US 12,240,541 B2 · Modular tracked vehicle

Abstract

A technique for a modular tracked vehicle that can be reconfigured as needed to address different requirements and use cases. The modular tracked vehicle includes a chassis hull that allows interchangeable components to be connected thereto. The interchangeable components include interchangeable final drives which drive the vehicle's tracks. The chassis hull stores an energy reservoir, such as a battery or fuel tank, and the final drives include at least a gear box and drive axle. Different final drives may be provided for different torque levels, speed levels, energy sources, and or other specifications, and the final drives may be swapped based on mission requirements. Other components of the modular tracked vehicle may be interchangeable, as well. The technique may be provided, for example, as a modular tracked vehicle, a platform for a modular tracked vehicle, and/or as a method for use with a modular tracked vehicle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of providing a modular tracked vehicle, comprising:

providing a chassis hull having a first end, a second end, a left side, a right side, and a top surface, the chassis hull configured to contain an energy reservoir;
attaching a first final drive end-to-end to the first end of the chassis hull outside of the chassis hull, the first final drive including an enclosure that at least partially contains a gear box and at least one drive axle configured to drive first and second drive sprockets for propelling the modular tracked vehicle, the first final drive being a module configured for high-torque operation,
replacing the first final drive with a second final drive having different components from those of the first final drive, the second final drive being a module configured for high-speed operation.

A method of providing a modular tracked vehicle, comprising:

providing a chassis hull having a first end, a second end, a left side, a right side, and a top surface, the chassis hull configured to contain a set of batteries;
attaching a first final drive end-to-end to the first end of the chassis hull outside of the chassis hull, the first final drive including an enclosure that at least partially contains an electric motor, a gear box, and at least one drive axle configured to drive first and second drive sprockets for propelling the modular tracked vehicle, the first final drive being a module configured for high-torque operation,
replacing the first final drive with a second final drive having different components from those of the first final drive, the second final drive being a module configured for high-speed operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular tracked vehicle

Life of this patent

Modular tracked vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20