Tracked vehicle emergency brake system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorRichard W. Siorek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to an emergency braking system for a tracked vehicle, uch as a military tank. Loss or separation of one or both tracks from the vehicle energizes an electrical sensor which automatically triggers an emergency brake control system operating on the road wheels. The track loss triggers a "driver override" system that inhibits manual steering, manual shift change, and manual sprocket brake operation. The emergency system takes over control of the vehicle to preclude the driver from making unsafe inputs to the system.
Claims9
In a track-propelled vehicle having an endless terrain-engagement track at each of its sides trained around a drive wheel and a series of road wheels, and a power plant operatively connected to the drive wheels for delivering mechanical power thereto:
- the improvement comprising emergency brake means operable upon loss of either track to automatically decelerate the vehicle toward a rest condition without human intervention or input;
- and track loss sensor means effective to trigger the emergency brake means, whereby said emergency brake means has no effect during normal operation of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.