US3601211A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering arrangement for a track-laying vehicle
Assignee: Voith Getriebe KG
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Filing: 1966-12-22
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1986-12-22
Abstract
Abstract Differential transmissions control the differential drives of the endless tracks for a vehicle, and are selectively braked to cause relative speed changes of the differential drives and tracks so that the vehicle turns.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst-Gunter Finke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:12
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D11/00; B62D11/02; B62D11/06; B62D11/10; B62D11/14; B62D11/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
Steering arrangement for a track-laying vehicle comprising, in combination, a main shaft, and first and second drives driven from said main shaft and including first and second output means for driving two endless tracks, said output means including first and second output shafts, said output shafts having parallel axes extending in opposite directions; said drives including first and second steering-gear elements controlling said first and second output means, respectively; rotary control means including a single integral control shaft having an axis parallel with said axes of said output shafts, and forward and reverse transmission means at the ends of said control shaft connected with said first and second steering-gEar elements and connecting the same with said control shaft in such a manner that said first with second output means and said tracks normally move at the same speed for moving the vehicle along a straight path while said forward and reverse transmission means are blocked by said control shaft; drive means; first and second differential control transmissions concentric with said control shaft and being driven by said drive means, said control transmissions including first and second control elements, respectively, which are freely rotatable in opposite directions so that said control transmissions normally do not transmit power to said control shaft; first and second fluid brake means including first and second casings, the first and second rotary brake members in the same, said first and second brake members being, respectively, connected with said first and second control elements and rotated by the same in opposite directions; and valve means for selectively supplying a fluid into said first and second casings for selectively braking said first and second brake members and control elements so that the respective control transmission transmits power to said control shaft and drives the same and said forward and reverse transmissions to operate said first and second steering-gear elements in opposite direction whereby said first and second output means drive said tracks for turning the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
Steering arrangement for a track-laying vehicle comprising, in combination, a main shaft, and first and second drives driven from said main shaft and including first and second output means for driving two endless tracks, said output means including first and second output shafts, said output shafts having parallel axes extending in opposite directions; said drives including first and second steering-gear elements controlling said first and second output means, respectively; rotary control means including a single integral control shaft having an axis parallel with said axes of said output shafts, and forward and reverse transmission means at the ends of said control shaft connected with said first and second steering-gEar elements and connecting the same with said control shaft in such a manner that said first with second output means and said tracks normally move at the same speed for moving the vehicle along a straight path while said forward and reverse transmission means are blocked by said control shaft; drive means; first and second differential control transmissions concentric with said control shaft and being driven by said drive means, said control transmissions including first and second control elements, respectively, which are freely rotatable in opposite directions so that said control transmissions normally do not transmit power to said control shaft; first and second fluid brake means including first and second casings, the first and second rotary brake members in the same, said first and second brake members being, respectively, connected with said first and second control elements and rotated by the same in opposite directions; and valve means for selectively supplying a fluid into said first and second casings for selectively braking said first and second brake members and control elements so that the respective control transmission transmits power to said control shaft and drives the same and said forward and reverse transmissions to operate said first and second steering-gear elements in opposite direction whereby said first and second output means drive said tracks for turning the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
Steering arrangement as claimed in claim wherein said rotary brake members are blade wheels; wherein each casing is stationary and includes stationary blades cooperating with said blade wheel; and wherein each brake means includes cover slide means operable between an inoperative position, and an operative position located between said stationary blades and said blade wheel for preventing air currents when no fluid is in the respective casing; and means for cooling fluid supplied to said casings
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
Steering arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drives are planetary drives having said common axis, each drive including an input transmission member connected with said main shaft, an output transmission member connected with one of said output means, and a third transmission member connected with one of said steering-gear elements; wherein said main shaft is located in a plane of symmetry; wherein said common axis and the axis of said control shaft are perpendicular to said plane; wherein said first and second drives, said forward and reverse transmissions, said control transmissions, and said brake means are disposed symmetrically to said plane of symmetry; wherein said drive means has an axis of rotation located in said plane of symmetry and includes first and second gears rotating in opposite directions; and wherein said first and second control transmissions include first and second input elements connected with said first and second gears, first and second output elements connected with said first and second control elements, and first and second intermediate elements connected with said control shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |