Platforms for sustainable transportation
First Claim
1. A vehicle, said vehicle comprising:
- at least two substantially identical cells, each cell having two ends and two opposing sides, a bottom surface and a top surface;
each cell comprising;
a body section;
at least one pair of wheels, one wheel on each of said opposing sides;
an axle for each wheel, said wheel coupled to said axle, an independent, active suspension for each wheel, wherein said suspensions couple said axles to said bottom surface of said body section, said suspensions being microprocessor-controllable in response to operator input and roadway conditions;
a drive motor fixedly attached to said axle, wherein motive force is translated from said drive motor to said wheels;
wherein said cells are assembled end-to-end such that a rigid vehicle body structure is formed;
a steering system, wherein all of said wheels are operative to steer said vehicle, said steering system being microprocessor-controllable;
a power plant for generating power and supplying said power to said drive motors; and
one or more microprocessor control means for centrally controlling at least said suspensions and said steering system;
wherein providing multiple pairs of suspensions closely spaced reduces load requirements for said vehicle structure, so that suspensions for said transit vehicle are manufacturable from lightweight, stock parts.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle utilize a cellular design to provide variously sized vehicles constructed from varying numbers of substantially identical cells. Each cell, fabricated from lightweight materials including composites, includes: compartment, floor section, sidewalls, roof, drive train, steering, brakes; and wheels coupled through axles and independent suspensions to the vehicle body, each suspension including a height adjuster, a flow-control shock absorber, and a rapid-response air spring for and exceptionally comfortable ride. The suspension system reduces structural requirements for the body. All-wheel steering lends the vehicle exceptionally high maneuverability. A hybrid power system combines an alternative fueled engine to power electricity generation and all-wheel electric drive with main energy storage in advanced battery technology. The cellular design and attendant weight reduction allow suspensions and drive trains to be substantially fabricated from light truck parts. A control system cooridnates and regulates the several sub-systems based on a variety of inputs.
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Citations
82 Claims
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1. A vehicle, said vehicle comprising:
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at least two substantially identical cells, each cell having two ends and two opposing sides, a bottom surface and a top surface;
each cell comprising;
a body section;
at least one pair of wheels, one wheel on each of said opposing sides;
an axle for each wheel, said wheel coupled to said axle, an independent, active suspension for each wheel, wherein said suspensions couple said axles to said bottom surface of said body section, said suspensions being microprocessor-controllable in response to operator input and roadway conditions;
a drive motor fixedly attached to said axle, wherein motive force is translated from said drive motor to said wheels;
wherein said cells are assembled end-to-end such that a rigid vehicle body structure is formed;
a steering system, wherein all of said wheels are operative to steer said vehicle, said steering system being microprocessor-controllable;
a power plant for generating power and supplying said power to said drive motors; and
one or more microprocessor control means for centrally controlling at least said suspensions and said steering system;
wherein providing multiple pairs of suspensions closely spaced reduces load requirements for said vehicle structure, so that suspensions for said transit vehicle are manufacturable from lightweight, stock parts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A suspension for a multi-axle vehicle, said suspension comprising:
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a height adjuster;
an active air spring system for maintaining body of said vehicle level relative to irregularities in a road surface;
an active shock absorber for damping forces exerted by said air spring system; and
a control element for independently controlling each of said suspensions in response to operator input and roadway conditions, wherein said vehicle includes at least three evenly spaced pairs of wheels, one on each of opposing sides of the vehicle, each wheel mounted on an axle, a suspension provided for each wheel, said suspensions coupling said axles to an undersurface of said vehicle body, wherein providing said suspensions closely spaced reduces load requirements for structure of said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. A multi-axle vehicle, comprising:
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a vehicle body;
at least three evenly spaced pairs of wheels, one on each of opposing sides of the vehicle, each wheel mounted on an axle;
a suspension provided for each wheel, said suspensions coupling said axles to an undersurface of said vehicle body, wherein providing said suspensions closely spaced reduces load requirements for structure of said vehicle; and
a control element for independently controlling each of said suspensions in response to operator input and roadway conditions. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
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Specification