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US 12,594,799 B2Granted
Amphibious vehicle with adjustable components for use in a liquid manure lagoon
AssigneeNuhn Industries Ltd.
InventorIan Nuhn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An amphibious vehicle for operation in a liquid manure lagoon has a first liquid manure mover (e.g., a propeller or a nozzle) that is vertically adjustable through a closed-loop linkage assembly to change the vertical position of the first liquid manure mover with respect to the surface of the liquid manure lagoon. The vehicle has a second liquid manure mover (e.g., a propeller or a nozzle) that is angularly adjustable to adjust the orientation of the second liquid manure mover with respect to the surface of the liquid manure lagoon.
Claims16
An amphibious vehicle for operation in a liquid manure lagoon, the amphibious vehicle comprising:
- a floatable vehicle body;
- a power source mounted on the vehicle body;
- ground-engaging wheels mounted on the vehicle body and operatively connected to the power source;
- a first liquid manure mover;
- a first adjustment assembly for vertically positioning the first liquid manure mover with respect to a surface of the lagoon, the first adjustment assembly comprising:
- a pivoting linkage assembly connecting the first liquid manure mover to the vehicle, the pivoting linkage assembly comprising a plurality of linkage arms pivotally connected in a closed-loop series, the first liquid manure mover mounted on a vertically oriented arm of the plurality of linkage arms;
- and,
- a linkage actuator pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to the vehicle body and pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to a horizontally oriented arm of the plurality of linkage arms, actuation of the linkage actuator causing the horizontally oriented arm to pivot in the pivoting linkage assembly thereby causing the vertically oriented arm to translate vertically with the first liquid manure mover mounted thereon;
- a second liquid manure mover;
- and,
- a second adjustment assembly for angularly orienting the second liquid manure mover with respect to the surface of the lagoon, the second adjustment assembly comprising:
- a mounting plate having an eccentrically positioned lobe, the second liquid manure mover mounted on the mounting plate;
- and,
- a mounting plate actuator pivotally connected to the vehicle body and pivotally connected to the eccentrically positioned lobe at a point spatially offset from an axis of rotation of the mounting plate, actuation of the mounting plate actuator causing the mounting plate to rotate thereby causing the second liquid manure mover to rotate to angularly adjust the orientation of the second liquid manure mover.
11 more elements
An adjustable component for use on an amphibious vehicle in a liquid manure lagoon, the adjustable component comprising:
- a liquid manure mover;
- and,
- an adjustment assembly mountable on the vehicle for vertically positioning the liquid manure mover with respect to a surface of the lagoon, the adjustment assembly comprising:
- a pivoting linkage assembly configured to be connected to the vehicle for connecting the liquid manure mover to the vehicle, the pivoting linkage assembly comprising a plurality of linkage arms pivotally connected in a closed-loop series when mounted on the vehicle, the first liquid manure mover mounted on a vertically oriented arm of the plurality of linkage arms;
- and,
- a linkage actuator pivotally connectable at a proximal end thereof to the vehicle body and pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to a horizontally oriented arm of the plurality of linkage arms, actuation of the linkage actuator causing the horizontally oriented arm to pivot in the pivoting linkage assembly thereby causing the vertically oriented arm to translate vertically with the first liquid manure mover mounted thereon.
3 more elements
An adjustable component for use on an amphibious vehicle in a liquid manure lagoon, the adjustable component comprising:
- a liquid manure mover;
- and,
- an adjustment assembly mountable on the vehicle for angularly orienting the liquid manure mover with respect to a surface of the lagoon, the adjustment assembly comprising:
- a mounting plate having an eccentrically positioned lobe, the liquid manure mover mounted on the mounting plate, the mounting plate configured to be rotatably mounted on the vehicle;
- and,
- a mounting plate actuator pivotally connectable to the vehicle body and pivotally connected to the eccentrically positioned lobe at a point spatially offset from an axis of rotation of the mounting plate, actuation of the mounting plate actuator causing the mounting plate to rotate thereby causing the liquid manure mover to rotate to angularly adjust the orientation of the liquid manure mover.
3 more elements
An amphibious vehicle for operation in a liquid manure lagoon, the amphibious vehicle comprising:
- a floatable vehicle body;
- a power source mounted on the vehicle body;
- ground-engaging wheels mounted on the vehicle body and operatively connected to the power source;
- an angularly adjustable liquid manure mover for providing propulsion and steering for the vehicle;
- a double-barreled actuator connecting the liquid manure mover to the vehicle whereby actuation of the double-barreled actuator angularly adjusts the liquid manure mover to move and steer the vehicle;
- and,
- a controller operatively connected to the double-barreled actuator, the controller configured to automatically return the liquid manure mover to a state in which the vehicle is not propelled and steered when an operator is not actively operating the vehicle.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.