Motor vehicles – Special driving device
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-09
2003-12-30
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3611)
Motor vehicles
Special driving device
C180S020000, C414S495000, C254S01000C
Reexamination Certificate
active
06668950
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This application relates to an omni directional munitions handling vehicle. The invention is especially applicable for munitions loading of military aircraft, such as F-15, F-16 and F-22 fighters and B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers. The invention utilizes omni-directional vehicle (ODV) technology to promote maneuverability around and beneath aircraft.
Originally patented in 1973 by the Swedish inventor Bengt lion, the omni wheel and its operating principle is described U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,112 entitled “Directionally Stable Self Propelled Vehicle.” The complete disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference. The ODV has a four wheel drive system where each of the wheels has its own drive motor. Omni wheels are not steered as the plane of rotation is fixed in reference to the chassis. The omni-directional wheel allows the vehicle to travel in any direction, rotate about its axis, or to do both simultaneously. The ability to maneuver in any direction and rotate within the vehicle footprint is a considerable advantage for industrial and commercial vehicles such as forklifts, scissors lifts, wheel chairs, aircraft support and maintenance platforms, motorized dollies, and delivery trucks. Omni-directional mobility is especially useful in material transportation within in a confined area where multi-directional, precision-controlled motion is desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,065 entitled “Low Vibration Omni-Directional Wheel” describes an omni wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure. This omni wheel includes a wheel assembly rotatably connected to an omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly comprises a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles. The complete disclosure of the '065 Patent is also incorporated herein by reference.
Military Application
Since 1982, the United States Navy has been developing ODV technology for shipboard and shore side applications. Five ODV's have been developed and tested ranging in size from a small model to two full-scale vehicles capable of transporting 5,000 pounds onboard Navy ships. Tests of these vehicles indicate that the ODV outperforms existing all-wheel-steered (AWS) vehicles presently employed for warehouse and shipboard materials handling operations by maneuvering with precision and operating under low traction conditions, on steep ramps, and over obstacles. Despite this successful testing, ODVs have not been used in routine military missions. The United States Air Force has also considered ODV technology, but has yet to fully develop and implement its use.
Recently, the United States Air Force issued specifications for a future munitions and bomb handling vehicle. According to the specifications, the vehicle must be versatile and easily maintainable, while offering common munitions handling/loading with increased reliability, maintainability, operability, and functionality to reduce aircraft turnaround time and increase sortie availability. The specification requires an advanced technology handling and loading vehicle which utilizes the latest in technology and human amplification to facilitate loading and unloading of munitions, pylons, tanks, gun systems, launchers, and aircraft components on all current and future fighter (F-22, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), and the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)), bomber and rotary-wing aircraft or munitions trailers/handling systems. The vehicle requires a self-propelled, manually operated/driven platform with a lift arm enabling precision positioning with minimal manpower through use of platform and lift arm mounted controls. Although the main emphasis is for munitions handling, the vehicle must include interoperability with other aircraft maintenance functions, such as installation/removal of launchers, fuel tanks, electronic counter measure pods, ejection seats, canopies, etc. The vehicle must be operable and maintainable in all environmental conditions, including nuclear, biological, and chemical contaminated conditions. The vehicle requires increased reach over the existing MJ-1 munitions handler/loader to allow loading of bomber aircraft (B-1, B-2, B-52) and the agility to load low aircraft (F-22, UCAV, JSF). In addition, it is envisioned that the new system should substantially reduce the workload associated with aircraft loading, munitions handling and maintenance tasks, allowing safer operation and better utilization of personnel than current systems.
Problems with Existing Systems
Current Air Force systems use three different types of munitions handlers/loaders, and variants, to support their weapons platforms. The logistics infrastructure for maintaining the current inventory of munitions handlers/loaders and their numerous variants is manpower intensive and expensive.
In addition, the design of current munitions handlers/loaders leads to inefficient utilization of load crew personnel. The use of three different variants causes an increased deployment footprint and increases pre-positioning requirements. Moreover, there is a shortage of munitions handlers/loaders in the existing inventory. To compound matters, many of the current munitions handlers are nearing the end of their service life. The existing munitions handlers/loaders are based on 1950's and 60's technology, and are becoming inefficient and obsolete as new munitions and aircraft weapon systems advance technologically. Current limited utility is evident in the loading of the F-22 internal bays. Due to its low ground clearance, existing munitions handlers/loaders are unable to load munitions in internal weapons bays with both doors extended.
The present invention addresses these and other problems of existing military systems. Utilizing omni-directional wheel technology, the invention provides a man onboard, remotely operated, or automatically guided munitions handling/loading vehicle with extremely efficient, unrestricted precision maneuvering capability. The omni wheel is more complex than a conventional wheel and more difficult to fabricate. With exception of the wheel, however, the design and fabrication of the invention is relatively non-complicated. The drive system includes four identical drive units (one for each wheel); the wheels; a simple suspension system; and a power source (battery or diesel engine). The electronics are unsophisticated and compact. The invention provides an overall robust and easily maintained munitions handling/loading system.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an omni-directional vehicle especially applicable for military use in the loading/handling of munitions for aircraft.
It is another object of the invention to provide a munitions handling vehicle which is capable of omni-directional 360-degree maneuverability in a confined 10′×10′ area.
It is another object of the invention to provide a munitions handling vehicle which allows more efficient utilization of manpower.
It is another object of the invention to provide a munitions handling vehicle which enables precision control, increased traction and obstacle negotiation.
It is another object of the invention to provide a munitions handling vehicle which features overall mechanical simplicity, and reduced weight and cost as compared to alternative types of highly maneuverable vehicles.
It is another object of the invention to provide a munitions handling vehicle which offers independent control of vehicle motion in the longitudinal, lateral, and rotational directions without the singular characteristics of a conventional wheel.
It is another object of the invention to provide a munitions handling vehicle which el
Hurley Kevin
Schwartz Law Firm P.C.
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