Patents by Inventor Peter Derek VISSCHER

Peter Derek VISSCHER 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: 11858548
    Abstract: A steering system for a skid steered vehicle has a variable-speed steering motor, and an asymmetrical steering differential operatively connected to the steering motor and rotatably mounted on a first side of the chassis separately from the propulsion system. The steering differential has a first differential shaft and a second differential shaft, where the asymmetrical differential imparts a greater speed change on the second differential shaft than the first differential shaft. The first differential shaft is connected to a first steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the first side of the vehicle. A speed reducer mounted fixedly on the chassis connects the second differential shaft to a second steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the second side of the vehicle so that the second steering output shaft experiences the same speed change but in an opposite rotational direction as the first steering output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CANADENSYS AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Derek Visscher, Peter John Woolfrey
  • Publication number: 20230347976
    Abstract: A steering system for a skid steered vehicle has a variable-speed steering motor, and an asymmetrical steering differential operatively connected to the steering motor and rotatably mounted on a first side of the chassis separately from the propulsion system. The steering differential has a first differential shaft and a second differential shaft, where the asymmetrical differential imparts a greater speed change on the second differential shaft than the first differential shaft. The first differential shaft is connected to a first steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the first side of the vehicle. A speed reducer connecting the second differential shaft to a second steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the second side of the vehicle so that the second steering output shaft experiences the same speed change but in an opposite rotational direction as the first steering output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Derek VISSCHER, Peter John WOOLFREY
  • Publication number: 20230339538
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle, particularly a skid-steered vehicle, that employs motive power from a prime mover delivered through an input shaft to drive left and right drive shafts at a nominal speed and input power from an electric motor to vary the speed of the left and right drive shafts according to steering commands from a steering control structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is directly related to a speed of the input shaft and the nominal speed of the left or right drive shaft is varied upwardly or downwardly by a ratio of the speed of the steering shaft via a speed varying structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is simultaneously varied in opposite directions (i.e. upwardly and downwardly) relative to the nominal speed by an equal number of rotations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek VISSCHER, Jeremy BAUMAN, Robert REITER
  • Patent number: 11685436
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle, particularly a skid-steered vehicle, that employs motive power from a prime mover delivered through an input shaft to drive left and right drive shafts at a nominal speed and input power from an electric motor to vary the speed of the left and right drive shafts according to steering commands from a steering control structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is directly related to a speed of the input shaft and the nominal speed of the left or right drive shaft is varied upwardly or downwardly by a ratio of the speed of the steering shaft via a speed varying structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is simultaneously varied in opposite directions (i.e. upwardly and downwardly) relative to the nominal speed by an equal number of rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek Visscher, Jeremy Bauman, Robert Reiter
  • Publication number: 20230192188
    Abstract: A steering system for a skid steered vehicle has a variable-speed steering motor, and an asymmetrical steering differential operatively connected to the steering motor and rotatably mounted on a first side of the chassis separately from the propulsion system. The steering differential has a first differential shaft and a second differential shaft, where the asymmetrical differential imparts a greater speed change on the second differential shaft than the first differential shaft. The first differential shaft is connected to a first steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the first side of the vehicle. A speed reducer mounted fixedly on the chassis connects the second differential shaft to a second steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the second side of the vehicle so that the second steering output shaft experiences the same speed change but in an opposite rotational direction as the first steering output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: CANADENSYS AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Derek VISSCHER, Peter John WOOLFREY
  • Publication number: 20220306195
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle, particularly a skid-steered vehicle, that employs motive power from a prime mover delivered through an input shaft to drive left and right drive shafts at a nominal speed and input power from an electric motor to vary the speed of the left and right drive shafts according to steering commands from a steering control structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is directly related to a speed of the input shaft and the nominal speed of the left or right drive shaft is varied upwardly or downwardly by a ratio of the speed of the steering shaft via a speed varying structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is simultaneously varied in opposite directions (i.e. upwardly and downwardly) relative to the nominal speed by an equal number of rotations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek VISSCHER, Jeremy BAUMAN, Robert REITER
  • Patent number: 11358636
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle, particularly a skid-steered vehicle, that employs motive power from a prime mover delivered through an input shaft to drive left and right drive shafts at a nominal speed and input power from an electric motor to vary the speed of the left and right drive shafts according to steering commands from a steering control structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is directly related to a speed of the input shaft and the nominal speed of the left or right drive shaft is varied upwardly or downwardly by a ratio of the speed of the steering shaft via a speed varying structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is simultaneously varied in opposite directions (i.e. upwardly and downwardly) relative to the nominal speed by an equal number of rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek Visscher, Jeremy Bauman, Robert Reiter
  • Patent number: 10604200
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle configured to be propelled by an endless loop track and a suspension system therefore comprises first and second lower suspension rails pivotally attached to one another at a central pivot. First, second and third suspension supports are provided, each comprising a resilient element and a suspension strut, the suspension strut having an upper end pivotally connected to the frame and a lower end. The lower end of the suspension strut of the first suspension support is pivotally connected to the first lower suspension rail. The lower end of the suspension strut of the third suspension support is pivotally connected to the second lower suspension rail. The lower end of the suspension strut of the second suspension support is pivotally connected to the first lower suspension rail, the second lower suspension rail or the first and second lower suspension rails proximal the central pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek Visscher, Keith Louis Heibein
  • Publication number: 20180170427
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle, particularly a skid-steered vehicle, that employs motive power from a prime mover delivered through an input shaft to drive left and right drive shafts at a nominal speed and input power from an electric motor to vary the speed of the left and right drive shafts according to steering commands from a steering control structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is directly related to a speed of the input shaft and the nominal speed of the left or right drive shaft is varied upwardly or downwardly by a ratio of the speed of the steering shaft via a speed varying structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is simultaneously varied in opposite directions (i.e. upwardly and downwardly) relative to the nominal speed by an equal number of rotations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek Visscher, Jeremy Bauman, Robert Reiter
  • Publication number: 20180162465
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle configured to be propelled by an endless loop track and a suspension system therefore comprises first and second lower suspension rails pivotally attached to one another at a central pivot. First, second and third suspension supports are provided, each comprising a resilient element and a suspension strut, the suspension strut having an upper end pivotally connected to the frame and a lower end. The lower end of the suspension strut of the first suspension support is pivotally connected to the first lower suspension rail. The lower end of the suspension strut of the third suspension support is pivotally connected to the second lower suspension rail. The lower end of the suspension strut of the second suspension support is pivotally connected to the first lower suspension rail, the second lower suspension rail or the first and second lower suspension rails proximal the central pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek Visscher, Keith Louis Heibein
  • Patent number: 9539856
    Abstract: The wheel is all-metal, and is suitable for use on the moon. The wheel includes tread-plates mounted on leaf-springs, which deflect to permit suspension movement. The leaf-springs are flexible, light, and thin, yet are made strong enough to cope with heavy traction forces by the provision of hoop-cables, which link all the tread-plates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Derek Visscher
  • Publication number: 20140345761
    Abstract: The wheel is all-metal, and is suitable for use on the moon. The wheel includes tread-plates mounted on leaf-springs, which deflect to permit suspension movement. The leaf-springs are flexible, light, and thin, yet are made strong enough to cope with heavy traction forces by the provision of hoop-cables, which link all the tread-plates together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicants: ONTARIO DRIVE & GEAR LIMITED
    Inventor: Peter Derek VISSCHER
  • Patent number: 8439152
    Abstract: On an amphibious ATV, a triple-differential transmission is combined a continuously-variable drive. The gearbox can be set at a low ratio, for negotiation of difficult terrain, and at a high ratio for cruising trails. The high-low shift mechanism is located upstream, in the drive train, of the forward-reverse shift mechanism. Both mechanisms are located upstream of the steer-differential and of the two wheel-differentials. Main power from the engine is passed, through the mechanisms, directly to a wheel-ring that is common to both wheel-differentials. The common wheel-ring is bearing'd, not from the gearbox housing, but from the wheel-shafts, which are themselves bearing'd into the gearbox housing. Similarly, the steer-diff-housing is bearing'd, not from the gearbox housing, but from the steer-shafts, which are themselves bearing'd from the gearbox housing, which makes for a compact, narrow, layout of the gearbox—well suited to the ATV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Derek Visscher
  • Publication number: 20110217887
    Abstract: On an amphibious ATV, a triple-differential transmission is combined a continuously-variable drive. The gearbox can be set at a low ratio, for negotiation of difficult terrain, and at a high ratio for cruising trails. The high-low shift mechanism is located upstream, in the drive train, of the forward-reverse shift mechanism. Both mechanisms are located upstream of the steer-differential and of the two wheel-differentials. Main power from the engine is passed, through the mechanisms, directly to a wheel-ring that is common to both wheel-differentials. The common wheel-ring is bearing'd, not from the gearbox housing, but from the wheel-shafts, which are themselves bearing'd into the gearbox housing. Similarly, the steer-diff-housing is bearing'd, not from the gearbox housing, but from the steer-shafts, which are themselves bearing'd from the gearbox housing, which makes for a compact, narrow, layout of the gearbox—well suited to the ATV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Derek VISSCHER