The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 01, 2008
Filed:
May. 21, 2004
Christopher Paul Darby, Styvechale, GB;
Christopher Paul Darby, Styvechale, GB;
Gibbs Technologies Ltd., , GB;
Abstract
Amphibious vehicle (, FIG.) has retractable road wheels (, FIG.). This may allow planing. During marine travel, at least one wheel may droop below the water line. This increases drag, particularly when cornering. Suspension height sensormay be arranged to detect a threshold beyond which the wheel should not be allowed to droop over water, unless mode change is in progress. When this threshold is passed, pumpco-operates with controllerto pump fluid into lower chamberof actuatorto retract the wheel. Switchable valves, andare provided to allow adjustment of fluid chamber volumes. Gas filled accumulatorsmay be provided where a hydraulic suspension is used. Numeralrepresents an adjustable trim tab. FIG.shows an alternative fluid system layout, with valves, andto allow fluid to be returned to tank