Wheel-retraction apparatus and method for amphibious vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus for retracting axle-driven wheels onboard an amphibious vehicle provides a retracting process by which the wheels of the vehicle may be moved from a land-support position, to a water-borne position wherein the wheels are substantially above the waterline of the vehicle when afloat. The wheels are axle-driven, with pivotable connections allowing the axles to guide the retracting process; steering connections are pivotably able to follow the process, and steering motion is self-cancelling in the retracted mode. Suitable compartments enclose and support the apparatus in all positions, and seals are provided at the axles to prevent water entering the vehicle interior. A variety of devices may be employed to actuate the apparatus, and also to provide suspension to the vehicle on land.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for retracting an axle-driven wheel onboard an amphibious vehicle, said apparatus comprising: (a) drive means for driveably and pivotally connecting a drive-output to said wheel while allowing said wheel to follow a retracting process, from a protracted position wherein said wheel has an axis of rotation substantially horizontal and said wheel is able to provide land-support to said vehicle, to a retracted position wherein said wheel has said axis at an angle greater than 45 degrees to said horizontal and said wheel is elevated substantially above the waterline of said vehicle when afloat; and   (b) location means for locating said wheel to the body of said vehicle, said location means providing a geometric arrangement whereby said wheel may follow said retracting process while remaining connected to said drive-means.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus for retracting an axle-driven wheel onboard an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises: (a) a drive-axle, being driveably and pivotally connected at a proximate end thereof to said drive-output; and   (b) a spindle, being driveably and pivotally connected at a proximate end thereof to a distal end of said drive-axle; and wherein said wheel is driveably attached to a distal end of said spindle, whereby said drive-means are able to rotate cooperatively and whereby said wheel may follow said retracting process.   
     
     
       3. An apparatus for retracting an axle-driven wheel on board an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 2, wherein said location means comprises; (a) a wheel-support member having an upper end and a lower end, with said spindle and said wheel being rotatably mounted at said lower end;   (b) an upper suspension linkage being pivotally attached at a proximate end thereof to said vehicle body, and pivotally attached at a distal end thereof to said upper end of said wheel-support member; and   (c) a lower suspension linkage being pivotally attached at a proximate end thereof to said vehicle body, and pivotally attached at a distal end thereof to said lower end of said wheel-support member; wherein said upper suspension linkage and said lower suspension linkage provide a geometric arrangement whereby said wheel-support member may follow said retracting process while remaining connected to said drive-means.   
     
     
       4. An apparatus for retracting an axle-driven wheel on board an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 3, further comprising vehicular steering means, comprising: (a) steering connections, including a steering shaft, a steering link and a steering arm attached to said wheel-support member; and   (b) steering pivots for pivotally mounting said wheel-support member, whereby said wheel-support member may be turned on a substantially vertical axis so as to provide said vehicular steering when controlled by said steering connections; said steering connections being geometrically arranged so as to allow said retracting process while remaining connected to said wheel-support member; and said steering connections being geometrically arranged so that said vehicular steering is substantially cancelled when said wheel is in said retracted position.   
     
     
       5. An apparatus for retracting an axle-driven wheel on board an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 4, further comprising means for enclosing and supporting said apparatus, comprising: (a) a lower compartment having a closed inboard end and an open outboard end, said lower compartment being integral with said vehicle body, and arranged so as to pivotally support said proximate end of said lower suspension linkage, and to partially enclose said lower suspension linkage and said drive-axle; said lower compartment having a portal, being an opening by which said drive-axle may pass through said closed inboard end of said lower compartment, and sealing means, whereby fluids may be prevented from passing through said portal; and   (b) an upper compartment having a closed inboard end and an open outboard end, said upper compartment being integral with said vehicle body and arranged so as to pivotally support said proximate end of said upper suspension linkage, and to partially enclose said wheel when said wheel is in said retracted position.   
     
     
       6. An apparatus for retracting an axle-driven wheel on board an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for actuating said retracting process comprising: (a) a torsion-bar for applying actuating motion to said location-means in order to actuate said retracting process, and wherein said torsion-bar also provides suspensional support to said vehicle; and   (b) a power-means for applying torque to said torsion-bar in order to actuate said retracting process, whereby said power-means also provides suspensional support to said vehicle.   
     
     
       7. A method of retracting an axle-driven wheel onboard an amphibious vehicle comprising the steps of: (a) driveably and pivotally connecting a drive-axle to said wheel while allowing said wheel to follow a retracting process, from a protracted position wherein said wheel has an axis of rotation substantially horizontal and said wheel is able to provide land support to said vehicle, to a retracted position wherein said wheel has said axis at an angle greater than 45 degrees to said horizontal and said wheel is elevated substantially above the waterline of said vehicle when afloat; and   (b) locating said wheel to the body of said vehicle whereby said wheel may follow said retracting process while remaining connected to said drive-axle.   
     
     
       8. A method of retracting an axle-driven wheel onboard an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 7, wherein driving said wheel includes the step of: driveably and pivotally connecting a drive-output through said drive-axle to said wheel whereby said drive-output, said drive-axle and said wheel may rotate co-operatively, and wherein said wheel may perform said retracting process.   
     
     
       9. A method of retracting an axle-driven wheel onboard an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 8, wherein locating said wheel retractably to said vehicle body includes the steps of: (a) mounting said wheel rotatably upon a wheel-support member;   (b) providing location-means for pivotally locating said wheel-support member to said vehicle body; and   (c) geometrically arranging said location-means and said wheel-support member whereby said wheel may follow said retracting process while remaining driveably connected to said drive-output.   
     
     
       10. A method of retracting an axle-driven wheel onboard an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 9, wherein turning of said wheel to provide vehicular steering includes the steps of: (a) mounting said wheel whereby said wheel maybe turned in such a way as to provide said vehicular steering;   (b) arranging steering connections whereby said wheel may be controlled in order to provide said vehicular steering, and wherein said wheel may follow said retracting process; and   (c) arranging said steering connections whereby said vehicular steering will be substantially cancelled when said wheel is in said retracted position.   
     
     
       11. A method of retracting an axle-driven wheel onboard an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 10, further comprising an enclosing and supporting procedure including the steps of: (a) partly enclosing said location-means and said drive-axle within a lower compartment wherein said location-means is partly supported by said lower compartment;   (b) providing drive-axle sealing means within said lower compartment whereby fluid may be prevented from entering the interior of said vehicle; and   (c) partly supporting said location-means by an upper compartment, and partially enclosing said wheel within said upper compartment when said wheel is in said retracted position.   
     
     
       12. A method of retracting an axle-driven wheel onbaord an amphibious vehicle as recited in claim 11, further comprising an actuating procedure comprising the step of: applying a power-means to said location-means whereby said power-means may actuate said retracting process and whereby said power-means may also provide suspensional support to said vehicle. .Iadd.   
     
     
       13.  An apparatus for retracting a wheel of an amphibious vehicle, comprising: a wheel support having an upper end and a lower end, the wheel support supporting the wheel of the amphibious vehicle;   an upper suspension linkage attached at a distal end to the upper end of the wheel support and pivotally attached at a proximal end to the vehicle;   a lower suspension linkage located generally below the upper suspension linkage and attached at a distal end to the lower end of the wheel support and pivotally attached at a proximal end to the vehicle,   wherein the upper and lower suspension linkages are attached to the vehicle so that in a protracted position, an axis of the wheel is generally horizontally oriented and in a retracted position, the axis is oriented above horizontal so that the wheel is retracted substantially above a waterline of the vehicle, wherein the axis of the wheel sweeps an angle which is generally transversely oriented with respect to the vehicle so that displacement of the wheel toward a retracted position causes the axis to move in the direction of a vertical orientation. .Iaddend..Iadd.   
     
     
       14.  The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wheel is connected to one of the group of: a wheel drive apparatus connected to the wheel and arranged to rotationally displace the wheel about the wheel axis, the drive apparatus being pivotally attached to the vehicle and maintaining connection with the wheel while displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions; and   a wheel steering apparatus connected to the wheel and arranged to displace the wheel axis generally horizontally to cause the wheel to steer the vehicle, the wheel steering apparatus being pivotally attached to the vehicle and maintaining connection with the wheel while displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an apparatus for displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the apparatus for displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions further comprises:   an actuating member for applying motion to effect displacement of the wheel between the retracted and protracted position; and   a drive mechanism for applying displacing force to the actuating member.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.17.  The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: a torsion-bar for applying actuating motion to the wheel support in order to displace the wheel support; and   power means for applying torque to the torsion-bar in order to actuate the retracting process. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the torsion-bar and power-means provide suspensional support to the wheel. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein in a retracted position, the axis is oriented at least 45 degrees above horizontal. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wheel further comprises a wheel drive apparatus connected to the wheel and arranged to rotationally displace the wheel about the wheel axis, the drive apparatus being pivotally attached to the vehicle and maintaining connection with the wheel while displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted   
     
     
        positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.21.  The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the wheel drive apparatus further comprises: a drive-axle connected to the wheel at a distal end and pivotally connected to the vehicle at a proximal end; and   a spindle drivably connected between the drive axle and the wheel so that the drive-axle drives the wheel through the spindle. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a wheel steering apparatus connected to the wheel and arranged to displace the wheel axis generally horizontally to cause the wheel to steer the vehicle, the wheel steering apparatus being pivotally attached to the vehicle and maintaining connection with the wheel while displacing the wheel between the retracted   
     
     
        and protracted positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.23.  The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the wheel steering apparatus further comprises: a steering arm attached to the wheel support;   a steering shaft displaced in response to a steering input; and   a steering link interconnecting the steering arm and steering shaft so that displacement of the steering shaft causes corresponding displacement of the steering arm, thereby steerably displacing the wheel support,   wherein the steering arm, shaft, and link are arranged so that when the wheel is in a protracted position, displacement of the steering shaft causes corresponding displacement of the steering arm, thereby steerably displacing the wheel support, and when the wheel is in a retracted position, displacement of the steering shaft does not cause corresponding displacement of the steering arm, thereby canceling the steering input.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.24.  The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: a lower compartment having a sealed inboard end and an open outboard end, said lower compartment being integral with the vehicle body and arranged so as to pivotally support the proximal end of the lower suspension linkage and so as to partially enclose the lower suspension linkage and the drive-axle, the lower compartment having a sealed aperture through with the drive-axle may pass through the closed inboard end while preventing fluids from passing therethrough; and   an upper compartment having a closed inboard end and an open outboard end, the upper compartment being integral with the vehicle body and arranged so as to pivotally support the proximal end of the upper suspension linkage and to partially enclose the wheel when the wheel is in the retracted   
     
     
        position. .Iaddend..Iadd.25.  A method of retracting a wheel onboard an amphibious vehicle comprising the steps of: connecting a wheel support having an upper end and a lower end to the wheel of the amphibious vehicle;   connecting an upper suspension linkage to the wheel support, the upper suspension linkage attached at a distal end to the upper end of the wheel support and pivotally attached at a proximal end to the vehicle;   connecting a lower suspension linkage generally below the upper suspension linkage, the lower suspension linkage attached at a distal end to the lower end of the wheel support and pivotally attached at a proximal end to the vehicle,   connecting the upper and lower suspension linkages to the vehicle so that in a protracted position, an axis of the wheel is generally horizontally oriented and in a retracted position, the axis is oriented above horizontal so that the wheel is retracted substantially above a waterline of the vehicle, wherein the axis of the wheel sweeps an angle which is generally transversely oriented with respect to the vehicle so that displacing the wheel toward a retracted position causes the axis to move   
     
     
        in the direction of a vertical orientation. .Iaddend..Iadd.26.  The method of claim 25 further comprising connecting the wheel to the vehicle using one of the two following steps: connecting a wheel drive apparatus to the wheel, the wheel drive apparatus arranged to rotationally displace the wheel about the wheel axis, the drive apparatus being pivotally attached to the vehicle and maintaining connection with the wheel while displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions; and   connecting a wheel steering apparatus to the wheel, the wheel steering apparatus arranged to displace the wheel axis generally horizontally to cause the wheel to steer the vehicle, the wheel steering apparatus being pivotally attached to the vehicle and maintaining connection with the wheel while displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. The method of claim 26 further comprising providing a system for displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. The method of claim 26 wherein the method of displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions further comprises:   providing an actuating member for applying motion to effect displacement of the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions; and   providing a drive mechanism for applying displacing force to the actuating   
     
     
        member. .Iaddend..Iadd.29.  The method of claim 26 wherein in a retracted position, the axis is at least 45 degrees above horizontal. .Iaddend..Iadd.30. The method of claim 25 further comprising connecting a wheel drive apparatus to the wheel, the wheel drive apparatus arranged to rotationally displace the wheel about the wheel axis, the drive apparatus being pivotally attached to the vehicle and maintaining connection with the wheel while displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. The method of claim 25 further comprising connecting a wheel steering apparatus to the wheel, the wheel steering apparatus arranged to displace the wheel axis generally horizontally to cause the wheel to steer the vehicle, the wheel steering apparatus being pivotally attached to the vehicle and maintaining connection with the wheel while displacing the wheel between the retracted and protracted positions. .Iaddend.