Abstract: A structurally integrated fuel tank and method of assembling is disclosed. The fuel tank may comprise a body and a neck disposed on the body. The neck may be configured to be coupled to an arm of a front frame of a machine. The body may comprise a cover, an endwall and a base. The cover includes a cover hitch that defines an upper pivot bore centered about a pivot axis. The upper pivot bore is configured to receive a pivot fastener about which the fuel tank is pivotable. The endwall may be disposed below and coupled to the cover. The base may be coupled to the endwall, and may include a lower hitch that extends outward and away from the endwall. The neck and the body together define a chamber configured to store fuel. The cover is a top of such chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a versatile platform having high versatility without increasing its weight. A versatile platform is used for a transport vehicle for crops, a security robot, or the like. The versatile platform includes a first axle, a second axle, a pair of first wheels and, a pair of second wheels and, motors and for driving the four wheels, a first steering portion for steering the first wheels, a second steering portion for steering the second wheels, and a battery support portion. A vehicle body frame integrally joins the first axle and the second axle and supports a work unit for performing operation. The vehicle body frame includes horizontal bar members and vertical bar members and is formed into a frame shape. The whole upper surface of the vehicle body frame is exposed to the outside.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel chassis design that is functionally similar to the chassis associated with the suspension system, drivetrain, and steering system disclosed in prior applications. Based on a ladder-type structure, the novel chassis includes a frame that is constructed with a low slung middle section and high arched front and rear sections. This way, the powertrain is located in the middle section at the same level as are the suspension control link frame mounting points. In contrast the chassis associated with the prior applications is planar, the powertrain being located within the frame above the suspension control link frame mounting points.

Abstract: A munitions carrier may include a munitions loading table having a loading section loaded with munitions and a roller assembly for moving the munitions, and a munitions transfer unit attached to one side of the munitions loading table so as to be adjacent to the roller assembly, in order to transfer the munitions to a charge section provided in an artillery gun.

Abstract: A device for controlling the suspension of the body shell of a motor vehicle performs calculation of a relative modal body shell speed in relation to the mid-plane of the wheels, and calculation of the set modal stress of the damper as a function of the relative modal body shell speed in relation to the mid-plane of the wheels. The control value includes a determined shock absorption principle from among a plurality of different shock absorption principles that impose the force of the damper as a function of its travel speed.

Abstract: A variable wheel positioning vehicle has a wheel position changing mechanism and a wheel position control device to change a wheel position of a wheel with respect to a center of gravity of a vehicle body. The wheel position changing mechanism is arranged to move a suspension device along a movement path with respect to the vehicle body and to hold the suspension device at any position along the movement path. The wheel position control device issues a movement command to the wheel position changing mechanism that changes a wheel positioning distance between a center rotation axis of one of the wheels and the center of gravity of the vehicle body as measured in a direction parallel to an acceleration direction of the center of gravity of the vehicle body based on a traveling condition the vehicle.

Abstract: In an automatic carrier having a body and a wheel base rotatably mounted on the body, a driving wheel is fixed to the body and a driven wheel is fixed to the wheel base. The direction of the driven wheel can be changed. A lifting mechanism is provided to lift the wheel base, i.e., the driven wheel.

Abstract: In a continuous process for drying a sludge composed of combustible material and water, the wet sludge is first mixed with a proportion of material which has been dried in the process and is then fed into a hot gas stream from a burner. The hot gas stream carries the mixture along and dries it, and a proportion is tapped off and mixed with the incoming wet sludge. A part of the remainder is fed, with supplementary fuel, if necessary, to the burner to create the hot gas stream. The rate of fuel supply is varied in dependence on a temperature of the hot gas stream when it exhausts from the mixture drying operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bowling-lane maintenance machine having a driving mechanism which includes four turnable drive units and four lift cylinders. Each of the drive units includes a lane running wheel, a ride-on-approach and transverse running wheel having a diameter larger than that of the lane running wheel, and a drive motor operatively connected with the wheels. When the bowling-lane maintenance machine is moved on the approach by the rotation of the ride-on-approach and transverse running wheels, the lane running wheels will not be brought into contact with the surface of the approach. When the bowling-lane maintenance machine is lifted under the actuation of the lift cylinders, the drive units may be turned to change the direction of movement in which the machine is to be moved.

Abstract: A utility vehicle having two steerable front wheels. Left and right-fluid powered rotary actuators have their bodies rigidly attached to the vehicle frame with their drive shafts attached to wheel brackets. The front wheels are each attached to one of the wheel brackets. Each actuator includes a pair of fluid ports, and a piston sleeve which reciprocates within the body of the actuator to rotate the drive shaft relative to the body through a range of at least 180.degree.. Fluid conduit interconnects the ports of the two actuators in series, and with a fluid-control steering valve. Operation of the valve selectively applies pressure to the piston sleeves of the actuators to simultaneously rotate their drive shafts and, thus, the left and right front wheels in unison and in substantially equal angular amounts through a steering range of at least 180.degree.. A motor provides drive to one of the front wheels to facilitate movement of the vehicle forward end when it is not desirable to drive the rear wheels.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable straddle carrier vehicle structure is provided for dling various sizes of containers and outsized loads over rough, unleveled, weak and unprepared soils to meet austere requirements which are beyond the capability of commercial straddle lifts that normally operate on prepared surfaces within specific boundaries of yards and docks. Features include high flotation tires capable of operation over marginal terrain, fording capability, all wheel 360 degree steering and offset wheel yokes which permits automatic changing of wheelbase dimensions for rugged sloping terrain operations and wheel positioning for optimum mobility including lateral and oblique movement and vehicle rotation within its own length for a variety of close quarters operations. Load stabilization devices permit container securing during transit and hinged transverse members operate to reduce torsion and bending moments on the vehicle structure over severe terrain.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for the steering wheels of a vehicle. The drive mechanism includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the frame of the vehicle and a differential gear in the housing adapted to be operatively connected to the drive shaft of the vehicle. A pair of half shafts are provided in the housing which are operatively connected to the differential gear and extend outwardly from the differential gear in opposite directions generally perpendicular to the vehicle drive shaft with at least the inner portions thereof having a common axis. A pair of stub shafts are provided in the housing which are operatively connected to the half shafts and extend outwardly beyond the ends of the half shafts remote from the differential gear generally parallel to and laterally spaced from the outer portions of the half shafts. The drive mechanism also includes a mechanism for accommodating the relative pivotal movement between the stub shafts and at least a portion of the half shafts.