Power train for amphibian

Abstract

Power train has an engine, transmission, water jet, and sandwich power take off. The power take off output shaft is enclosed by chain case, and drives shaft, which runs below or alongside engine oil sump; or through the sump in a tunnel or recess. A decoupler may be provided in the marine drive. Transfer case transfers drive power from transmission to output shaft, which drives drive shaft and rear wheel differential. Four-wheel drive may be provided, with additional forward drive shaft and differential. A center differential may be provided in or adjacent to the transfer case; transmission may be manual, sequential shift, semi-automatic, automatic, or a continuously variable transmission. The marine drive may be a jet drive, as shown, or a screw propeller, or other marine propulsion means.

1 . A power train for an amphibious vehicle, which power train comprises an engine, an in-line transmission and a sandwich power take off positioned between the engine and the transmission, the output from the power take off being adapted to transfer drive to a marine propulsion unit located at the rear of the amphibious vehicle, by means of a shaft which runs below or through the oil sump of the engine, or alongside the engine, characterised in that the output from the transmission is adapted to transfer drive to a differential located at the rear of the amphibious vehicle.  
     
     
         2 . A power train as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the differential is located reward of the engine.  
     
     
         3 . A power train as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the output from the power take off is in the form of an output shaft which is connected to a drive shaft which runs below or through the oil sump of the engine, or alongside the engine.  
     
     
         4 . A power train as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the sump has a tunnel or recess through which the drive shaft passes.  
     
     
         5 . A power train as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the marine propulsion unit is located in line with, or substantially in line with, the engine and the transmission.  
     
     
         6 . A power train as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the output from the transmission is transferred to the differential through a transfer case.  
     
     
         7 . A power train as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the transfer case is adapted to drive a further differential located toward the front of the vehicle for driving the front wheels of the vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . A power train as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a decoupler is provided such that drive to the marine propulsion unit can be selectively coupled and decoupled.  
     
     
         9 . A power train as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the engine is adapted to be mounted in the vehicle such that a crankshaft of the engine is substantially in alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle and with the front or timing end of the engine facing the rear of the vehicle.  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . An amphibious vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a power train as claimed in  claim 1.