Patents by Inventor Ian James Spark

Ian James Spark has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7857085
    Abstract: The invention describes vehicles where the steering effect of the driver-selected wheel angles is made identical to the steering effect of positively and independently driving the driven wheels. Means of delivering most of the power to each of the driven wheels by means of shaft drives is also described. Here speed-correcting differentials are close coupled to each driven wheel where the first input to the said differentials is by means of shaft drives, and the second input to the said differentials is provided by means of speed-correcting hydraulic or electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Ian James Spark
  • Publication number: 20090159356
    Abstract: The invention describes vehicles where the steering effect of the driver-selected wheel angles is made identical to the steering effect of positively and independently driving the driven wheels. Means of delivering most of the power to each of the driven wheels by means of shaft drives is also described. Here speed-correcting differentials are close coupled to each driven wheel where the first input to the said differentials is by means of shaft drives, and the second input to the said differentials is provided by means of speed-correcting hydraulic or electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Ian James Spark
  • Patent number: 7464785
    Abstract: The invention describes vehicles where the steering effect of the driver-selected wheel angles is made identical to the steering effect of positively and independently driving the driven wheels. A method of compensating for the linear portions of the slip angles of all wheels and the linear portions of the longitudinal slip of the driven wheels is described where the slip angles and longitudinal slips are deduced from the forces acting on the wheels. Methods of measuring the slip angles and longitudinal slips of all wheels by means of two dummy castors are also described. Vehicles where the steering effect of the driver-selected wheel angles is made identical to the steering effect of positively and independently braking all wheels are also described. Means of applying the above principles to vehicles with either hydrostatic or mechanical drives are also described, including simplified vehicles with only two steerable wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Ian James Spark
  • Patent number: 7191865
    Abstract: There are two basic methods of steering a wheeled vehicle. One method is to turn one or more steerable wheels. The other is to drive one or more left hand wheels independently of one or more right hand wheels. Traditional vehicles address the potential conflict between the two steering systems by either disabling one system or by causing one to overpower the other. This leads to skidding or scuffing problems respectively. In the present invention both steering systems are enabled but are integrated by means of an on board computer so that they always act in unison. This mutual reinforcement will allow the invention to operate safely on steep or slippery slopes while minimizing fuel consumption and ground damage. The invention will also be more maneuverable than traditional vehicles since it is capable of both pure rotation and pure translation or any combination of rotation and translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Ian James Spark
  • Publication number: 20040195013
    Abstract: There are two basic methods of steering a wheeled vehicle. One method is to turn one or more steerable wheels. The other is to drive one or more left hand wheels independently of one or more right hand wheels. Traditional vehicles address the potential conflict between to two steering systems by either disabling one system or by causing one to overpower the other. This leads to skidding or scuffing problems respectively. In the present invention both steering systems are enabled but are integrated by means of an on board computer so that they always act in unison. This mutual reinforcement will allow the invention to operate safely on steep or slippery slopes while minimising fuel consumption and ground damage. The invention will also be more manoeuvrable than traditional vehicles since it is capable of both pure rotation and pure translation or any combination of rotation and translation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Ian James Spark