# US 11,110,784 B2 · Drive configuration > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,784 B2 - Document ID: US11110784B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/346,729 - Filed: 2017-09-01 - Published: 2020-03-05 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-02 - Assignees: Qinetiq Limited - Applicants: QinetiQ Limited - Inventors: Robert John Bonner Flaxman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110784B2 ## CPC - B60K 1/02: comprising more than one electric motor - B60K 7/0007: {the motor being electric} - B60K 17/046: {with planetary gearing having orbital motion} - B60K 17/08: of mechanical type - B62D 11/04: by means of separate power sources - B62D 11/16: the additional power supply being supplied mechanically - B60K 6/445: Differential gearing distribution type - B60K 2007/0046: {the motor moving together with the vehicle body, i.e. moving independently from the wheel axle} - B60L 15/2036: {Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles} - B60Y 2200/24: Military vehicles - B60Y 2200/25: Track vehicles - B60Y 2200/90: Vehicles comprising electric prime movers - B60Y 2400/85: Skid-steer systems, e.g. for tracked vehicles - B62D 11/14: differential power outputs being effected by additional power supply to one side, e.g. power originating from secondary power source - F16H 48/06: with gears having orbital motion - F16H 2048/364: {using electric or hydraulic motors} - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract Some embodiments are directed to a drive configuration for a skid-steered vehicle that has a pair of traction motors for rotationally driving opposite outputs of the drive configuration. The traction motors are operatively connected to the outputs via respective gearing arrangements for selectively varying gear reduction between each of the traction motors and the corresponding output. The drive configuration also has a steer differential in a torque connection with the first and second outputs of the drive configuration. The drive configuration additional has a steer motor operatively connected to the steer differential for selectively varying the rotational speed of the first and second outputs in use. Also, the traction and steer motors define a volume in which the gearing arrangements and steering differential are at least partially located. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drive configuration, comprising: a pair of traction motors for rotationally driving opposite, first and second outputs of the drive configuration, the traction motors being operatively connected to the outputs via respective gearing arrangements for selectively varying gear reduction between each of the traction motors and the corresponding output; a steer differential in a torque connection with the first and second outputs of the drive configuration; and a steer motor operatively connected to the steer differential for selectively varying rotational speed of the first and second outputs in use, wherein the pair of traction motors and the steer motor are aligned co-axially to define a volume there-within in which the respective gearing arrangements and steering differential are at least partially located; and the drive configuration further including a pair of brake assemblies aligned co-axially with the traction and steer motors; and wherein the pair of brake assemblies are sized so as to be at least partially located within the volume. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drive configuration according to claim 1, wherein the respective gearing arrangements and/or steer differential are aligned co-axially with the traction and steer motors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drive configuration according to claim 1, wherein each respective gearing arrangement is at least partially located within a rotor cavity of its respective traction motor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drive configuration according to claim 1, wherein the steer differential is at least partially located within a rotor cavity of the steer motor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drive configuration according to claim 1, wherein the steer motor is positioned between the pair of traction motors, and the steer differential is positioned between the respective gearing arrangements inside the volume. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drive configuration according to claim 1, wherein the pair of traction motors and the steer motor are similarly sized. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The drive configuration according to claim 1, wherein each brake assembly includes at least two brake discs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The drive configuration according to claim 1, wherein each brake assembly includes at least one brake disc having a diameter too large to fit within the volume defined by the motors. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A vehicle comprising the drive configuration according to claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method of manufacturing a vehicle comprising: providing the drive configuration according to claim 1; installing the drive configuration into the vehicle. ### Claim 11 A drive configuration, comprising: a pair of traction motors for rotationally driving opposite, first and second outputs of the drive configuration, the traction motors being operatively connected to the outputs via respective gearing arrangements for selectively varying gear reduction between each of the traction motors and the corresponding output; a steer differential in a torque connection with the first and second outputs of the drive configuration; and a steer motor operatively connected to the steer differential for selectively varying rotational speed of the first and second outputs in use, wherein the pair of traction motors and the steer motor are aligned co-axially to define a volume there-within in which the respective gearing arrangements and steering differential are at least partially located; and the drive configuration further including a pair of brake assemblies; and wherein the pair of brake assemblies are sized so as to be at least partially located within the volume.