US3893531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrostatic drive means for amphibious vehicle undercarriage
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1974-06-24
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1994-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A crawler-type traction unit for use with amphibious vehicles. A conventional land-based vehicle crawler-type traction unit is adapted for amphibious use including operation at ''''surf zone'''' depth. The chambers in conventional traction units customarily employed for housing steering clutches are employed to house hydraulic motors which are coupled to the conventional drive component. Such chambers are completely sealed and filled with a liquid. Openings through which drive components used in landbased traction units are closed with bellows so that, upon submergence of the unit, the pressure within such chamber is equalized to the ambient water pressure thereby precluding the entry of foreign material, such as water, into the compartment housing the fluid motors and/or drive components.
Inventors
- 👤 James E Gee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:44
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/02; E02B17/021; E02B17/022; B; B60; B60F; B60F3/00; B60F3/0007; B60F3/0015; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/06; B62D55/062; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A crawler-type traction uNit for amphibious vehicles comprising: a pair of generally parallel track frames; a pair of track chains, one for each track frame, trained about an associated track frame for movement therearound; a gear case interconnecting said track frames and having a central chamber flanked by two ''''steering clutch'''' chambers each having openings to said central chamber and to an associated one of said track frames, said ''''steering clutch'''' chambers otherwise being sealed; a pair of hydraulic motors, one in each ''''steering clutch'''' chamber and each having a rotatable output shaft; means establishing a driving connection from each of said hydraulic motors to the track chain on the associated track chain through the opening thereto; means establishing a seal about each of said driving connections for precluding entry of foreign matter therearound into the associated ''''steering clutch'''' chambers; a pair of diaphragm means, one for each ''''steering clutch'''' chamber, sealingly closing the associated opening to said central chamber; and a body of liquid within and filling each ''''steering clutch'''' chamber, whereby pressures external of said ''''steering clutch'''' chambers are transmitted to the interiors thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A crawler-type traction uNit for amphibious vehicles comprising: a pair of generally parallel track frames; a pair of track chains, one for each track frame, trained about an associated track frame for movement therearound; a gear case interconnecting said track frames and having a central chamber flanked by two ''''steering clutch'''' chambers each having openings to said central chamber and to an associated one of said track frames, said ''''steering clutch'''' chambers otherwise being sealed; a pair of hydraulic motors, one in each ''''steering clutch'''' chamber and each having a rotatable output shaft; means establishing a driving connection from each of said hydraulic motors to the track chain on the associated track chain through the opening thereto; means establishing a seal about each of said driving connections for precluding entry of foreign matter therearound into the associated ''''steering clutch'''' chambers; a pair of diaphragm means, one for each ''''steering clutch'''' chamber, sealingly closing the associated opening to said central chamber; and a body of liquid within and filling each ''''steering clutch'''' chamber, whereby pressures external of said ''''steering clutch'''' chambers are transmitted to the interiors thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A crawler-type traction unit according to claim 1 wherein each of said hydraulic motors extends partially through the opening of its associated ''''steering clutch'''' chamber into said central chamber and wherein each of said diaphragm means comprises a bellows located within said central chamber and surrounding the opening thereinto from the associated ''''steering clutch'''' chamber as well as the portion of the associated hydraulic motor extending into the central chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A crawler-type traction unit according to claim 1 wherein each of said driving connection establishing means includes a conventional drive chain drive sprocket, a conventional gear for driving the sprocket, and a conventional pinion in engagement with said gear and further includes a coupling directly interconnecting the rotatable output shaft of the associated motor with said pinion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A traction unit according to claim 1 wherein said hydraulic motors are adapted to be energized independently of each other.
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) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |