CA1187358A - Six-wheel armored vehicle - Google Patents
Six-wheel armored vehicleInfo
- Publication number
- CA1187358A CA1187358A CA000382648A CA382648A CA1187358A CA 1187358 A CA1187358 A CA 1187358A CA 000382648 A CA000382648 A CA 000382648A CA 382648 A CA382648 A CA 382648A CA 1187358 A CA1187358 A CA 1187358A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hull
- engine
- opening
- engine compartment
- air
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
SIX-WHEEL ARMORED VEHICLE
ABSTRACT
A six-wheel armored vehicle has each wheel driven by an engine mounted between the front wheels and to the side of a driver's station disposed in the beveled shaped nose of the vehicle. Terrain in front and to the sides of the vehicle may be viewed by a driver from within the vehicle by a plurality of periscopes. Alternatively, a hatch opening in a forward sloping surface of the nose immediately be-hind the periscopes permits the driver to raise his head out of the vehicle in order to view the terrain.
A fuel storage tank is formed integral with rear portions of the vehicle's hull and comprises a plurality of interconnected fuel cells defined by double wall construction of the hull body. A fresh air inlet and deflector arrangement in the upper horizontal surface of the hull delivers fresh air forwardly to an engine compartment for cooling the engine, and warm air generated by the engine is re-versed in flow direction and exhausted via a conduit through an outlet opening immediately adjacent the fresh air inlet.
ABSTRACT
A six-wheel armored vehicle has each wheel driven by an engine mounted between the front wheels and to the side of a driver's station disposed in the beveled shaped nose of the vehicle. Terrain in front and to the sides of the vehicle may be viewed by a driver from within the vehicle by a plurality of periscopes. Alternatively, a hatch opening in a forward sloping surface of the nose immediately be-hind the periscopes permits the driver to raise his head out of the vehicle in order to view the terrain.
A fuel storage tank is formed integral with rear portions of the vehicle's hull and comprises a plurality of interconnected fuel cells defined by double wall construction of the hull body. A fresh air inlet and deflector arrangement in the upper horizontal surface of the hull delivers fresh air forwardly to an engine compartment for cooling the engine, and warm air generated by the engine is re-versed in flow direction and exhausted via a conduit through an outlet opening immediately adjacent the fresh air inlet.
Description
This invention generally relates -to armored vehicles of the type employed for military or law ~nforcement activities, and deals more particularly with a si~-wheel vehicle having an improved hull construction Armored personnel carriers of the type employing rubber tires, as distinguished from track-laying ~ehicles, have been produced in several countries for many years~
Such vehicles include the "MOWAG" which is manufactured in Switzerland and the "COMM~NDO" which is manufactured by the Cadillac Gage Company in the United States. See "Encyclopedia of ~rmored Cars and ~alf-Tracks", published by Chartwell Books, Inc. of Secaucus, New Jersey, pages 120 and 130. ~ne such carrier is a four-wheel vehicle having a unitized hull constructed of light, high-hardness steel and ~isplacing sufficient volume to float. Driven by its own cleated tires, the vehicle is capable of maneuvering in lakes and streams at low speeds. The engine is located to the rear of the hull and gas tanks and other equipment are located near the front.
Six-wheel type armored vehicles, also currently manufactured in several countriesj are advantageous in that an extra set of wheels disposed intermediate the front and rear wheels provide added traction, added stability and maneuverability in driving over uneven terrain and obstacles.
Previous six-wheel type armored vehicles suf*er from one or more disadvantages however. For example, the extra set of wheels disposed between the front and xear wheels complicates the task of laying out the in-terior of the hull.
The engine must be placed at a location which provides optimum height distribution on the wheels, however, the choice of engine placement is severely limited by the overall hull design and the necessity for locating the driver in an optimum driving position, as well as the need for accommodating power plant items such as fuel tanks, cooling systems and drive trains. In the past, these objectives have been achieved only at the expense of reducing the amount of usable interior space within the hull which is devoted to transporting personnel and -their equipmen-t.
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3C~3 The present inven-tion resides in a coolin~ system for an armored vehicle having an armored hull and an engine compartment within the hull for housing an engine, the system including a fresh air inlet opening in -the hull through which fresh air may enter the hull and a warm air outlet opening in said hull through which warm air may exit from the hull. The inlet and outlet openings are longitudinally spaced from the engine compartment and are disposed rearw~rd of the engine compartment. First means is provided for delivering fresh air from the inlet opening to the engine compartment and includes means for deflecting fresh air passlng through the fresh air inlet opening in a forward direction. Second means is provided for delivering warm air from the engine compartment to the outlet opening.
The inlet and outlet openings may be disposed on the same side of a transverse reference axis extending through the engine compartment.
More specifically, there may be provided an exhaust air conduit extending longitudinally within the hull and extending rearwardly from the front end of the hull and communicating with the engine compartment for delivering warm exhaust air from the engine compartment to the s~arm air outlet opening.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an armored vehicle having an improved hull construction which yields a maximum volume of usable interior space while providing for optimum placement of the sb/)~
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engine and driver's station.
Another objec-t of the present invention is to provide a veh.icle as described above in which the engine is located.near the ront of the hull, but yet is p.rovided with.engine cooling air inlets and air exhausts in the ~op of the hull and behind the engine.
These and fur-ther objects of th.e invention will be made clear or will become apparent during the course of the following description.
Description_of the Drawings In the dra~ings, ~hich. form an integral part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith~ and in which like components are designated by identical re~erence numerals in the various views:
FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of the six-wheel armored vehicle w~ich forms the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the vehicle of FIGURE 1, parts of the hull being broken away to reveal the interior thereof;
FIGURE 3 i~ a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIGUR~ 2;
EIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view of the vehicle shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the vehicle of FIGURE 1, certain wheel and suspension components thereof having been removed for purposes of clarity;
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j ~ ., FIGURE 3 is a fragmen~ary, perspective view of certain components of the suspension system for the rear wheels of the vehicle shown in FIGURE 1, the remaining components having been removed;
FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the suspension system for one of the front wheels of ~he vehicle s~o~n in FIGURE l; and, FIGUR~ 11 is a sectional ~iew taken along the line 11-11 in FIGURE 2.
Best Mode ~or Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the drawings, a s~immablé six~
wheel armored vehicle, generally designated by the nl~meral 10, includes a vehicle hull 12 defined by a pair of laterally spaced sides 14, a front end 16, a rear end 18, a hori~ontally extending top 22, and a bottom 20 joined together to form an enclosed in-terior space. The hull 12 is preferably formed of high hardness al~or plates joined together by ~-elding.
Ballistic prc)tection is providecl by designing the hull 12 to present an oblique surface to small arms ~ire from nea ly all directions, such obliquity being effective ~o ~reatly enhance the effective penetration resistance of the armor plate in all c itical areas.
Such vehicles include the "MOWAG" which is manufactured in Switzerland and the "COMM~NDO" which is manufactured by the Cadillac Gage Company in the United States. See "Encyclopedia of ~rmored Cars and ~alf-Tracks", published by Chartwell Books, Inc. of Secaucus, New Jersey, pages 120 and 130. ~ne such carrier is a four-wheel vehicle having a unitized hull constructed of light, high-hardness steel and ~isplacing sufficient volume to float. Driven by its own cleated tires, the vehicle is capable of maneuvering in lakes and streams at low speeds. The engine is located to the rear of the hull and gas tanks and other equipment are located near the front.
Six-wheel type armored vehicles, also currently manufactured in several countriesj are advantageous in that an extra set of wheels disposed intermediate the front and rear wheels provide added traction, added stability and maneuverability in driving over uneven terrain and obstacles.
Previous six-wheel type armored vehicles suf*er from one or more disadvantages however. For example, the extra set of wheels disposed between the front and xear wheels complicates the task of laying out the in-terior of the hull.
The engine must be placed at a location which provides optimum height distribution on the wheels, however, the choice of engine placement is severely limited by the overall hull design and the necessity for locating the driver in an optimum driving position, as well as the need for accommodating power plant items such as fuel tanks, cooling systems and drive trains. In the past, these objectives have been achieved only at the expense of reducing the amount of usable interior space within the hull which is devoted to transporting personnel and -their equipmen-t.
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3C~3 The present inven-tion resides in a coolin~ system for an armored vehicle having an armored hull and an engine compartment within the hull for housing an engine, the system including a fresh air inlet opening in -the hull through which fresh air may enter the hull and a warm air outlet opening in said hull through which warm air may exit from the hull. The inlet and outlet openings are longitudinally spaced from the engine compartment and are disposed rearw~rd of the engine compartment. First means is provided for delivering fresh air from the inlet opening to the engine compartment and includes means for deflecting fresh air passlng through the fresh air inlet opening in a forward direction. Second means is provided for delivering warm air from the engine compartment to the outlet opening.
The inlet and outlet openings may be disposed on the same side of a transverse reference axis extending through the engine compartment.
More specifically, there may be provided an exhaust air conduit extending longitudinally within the hull and extending rearwardly from the front end of the hull and communicating with the engine compartment for delivering warm exhaust air from the engine compartment to the s~arm air outlet opening.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an armored vehicle having an improved hull construction which yields a maximum volume of usable interior space while providing for optimum placement of the sb/)~
70'3~
engine and driver's station.
Another objec-t of the present invention is to provide a veh.icle as described above in which the engine is located.near the ront of the hull, but yet is p.rovided with.engine cooling air inlets and air exhausts in the ~op of the hull and behind the engine.
These and fur-ther objects of th.e invention will be made clear or will become apparent during the course of the following description.
Description_of the Drawings In the dra~ings, ~hich. form an integral part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith~ and in which like components are designated by identical re~erence numerals in the various views:
FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of the six-wheel armored vehicle w~ich forms the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the vehicle of FIGURE 1, parts of the hull being broken away to reveal the interior thereof;
FIGURE 3 i~ a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIGUR~ 2;
EIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view of the vehicle shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the vehicle of FIGURE 1, certain wheel and suspension components thereof having been removed for purposes of clarity;
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j ~ ., FIGURE 3 is a fragmen~ary, perspective view of certain components of the suspension system for the rear wheels of the vehicle shown in FIGURE 1, the remaining components having been removed;
FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the suspension system for one of the front wheels of ~he vehicle s~o~n in FIGURE l; and, FIGUR~ 11 is a sectional ~iew taken along the line 11-11 in FIGURE 2.
Best Mode ~or Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the drawings, a s~immablé six~
wheel armored vehicle, generally designated by the nl~meral 10, includes a vehicle hull 12 defined by a pair of laterally spaced sides 14, a front end 16, a rear end 18, a hori~ontally extending top 22, and a bottom 20 joined together to form an enclosed in-terior space. The hull 12 is preferably formed of high hardness al~or plates joined together by ~-elding.
Ballistic prc)tection is providecl by designing the hull 12 to present an oblique surface to small arms ~ire from nea ly all directions, such obliquity being effective ~o ~reatly enhance the effective penetration resistance of the armor plate in all c itical areas.
2~ Each lateral side 14 includes an upper sloping surface 24 and a lower slopiny surface 26 joined together along 2 marginal edge 28. Upper sloping surface 24 is prov.ided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced vi~wing ports 44j each con-taining a window of thick ~allis-tic resistant glass, a plurality of closable weapon apertures or "pistol ports" 46, and sh elded vents 4R. Ports 46 and vents ' ' , . ' , ', ' ,, ~ . ' , . .
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(~. . 3 ~3 48 are preferably above the expected water line during swimming operations. The lower sloping sides 26 are interrupted at the belt line 28 to define front and rear wheel wells 42. As best shown in FIGUR~ 2, the vertical surfaces of the front wheel well interiors are inwardly sloping to allow cleaxance for the turn-ing wheels whexeas the rear well interiors are sub-stantially flat. All other surfaces of lower sides 26 are substantially inwardly sloped for ballistic resistance and protection of the occupants of the vehicle.
As indicated previously, the top 22 of the hull 12 is flat and extends essentially horizontal.
Although forming no part of the present invention, a gun turret 22 may be mounted on a rot2table turret base 23 on the top 22 if desired. As will be under-stood by those skilled in the art, a basket depends from the turret into the central portion of hull 120 The front 16 of the hull 12 includes a unique beveled nose defined by a long upper sloping surface 36 and a lower sloping surface 38, both of which are g~lite oblique to a vertical plane; i.e., surface 3fi is about ~0 from vertical and surface 38 is about 45 from vertical. The front end 16 further includes a ~5 pair of inwardly tapering sides defined by an upper, triangularly shaped sloping surface 30 and a lower sloping surface 32 joined along welded joint 34.
This extreme wedge shape for the nose of vehicle 10 creates several advantages. First, outstanding bal-listic protection to ground level small al~s fire,especially in the area of the driver. Second, the ability for the vehicle to "cam" itself over verti-cal obstacles such as dirt ban~s and walls. Third, a streamlined shape for improved speed due to reduced ~y l~L8 ~3~
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drag in both air and water. Fourth, improved steering capability in water due to the exposure of front wheels which can act as rudders or deflectors.
A pair of transversely spaced, protectively enclosed headlight assemblies 92 are secured to the forward of sloping surface 36. The front end 16 is further provided with a driver's hatch 86 in one upper corner of the sloping surface 36.
As best seen in ~IGURES 7 and 8, the reax end 18 of the hull 12 slopes downwardly and forwardly to form an overhang, and includes a door opening 40 which may be closed by a hinged, douhle panel door (not shown) mounted on hull 12. Rear portions of the lateral sides 14 and bottom 20 defining the door opening 40 are of a double wall construction and include an outer, armored wall 50, and an inner wall 52 spaced from the outer wall 50 to define a plurality of fuel storage cells 54, 56 and 58 respectively disposed in the lateral sides 14 and bottom 20 of the hull 12. The fuel storage cells 54, 56 and 58 are interconnected with each o-ther and with a later discussed enqine 78 via a fuel delivery line (not shown). Cells 54, 56 and 58 may be lined if desired.
As shown in FIGURE 2, the vehicle 10 includes an engine 78 disposed forward of the longitudinal mid-point of the hull 12 and to one side of the longitudinal center line of the hull 12, between the front wheel assemblies 96.- Engine 78 has an output shaft coupled through a conventional transmission to ~ transfer case 80. Transfer case 80 is coupled via an enclosed drive shaft 136 to a mid-axle differential 134 of the "drive-through" type, which in turn is coupled by a drive shaft 130 surrounded by a housing 132 to another dif--ferential 128. Rach of the differentials 128 and 134 . ' ; ' ' " ' ' ,' , ~ ''' , '; ' -' ; ' '-' ' ' ' ' _ '~ . ' . 5 . . .~' ', : ~. ' , ' . ' ' ! . ; ' . . ' . : .
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have a drive o~ ut connected by U~joints 129 to drive axles (not shown) enclosed within protective sleeves 118. Tt~nsfer case 80 a:Lso has an output shaft connected with a forward differential 116 for driving Eront wheel assemblies 96. Means for selec-tively disenyagit~g the front axle drive and the rear axle drive may bs~ provided as desired.
Engine 78 is substantially totally within the low, slopin~ nose area, leaving the large volume of the hull for other uses. The engine area may be partitioned fro~ the driver's station 86 and other interior areas o~ the hull 12, if desired, to form a segregated engine compartmer.t. A system for cooling the engine 12 includes a heat exchanging radiator 76 of the conventi-nal design and an air circulation system which comprises a fresh air inlet opening 60 in the top 20 of the hull 12, a warm air exhaust opening 62 in the top 20 laterally adjacent opening 60 and conduit 70 which communicates with warm air e~laust opening 62 and extends longitudinally forward to, and co~nur.icates with, an exhaust air reversing ch,lmber 94 defined within the front end 16. Chamber 9~ is disposed immediately forward of engine 78.
Radiator 76 is mounted in an attitude inclinea from the hori~ontal and Lmmedlately beneath fresh air in-let opening 60 and behind engine 12. Thus, cool out-side air flowing through inlet op~ning 60 passes through radiator 76 and forwardly past the engine 78 into chamber 94 as a result of a partial vacuum (negative pressure~ created in the engine compart~ent by fan 93. Ch~nber 94 allows the warm exhaust air to turn 180 for delivery rearwardly through exhaust air conduit 70 to the exhaust opening 6~.
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~ xhaus~. air conduit 70 is formed integral with one lateral side 14 of the hu11-12. More parti cularly, exhaust air conduit 70 is formed by the interior surface of the upper sloping surface 24, an inner wall 72 s~aced from sloping surface 24, a longi-tudinally extending bottom wall 74 and the upper slop-ing surface 36 cf the front end 16. A rectangularlY
shapedj louvere~ grill 64 having a longitudinally extend-ing partition 6~ is secured to the top 20 in overlaying relationship to the openings 60 and 62. Grill 64 in-cludes a first ~,lu~ality of longitudinally extendingj generally L-shaped, spaced deflection mernbers 66 dis-posed over the exhaust opening 62 in order to direct warm exhaust air laterally away from inlet opening 60 lS as such air emanates from the top 20 of the hull 12.
The grill 64 further includes another set of trans-versely extending, parallel, L-shaped deflection mem bers 68 on the inward side of partition 65 which are disposed in overlying relationship to the fresh air opening 60. Deflection members 68 are oriented in a manner to act as scoops for drawing fresh air flo~Jing over the top 20 of the hull 12 into the fresh air opening 60 for delivery past the radiator 76 and en~
gine 78. Bo-th sets of deflection mernbers 66 and 68 are constructed of ballistic resistant material and are appropriately spaced apart so as to deflect bal-listic projectiles directed toward the corresponding inlet and outlet openings 60 and 62 respectively, thereby preventing ballistic penetration.
Assuming that the engine compar~nent is partitioned off frorn the rernaining interior of the ~ehicle, a hatch (not shown) may be installed in a partition wall of the engine cornpartment to place the engine compartrnent in air flow communication with the ,.
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remaining area o the vehicle interior. In the event that the vehicle interior becomes filled with smo~e or gas, opening of the hatch will result in smo~e or gas being drawn out of the vehicle by the negative pressure effec~ o~ the engine ventilation system.
As sho~m in FIGURE 5, a driver 90 positioned at the driver's station 86 may view the terrain forward and to the immediate sides o~ the vehicle 10 fro~ a protec~ive position within the hull 12 using any of the periscope viewing devices 82 which are positioned to provide peripheral as well as forward viewing. As indicated previously, the driver may also gain a view of the terrain immediately ahead by raising his head through the hatch opening 84 after opening the hatch door 86 which is pivotally connected to the upper sloping surface 36. A two-position (high-low) seat mounted is used for this purpose.
The vehicle 10 includes two pairs of spaced rear wheel assemblies 98 each positioned to the xear of the engine 78 and driver's station 86. Each of the wheel assemDlies 98 includes a self-cleaning, run-flat tire g9 carried on a hub 100 driven by axles (not shown) connected to the previously mentioned U-joints 129. Each of the axle sleeves 118 is carried by one end of a trailing swing arm 120, the opposite end o~
swing arm 120 being pivotally connected to the hull 12 at a location forward of the corresponding ax~e.
A stabili~er 122 has the opposite extremeties thereof pivotally connected to a swing arm 120 and the hull 12. A shock absorber 124 has a suspension spring 126 sleeved therearound and has the opposite extremitie~
thereof respectively pivotally connected to the hull 12 and swing arm 120. As best seen in FIGURES 8 and 9, the hull 12 includes a transversely extending clearance , .
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area 127 thereir to allow pivotal motion of the wheel axles on the cor~esponding wheel assemblies 98 within the wheel wells ~2, as is diagra~matically shown ln YIGURE 6.
The v~hicle 10 is further provided with a pair of driven, steerable front wheel assemblies 96, each comprising a self-cleaning, run-flat type tire 101 removably sccured to a rotatable wheel hub 100.
Wheel hub 100 is mounted on a conventional steering knuckle (not shown), with the steering knuckles ~f each wheel assembly 96 being connected by a tie rod 102 which is contlolled by steering wheel 90 at the driver's stat on 86. Each of the wheel hubs 100 is further connected by universal joints (not shown) and drive axles (not shown) to the differential 116.
The front wheel assemblies 96 are rotatably mounted on one end of swiny arms 104, the opposite end of swing arms 104 being connected or swinging movement to the hull 12 by pivotal connection 106. A stabilizer 2d member 108 has the opposite ends thereo_ respectively pivotally connected to a wheel assembly 96 and the hull 12. An extensible type shock absorber llC and suspen-sion spring 112 each extend perpendicularly between the hull 12 and wheel assembly 96 and have the oppo-site ends thereof respectively connected to hull 12and wheel assembly 96. In contrast, shoc~ absorbers 124 and suspension sprinqs 126 associa-ted with rear wheel asse~nblies 9~ extend obliquely from the cor-responding wheel assemblies in a direction toward the front end 16 of the vehicle 10.
. The hull design of the vehicle 10 provides highly efficient utilization of interior space and is therefore well adapted for use in mani~ military and law enforcement applications. For e~am~le, the broad .. , - ., v~, _ .. .
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C ll expanses of uninterrupted space within the hull 12 permits the vehicle to be used as a command station or for transpo~ting troops. In contrast to many prior types of armored vehicles in which cool air intakes are disposed in ~-hc front of the vehicle, similar to conventional automobiles, the cool air intake, as well as the warm air !xhaust for the engine coolin~ system, is disposed to t~e rear of the front end and in a hori-zontal top surfa e of the vehicle; in this manner, debris, mud, water, etc. directed toward the front of the vehicle are not apt to enter either of the cooling system openings. Moreover, openings are not present in the front or side of the vehicle which make the hull highly vulnerable to ballistic penetration. The fuel storage cells fGrmed integral with the double-walled hull at the rear end of 'he vehicle not only provide for effective space utilization but isolate the fuel from the engine and from the front of the vehicle which is most apt to receive ballistic fire.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that -the six-wheel armored vehicle described above not only provides for the reliable accomplishment of the objects of the invention, but does so in a particularly effec-tive and reliable manner. It is recognized, of course, that those skilled in the art may make various modifi-cations or additions to the preferred embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention without departing Erom the spirit and scope of the present contribution to the art.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the protection sought and to be afforded hereby should be deemed to e~
tend tG the subject matter claimed and all equivalents thereof fairly within the scopa of the invention.
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(~. . 3 ~3 48 are preferably above the expected water line during swimming operations. The lower sloping sides 26 are interrupted at the belt line 28 to define front and rear wheel wells 42. As best shown in FIGUR~ 2, the vertical surfaces of the front wheel well interiors are inwardly sloping to allow cleaxance for the turn-ing wheels whexeas the rear well interiors are sub-stantially flat. All other surfaces of lower sides 26 are substantially inwardly sloped for ballistic resistance and protection of the occupants of the vehicle.
As indicated previously, the top 22 of the hull 12 is flat and extends essentially horizontal.
Although forming no part of the present invention, a gun turret 22 may be mounted on a rot2table turret base 23 on the top 22 if desired. As will be under-stood by those skilled in the art, a basket depends from the turret into the central portion of hull 120 The front 16 of the hull 12 includes a unique beveled nose defined by a long upper sloping surface 36 and a lower sloping surface 38, both of which are g~lite oblique to a vertical plane; i.e., surface 3fi is about ~0 from vertical and surface 38 is about 45 from vertical. The front end 16 further includes a ~5 pair of inwardly tapering sides defined by an upper, triangularly shaped sloping surface 30 and a lower sloping surface 32 joined along welded joint 34.
This extreme wedge shape for the nose of vehicle 10 creates several advantages. First, outstanding bal-listic protection to ground level small al~s fire,especially in the area of the driver. Second, the ability for the vehicle to "cam" itself over verti-cal obstacles such as dirt ban~s and walls. Third, a streamlined shape for improved speed due to reduced ~y l~L8 ~3~
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drag in both air and water. Fourth, improved steering capability in water due to the exposure of front wheels which can act as rudders or deflectors.
A pair of transversely spaced, protectively enclosed headlight assemblies 92 are secured to the forward of sloping surface 36. The front end 16 is further provided with a driver's hatch 86 in one upper corner of the sloping surface 36.
As best seen in ~IGURES 7 and 8, the reax end 18 of the hull 12 slopes downwardly and forwardly to form an overhang, and includes a door opening 40 which may be closed by a hinged, douhle panel door (not shown) mounted on hull 12. Rear portions of the lateral sides 14 and bottom 20 defining the door opening 40 are of a double wall construction and include an outer, armored wall 50, and an inner wall 52 spaced from the outer wall 50 to define a plurality of fuel storage cells 54, 56 and 58 respectively disposed in the lateral sides 14 and bottom 20 of the hull 12. The fuel storage cells 54, 56 and 58 are interconnected with each o-ther and with a later discussed enqine 78 via a fuel delivery line (not shown). Cells 54, 56 and 58 may be lined if desired.
As shown in FIGURE 2, the vehicle 10 includes an engine 78 disposed forward of the longitudinal mid-point of the hull 12 and to one side of the longitudinal center line of the hull 12, between the front wheel assemblies 96.- Engine 78 has an output shaft coupled through a conventional transmission to ~ transfer case 80. Transfer case 80 is coupled via an enclosed drive shaft 136 to a mid-axle differential 134 of the "drive-through" type, which in turn is coupled by a drive shaft 130 surrounded by a housing 132 to another dif--ferential 128. Rach of the differentials 128 and 134 . ' ; ' ' " ' ' ,' , ~ ''' , '; ' -' ; ' '-' ' ' ' ' _ '~ . ' . 5 . . .~' ', : ~. ' , ' . ' ' ! . ; ' . . ' . : .
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have a drive o~ ut connected by U~joints 129 to drive axles (not shown) enclosed within protective sleeves 118. Tt~nsfer case 80 a:Lso has an output shaft connected with a forward differential 116 for driving Eront wheel assemblies 96. Means for selec-tively disenyagit~g the front axle drive and the rear axle drive may bs~ provided as desired.
Engine 78 is substantially totally within the low, slopin~ nose area, leaving the large volume of the hull for other uses. The engine area may be partitioned fro~ the driver's station 86 and other interior areas o~ the hull 12, if desired, to form a segregated engine compartmer.t. A system for cooling the engine 12 includes a heat exchanging radiator 76 of the conventi-nal design and an air circulation system which comprises a fresh air inlet opening 60 in the top 20 of the hull 12, a warm air exhaust opening 62 in the top 20 laterally adjacent opening 60 and conduit 70 which communicates with warm air e~laust opening 62 and extends longitudinally forward to, and co~nur.icates with, an exhaust air reversing ch,lmber 94 defined within the front end 16. Chamber 9~ is disposed immediately forward of engine 78.
Radiator 76 is mounted in an attitude inclinea from the hori~ontal and Lmmedlately beneath fresh air in-let opening 60 and behind engine 12. Thus, cool out-side air flowing through inlet op~ning 60 passes through radiator 76 and forwardly past the engine 78 into chamber 94 as a result of a partial vacuum (negative pressure~ created in the engine compart~ent by fan 93. Ch~nber 94 allows the warm exhaust air to turn 180 for delivery rearwardly through exhaust air conduit 70 to the exhaust opening 6~.
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~ xhaus~. air conduit 70 is formed integral with one lateral side 14 of the hu11-12. More parti cularly, exhaust air conduit 70 is formed by the interior surface of the upper sloping surface 24, an inner wall 72 s~aced from sloping surface 24, a longi-tudinally extending bottom wall 74 and the upper slop-ing surface 36 cf the front end 16. A rectangularlY
shapedj louvere~ grill 64 having a longitudinally extend-ing partition 6~ is secured to the top 20 in overlaying relationship to the openings 60 and 62. Grill 64 in-cludes a first ~,lu~ality of longitudinally extendingj generally L-shaped, spaced deflection mernbers 66 dis-posed over the exhaust opening 62 in order to direct warm exhaust air laterally away from inlet opening 60 lS as such air emanates from the top 20 of the hull 12.
The grill 64 further includes another set of trans-versely extending, parallel, L-shaped deflection mem bers 68 on the inward side of partition 65 which are disposed in overlying relationship to the fresh air opening 60. Deflection members 68 are oriented in a manner to act as scoops for drawing fresh air flo~Jing over the top 20 of the hull 12 into the fresh air opening 60 for delivery past the radiator 76 and en~
gine 78. Bo-th sets of deflection mernbers 66 and 68 are constructed of ballistic resistant material and are appropriately spaced apart so as to deflect bal-listic projectiles directed toward the corresponding inlet and outlet openings 60 and 62 respectively, thereby preventing ballistic penetration.
Assuming that the engine compar~nent is partitioned off frorn the rernaining interior of the ~ehicle, a hatch (not shown) may be installed in a partition wall of the engine cornpartment to place the engine compartrnent in air flow communication with the ,.
~ c~
remaining area o the vehicle interior. In the event that the vehicle interior becomes filled with smo~e or gas, opening of the hatch will result in smo~e or gas being drawn out of the vehicle by the negative pressure effec~ o~ the engine ventilation system.
As sho~m in FIGURE 5, a driver 90 positioned at the driver's station 86 may view the terrain forward and to the immediate sides o~ the vehicle 10 fro~ a protec~ive position within the hull 12 using any of the periscope viewing devices 82 which are positioned to provide peripheral as well as forward viewing. As indicated previously, the driver may also gain a view of the terrain immediately ahead by raising his head through the hatch opening 84 after opening the hatch door 86 which is pivotally connected to the upper sloping surface 36. A two-position (high-low) seat mounted is used for this purpose.
The vehicle 10 includes two pairs of spaced rear wheel assemblies 98 each positioned to the xear of the engine 78 and driver's station 86. Each of the wheel assemDlies 98 includes a self-cleaning, run-flat tire g9 carried on a hub 100 driven by axles (not shown) connected to the previously mentioned U-joints 129. Each of the axle sleeves 118 is carried by one end of a trailing swing arm 120, the opposite end o~
swing arm 120 being pivotally connected to the hull 12 at a location forward of the corresponding ax~e.
A stabili~er 122 has the opposite extremeties thereof pivotally connected to a swing arm 120 and the hull 12. A shock absorber 124 has a suspension spring 126 sleeved therearound and has the opposite extremitie~
thereof respectively pivotally connected to the hull 12 and swing arm 120. As best seen in FIGURES 8 and 9, the hull 12 includes a transversely extending clearance , .
` :: - ?
~ 73~j~
.. . ... . . . . ...
~ ? . .
area 127 thereir to allow pivotal motion of the wheel axles on the cor~esponding wheel assemblies 98 within the wheel wells ~2, as is diagra~matically shown ln YIGURE 6.
The v~hicle 10 is further provided with a pair of driven, steerable front wheel assemblies 96, each comprising a self-cleaning, run-flat type tire 101 removably sccured to a rotatable wheel hub 100.
Wheel hub 100 is mounted on a conventional steering knuckle (not shown), with the steering knuckles ~f each wheel assembly 96 being connected by a tie rod 102 which is contlolled by steering wheel 90 at the driver's stat on 86. Each of the wheel hubs 100 is further connected by universal joints (not shown) and drive axles (not shown) to the differential 116.
The front wheel assemblies 96 are rotatably mounted on one end of swiny arms 104, the opposite end of swing arms 104 being connected or swinging movement to the hull 12 by pivotal connection 106. A stabilizer 2d member 108 has the opposite ends thereo_ respectively pivotally connected to a wheel assembly 96 and the hull 12. An extensible type shock absorber llC and suspen-sion spring 112 each extend perpendicularly between the hull 12 and wheel assembly 96 and have the oppo-site ends thereof respectively connected to hull 12and wheel assembly 96. In contrast, shoc~ absorbers 124 and suspension sprinqs 126 associa-ted with rear wheel asse~nblies 9~ extend obliquely from the cor-responding wheel assemblies in a direction toward the front end 16 of the vehicle 10.
. The hull design of the vehicle 10 provides highly efficient utilization of interior space and is therefore well adapted for use in mani~ military and law enforcement applications. For e~am~le, the broad .. , - ., v~, _ .. .
- .. .. . .
.
: - . , .. _ ..._ ..
.. . ... . .. . ...
~ 73~
O
C ll expanses of uninterrupted space within the hull 12 permits the vehicle to be used as a command station or for transpo~ting troops. In contrast to many prior types of armored vehicles in which cool air intakes are disposed in ~-hc front of the vehicle, similar to conventional automobiles, the cool air intake, as well as the warm air !xhaust for the engine coolin~ system, is disposed to t~e rear of the front end and in a hori-zontal top surfa e of the vehicle; in this manner, debris, mud, water, etc. directed toward the front of the vehicle are not apt to enter either of the cooling system openings. Moreover, openings are not present in the front or side of the vehicle which make the hull highly vulnerable to ballistic penetration. The fuel storage cells fGrmed integral with the double-walled hull at the rear end of 'he vehicle not only provide for effective space utilization but isolate the fuel from the engine and from the front of the vehicle which is most apt to receive ballistic fire.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that -the six-wheel armored vehicle described above not only provides for the reliable accomplishment of the objects of the invention, but does so in a particularly effec-tive and reliable manner. It is recognized, of course, that those skilled in the art may make various modifi-cations or additions to the preferred embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention without departing Erom the spirit and scope of the present contribution to the art.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the protection sought and to be afforded hereby should be deemed to e~
tend tG the subject matter claimed and all equivalents thereof fairly within the scopa of the invention.
' ~ - ' ' ` '. " '' . ~ ' ': -'
Claims (18)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An armored vehicle comprising:
an armored vehicle hull having a front end, a rear end, lateral sides and a top defining an enclosed interior space including an engine compartment;
wheel means for supporting said hull;
an engine mounted within said interior space of said hull and drivingly connected with said wheel means for powering said vehicle; and means for cooling said engine comprising:
(1) a first opening in said hull through which fresh air may be received for cooling said engine, (2) first means associated with said first opening in said hull for deflecting fresh air passing through said first opening in a forward direction toward the front end of the hull and toward said engine compartment, (3) a second opening in said hull communicating with said engine compartment through which warm air may be exhausted from said engine compartment, (4) an exhaust air conduit extending longitudinally within said hull and extending rearwardly from said front end of said hull and communicating with said engine compartment for delivering warm exhaust air from said engine compartment to said second opening.
an armored vehicle hull having a front end, a rear end, lateral sides and a top defining an enclosed interior space including an engine compartment;
wheel means for supporting said hull;
an engine mounted within said interior space of said hull and drivingly connected with said wheel means for powering said vehicle; and means for cooling said engine comprising:
(1) a first opening in said hull through which fresh air may be received for cooling said engine, (2) first means associated with said first opening in said hull for deflecting fresh air passing through said first opening in a forward direction toward the front end of the hull and toward said engine compartment, (3) a second opening in said hull communicating with said engine compartment through which warm air may be exhausted from said engine compartment, (4) an exhaust air conduit extending longitudinally within said hull and extending rearwardly from said front end of said hull and communicating with said engine compartment for delivering warm exhaust air from said engine compartment to said second opening.
2. The armored vehicle of Claim 1, wherein said first and second openings are laterally adjacent each other and said cooling means further includes second means associated with said second opening in said hull for deflecting warm air exhausted through said second opening laterally away from said first opening.
3. The armored vehicle of Claim 1, wherein said first and second deflecting means comprise a grill having a first and second plurality of spaced apart, deflecting elements, the deflecting elements of said first plurality thereof extending in a direction transverse to the direction of said second plurality thereof.
4. The armored vehicle of Claim 3, wherein each of said deflecting elements of said first and second plurality thereof are generally L-shaped in cross section.
5. The armored vehicle of Claim 1, wherein:
said cooling means includes a heat exchanger coupled with said engine for dissipating heat generated by said engine, said heat exchanger being disposed rearwardly of said engine and beneath said first opening in said hull, said engine is disposed on one side of said vehicle, and said first opening in said hull is disposed in said top of said hull.
said cooling means includes a heat exchanger coupled with said engine for dissipating heat generated by said engine, said heat exchanger being disposed rearwardly of said engine and beneath said first opening in said hull, said engine is disposed on one side of said vehicle, and said first opening in said hull is disposed in said top of said hull.
6. The armored vehicle of Claim 1, wherein said exhaust air conduit comprises a pair of spaced apart walls, one of said walls forming one of said lateral sides of said hull.
7. The armored vehicle of Claim 1, wherein said first and second openings in said hull are disposed in said top of said hull and said cooling means further includes an exhaust air chamber in said front of said hull communicating with said exhaust air conduit and said engine compartment for reversing the direction of warm exhaust air flowing away from said engine.
8. A cooling system for an armored vehicle having an armored hull and an engine compartment within said hull for housing an engine, comprising:
a fresh air inlet opening in said hull through which fresh air may enter said hull;
a warm air outlet opening in said hull through which warm air may exit from said hull, said inlet and outlet opening being longitudinally spaced from said engine compartment and disposed on the same side of a transverse reference axis extending through said engine compartment, said inlet and outlet openings being disposed rearward of said engine compartment;
first means for delivering fresh air from said inlet opening to said engine compartment including means for deflecting fresh air passing through said fresh air inlet opening in a forward direction; and second means for delivering warm air from the engine compartment to said outlet opening.
a fresh air inlet opening in said hull through which fresh air may enter said hull;
a warm air outlet opening in said hull through which warm air may exit from said hull, said inlet and outlet opening being longitudinally spaced from said engine compartment and disposed on the same side of a transverse reference axis extending through said engine compartment, said inlet and outlet openings being disposed rearward of said engine compartment;
first means for delivering fresh air from said inlet opening to said engine compartment including means for deflecting fresh air passing through said fresh air inlet opening in a forward direction; and second means for delivering warm air from the engine compartment to said outlet opening.
9. The cooling system of Claim 8, wherein said second delivering means includes an air chamber forward of said engine compartment wherein the direction of the flow of air exiting from said engine compartment may be reversed and a longitudinally extending air conduit between said engine compartment and one side of said hull, said air conduit communicatively coupling said air chamber and said outlet opening.
10. An armored vehicle comprising:
an armored vehicle hull having a front end, a rear end, lateral sides and a top defining an enclosed interior space including an engine compartment;
wheel means for supporting said hull;
an engine mounted within said interior space of said hull and drivingly connected with said wheel means for powering said vehicle; and means for cooling said engine comprising:
(1) a first opening in said hull through which fresh air may be received for cooling said engine, (2) a second opening in said hull communicating with said engine compartment, (3) an exhaust air conduit extending longitudinally within said hull for delivering warm exhaust air from said engine compartment to said second opening, and (4) means for directing said fresh air received through said first opening forwardly through said engine compartment.
an armored vehicle hull having a front end, a rear end, lateral sides and a top defining an enclosed interior space including an engine compartment;
wheel means for supporting said hull;
an engine mounted within said interior space of said hull and drivingly connected with said wheel means for powering said vehicle; and means for cooling said engine comprising:
(1) a first opening in said hull through which fresh air may be received for cooling said engine, (2) a second opening in said hull communicating with said engine compartment, (3) an exhaust air conduit extending longitudinally within said hull for delivering warm exhaust air from said engine compartment to said second opening, and (4) means for directing said fresh air received through said first opening forwardly through said engine compartment.
11. The armored vehicle of Claim 10, wherein said exhaust air conduit extends rearwardly from said front end of said hull to said second opening, and said directing means includes an air deflecting grill defined in said first opening.
12. The armored vehicle of Claim 11, wherein:
said cooling means includes a heat exchanger coupled with said engine for dissipating heat generated by said engine, said heat exchanger being disposed rearwardly of said engine and beneath said first opening in said hull.
said cooling means includes a heat exchanger coupled with said engine for dissipating heat generated by said engine, said heat exchanger being disposed rearwardly of said engine and beneath said first opening in said hull.
13. An armored vehicle, comprising:
an armored hull defining an enclosed interior space including an engine compartment;
wheel means for supporting said hull for travel over the earth's surface;
an engine within said engine compartment and drivingly connected with said wheel means; and means for cooling said engine including (1) a fresh air intake opening in said hull spaced behind said engine, (2) means for directing fresh air from said fresh air intake opening forwardly through said engine compartment, and (3) a warm air outlet opening in said hull for exhausting warm air from said engine compartment.
an armored hull defining an enclosed interior space including an engine compartment;
wheel means for supporting said hull for travel over the earth's surface;
an engine within said engine compartment and drivingly connected with said wheel means; and means for cooling said engine including (1) a fresh air intake opening in said hull spaced behind said engine, (2) means for directing fresh air from said fresh air intake opening forwardly through said engine compartment, and (3) a warm air outlet opening in said hull for exhausting warm air from said engine compartment.
14. The armored vehicle of Claim 13, wherein said warm air outlet opening is disposed rearwardly of said engine.
15. The armored vehicle of Claim 14, wherein said cooling means includes means for reversing the flow of air passing through said engine compartment after said latter mentioned flow has passed across said engine.
16. The armored vehicle of Claim 15, wherein said reversing means includes an air chamber forward of said engine compartment and an air conduit extending from said chamber rearwardly past said engine, said air conduit communicating with said warm air outlet opening.
17. The armored vehicle of Claim 13, wherein said cooling means includes a heat exchanger between said engine compartment and said fresh air intake opening.
18. The armored vehicle of Claim 13, wherein said directing means includes an air deflector in said fresh air intake opening for forwardly deflecting air entering said last mentioned opening.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000475013A CA1206181A (en) | 1980-08-28 | 1985-02-22 | Six-wheel armored vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US18225480A | 1980-08-28 | 1980-08-28 | |
| US182,254 | 1980-08-28 |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000475013A Division CA1206181A (en) | 1980-08-28 | 1985-02-22 | Six-wheel armored vehicle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1187358A true CA1187358A (en) | 1985-05-21 |
Family
ID=22667668
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000382648A Expired CA1187358A (en) | 1980-08-28 | 1981-07-28 | Six-wheel armored vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1187358A (en) |
-
1981
- 1981-07-28 CA CA000382648A patent/CA1187358A/en not_active Expired
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |