left track module frame from the tracked vehicle chassis, shocks encountered by the right and left track frame module are not transmitted to the tracked vehicle chassis. 22. A tracked vehicle comprising: a left and a right track module frame, each of the left and right track module frames comprising: suspension attachment plates having front and rear attachment points for connecting the track module frame to the suspension system to allow torsional flexing to accommodate terrain unevenness with significantly less terrain damage and provide a smoother, safer ride, with bump absorption, improved stability, and a faster allowable speed of navigation of uneven surfaces; at least two or four independently driven track wheels, two connected to each of the left and the right track module frame; at least two flexible tracks each coupled with two of the at least four independently driven track wheels, wherein at least four independently driven track wheels drive the at least two flexible tracks; a suspension system for connecting the left and the right track module frames with a chassis of a tracked vehicle cabin; and a controller for controlling the at least four independently driven track wheels in response to a driver command, wherein by suspending the right and left track module frame from the tracked vehicle chassis, shocks encountered by the right and left track frame module are not transmitted to the tracked vehicle chassis. 23. A tracked vehicle comprising: a left and a right track module frame; at least two or four independently driven track wheels, two connected to each of the left and the right track module frame; at least two flexible tracks each coupled with two of the at least four independently driven track wheels, wherein at least four independently driven track wheels drive the at least two flexible tracks; a suspension system for connecting the left and the right track module frames with a chassis of a tracked vehicle cabin, the suspension system comprising suspension cylinders for connecting a front and a rear of the left and right track module frame to the tracked vehicle chassis; a controller for controlling the at least four independently driven track wheels in response to a driver command, wherein by suspending the right and left track module frame from the tracked vehicle chassis, shocks encountered by the right and left track frame module are not transmitted to the tracked vehicle chassis; and front and rear lateral links for attaching a front and rear of each side of the left and right track module frame to the chassis of the tracked vehicle to allow the left and right track module frame to independently move vertically, to tilt and to angle for resiliently tracking uneven surfaces rather than flattening out the high spots, this increasing track life and minimizing the disturbance to the terrain. 24. A tracked vehicle comprising: a left and a right track module frame, each of the left and right track module frames comprising parallel frame sides to balance loads within the track module frame, wherein a driving torque of the corresponding at least four independently driven track wheels is reacted to the track module frame; at least two or four independently driven track wheels, two connected to each of the left and the right track module frame; at least two flexible tracks each coupled with two of the at least four independently driven track wheels, wherein at least four independently driven track wheels drive the at least two flexible tracks; a suspension system for connecting the left and the right track module frames with a chassis of a tracked vehicle cabin; and a controller for controlling the at least four independently driven track wheels in response to a driver command, wherein by suspending the right and left track module frame from the tracked vehicle chassis, shocks encountered by the right and left track frame module are not transmitted to the tracked vehicle chassis.