WO2007142572A1

WO2007142572A1 - Integrated amphibious vehicle system

Info

Publication number: WO2007142572A1
Application number: PCT/SE2007/000527
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Karlsson
Original assignee: Jan Karlsson
Priority date: 2006-06-02
Filing date: 2007-05-31
Publication date: 2007-12-13
Also published as: SE0601223L; SE529057C2

Abstract

The invention relates an amphibious system for vehicles comprising inflatable pontoons, storage compartments that may receive the pontoons in a non inflated state, and a compressor. The system is provided with a flotation sensor able to sense if the vehicle with the amphibious system floats in water, and then prevent the system from deflating the pontoons. The invention further relates to such an amphibious system that is provided with an air tank connected between the compressor and the pontoons. On land the compressor keeps the air tank filled with pressurized air, which when the pontoons are to be inflated speeds up the inflation process beyond what the compressor itself would have managed. When the pontoons are inflated and the vehicle is in the water, the compressor creates a vacuum in the air tank, and when the pontoons are to be deflated this speeds up the deflation process beyond what the compressor itself would have managed.

Description

Integrated amphibious vehicle system (IAVS)

The present invention relates to an amphibious system according to the introductory portion of the independent claim.

Background of the invention

Amphibious systems for vehicles provided with inflatable pontoons that may be inflated and provide a net lift to the vehicle on demand, that after use may be deflated and reused repeatedly are known through ia. GB1433824. The user may change between inflated pontoons for use in the water and deflated for use on land. Unintentional deflation of the pontoons when in the water may however cause the vehicle to sink which is highly disadvantageous.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide an amphibious system which overcomes the above mentioned problems with prior art amphibious systems.

These and other objects are attained by an amphibious system according to the characterizing portions of the independent claim.

Summary of the invention

The invention relates to an amphibious system for vehicles comprising inflatable pontoons, storage compartments that may receive the pontoons in a non inflated state, and a compressor which may be activated to inflate or deflate the pontoons. The system is provided with a flotation sensor able to sense if the vehicle with the amphibious system floats in water, and then prevent the compressor from deflating the pontoons. The advantage of the flotation sensor is that the pontoons cannot be unintentionally deflated when the amphibious system and the vehicle is in the water.

The invention further relates to such an amphibious system that is provided with an air tank connected between the compressor and the pontoons. On land the compressor keeps the air tank filled with pressurized air, which when the pontoons are to be inflated speeds up the inflation process beyond what the compressor itself would have managed. When the pontoons are inflated and the vehicle is in the water, the compressor creates a vacuum in the air tank, and when the pontoons are to be deflated this speeds up the deflation process beyond what the compressor itself would have managed.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention

Description of preferred embodiments

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention denoted amphibious system for vehicles. The invention is a system that allows cars, primarily off-road cars such as Jeeps and SUV's, to be propelled on water. The system consists of an air compressor 2 driven by the engine 1 of the car. The compressor 2 provides a pressurized air tank 4 with compressed air such that an over pressure is achieved in the tank 4. When activating the system a button is pressed inside the car and then a valve is opened in the tank and air flows out through pressurized air hoses 3 which fills inflatable rubber pontoons 5 around the whole car. When all pontoons 5 are inflated an indicator in the car shows that the system is activated and the car can then be driven into the water where it floats. It is propelled in the water by two water jet engines 7 under the car. These may be mechanically driven by the engine 1 or electrically with power from the car's generator and battery. In the water the car is steered with rudders placed behind the water jet engines 7. These rudders are electrically controlled from the normal steering wheel of the car. The rubber pontoons 5 are divided into many separate sections and the car is able to float with several punctured sections. To prevent unintentional deactivation of the system when travelling on water, sensors are provided on each wheel that senses whether the wheels of the car are on solid ground or if the car floats on water. If the car floats on water, this system makes sure the rubber pontoons 5 cannot be deflated. As soon as the pontoons 5 are inflated the compressor 2 automatically starts causing a vacuum in the pressure tank 4, and as the vehicle has been driven onto land and has solid ground under all wheels, the pontoons 5 may be deactivated by pressing a button inside the car. Then a valve to the pressure tank 4 is opened and the air in the pontoons 5 flows into the emptied pressure tank 4. If the pontoons 5 are not sufficiently folded to fit into the discreet storage compartments 6 that are mounted on the lower part of the car body, the compressor 2 automatically starts emptying the pressure tank 4, which in turn empties the remaining air from the pontoons 5 such that these fit into the storage compartments 6. When all pontoons 5 are in their storage compartments 6 and these are closed an indicator inside the car shows that the system is deactivated. The storage compartments 6 may be controlled with springs or pneumatically. If one or several pontoon sections 5 are ruptured during travel on water, the system automatically lets air into the pressure tank 4 and the compressor 2 then starts filling the tank 4 with air. This air is then using opened or closed valves on each pontoon section steered to the ruptured pontoon/s to prevent these from emptying and lose net lift.

Claims

1 An integrated amphibious vehicle system comprising inflatable pontoons (5), storage compartments (6) that may receive the pontoons (5) in a non inflated state, and a compressor (2) which may be activated to inflate or deflate the pontoons (5), characterised in that said system is provided with a flotation sensor able to sense if the vehicle floats in water, and then prevent the system from deflating the pontoons (5).

2 An integrated amphibious vehicle system according to claim 1, characterised in that said system further is provided with an air tank (4) connected between the compressor (2) and the pontoons (5).

3 An integrated amphibious vehicle system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said system further is provided with a propulsion- (7) and steering device for use in water.