Dual lane multi-axle transport vehicle

Abstract

A dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle for moving heavy loads includes a forward module mounted on a plurality of axles and a rearward module mounted on a plurality of axles. The forward module is mechanically connected to the rearward module for providing a dual lane transport body. The forward module and the rearward module of the transport body each have a single central spine wherein the axles of both the forward module and the rearward module are each attached to the corresponding single central spine. The axles of both the forward module and the rearward module have an axle spacing of at least six feet. A hydraulic suspension is provided for dynamically stabilizing the axles for reducing axle yaw. An axle steering system having a plurality of steering rods controls the position of the axles of both the forward module and the rearward module.

1 . A dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle comprising:
 a forward module mounted on a plurality of axles;   a rearward module mounted on a plurality of axles;   means for mechanically connecting said forward module to said rearward module for providing a dual lane transport body;   said forward module and said rearward module of said transport body each having a single central spine wherein said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module each being respectively attached to said corresponding single central spine, said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module having an axle spacing of at least six feet and a hydraulic suspension for dynamically stabilizing said axles for reducing axle yaw; and   an axle steering system having a plurality of steering rods for controlling the position of said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  further including a draw bar operated by a forward prime mover. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  further including an automatic power steering system located within said forward module for controlling the steering angle of said axles of said forward module. 
   
   
       4 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  further including an automatic power steering system comprising a telescoping steering strut in combination with a power steering valve responsive to the position of a draw bar for controlling the steering angle of said axles of said forward module. 
   
   
       5 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said means for mechanically connecting said forward module to said rearward module is a transport frame comprising a pair of transport carrying beams. 
   
   
       6 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 5  wherein said pair of transport carrying beams are mechanically separable for capturing and releasing a transported load. 
   
   
       7 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said steering rods of said axle steering system are positioned at a height no greater than the height of said single central spine of said forward module and said single center spine of said rearward module for providing a load carrying surface. 
   
   
       8 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module are removably attached to said corresponding single central spine. 
   
   
       9 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module each having an axle spacing of nine feet. 
   
   
       10 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module each having a length of seven feet. 
   
   
       11 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said steering rods of said axle steering system comprise a plurality of side steering rods. 
   
   
       12 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said dual lane transport body is at least eighteen feet in width. 
   
   
       13 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said dual lane transport body travels at highway speeds to thirty-five miles per hour. 
   
   
       14 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  further including a forward main turn table and a rearward main turn table mounted on said single central spine of said forward module and on said single central spine of said rearward module, respectively, for point loading and steering control. 
   
   
       15 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said dual lane transport body is maneuverable in both the forward direction and the reverse direction. 
   
   
       16 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said hydraulic suspension comprises a pair of arms pivotally connected to an axle linkage member, and said axle linkage member pivotally connected to a corresponding one of said axles. 
   
   
       17 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said hydraulic suspension comprises a plurality of fluid activated cylinders, each fluid activated cylinder pivotally connected between a structure of said suspension and a corresponding axle linkage member for dynamically stabilizing said axles. 
   
   
       18 . The multi-axle transport vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a self steering caster suspension system including an axle spaced from a vertical axis passing through said caster suspension system, said axle spaced by an amount sufficient to cause said axle to caster about said vertical axis and to move into alignment with the direction of travel of the transport vehicle when said transport vehicle is moved. 
   
   
       19 . A dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle comprising:
 a forward module mounted on a plurality of axles;   a rearward module mounted on a plurality of axles;   means for mechanically connecting said forward module to said rearward module for providing a dual lane transport body;   said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module having an axle spacing of at least six feet and a hydraulic suspension for dynamically stabilizing said axles for reducing axle yaw; and   an axle steering system having a plurality of steering rods for controlling the position of said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module.   
   
   
       20 . A dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle comprising:
 a forward module mounted on a plurality of axles;   a rearward module mounted on a plurality of axles;   means for mechanically connecting said forward module to said rearward module for providing a dual lane transport body;   said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module having an axle spacing of at least six feet and a hydraulic suspension comprising at least a first arm in combination with at least a first fluid activated cylinder communicating with an axle linkage member, for dynamically stabilizing said axles for reducing axle yaw; and   an axle steering system having a plurality of steering rods for controlling the position of said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module.   
   
   
       21 . A dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle comprising:
 a forward module mounted on a plurality of axles;   a rearward module mounted on a plurality of axles;   means for mechanically connecting said forward module to said rearward module for providing a dual lane transport body;   said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module having an axle spacing of at least six feet and a hydraulic suspension comprising first and second spaced apart arms each communicating with an axle linkage member, for dynamically stabilizing said axles for reducing axle yaw; and   an axle steering system having a plurality of steering rods for controlling the position of said axles of said forward module and said axles of said rearward module.