Gibbs Technologies Limited

Mathew Roger Pease

Christopher Paul Darby

A planing amphibious vehicle has at least one trim tab at its stern. A vehicle control system includes a mode change controller and a trim tab controller. The mode change controller informs the trim tab controller when a mode change event is taking place. The trim tab controller retracts the trim tabs if the mode change is from marine to land mode; and deploys the tabs if the change is from land mode to marine mode, to assist the vehicle in rising on to the plane. The controller may also retract the tabs if the vehicle reverses; and deploy the tabs if a change is made from reverse to forward motion. The vehicle control system may connect to actuators and sensors for retractable road wheels, which may use hydropneumatic struts. Safeguards against system faults and/or erroneous switch operation are included. Road wheel drive decouples are used; a marine drive decoupler may also be fitted.

Amphibious vehicle

Amphibious vehicle (, FIG.) has at least one rear wheel archwith recessopening at mouthin arch rear surface. The recess contains spray generated by the wheel arch passing over water, channelling spray in a desired direction; preferably underneath the back of the vehicle. At least two such arches and recesses may be fitted on opposing sides of the vehicle. Each recess may be formed in the bottom of the hull; and extend towards the rear of the vehicle. The recess may be tapered rearwardly; and may be substantially semi-circular in a transverse cross-section. A spray rail (, FIG.) may extend around the front of the recess to discourage spray from recirculating into the wheel arch; while the rear edge (, FIG.) of archmay curve smoothly from the recess to the outer bodywork. The vehicle may be a planing vehicle with retractable wheels.

Growing community of inventors

Carmarthenshire, United Kingdom

Mathew Roger Pease