US 6,886,837 B2Granted

Hydraulic suspension strut for an amphibious vehicle

AssigneeGibbs Technologies Limited

InventorAlan Timothy Gibbs

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A hydraulic suspension strut (30) has a first on-off valve (58) connecting the first and second chambers (42 and 44), and a second on-off valve (62) connected to chamber (42) only. Suspension arm (3) of wheel (1) can be retracted beyond normal road travel, or protracted to road travel mode, by use of pump (9) and valves (58 and 62). The space in the strut above port (56) may be used as a hydraulic bump stop. An accumulator (50) may be included, as a hydraulic spring. Alternatively, strut (70) (FIG. 6; note alternative accumulator position) allows suspension to be raised above normal road travel. Strut (100) (FIG. 8) may be operated in roadgoing, raised, or retracted mode. These struts may be applied to reconfigurable suspensions; particularly for amphibious vehicles, which may require wheels to be withdrawn above the hull water line to reduce drag on water, particularly during cornering.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An amphibious vehicle having at least one wheel moveable from a protracted position, in which the wheel is arranged to support the vehicle for use on land, to a retracted position, in which the wheel is elevated relative to a body of the vehicle for use of the vehicle on water, the vehicle further having a hydraulic strut comprising:

a cylinder containing hydraulic fluid, a piston movable within the cylinder and defining a first chamber and a second chamber within the cylinder, a linkage means for connecting the piston to a suspension linkage associated with the wheel, a first on/off valve for controlling flow of fluid between the first and second chambers over at least part of the stroke of the piston, and a second on/off valve in communication with only one of the first and the second chambers;
characterised in that:
with the first valve open and the second valve shut, the strut is adapted to provide suspension and/or damping for the wheel;
and with the first valve shut and the second valve open, the strut is adapted to operate as an actuator for moving the wheel between the protracted and retracted positions.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/240,080Filed 26 Mar 2001
Priority: GB 000762530 Mar 2000
Published: US 2003/0047899 A113 Mar 2003
Granted: 3 May 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

F16F 9/48
Details: arrangements for providing different damping effects at different parts of the stroke
B60G 17/044
Fluid spring characteristics: self-pumping fluid springs
B60G 17/056
Fluid spring characteristics: regulating distributors or valves for hydropneumatic systems
B60F 2301/04
Retractable wheels: pivotally