US 2026/0265032 A1 · ORDNANCE HANDLING APPARATUS

Abstract

An ordnance handling apparatus includes a multi-mode steering mechanism with different steering modes, including incremental and absolute steering control, and programmable Ackermann steering. Modular power supply systems include quick-swap battery packs, enabling rapid changeover and hot-swapping of power sources without powering down the vehicle. One or multiple battery packs may be replaced with alternative power modules, which maintain a same form factor for seamless integration. Modular power supply systems include packaging of multiple battery modules that each have an associated charge controller and are not intended to be wired in series, into a single modular pack. The ordnance handling apparatus includes velocity-based traction control versus torque-based traction control, wherein a centerline velocity of the vehicle remains constant when entering a turn by proportionally decreasing the velocity of the inside wheels and proportionally increasing the velocity of the outside wheels based on steering mode and steering angle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An ordnance handling apparatus comprising:

a pair of front steering assemblies each coupled with a corresponding front wheel to provide independently steerable front wheels, wherein the pair of front steering assemblies and associated front wheels are mechanically separated to allow a lift table of the ordnance handling apparatus to be positioned between the pair of front steering assemblies at an elevation above or below a mid-point of the front steering assemblies;
a rear axle assembly having independently steerable rear wheels;
a plurality of steering actuators operatively connected to the front wheels and the rear wheels;
and
a controller configured to selectively operate the ordnance handling apparatus in a selected steering mode of multiple selectable steering modes.

2 more elements

A modular power supply apparatus for a vehicle, the modular power supply apparatus comprising:

a vehicle chassis that includes an electrical system, a control system, and a propulsion system;
and
two or more power supply packs mountable on the vehicle and configured to provide operating power to the electrical system, each power supply pack of the two or more power supply packs comprising:
a quick-latch mechanism configured to engage with a securement assembly on the vehicle chassis and couple a power port associated with the power supply pack with a corresponding vehicle power port that is connected to the electrical system;
and
a transport mechanism configured to provide for movement of the power supply pack toward and away from the vehicle chassis,
wherein a first power supply pack is configured to be disengaged from the vehicle chassis and electrical system while a second power supply pack is providing operating power to the electrical system, and a third power supply pack is configured to be engaged with the vehicle chassis and electrical system while the second power supply pack is providing operating power to the electrical system, and the control system initiates use of operating power from the third power supply pack responsive to the third power supply pack being engaged with the electrical system.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ordnance handling apparatus

Life of this patent

Ordnance handling apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20