Abstract: A tracked vehicle, such as a military tank, wherein the prong type guides r the tracks are located on the roadwheels rather than on the tracks. The guide prong location puts the guide surfaces closer to the line-of-action of the disturbing force (ground surface) so that the guides are less likely to break or distort.

Abstract: Mechanism for minimizing the tendency of a vehicle to overturn or roll during high speed turns on unbanked road or rail surfaces. The mechanism includes a heavy (high mass) piston arranged in a fluid cylinder extending transversely across the vehicle undersurface; auxiliary pistons are arranged at opposite ends of the main cylinder. Centrifugal force generated during a turning maneuver forces the main piston to move outwardly along the turning radius, the main piston thereby displacing hydraulic fluid that acts on the auxiliary pistons in a pressurizing or depressurizing fashion. The auxiliary piston at the outer circumference of the turn forces that side of the vehicle up relative to the ground surface; the auxiliary piston at the inner circumference of the turn forces that side of the vehicle down relative to the ground surface. The vehicle sprung mass thereby assumes a banked attitude that enables it to more effectively resist vehicle overturning forces.

Abstract: Mechanism for draining an engine oil filter cartridge when the space bene the cartride is otherwise obstructed. A special housing is threadably connected to the filter base in a non-obstructed location. A drain plug within this housing is manually unthreaded during a drain operation. A special boot in the mouth opening of the housing permits external actuation of the plug without undesired splash-out of oil through the mouth opening.

Abstract: An exhaust energy extraction system for a multi-cylinder engine, comprising n axial flow turbine arranged to convert time-spaced exhaust pressure pulses into turbine rotor rotation. Output flow from the axial flow turbine is directed through a diffuser that converts velocity pressure to static pressure; a second radial flow turbine is operated by the steady state flow produced by the diffuser. Any tendency of the diffuser to exert an adverse back pressure on the axial flow turbine is counteracted by a pressure-responsive vent valve that establishes a ceiling on the diffuser pressure.

Abstract: In an arctic military vehicle, one or more heating units is/are positioned against the outer surface of the battery to heat the battery electrolyte and thereby improve battery output capability during the critical engine start-up period. Each heating unit includes an internal self-contained heat source, thereby enabling the system to be used in wilderness areas remote from building energy sources. The invention is particularly applicable to arctic military vehicles that might be required to move through relatively uninhabited enemy areas where stationary energy sources might be unknown or non-existent.

Abstract: A power transmission providing cushioned shock-absorption power flow from a rive member to a driven member. The transmission includes a gear pump wherein both the gear and gear housing are free to rotate; the transmission also includes a recirculation flow path from the pump outlet to the pump inlet, said flow path comprising a metering valve that responds to pump outlet chamber pressure for progressively throttling the flow as the outlet chamber pressure rises. As the recirculation flow is throttled the pump gear and pump housing gradually lock together and thereafter rotate at approximately the same speed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an auxiliary monopropellant fuel supply for operation where reliance on atmospheric air for support of combustion would be undesired or not feasible. The auxiliary monopropellant fuel system includes a fuel selector valve for disconnecting supply of hydrocarbon fuel, and an air cutoff valve for closing the engine cylinder air intake.

Abstract: A piston engine timed fuel injection system wherein highly compressed fuel, .g. at 20,000 p.s.i., is temporarily stored in a chamber isolated from the pressure source. A flow valve is opened to permit part of the stored fuel to expand into the combustion space. Spring force closes the valve while the injection pressure is relativey high, e.g. about 3000 p.s.i. Fuel injection pressure at beginning of the injection period may be very high, e.g. 20,000 p.s.i., thereby promoting improved fuel atomization, shorter ignition delay, lower rate of pressure rise in the combustion space, smoother combustion, and lower peak pressure in the combustion chamber. By injecting fuel from an "isolated" chamber it is possible to accurately limit the quantity in accordance with compressibility factors.

Abstract: In turbine engine systems liquid diesel fuel (more viscous than gasoline) s heretofore been purged of water impurity and solid impurity by a two stage system comprised of a disposable cartridge type depth filter and a water coalescer. The present invention modifies the conventional system by replacing the disposable cartridge type depth filter with an extended life cyclone; concentrated impurities are vented from the cyclone and coalescer to an additional separator mechanism. This additional separator mechanism returns purified fuel to the fuel tank; separated impurity is exhausted out of the system.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension height control unit comprising a hydraulic pump operd by reciprocatory action of the suspension dashpot to pressurize an accumulator. Tendency of the sprung mass to go above or below its normal height range actuates a directional valve for either venting liquid from the dashpot to a sump or passing pressurized liquid from the accumulator to the dashpot. Preferably each roadwheel is equipped with one of these hydraulic units, thereby avoiding the complexity of a central hydraulic system and myriad hydraulic lines.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension wherein a compressible liquid such as Dimethyl Polysxane is compressed during jounce periods to absorb road energy, and wherein the liquid expands during rebound to maintain suspension action. Special features include non-linear spring rate and acceleration-controlled variable damping. Thermal expansion effects in the closed liquid spring system are alleviated by means of a special compensator valve that vents excess liquid to an accumulator only when the spring approaches its full rebound position.

Abstract: Control circuitry for a gun mounted in a vehicle turret that is non-symmecal relative to the vehicle front and rear ends. The gun can slew across the front and side areas of the vehicle at a minimum elevation of -20.degree., but due to the turret-vehicle orientation the gun is restricted to a minimum elevation of -7.degree. while slewing across the vehicle rear end. Should the gun be slewing toward the rear end of the vehicle while tracking a target at a level below the -7.degree. elevation, then in that event anticipating circuitry in the control system will automatically raise the gun to a safe elevation while the gun is passing over the vehicle rear end. The vehicle rear end is hereafter referred to as an avoidance zone.

Abstract: A rough terrain articulated vehicle wherein one vehicle section is intercected with a second vehicle section for unrestrained relative rotation around the vehicle roll axis. Roll movement enables the respective vehicle sections to shift in accordance with terrain irregularities, thereby minimizing the need for high wheel travel. A locking or latching mechanism is provided to prevent roll rotation when the vehicle is moving over relatively smooth terrain.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting freight containers, said trailer including an inverted bridge structure that can be swung away from the trailer bed to position the freight container beyond the bed side edge. Hoist mechanisms on the bridge structure are actuated to raise or lower the container as necessary.

Abstract: A mechanical speed change device designed to occupy minimum space in the ial direction. In operation, a ball type cam follower simultaneously tracks sinuous cam grooves in the drive and driven members. The lead angles of the respective cam grooves are different so that a given axial displacement of the cam follower requires different rotational movements of the drive and driven members. Therefore a given rotational speed of the drive member produces a different rotational speed of the driven member.

Abstract: A speed changer comprising a stationary pulley and a powered shaft defining sun axis. Two adjustable diameter planet pulleys and a pair of power-transmitting belts transmit power to an output sun pulley coaxially aligned with the stationary pulley. An adjustment screw inversely varies the diameters of the two sun pulleys; resultant changes in belt tension produce changes in the diameters of the planet pulleys.

Abstract: A surface effect vehicle wherein wheels or other ground contacting devices are utilized for propulsion and/or steering. The air or gas cushion forces are used only for hull suspension or floatation purposes.

Abstract: A variable speed fan drive mechanism for an engine coolant system control by temperature and fan speed signals. The mechanism includes a hydrostatic pump-motor unit (hydrostatic transmission) powered by the engine, for transmitting power to the fan. Mechanical signals related to coolant temperature and fan speed are supplied to a comparator mechanism that delivers a mechanical output control signal. The output control signal is magnified and applied as a control force to vary the displacement of the pump in the hydrostatic unit. The comparator mechanism has the effect of negating engine speed as a control force. Thus, high engine speeds (that would tend to produce unduly large hydraulic flows through the pump-motor circuit) are reflected in high fan speed signals fed into the comparator mechanism, which produces a "corrected" output signal that appropriately reduces pump dislacement to thus reduce the fan speed to low energy consumption levels.

Abstract: In a track laying vehicle having ground-engagement shoes, the pivot pins of he shoes are coupled together by connectors which are locked in place by means of tapered wedge blocks; the mating surfaces of the pins are also tapered. The tapers on the blocks and coupled pins are in axial directions so that disturbing torques generated during normal shoe operations have no effect on the taper lock action.

Abstract: A mirror or other target-sight element in a military vehicle is subject to oticeable vibration or dislocation relative to inertial space as the vehicle moves over rough terrain. To prevent such vibration or dislocation the mirror is driven by a torque motor that is controlled by a gyroscope that mechanically senses these mirror dislocations. The demodulated gyroscope output signal is amplified and applied to the torque motor, which thereby makes the correct repositionment of the mirror to keep the reflected image in a generally stable position in spite of terrain disturbances. The present invention contemplates a second gyroscope also responsive to vehicle pitch movements. The demodulated output signal of this second gyroscope is applied to a zero cross over detector, which produces a square wave output signal substantially in phase with the signal from the first gyroscope.