GB2495898A

GB2495898A - A power train for an amphibious vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2495898A
Application number: GB1109889.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Timothy Gibbs; Neil Graham Jenkins
Original assignee: Gibbs Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Gibbs Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-13
Filing date: 2011-06-13
Publication date: 2013-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-13
Also published as: SG10201604806SA; WO2012172350A3; RU2640382C2; GB2495898B; RU2014100872A; JP2014519448A; CN103906633A; EP2718128A2; US9517670B2; US20170282659A1; US20150158359A1; GB201109889D0; KR20140037214A; WO2012172350A2; CN116619957A

Abstract

A power train 10 for an amphibian includes a first prime mover 20, a first speed change transmission 22, a first land propulsion means 30, and a first marine propulsion means 27. The first prime mover 20 is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion means 20, or the first marine propulsion means 27, or both, through the first speed change transmission 22. The power train further comprises a second prime mover 40, a second speed change transmission 42, a second land propulsion means 50, and a second marine propulsion means 47. The second prime mover 40 is arranged to selectively drive the second land propulsion means 50, or a second marine propulsion means 47, or both, through the second speed change transmission 42.

Description

A POWER TRAIN FOR AN AMPHIAN

The present invention relates to a power train particularly suitable for use in an amphibian capable of travel on land and water. More particularly, the power train is suitable for use in a high speed amphibian with at least one retractable wheel and which is capable of planing on water. The present invention also relates to an amphibian having such a power train. I0

Power trains for use in amphibians are known in the art.

These generally fall in into one of two categories. The first are power trains for use in displacement only amphibians which have limited and slow on-water performance. These are generally automotive power trains modified to provide drive to a marine propulsion means. The second category are power trains for use in planing amphibians which suffer from limited on-land performance. These are generally marine power trains modified to provide drive to a wheel or track.

More recently, however, the applicant has developed power trains for use in a new class of high speed amphibians having at least one retractable wheel and which are capable of planing on water. Furthermore, these high speed amphibians provide for good road handling when the amphibian is operated on land or off-road (e.g. in four wheel drive) There remains, however, a need to improve on these prior art power trains by providing increased flexibility in the delivery of drive and power to the retractable land propulsion means (wheels or tracks) for use of the amphibian on land, and to the marine propulsion means (jet drives or propellers) for use of the amphibian on water. The need to retract wheel assemblies or track drives presents significant problems in terms of packaging, weight distribution and also in terms of how the resulting power transmission pathways can be realised.

The present invention provides a power train which can deliver power to any one or more of at least four retractable -2-wheel assemblies (i.e. can operate in 1, 2, 3 or 4 wheel drive), and can deliver power to any one or more of at least two jet drives. Furthermore, the power train according to the present invention provides this capability with at least two prime movers so as to enable selective and controllable engagement and delivery of power from each prime mover to a multitude of combinations of the individual or pluralities of retractable wheel assemblies and jet drives available for use. This has the very important effect of providing a redundancy capability in the event of component failures in the power train. In addition, it provides unique drive options in the case of particular conditions experienced (e.g. left hand 2 wheel drive where ground is particularly soft or slippery on, say, the right hand side) and also of optimising and efficiently delivering power matched to the torque curve of the prime movers. While it is routine to have two prime movers in boats of over lom in length, a power train according to the present invention has not hitherto been thought possible in an amphibian due to the complexities of delivering power around such a complicated array of individual components. A particular problem is in respect of how to achieve the required transmission.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a power train for an amphian, the power train comprising: a first prime mover; a first speed change transmission; a first land propulsion means; and a first marine propulsion means, wherein: the first prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion means, or the first marine propulsion means, or both, through the first speed change transmission, characterised in that the power train further comprises: a second prime mover; a second speed change transmission; a second land propulsion means; and a second marine propulsion means, wherein: the second prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the -3-second land propulsion means, or a second marine propulsion means, or both, through the second speed change transmission.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an amphibian comprising the power train of the first aspect.

Pref erred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view from above of a power train according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view from above and to one side of the arranged components of the power train of Figure 1 (wheels shown indicatively only by dotted lines); and Figure 3 is a further schematic plan view from above of a power train according to the present invention, particularly as illustrated in Figure 2, located in a hull of an amphibian (certain components omitted for clarity) Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, power train 10 can be seen to comprise: two prime movers, port engine 20 and starboard engine 40; two variable speed transmissions, port variable speed transmission 22 and starboard variable speed transmission 42; two power take off s, port power take off 24 and starboard power take off 44; two marine propulsion units, port water jet drive 27 and starboard water jet drive 47; two marine propulsion drive shafts, port water jet drive shaft 28 and starboard water jet drive shaft 48; two land propulsion drive shafts, front land propulsion drive shaft 30 and rear land propulsion drive shaft 50; two differentials, front differential 32 and rear differential 52; four half (axle) shafts, port and starboard front half shafts 34, 35 and port and starboard rear half shafts 54, 55; and four wheels, port and starboard front wheels 36, 37 and port and starboard rear wheels 56, 57.

Port variable speed transmission 22 comprises an input shaft 21 driven by port engine 20, and an output shaft 23 which provides drive to the input shaft 25 of port power take off 24 and on through to port water jet drive shaft 28. Port variable speed transmission 22 may comprise a manual, sequential shift, semiautomatic, or automatic gearbox, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) . Port power take off 24, located between port variable speed transmission 22 and port water jet drive shaft 28, transfers drive from the input shaft 25 to the output shaft 26, Port power take off 24 may be of any suitable type, for example, a belt drive, chain drive or gear drive. The ratio of drive between input shaft 25 and output shaft 26 of port power take off 24 may be 1:1 or may be another ratio selected to suit the particular operating conditions. In this latter case, the change in ratio may be variable and selectable, e.g. by way of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or by way of another variable speed change transmission. The output shaft 26 of port power take off 24 provides drive to front land propulsion drive shaft 30 which runs forward in the amphibian towards the bow to front differential 32. In turn, front differential 32 provides drive to port front half shaft 34 and starboard front half shaft 35, and on to respective port front wheel 36 and starboard front wheel 37. Port water jet drive shaft 28 takes drive from port variable speed transmission 22 and on to port water jet 27.

Starboard variable speed transmission 42 comprises an input shaft 41 driven by starboard engine 40, and an output shaft 43 which provides drive to the input shaft 45 of starboard power take off 44 and on through to starboard water jet drive shaft 48.

Similarly, starboard variable speed transmission 42 may comprise a manual, sequential shift, semiautomatic, or automatic gearbox, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Starboard power take off 44, located between starboard variable speed transmission 42 and starboard water jet drive shaft 48, transfers drive from the input shaft 45 to the output shaft 46. similarly, starboard power take off 44 may be of any suitable type, for example, a belt drive, chain drive or gear drive. Again, the ratio of drive between input shaft 45 and output shaft 46 of starboard power take off 44 may he 1:1 or may be another ratio selected to suit the particular operating conditions. In this latter case, the change in ratio may be variable and selectable, e.g. by way of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or by way of another variable speed change transmission. The output shaft 46 of starboard power take off 44 provides drive to rear land propulsion drive shaft 50 which runs rearward in the amphibian to rear differential 52. In turn, rear differential 52 tO provides drive to starboard rear halt shaft 54 and starboard rear half shaft 55, and on to respective starboard rear wheel 56 and starboard rear wheel 57. starboard water jet drive shaft 48 takes drive from starboard variable speed transmission 42 and on to starboard water jet 47.

IJecouplers and/or constant velocity joints (not shown) may be provided at any suitable point in the power train as required.

For example, decouplers may be provided in the drive line between any/some/all of wheels 36, 37, 56, 57 and its associated driving half shaft 34, 35, 54, 55, between any/some/all of driving half shaft 34, 35, 54, 55 and respective front and/or rear differentials 32, 52, between front differential 32 and front land propulsion drive shaft 30 and/or front land propulsion drive shaft 30 and port power take off 24, between rear differential 52 and rear land propulsion drive shaft 50 and/or rear land propulsion drive shaft 50 and starboard power take off 44, and between either/each port and starboard power take off 24, 44 and respective port and starboard water jet drive shafts 28, 48 and/or between either/each port and starboard water jet drive shafts 28, 48 and respective water jets 27, 47. This enables drive to the wheels and water jets to be selectively coupled and decoupled. However, such decouplers are not essential and can be omitted, or selected ones can be omitted. Where present, any suitable decoupler and associated actuation/control system may be employed. Constant velocity joints may be provided as necessary to provide tolerance for angular differences between components in the power train 10. In addition, constant velocity joints may be beneficially employed in wheel retraction for use of the -6-amphibian on water in high speed planing mode and/or for steering.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures. the marine propulsion units are water jets 27, 47, but screw propellers or any other suitable marine propulsion system or combination may be employed.

The front and rear differentials 32, 52 transmit drive to the respective front and rear wheels 36, 37, 56, 57 of the amphibian via half (axle) shafts 34, 35, 56, 57 in a conventional automotive manner, optionally via decouplers as discussed above.

However, an important distinction over known automotive four wheel drive power trains is that no differential is required between the front and rear axles, either when idling or when driven.

In use, the power train 10 according to the present invention is extremely flexible and versatile. It can be operated in numerous different ways, these being selected by the amphibian's control systems and/or by or with inputs from the driver. In land mode (including ingress to and egress from the water) , the amphibian may be driven in one, two, three or four wheel drive, and with various combinations of the individual wheels and engines selected to provide drive. The marine propulsion means may optionally be driven in land mode. In marine mode, either one or both water jets may be used to provide marine propulsion, and either one or both engines selected to provide drive. By way of example, the following table indicates options available: Mode Wheel Water Jet Engine Land ___________________ ______________ _____________ 1 1 wheel drive Front port 36 Optional Port 20 2 1 wheel drive Front stbd 37 Optional Port 20 3 1 wheel drive Rear port 56 Optional $tbd 40 -7- 4 1 wheel drive Rear stbd 57 Optional Stbd 40 2 wheel drive Front port 36 Optional Port 20 _______________ Front stbd 37 6 2 wheel drive Rear port 56 Optional Stbd 40 Rear_stbd_57 ______________ 7 2 wheel drive Front port 36 Optional Port 20 -______________ Rear port 56 _____________ Stbd 40 8 2 wheel drive Front stbd 37 Optional Port 20 ______________ Rear stbd 57 _____________ Stbd 40 9 2 wheel drive Front port 36 Optional Port 20 ______________ Rear stbd 57 _____________ Stbd 40 2 wheel drive Front stbd 37 Optional Port 20 ______________ Rear port 56 _____________ Stbd 40 11 4 wheel drive Front port 36 Optional Port 20 _______________ Front stbd 37 Optional Port 20 -_______________ Rear port 56 Optional Stbd 40 _______________ Rear stbd 57 Optional Stbd 40 12 Ingress/Egress Any, some, all Port 27 Port 20 13 Ingress/Egress Any, some, all Stbd 47 Stbd 40 14 Ingress/Egress Any, some, all Port 27 Port 20 _______________ ___________________ Stbd 47 Stbd 40 N Marine __________________ _____________ ____________ Displacement Optional Port 27 Port 20 16 Displacement Optional $tbd 47 Stbd 40 17 Displacement Optional Port 27 Port 20 ________________ ____________________ Stbd 47 Stbd 40 18 Planing None Port 27 Port 20 19 Planing None Stbd 47 Stbd 40 Planing None Port 27 Port 20 ________________ ____________________ Stbd 47 $tbd 40 The flexibility and versatility of the power train 10 according to the present invention is thus readily appreciated from the above. In particular, it will be appreciated that on land, drive can be selected to suit the terrain or any particular -8-obstacles encountered. Engine use can be balanced, or redundancy catered for, either on land in two wheel drive by using mode 6 or 7, or when on water by using modes 15, 16, 18 or 19. where the torque curve of the engines is relatively flat above a threshold (e.g. with diesel engines), the speed change transmissions provide for fuel efficient use of the engines. For example, mode permits sufficient power to get up onto the plane with high revs (say 3 800rpm) before easing back the throttles to, say, half revs (say 1900rpm) when on the plane with suitable gear ratio selection using the speed change transmissions, thereby dramatically improving fuel efficiency.

The position of the port and starboard engines 20, 40 and other components in the power train 10 are ideally suited for a high speed amphibian, because the weight of these components is towards the rear of the amphibian, a requirement for optimum marine performance. In addition, their alignment generally in line with the longitudinal axis of the hull 100 of the amphibian (see Figure 3), either north-south or south north, assists in the simplicity and packaging of the power train 10 in the hull 100.

However, the engines 20, 40 and other components need not be packaged in this way, as alternative configurations are equally possible. For example, the engines may be arranged transversely side by side or one in-front/ahead of the other.

Figure 3 shows a preferred hull 100 of an amphibian in which a power train 10 according to the present invention (and particularly illustrated in Figure 2) is located. In Figure 3, exhaust system components 80 are also shown.

Retractable wheel and suspension assemblies (not shown) as described in the applicant's patents are particularly suitable for use with the power train 10 of the present invention.

whilst not shown, it is possible also to provide additional power transmission pathways by connecting the port and starboard components of the power train, for example, by inserting a differential, coupling or other connection between, say, the -9-respective outputs 26, 46 of the port and starboard power take offs 24, 44.

Whilst the port and starboard power take offs 24, 44 are S shown positioned after the port and starboard speed change transmissions 22, 42, these may be positioned at other locations in the power train, as appropriate. For example, port and starboard power take of fs 24, 44 may be located between the port and starboard engines 20, 40 and the port and starboard power take offs 24, 44, or may be located ahead of the port and starboard engines 20, 40. Furthermore, drive may be taken from the port and starboard engines 20, 40, port and starboard speed change transmissions 22, 42, and/or port and starboard power take offs 24, 44 in any suitable or beneficial way or re-configuration of these components. While decouplers have been described, components in the power train may be provided or supplied with integral decouplers, disconnects or locks (e.g. diff-locks) which can be used as appropriate.

Whilst wheels have been described throughout as the land propulsion means, track drives or individual track drives (i.e. to replace a single wheel) may be used as an alternative or in combination with wheels.

Furthermore, port and starboard engines 20, 40 may instead comprise electric, hydraulic, or hybrid engines. A stealth mode may be incorporated where the prime mover limits noise and heat emissions. For example, the port and starboard engines 20, 40 may incorporate motor generators which act as alternators to charge batteries, which charge is then used to power the vehicle for periods of time in a stealth mode.

-10 -Whereas the present invention has been described in relation to what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed arrangements but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent constructions included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

<claim-text>-11 -CLAIMS1. A power train for an amphibian, the power train comprising: a first prime mover; a first speed change transmission; a first land propulsion means; and a first marine propulsion means, wherein: the first prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion means, or the first marine propulsion means, or both, through the first speed change transmission, characterised in that the power train further comprises; a second prime mover; a second speed change transmission; a second land propulsion means; and a second marine propulsion means, wherein: the second prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the second land propulsion means, or a second marine propulsion means, or both, through the second speed change transmission.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A power train as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first power take off coupled to the first speed change transmission and a second power take off coupled to the second speed change transmission.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A power train as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first power take off is arranged to drive the first land propulsion means through a first land propulsion drive shaft and a first differential, and the second power take off is arranged to drive the second land propulsion means through a second land propulsion drive shaft and a second differential.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A power train as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first speed change transmission is arranged to drive the first marine propulsion means directly or through the first power take off and then a first marine propulsion drive shaft, and the second speed change transmission is arranged to drive the second marine propulsion means directly or through the second power take off and then a second marine propulsion drive shaft.</claim-text> <claim-text>-12 - 5. A power train as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first land propulsion means comprises a front set of wheels and the second land propulsion means comprises a rear set of wheels.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A power train as claimed in claim 5, wherein the front set of wheels comprises at least one port and one starboard wheel and the rear set of wheels comprises at least one port and one starboard wheel.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A power train as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more decouplers arranged to selectively decouple the first prime mover from one or more of either the first land propulsion means and/or the first marine propulsion means.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A power train as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more decouplers arranged to selectively decouple the second prime mover from one or more of either the second land propulsion means and/or the second marine propulsion means.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A power train as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more decouplers arranged to selectively decouple any one or more of the components in the power train.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A power train as claimed in any one of claims 7, 8 or 9, further comprising control means to selectively activate and deactivate any one or more of the decouplers in the power train.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A power train as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein first refers to port and second refers to starboard.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A power train as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein either one or both of the first prime mover and the second prime mover comprise an internal combustion engine, an -13 -electric motor, a hydraulic motor, a hybrid engine, a motor generator and/or any combination thereof.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A power train as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein either one or both of the first marine propulsion means and the second marine propulsion means comprise either a water jet, or a propeller.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A power train according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second speed transmission comprises a manual, sequential shift, semiautomatic, or automatic gearbox, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 15. A power train according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the land mode includes entry of the amphibian into the water and egress of the amphibian from the water.16. A power train according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising control means and wherein the control means comprises electronic processing means and/or electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or electromechanical actuation devices, or any combination thereof.17. A power train according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein any one or both of the first and/or second prime movers comprises any one or a combination of the following: a spark ignition internal combustion engine; a compression ignition internal combustion enginej an electric motor; a hydraulic motor; a motor generator; and/ or a hybrid engine; and/or any combination thereof.18. Pn amphibian comprising the power train of any one of the preceding claims.19. An amphibian as claimed in claim 18, wherein any one or -14 -both of the first prime mover and/or the second prime mover are positioned substantially in line or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the amphibian.20. An amphibian as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, wherein any one or both of the first power take off and/or the first speed transmission are located rearwardly of the first prime mover.21. An amphibian as claimed in any one of claims 18, 19 or 20, wherein any one or both of the second power take off and/or the second speed transmission are located rearward of the second prime mover.22. An amphibian as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein any one or both of the first prime mover and/or the second prime mover are positioned in the rear half lengthwise, from bow to stern, of the amphibian.23. An amphibian as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein any one or both of the first and/or second prime movers is arranged in line in the amphibian in a North-South or South-North configuration.24. An amphibian as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein one or more of the wheels may be retracted above the water line for use on water, and protracted below the hull for use on land.25. An amphibian as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein when the amphibian is operated in the marine mode any one or both of the first and second marine propulsion means can power the amphibian to a speed where sufficient hydrodynamic lift is achieved for the vehicle to plane.26. An amphibian as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein when the amphibian is operated in the land mode it can be driven in one, two, three or four wheel drive.-15 - 27. A power train for an amphibian substantially as hereinbetore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.28. An amphibian comprising a power train substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>