US 7,749,033 B1 · Amphibious surface vehicle with synchro-phased rotary engagement devices

Abstract

This invention is directed to a novel amphibious surface vehicle (10) having a hull like chassis (11) with a plurality of rotary engagement devices (14) adapted for travel over various surface terrains and fluidic substances (17). Each engagement device includes rotors (16) having a multi-lobular periphery that provides improved tractive and propulsive attributes. The rotors are coupled through a driven eccentric hub (30) and phased by a non-circular internal gear pair (27, 37) so as to provide synchronized linear motion upon a weight bearing surface (15). The rotors with an overlapping contact ratio which produces increased traction and bearing area translating to improved overall performance upon a planar surfaces (15). This overlapping action becomes more paddle like when surface penetration occurs or by adjusting lever (19) aggressively changing the phasing incidence of the rotors (16), which is conducive to fluidic propulsion on water or other low shear strength substances (17).

Claims25

Dependent claims

An amphibious surface vehicle adapted for travel over a surface, comprising:

a) a chassis assembly being generally rectangular and having a greater extent extending longitudinal;
b) a plurality of engaging members, being coaxially disposed and rotatably coupled to said chassis, for propelling said chassis assembly across a surface, each of said plurality of engaging members having a substantially multi-lobular periphery, and further wherein each said plurality of engaging members having a plurality of offset rotor members being angularly opposed on each of said plurality of engaging members;
d) and further wherein each of said plurality of offset rotor members are coaxially coupled to an eccentric hub that urges cycloidal motion;
e) and further wherein where each of said plurality of offset rotor members are phased by a non-circular internal gear pair;
and
f) a control means, coupled to said plurality of said engaging members, for altering a phasing incidence to vary tractive effort.

3 more elements

An amphibious surface vehicle comprising:

a) a chassis supported longitudinally by a plurality of rotary engagement devices, each said plurality of rotary engagement devices having a drive shaft, having a center, rotatably coupled to said chassis having a fixed axis;
b) a hub, having a center, being positioned about said drive shaft and connected thereto, said center of said hub being offset from the center of said drive shaft for rotation about said fixed axis, by a distance e;
c) a rotor pivotably disposed on said hub for revolving about said fixed axis as said drive shaft rotates;
and
d) a first gear connected to said rotor, and a second gear in operational contact with said first gear to control the rotational phase of said rotor;
wherein:
e) said rotor has a non-circular periphery defined by at least two lobes, wherein the height of said lobes are equal to twice said distance e of said hub,
f) said first gear is an internal gear that is coaxial to said rotor, said first gear also having a non-circular pitch curve;
g) said second gear being an external gear and being fixedly attached to said fixed axis, wherein said second gear also having a non-circular pitch curve;
and further wherein
h) said first gear and said second gear having a gear ratio that is equal to the number of said lobes of said rotor;
and
i) further whereby said amphibious surface vehicle is propelled by said rotary engagement devices operating with a constant rolling radius upon a supporting surface.

10 more elements

A vehicle supported by at least one rotary engagement devices comprising:

a) a drive shaft, having a center, rotatably coupled to said vehicle having a fixed axis;
b) a hub, having a center, being positioned about said drive shaft and connected thereto, said center of said hub being offset from the center of said drive shaft for rotation about said fixed axis, by a distance e;
c) a rotor pivotably disposed on said hub for revolving about said fixed axis as said drive shaft rotates;
d) a first gear connected to said rotor;
e) a second gear in operational engagement with said first gear to control a rotational phase of said rotor;
wherein
f) said rotor is comprised of a non-circular periphery defined by at least two lobes, and further wherein the height of each of said two lobes is equal to twice said distance e of said hub axis;
g) said first gear is an internal gear which is coaxial to said rotor, and further wherein said first gear has a non-circular pitch curve;
h) said second gear is an external gear that is fixed about said fixed axis, and further wherein said second gear has a non-circular pitch curve;
and further wherein
i) said first gear and said second gear have a gear ratio that is equal to the number of lobes of said rotor;
j) whereby said vehicle is propelled by said rotary engagement devices operating with a constant rolling radius upon a supporting surface.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Amphibious surface vehicle with synchro-phased rotary engagement devices

Life of this patent

Amphibious surface vehicle with synchro-phased rotary engagement devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25