Abstract: A high speed actuation system for protracting and retracting a retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly of an amphibian includes an actuator, at least one retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly comprising at least one wheel and/or track drive supported directly or indirectly by a suspension assembly and movable between a protracted and retracted positions, an energy source for providing power to the actuator, and a controller that controls in amount the power provided by the energy source to the actuator such that the time of actuation to retract the at least one retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly from a protracted position to a retracted position, or to protract the at least one retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly from a retracted position to a protracted position, is less than 5 seconds.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, a power train for an amphibian operable in land and marine modes. The power train comprises a prime mover having an integral speed change transmission, at least a first land propulsion unit, at least a first marine propulsion unit, and a power transmission unit. The prime mover is arranged to drive the at least first land propulsion unit through/via the integral speed change transmission in the land mode, and the prime mover is arranged to drive the at least first marine propulsion unit through/via the power transmission unit in both the marine mode and the land mode. The present invention also relates to an amphibian comprising such a powertrain.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to Figure, a retractable single front wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising a single front wheel and/or track drive. The retractable single front wheel and/or track drive assembly comprises an actuator, a suspension assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and a single front wheel and/or track drive. When the suspension assembly is protracted then the suspension assembly supports and/or holds the single front wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land, and the front single wheel is moved forward and upwards on retraction. The present invention also provides a retractable single rear wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian. The present invention further provides an amphibian comprising the retractable single front and/or rear wheel and/or track drive assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, a retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising an actuator, a retraction linkage assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, a suspension assembly at least partially connected to the retraction linkage assembly and movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and at least one wheel and/or track drive. When the retraction linkage assembly and the suspension assembly are protracted then the retraction linkage and/or suspension assembly supports and/or holds at least one wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land.

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 (2A) 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: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, a power train for an amphibian operable in land and marine modes. The power train comprises a prime mover, a first land propulsion device, a first marine propulsion device and a speed change transmission. The prime mover is arranged to drive the first land propulsion device through/via the speed change transmission in land mode. The prime mover, or at least a portion thereof, is located between the speed change transmission and a rearward most part of the amphibian, with the speed change transmission located spaced ahead of, in front of, the prime mover.

Abstract: An amphibious motorcycle with a hull that provides desirable buoyancy for the vehicle to float while in the water and yet allows the vehicle to lean/turn during use on land is provided. The amphibious motorcycle has a front wheel with a front suspension system and a rear wheel with a rear suspension system. Also included can be at least one wheel retraction system that is operable to move the front wheel and/or the rear wheel between a deployed position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on land and a retracted position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on or in the water. The amphibious motorcycle also has a hull that can have a center portion with a center bow and two oppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions each with a side bow.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 2, an amphibian operable in land and marine modes, the amphibian comprising a hull, at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) provided in the hull, and at least one retractable wheel or track assembly at least partially located in the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay). The hull is a planing hull, and the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) is provided in the front half of the hull of the amphibian. The amphibian further comprises at least one conduit which opens, or is provided with an entry which opens, into or at the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) and is configured for channelling, in use, fluid away from the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay).

Abstract: A power train for an amphibian operable in land and marine modes includes a prime mover, at least a first land propulsion unit, a first marine propulsion unit, a second marine propulsion unit, and at least one speed change transmission. The prime mover is arranged to drive the at least first land propulsion unit through/via the at least one speed change transmission in land mode, and the prime mover is arranged to drive the first marine propulsion unit and the second marine propulsion unit through/via the at least one, or another, or combinations of, speed change transmission in marine mode. In addition, the present invention provides an amphibian comprising the power train.

Abstract: A power train for an amphibian includes a first prime mover, a first speed change transmission, a first land propulsion unit and a first marine propulsion unit. The first prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion unit and the first marine propulsion unit through the first speed change transmission. The power train further comprises a second prime mover, a second speed change transmission, a second land propulsion unit and a second marine propulsion unit. The second prime mover is arranged to selectively drive at least one of the second land propulsion unit and a second marine propulsion unit through the second speed change transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, an amphibian operable on land and in/on water. The amphibian comprises a planing hull, at least one retractable wheel, the at least one retractable wheel being retractable from a protracted land engaging position when the amphibian is operated on land to a retracted position when the amphibian is operated in/on water, at least one prime mover for providing power to drive, directly or indirectly, the amphibian on land and/or in/on water, and at least one steerable wheel which is, at least when the amphibian is operated on land, connected directly or indirectly to a steering control device operable by a driver to steer the amphibian.

Abstract: A retractable land propulsion assembly for an amphibian including a retraction linkage movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, an actuator for moving the retraction linkage between the protracted position and retracted position, and at least one wheel and/or track drive. When the retraction linkage is protracted then the retraction linkage supports and/or holds the at least one wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land. The retraction linkage comprises at least one component or part or portion thereof that passes through an overcentre position on protraction to prevent forces received in use via the at least one wheel and/or track drive from acting to retract the retraction linkage.

Abstract: A power train for an amphibian operable in land and marine modes includes a prime mover, at least a first land propulsion unit, a first marine propulsion unit, a second marine propulsion unit, and at least one speed change transmission. The prime mover is arranged to drive the at least first land propulsion unit through/via the at least one speed change transmission in land mode, and the prime mover is arranged to drive the first marine propulsion unit and the second marine propulsion unit through/via the at least one, or another, or combinations of, speed change transmission in marine mode. In addition, the present invention provides an amphibian comprising the power train.

Abstract: An amphibian operable in land and marine modes includes a hull, having a discontinuity, and a retractable wheel or track drive assembly at least partially located in the discontinuity. A wheel or track drive of the at least one retractable wheel or track drive assembly is retracted above a lowest point of the hull when operating in marine mode, and the wheel or track drive is protracted below the lowest point when operating in land mode. The hull is a planing V hull having a forward bow section defining a frontal bow surface/area across a beam of the hull. The discontinuity is provided in the forward bow section, and the wheel or track drive of the retractable wheel or track drive assembly is located ahead of and in front of at least a portion of the frontal bow area when protracted.

Abstract: An amphibious motorcycle with a hull that provides desirable buoyancy for the vehicle to float while in the water and yet allows the vehicle to lean/turn during use on land is provided. The amphibious motorcycle has a front wheel with a front suspension system and a rear wheel with a rear suspension system. Also included can be at least one wheel retraction system that is operable to move the front wheel and/or the rear wheel between a deployed position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on land and a retracted position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on or in the water. The amphibious motorcycle also has a hull that can have a center portion with a center bow and two oppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions each with a side bow.

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: A power train for an amphibian includes a first prime mover, a first land propulsion unit, and a first marine propulsion unit. The first prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion unit, or the first marine propulsion unit, or both. The power train further comprises a second prime mover. The second prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion unit, or the first marine propulsion unit, or both, either in place of the first prime mover or in addition thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 2, an amphibian operable in land and marine modes, the amphibian comprising a hull, at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) provided in the hull, and at least one retractable wheel or track assembly at least partially located in the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay). The hull is a planning hull, and the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) is provided in the front half of the hull of the amphibian. The amphibian further comprises at least one conduit which opens, or is provided with an entry which opens, into or at the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) and is configured for channeling, in use, fluid away from the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay).

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 amphibian operable in land and marine modes includes a hull, having a discontinuity, and a retractable wheel or track drive assembly at least partially located in the discontinuity. A wheel or track drive of the at least one retractable wheel or track drive assembly is retracted above a lowest point of the hull when operating in marine mode, and the wheel or track drive is protracted below the lowest point when operating in land mode. The hull is a planing V hull having a forward bow section defining a frontal bow surface/area across a beam of the hull. The discontinuity is provided in the forward bow section, and the wheel or track drive of the retractable wheel or track drive assembly is located ahead of and in front of at least a portion of the frontal bow area when protracted.