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US 4,283,094 AGranted
Air suspension system for vehicle track
OwnerWilliam R. Bertelseninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air track device employing an air cushion principle to reduce ground pressure of a vehicle such as a tandem dual, utilizing an endless belt for operative connection to the tandem dual wheels and maintained at a predetermined internal pressure. The endless belt operates in connection with several embodiments of a tubular edge seal for sealing the interior of the chamber defined by the endless belt and for directing a peripheral air jet against a portion of the underside of the belt to create a proximity and lubricating effect.
Claims11
An air track apparatus for reducing surface pressure comprising:
- means forming an endless track adapted to be entrained over the wheels of spaced axles of a vehicle to provide an upper and a lower run,
- spaced side members cooperating with said means forming an endless track in providing a chamber,
- pneumatic seal means positioned between said side members and said means forming an endless track to create a seal therebetween,
- air supply means in communication with said seal means to direct pressure to a portion of said seal means thereby forming a pneumatic seal,
- means connecting said air supply with said chamber for pressurization thereof to cause a portion of said lower run into contact with a supporting surface therebeneath,
- pneumatic seal means includes air jet means in communication with said portion for directing a jet of air against said endless track to create a proximity effect,
- said pneumatic seal means includes at least one hollow tubular member,
- said portion of said seal means is a chamber defined by the interior of said hollow tubular member, and
- said air jet means comprises a plurality of aperture means formed through the periphery of the tubular member.
6 more elements
An air track apparatus for reducing surface pressure comprising:
- means forming an endless track adapted to be entrained over the wheels of spaced axles of a vehicle to provide an upper and a lower run,
- spaced side members cooperating with said means forming an endless track in providing a chamber,
- pneumatic seal means positioned between said side members and said means forming an endless track to create a seal therebetween,
- air supply means in communication with said seal means to direct pressure to a portion of said seal means thereby forming a pneumatic seal,
- means connecting said air supply with said chamber for pressurization thereof to cause a portion of said lower run into contact with a supporting surface therebeneath,
- pneumatic seal means includes air jet means in communication with said portion for directing a jet of air against said endless track to create a proximity effect,
- said pneumatic seal means incudes at least one hollow tubular member,
- said portion of said seal means is a chamber defined by the interior of said hollow tubular member,
- said air jet means comprises a plurality of aperture means formed through the periphery of the tubular member, and
- said aperture means includes a plurality of lateral and longitudinal passages disposed in said tubular member to form a groove network in fluid communication with said chamber.
7 more elements
An air track apparatus for reducing surface pressure comprising:
- means forming an endless track adapted to be entrained over the wheels of spaced axles of a vehicle to provide an upper and a lower run,
- spaced side members cooperating with said means forming an endless track in providing a chamber,
- pneumatic seal means positioned between said side members and said means forming an endless track to create a seal therebetween,
- air supply means in communication with said seal means to direct pressure to a portion of said seal means thereby forming a pneumatic seal,
- means connecting said air supply with said chamber for pressurization thereof to cause a portion of said lower run into contact with a supporting surface therebeneath,
- pneumatic seal means includes air jet means in communication with said portion for directing a jet of air against said endless track to create a proximity effect,
- said pneumatic seal means includes at least one hollow tubular member,
- said portion of said seal means is a chamber defined by the interior of said hollow tubular member,
- said air jet means comprises a plurality of aperture means formed through the periphery of the tubular member, and
- said pneumatic seal means comprises a plurality of hollow tubular members.
7 more elements
An air track apparatus for reducing surface pressure comprising:
- means forming an endless track adapted to be entrained over the wheels of spaced axles of a vehicle to provide an upper and a lower run,
- spaced side members cooperating with said means forming an endless track in providing a chamber,
- pneumatic seal means positioned between said side members and said means forming an endless track to create a seal therebetween,
- air supply means in communication with said seal means to direct pressure to a portion of said seal means thereby forming a pneumatic seal,
- means connecting said air supply with said chamber for pressurization thereof to cause a portion of said lower run into contact with a supporting surface therebeneath,
- pneumatic seal means includes air jet means in communication with said portion for directing a jet of air against said endless track to create a proximity effect,
- said pneumatic seal means includes at least one hollow tubular member,
- said portion of said seal means is a chamber defined by the interior of said hollow tubular member,
- said air jet means comprises a plurality of aperture means formed through the periphery of the tubular member, and
- said at least one tubular member is mounted for movement relative to a respective side member.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.