Abstract: Road and marine steering means in an amphibious vehicle are linked so that the ratio between them is variable. In a first embodiment, an arm connects a lever to a steering rack. A cable operates the marine steering means. The lever pivots about a pin, which may be moved along a slot by the motor and gearbox driving screw shaft. At pin position A, full road steering travel x is achieved with minimal marine steering travel. At pin position B, road and marine steering have equal travel x?; and at position C, full marine steering travel z is achieved with minimal road steering travel y. In a further embodiment, a lever arm fixed to steering rack casing has a cam profile constraining pin. Full marine steering travel z of the cable is achieved over rack travel y. The steering wheel controls both road and marine steering.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle (10, FIG. 8) has a retractable suspension system. The transmission to a driven wheel comprises a plunging CV joint 7 at the outer or wheel end of driveshaft 5, and a fixed CV joint 3A at the inner or differential end of the driveshaft. The fixed joint at the inner end of the shaft allows wheel movement between a lowered position allowing increased ground clearance, through a normal road use position, to a retracted wheel position above the vehicle water line (FIG. 5). At least one inner CV joint may incorporate a driveshaft decoupler 20; which may incorporate synchromesh. The vehicle may be a planing vehicle, with either a longitudinal or a mid-mounted transverse prime mover, which may be an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell powered electric motor.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle having road wheels which are retractable to allow planing. Each wheel suspension is protractable through a gap in the planing surface of the hull. To reduce hydrodynamic drag and improve marine handling, covers are provided which cover such gaps when the wheels are retracted. These covers may be hinged parallel to a longitudinal, or to a transverse, axis of the vehicle or may be otherwise connected to the hull.

Abstract: A power train for an amphibious vehicle includes an engine and transaxle arranged North-South, driving front, rear, or all four road wheels. A power take off with optional decoupler and constant velocity joint drives marine drive. The power take off may be taken from the input shaft of the transmission, and may use a synchronizer. The transaxle includes a differential. The rear wheels may be set back from the differential outputs, with intermediate drives by chains or belts. A sandwich type power take off may also be used. In the four wheel drive embodiment, a power take off is required from the rear differential. Decouplers may be provided in at least one wheel drive shaft on each driven axle.

Abstract: Bump stop for an amphibious vehicle suspension having a member selectively movable between an operating position, and an inoperative position. This allows the suspension to retract road wheels along locus for conversion to marine mode. Bump stop free end may be moved by filling cavities with pressurized fluid. Alternatively, the entire bump stop may be rotated on a pivot by a hydraulic cylinder, an electric solenoid, manually or by any other mechanical means. Alternatively, the movable member may be a position in a cylinder, withdrawn against a return spring by hydraulic pressure, and may act against resilient snubber on the vehicle suspension. Bump pad has a curved undersurface, allowing the bump stop to be bent out of the way when the suspension is lowered.

Abstract: Vehicle suspension having a control arm pivotally mounted to vehicle body. Wheel support is pivotally mounted to the control arm. A hydraulic strut is pivotally mounted to body at trunnion mount. The wheel may be protracted to be placed vertically on the road surface or retracted at an angle, for example to allow good marine performance in an amphibious vehicle. Strut may be extended or retracted by hydraulic fluid pumped through ports and may also be used for wheel springing and damping. As trunnion mount is part way up the strut, the strut can pivot out of the way of the retracing wheel. A second control arm may also be fitted; this may be part of a double wishbone wheel suspension.

Abstract: A decoupler for coupling/decoupling drive between a power train output and road wheels or marine drive means in an amphibious vehicle, is integrated with a constant velocity joint, saving space, weight, and cost for low production volumes, and simplifying mounting arrangements. Power train output shaft enters casing through aperture, and terminates in a flange with splines. Baulk ring and synchrocone provide synchromesh action between drive ring and driven CV joint cap. Rod is attached to selector arm, located in slot, allowing coupling and decoupling by an external control, which may be assisted by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. The synchromesh parts may be sourced from truck gearboxes. CV joint is mounted in bearings, and may be a Rzeppa type. Groove allows fitment of a conventional dust gaiter.

Abstract: Power train for an amphibious vehicle has an engine aligned with vehicle axis. The crankshaft drives optional flexible coupling, shaft, and optional decoupler. Drive shaft drives marine propulsion means, which may be a water jet drive or a screw propeller. Shaft also drives bevel gear, which drives transmission through bevel gear and input shaft. Hence, transmission is mounted transversely, and perpendicular to the engine. The bevel gears, coupling and decoupler are contained in a casing. Transmission drives road wheels through integral differential, drive shafts, and relay shaft. Transmission may be manual, sequential change manual, automated manual, automatic, or continuously variable transmission. The engine may be offset to the vehicle center line.

Abstract: Power train for amphibious vehicle comprises engine aligned with longitudinal vehicle axis, transmission, and power take off mounted between engine and transmission. At least one marine propulsion unit mounted at the rear of the vehicle, is driven by shaft which runs alongside the transmission. Either transmission is offset to axis, and marine propulsion unit is on axis; or transmission is on axis, and the marine propulsion units are offset to axis. The driven road wheels may be the front wheels, the rear wheels, or all four. The engine may be at the front of the vehicle and the transmission at the back. Alternatively, the transmission may drive forward to a differential mounted adjacent to the engine sump, with wheel drive shaft passing through said pump.

Abstract: A steering system for amphibious vehicle includes a control connected to road steering means. Ram is conventionally used to assist road steering, but by disconnecting command valves, it becomes a hydraulic master cylinder, driving slave cylinder; and thus marine steering means. Valves and hydraulic reservoir enable the marine steering to be disconnected from road steering. The marine steering means may be center biased by springs. A sensor and control means may synchronize center positions of road and marine steering. The valve and port layout may also achieve this goal. Alternatively, power steering in road mode may be maintained by fitting a master cylinder in parallel or in series with steering means; and may have hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, electric, or magnetic assistance.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle power train includes an engine mounted above, or above and to one side of transmission. Axis of crankshaft is parallel to axis of transmission input shaft, and to longitudinal vehicle axis. Crankshaft longitudinally overlaps input shaft. Engine is mounted North-South, and transmission South-North. Crankshaft drives input shaft through sprockets, connected by belt or chain; or by gears. Shaft drives marine propulsion means through drive shaft and optional decoupler. Transmission may be manual, sequential change manual, automated manual, seem-automatic, automatic, or continuously variable. Power train may be mounted towards the rear of the vehicle, driving the rear wheels through differential. Alternatively, the front wheels may also be driven, through drive shaft and differential. Either axle may be decoupled in road mode.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle power train has an engine with crankshaft and solid or fluid flywheel; a transmission arranged in line with the crankshaft, with an input shaft driven from the flywheel; and a power take off for driving shafts and marine propulsion means. The power take off has a driving sprocket attached to the crankshaft, a chain or belt, and a driven sprocket. Bevel gears are provided to convert transverse engine crankshaft rotation to longitudinal marine drive.

Abstract: A steering system for amphibious vehicle (100) comprises control (144) connected to road steering means (126). Ram (134) is conventionally used to assist road steering, but by disconnecting command valves (165), it becomes a hydraulic master cylinder, driving slave cylinder (148); and thus marine steering means (121). V represents a layout of valves and hydraulic reservoir enabling marine steering to be disconnected from road steering. The marine steering means may be centre biased by springs. A sensor and control means may synchronize centre positions of road and marine steering. The valve and port layout of FIG. 4 may also achieve this goal. Alternatively, power steering in road mode may be maintained by fitting a master cylinder in parallel or in series with steering means (126); and may have hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, electric, or magnetic assistance.

Abstract: Vehicle suspension having a control arm pivotally mounted to vehicle body. Wheel support is pivotally mounted to the control arm. A hydraulic strut is pivotally mounted to body at trunnion mount. The wheel may be protracted to be placed vertically on the road surface or retracted at an angle, for example to allow good marine performance in an amphibious vehicle Strut may be extended or retracted by hydraulic fluid pumped through ports and may also be used for wheel springing and damping. As trunnion mount is part way up the strut, the strut can pivot out of the way of the retracing wheel. A second control arm may also be fitted; this may be part of a double wishbone wheel suspension.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle power train 10 comprises a prime mover 12, transfer drive 14, transmission 16, and differential 17. A marine drive power take-off (PTO) comprises chain, belt, or gear drive, and optional decoupler 22. Rotational axis 65 of marine drive shaft 64 and impeller shaft 66 of centrifugal pump 68 are substantially perpendicular to longitudinal vehicle axis 11. The driven road wheels may be the rear wheels. Alternative embodiments comprise PTO drive from differential 17 (FIG. 3); from the crankshaft timing end (80, FIG. 4); or by a sandwich PTO between engine and transmission (56, FIG. 5). FIG. 6 shows PTO's from the gearbox of a motorcycle type power train, driving centrifugal pump 102 and differential 90. At least one further decoupler may be provided in wheel driveshafts 23, 25, to disconnect drive thereto while the amphibian is used in marine mode. The prime mover 12 may be an engine or may be an electric motor.

Abstract: Bump stop (10) for an amphibious vehicle suspension comprises a member (12) selectively movable between an operating position, (FIG. 1), and an inoperative position, (FIG. 10). This allows the suspension to retract road wheels along locus (23) for conversion to marine mode. Bump stop free end (16) may be moved by filling cavities (18) with pressurized fluid. Alternatively, the entire bump stop many be rotated on a pivot by a hydraulic cylinder (52, FIGS. 3 and 4), an electric solenoid (152, FIGS. 5 and 6), manually, or by other mechanical means. Alternatively, the movable member may be a position in a cylinder (74, FIG. 12), withdrawn against a return spring by hydraulic pressure, and may act against resilient snubber (92, FIG. 12) on the vehicle suspension. Bump pad (26) has a curved undersurface (25, FIG. 11), allowing the bump stop to be bent out of the way when the suspension is lowered (FIG. 11).

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle power train has an engine with crankshaft and solid or fluid flywheel; a transmission arranged in line with the crankshaft, with an input shaft driven from the flywheel; and a power take off for driving shafts and marine propulsion means. The power take off has a driving sprocket attached to the crankshaft, a chain or belt, and a driven sprocket. Bevel gears are provided to convert transverse engine crankshaft rotation to longitudinal marine drive.

Abstract: A power train for an amphibious vehicle includes an engine and transaxle arranged North-South, driving front, rear, or all four road wheels. A power take off with optional decoupler and constant velocity joint drives marine drive means. The power take off may be taken from the input shaft of the transmission, and may use a synchronizer. The transaxle includes a differential. The rear wheels may be set back from the differential outputs, with intermediate drives by chains or belts. A sandwich type power take off may also be used. In the four wheel drive embodiment, a power take off is required from the rear differential. Decouplers may be provided in at least one wheel drive shaft on each driven axle.

Abstract: Power train for an amphibious vehicle has an engine aligned with vehicle axis. The crankshaft drives optional flexible coupling, shaft, and optional decoupler. Drive shaft drives marine propulsion means, which may be a water jet drive or a screw propeller. Shaft also drives bevel gear, which drives transmission through bevel gear and input shaft. Hence, transmission is mounted transversely, and perpendicular to the engine. The bevel gears, coupling and decoupler are contained in a casing. Transmission drives road wheels through integral differential, drive shafts, and relay shaft. Transmission may be manual, sequential change manual, automated manual, automatic, or continuously variable transmission. The engine may be offset to the vehicle center line.

Abstract: A PTO (power take off) sprocket 65 driving belt or chain 80 is attached to input shaft 42 of a transversely mounted vehicle gearbox 40. The driving face of sprocket 65 is outside casting 52; its driven part 58 is attached to sprocket 46 by bolts 59, running in bearing 64 in flanged spigot 55. Shaft 42 is driven through sprocket 46 by belt or chain 48. Decouplers may be fitted to wheel drive shafts, and to the PTO drive at 76. FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 show automatic and manual gearboxes mounted alongside engines; FIG. 5 also shows marine jet drive 88, bevel gears 84, and Cardan shaft 82. FIG. 7 shows in-line transmission 240. FIG. 8 shows a sandwich PTO 365 with manual gearbox 341 and clutch assembly 336; or automatic gearbox 341 and torque converter 336. Applications are disclosed to semi-automatic, sequential shit automated manual, and CVT gearboxes.