Ammunition loading vehicle and method

• US 7,181,322 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2002
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: B.L. USA Inc.
• Original Assignee: B.L. USA Inc.
• Inventors: Bivas, Refael
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Dalena
• Application Number:
  US10/150,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20030216840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,737 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 180/9.36, 180/6.24, 180/6.62, 180/9.38, 180/9.42, 180/273, 180/287, 414/406, 414/408, 414/420, 414/685, 604/21, 604/26, 604/27, 604/29, 604/38
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07568 Steering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07572 Propulsion arrangements

Abstract

A motorized hydraulically-operated and driven aircraft loading vehicle is particularly suited for the loading of bombs, which are raised by a pair of hydraulically-operated arms. Vehicle has two selectable operation modes. A first, working mode provides four-wheel hydraulic steering and enables vehicle to be driven at a small turning radius, and at a speed of up to 10 km/h. A second, traveling mode automatically locks the rear wheel steering system allowing vehicle to be driven at a speed of up to 20 km/h, all being computer controlled.

Safety devices include an emergency stop switch and a no-driver no-actuation switch, and devices preventing accidents if hydraulic power is lost.

Claims

1. A motorized hydraulically-operated ammunition loading vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

a front wheel steering system and a rear wheel steering system, wherein each wheel steering system is independently steerable; and

a computer system to control the operation of the vehicle according to either a driving operation mode, in which a rear wheel steering system is locked in a generally straight orientation, or a loading operation mode, in which a front wheel steering system and said rear wheel steering system are individually steerable to enable high maneuverability of the vehicle, wherein in said loading mode the vehicle is adapted to have a turning radius measured at the inner face of the vehicle of approximately 1.6 meters.

2. A motorized hydraulically-operated ammunition loading vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

a front wheel steering system and a rear wheel steering system, wherein each wheel steering system is independently steerable; and

a computer system to control the operation of the vehicle according to either a driving operation mode, in which a rear wheel steering system is locked in a generally straight orientation, or a loading operation mode, in which a front wheel steering system and said rear wheel steering system are individually steerable to enable high maneuverability of the vehicle, wherein in said loading mode the vehicle is adapted to rotate at a speed of up to 10 km/h.

3. An ammunition loading method, comprising:

operating an ammunition loading vehicle in a driving operation mode, wherein a rear wheel steering system is locked in a generally straight orientation; and

operating said ammunition loading vehicle in a loading operation mode, wherein a front wheel steering system and said rear wheel steering system are individually steerable to enable high maneuverability of said vehicle, wherein the vehicle is adapted to have a turning radius measured at the inner face of the vehicle of approximately 1.6 meters.