Payload module for mobility assist

• US 7,464,775 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2003
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Clemens, David A., Chun, Wendell H., Stinchcomb, Jon T., Beck, Michael S., Dunne, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scharich; Marc A
• Application Number:
  US10/639,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20040164505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,953 Days
• Field of Search: 901/1, 901/15, 180/8.1, 180/8.3, 180/8.4, 180/9.32, 180/8.5, 180/8.6, 414/694
• US Class Current: 180/8.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/02 characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/046 with planetary gearing having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0038 the motor moving together with the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0092 the motor axle being coaxial to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0015 the motor being hydraulic
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0023 the motor being pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/062 acting on transmission parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/10 with more than four wheels tractors of the low ground pressure type B62D49/002
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/12 with variable number of ground engaging wheels, e.g. with some wheels arranged higher than others, or with retractable wheels for manoeuvring purposes only B60S
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/50 Captive balloons
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/20 Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/028 Micro-sized aircraft

Abstract

A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload module relative to a chassis.

Claims

1. A ground vehicle, comprising:

a chassis, the chassis defining a payload bay;

a payload module capable of articulating into and out of the payload bay and relative to the chassis to assist mobility of the ground vehicle; and

an articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including;

a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis;

an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint; and

a position lock.

2. The ground vehicle of claim 1, wherein the payload module articulates by rotating.

3. The ground vehicle of claim 2, wherein the payload module rotates through 180°

.

4. The ground vehicle of claim 3, wherein the rotation is ±

90°

relative to a centerline of the chassis.

5. The ground vehicle of claim 1, wherein the payload module articulates to push against the ground.

6. The ground vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a payload housed in the payload module.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a payload module;

a chassis; and

a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including;

a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis, the rotating joint comprising a centered shoulder joint;

an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint; and

a position lock.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the articulable coupling is capable of articulating through 180°

.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the enclosure pivot comprises a sliding dog clutch.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rotating joint includes:

a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation;

a drive; and

a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a payload module;

a chassis; and

a vertically articulable coupling capable of articulating through 180°

between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including;

a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis;

an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint; and

a position lock.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the articulable coupling includes a center shoulder joint.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the enclosure pivot comprises a sliding dog clutch.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the rotating joint includes:

a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation;

a drive; and

a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a payload module;

a chassis; and

a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including;

a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis;

an enclosure pivot comprising a sliding dog clutch coupled to the rotating joint; and

a position lock.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the articulable coupling includes a center shoulder joint.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the articulable coupling is capable of articulating through 180°

.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the rotating joint includes:

a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation;

a drive; and

a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a payload module;

a chassis; and

a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including;

a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis, including;

a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation;

a drive; and

a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing;

an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint; and

a position lock.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the articulable coupling includes a center shoulder joint.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the articulable coupling is capable of articulating through 180°

.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the enclosure pivot comprises a sliding dog clutch.