Abstract: A three- or four-wheeled amphibian (1) comprises hull (2), body (3), front steered wheel (11) or wheels (11, 11?), and rear wheel (9) or wheels (9, 9?). Each steered wheel is connected to the amphibian by a retractable suspension assembly (10, 10?). Upper and lower suspension arms (14 and 15) have pivotal connections (17) and (18) to inner upright arm (16). Retraction rams (28) are connected to body (3), and can retract the wheels for use on water and protract them for use on land. Wheels (11, 11?) also lean on cornering. The pivotal connections (17, 18) for wheel retraction are also used to facilitate leaning. This may be allowed through rotation of drop link (31) around pivot (32). A motor and gearbox assembly (30) may be attached to body (3) to provide controlled lean when cornering, and to keep the amphibian (1) upright when stationary. Leaning may be powered, or user-initiated. Powered lean correction may be provided.

Abstract: A two wheeled planing amphibian (10) has a hull (20), bow (24), front wheel (30) and rear wheel (40). Front suspension (32) and rear suspension (42) are retractable, separately or simultaneously. Front wheel (30) may retract vertically or rotationally. Steering is by handlebars (50), link (54), and forks (36). Front wheel (20) may be located outside the hull in both protracted and retracted positions. The underside of hull (20) may be continuous in both land mode and marine mode along and across its centreline from the bow to the rearmost underside point on the hull along the centreline; or from the forwardmost underside point on the hull when it is planing at its lowest speed to the rear. There may be no wheel closures attached to the hull. A wheel bay (22), which is open at its top side, may be provided to allow rear wheel retraction.

Abstract: An amphibian with a planing hull having three wheel stations, two at the front of the vehicle and one centrally located at the rear of the vehicle. The amphibian is propelled on land by at least one wheel and in water by at least one impeller or propeller.

Abstract: An amphibian (1) for use on land and water, comprising: a hull having a planing surface (2), and at least one retractable suspension apparatus (4) movable from a vehicle supporting position to a retracted position, comprising for each wheel (5), upper and lower suspension arms (8, 9) that are pivotably connected at inboard ends to a support structure within the hull; and are pivotably connected at outboard ends to a suspension upright (7). Upright (7) extends from a first, upper connection past a second, lower connection to a location (10) for a wheel hub mounting. The suspension upright when deployed in land use extends externally of the hull across a side face (2?) of the planing surface; while lower suspension arm (9) remains above the top of planing surface (2) throughout use of the amphibian on land. This suspension arrangement allows the hull to have no cutouts in its planing surface.

Abstract: Planing amphibian (10) comprises hull (12) and a pair of wheels (20) mounted on a retractable suspension assembly (22). At least one land drive and at least one separate marine drive (40) are provided. A wheel retraction mechanism is provided for moving the wheels between a deployed wheel position for use of the amphibian on land (FIGS. 2 and 4) and a retracted wheel position above a waterline of the amphibian for planing on water. The suspension assembly comprises suspension arms (24) outside the pair of wheels (20) so that the wheels (20) lie between the arms (24). Marine drives (40) may be inboard of the wheels (FIG. 2) or outboard thereof (FIG. 4). An axle (28) with a differential (29) may be provided (FIG. 3). Suspension and retraction may be provided by means of torsion bars (30) with a cranked central section (54, 55, FIG. 3).

Abstract: An amphibian (10) capable of travel on land and on water is provided with a body and a planing hull (12), and three road wheels (20, 24) mounted on retractable suspension 22, 26 which may be protracted for road use, or retracted for use on water; and further comprises ride-on seating (40, FIG. 2) for at least one driver to sit astride the body. Marine propulsion is provided by at least two jet drives (30), which have intakes (32) and nozzles (34). FIG. 3 shows a power train and retractable rear wheel suspension. Steering control may be by handlebars (42, FIG. 2), or by a steering wheel (not shown). The jets may be driven by belts and/or driveshafts. A separate power source may be provided for marine use. A windscreen (44, FIG. 2) may be fitted.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, an amphibian for use in land and marine modes comprising: a planing hull; three wheel stations, two of the three wheel stations being front wheel stations provided one on each side of and in the front half of the amphibian, and the third wheel station being a rear wheel station provided in a central region in the rear half of the amphibian; at least one wheel provided at each wheel station, each wheel being movable between a protracted land mode position and a retracted marine mode position; land propulsion means to propel the amphibian on land in the land mode, the land propulsion means comprising at least one of the wheels; and marine propulsion means to propel the amphibian on water in the marine mode, the marine propulsion means comprising at least two impellers or propellers provided one on each side of the rear wheel station.

Abstract: An exhaust cooling system of an amphibious vehicle operable in land and marine modes comprises an exhaust system to be cooled, at least one air-liquid heat exchanger, and coolant liquid in thermal communication with the exhaust system to be cooled and the air-liquid heat exchanger(s) and heated by the exhaust system. When the amphibious vehicle is operated, the coolant liquid is cooled by the air-liquid heat exchanger(s). Optionally, at least one liquid-liquid heat exchanger may be provided and the coolant liquid cooled by the liquid-liquid heat exchanger(s). The vehicle may plane, and have retractable road wheels. The air-liquid heat exchanger(s) may be mounted at the front or rear of the vehicle, or elsewhere.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has retractable wheels (2, 3) attached to hubs (2), and a planing hull (10, 11, 3). Front wheels are arranged to be steered by a power assisted transversely mounted element (16), which may be a rack and pinion unit. The element may be linked to the wheels by links (14, 14?), which fold up to position (14?) when the wheels are retracted. Actuating rod (28) is mounted to said element, and arranged for transverse movement. A flexible coupling means, such as cable (34) and sleeve (36), connects rod (28) to a steerable part (42, 4) of a marine propulsion unit, to effect marine steering. Road and marine steering may be operable simultaneously. More than one front steered axle, and/or marine propulsion unit, may be fitted. The steering system is readily adapted to all kinds of power assisted steering, and also to “steer by wire”.

Abstract: A planing amphibious vehicle with retractable wheels and a sit-astride seat having dimensions that impart enhanced capability in both land as well as water modes of operation. The beam, track, dead rise angle and the location of the handlebars cooperate to enhance freeboard and ground clearance without sacrificing manoeuvrability. The length is at least 1800 mm; the beam is at least 800 mm; the deadrise angle at least 3°; and the center of rotation of steering control is located near the halfway distance from transom to bow.

Abstract: A wheel suspension and retraction apparatus (2) for an amphibious vehicle comprises a suspension unit having transverse upper and lower suspension links (4, 8); spring and damper unit (12), and suspension upright (6) supporting wheel (10), and pivotally connected to outboard ends of links (4 and 8). The wheel retraction mechanism has a retraction linkage (14, 16, 18), pivotably connectable to the vehicle, and an actuator (38) for moving the wheel suspension between a protracted position for land use and a retracted position for use on water. The retraction mechanism supports the suspension unit spaced apart transversely from the vehicle. Tie bar (16) is connected to upper retraction arm (14) at an intermediate location (30) to ensure a large angle of tilt on retraction, to ensure that the wheel is retracted above hull line (156). The wheel suspension does not have to be compressed on retraction.

Abstract: The planing surface of amphibious vehicle hull (2), with reference to (FIG. 2), comprises at least one discontinuity, e.g. wheel arch recesses (12) to (15). The wheels may be retractable. Access is required to the full arch aperture during vehicle manufacture, but not in use. To maximize the planing area, planing plates (9, 11) are provided. These are fixed in position in both land and marine modes; but may be removable for maintenance. At least one plate may comprise at least part of a strake (22, 25) attached to, or incorporated in, its underside. Such strake section(s) may be sacrificial, and may be made from rubber. A trim tab (30, FIG. 9), may be provided aft of a rear planing plate, and may be hinged thereto. The plates may include water drains and jacking apertures. A ride plate (38, FIG. 1) may be provided between two planing plates, and may be integral therewith.

Abstract: A power train configuration for an amphibious vehicle especially well suited for sit-astride applications. A prime mover drives a marine propulsion unit and/or at least one road wheel wherein the such road wheel is driven through a speed-change transmission. The speed-transmission is positioned above or below the axis of the prime mover's output shaft and preferably such that its input and output shafts are aligned at an angle of up to 90 degrees relative to the vehicle's longitudinal and lateral axes and/or the axis of the prime mover's output shaft.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle 3 has one or more ducts 9 running from a first to a second end of the vehicle; from vent 5 to vent 7, or vice versa. The vehicle prime mover 19, transmission, brakes, and/or electronic controls, may be cooled in the duct. Fan 19 draws or blows air through the duct. The hull may comprise one wall of the or each duct; hull surface coolers may be provided for cooling liquid. The duct(s) may pass through one or more bulkhead(s) 11, 13 of the vehicle. A separate engine cooling system may comprise a radiator 23 and fans 29. The marine drive may be a jet drive; the vehicle road wheels (6, FIGS. 4 and 6) may be retractable above the vehicle water line when the vehicle is in marine mode.

Abstract: A vehicle steering arrangement for an amphibious vehicle having retractable steered wheels with which the steering input to such wheels is automatically substantially curtailed upon retraction of the wheels. Retraction of the wheels causes a steering link to swing toward its steering axis to thereby reduce its effective radius while steering input to a marine propulsion remains unchanged. The reduced steering input to the wheels reduces space needed to accommodate the wheels in their retracted position.

Abstract: An exhaust cooling system of an amphibious vehicle operable in land and marine modes comprises an exhaust system to be cooled, at least one air-liquid heat exchanger, at least one liquid-liquid heat exchanger, and coolant liquid in thermal communication with the exhaust system to be cooled, the air-liquid heat exchanger(s) and/or the liquid-liquid heat exchanger(s) and heated by the exhaust system. When the amphibious vehicle is operated in land mode, the coolant liquid is cooled by the air-liquid heat exchanger(s). When the vehicle is operated in marine mode, the coolant liquid is cooled by the liquid-liquid heat exchanger(s). The air-liquid heat exchanger(s) may also be used on water. The vehicle may plane, and have retractable road wheels. The air-liquid heat exchanger(s) may be mounted at the front or rear of the vehicle, or elsewhere.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has retractable road wheels to allow planing over water. Power to the road wheels is disconnected automatically as the wheels are retracted. This may be achieved through a cable attached to a suspension rocker arm to disconnect a dog clutch attached to the input shaft of a differential as the wheels are retracted; and vice versa. The system may be fitted to a steered axle or to any suitable retractable suspension system.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle (10), with reference to FIG. 1, which may plane on water, has a propulsion system comprising prime mover (20), power transmission means (30), marine propulsion means (40), and land propulsion means (50). Vehicle (10) is operable in marine mode or land mode. Common controls are used on land and water, the steering control travel may be the same in each mode. Power is transmitted to the marine propulsion means in marine mode; and to both marine and land propulsion means in land mode. The power transmission ratio between land and marine propulsion means may be variable in land mode. The propulsion control means (60) may comprise electronic processing means and/or electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or electromechanical actuation devices, or any combination thereof. Prime mover (20) may comprise an internal combustion engine; an electric motor, a fuel cell; a hybrid engine; or any combination thereof. The transmission means may be mechanical, electric, or hydraulic.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle (32) having a transverse mid- or rear-mounted engine (12) arranged to drive rear road wheels (30) and/or through an axial transmission (37), a marine propulsion unit (38), in which the engine (12) is so mounted in relation to the transmission (37) to the marine propulsion unit (38) that the bottom (8) of the engine is below the axis (37) of the transmission. This ensures an advantageous metacentric height which is preferably between 370 and 180 mm.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has retractable road wheels to allow planing over water. Power to the road wheels is disconnected automatically as the wheels are retracted. This may be achieved through a cable attached to a suspension rocker arm to disconnect a dog clutch attached to the input shaft of a differential as the wheels are retracted; and vice versa. The system may be fitted to a steered axle or to any suitable retractable suspension system.