Payload module for mobility assist

• US 8,550,192 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2008
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• 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., Dunne, John C., Beck, Michael S., Chun, Wendell H., Stinchcomb, Jon T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scharich, Marc A
• Application Number:
  US12/207,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20090033045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,855 Days
• Field of Search: 180/8.1, 180/8.3, 180/8.4, 180/8.5, 180/8.6, 180/9.32, 414/694, 901/1, 901/15
• 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. An apparatus comprising an articulable payload module coupling, wherein the articulable payload module coupling includes:

a splined, sliding dog clutch; and

a motor.

2. An apparatus comprising an articulable payload module coupling, wherein the articulable payload module coupling includes:

a splined, sliding dog clutch;

a motor; and

rotary encoder.

3. An apparatus comprising an articulable payload module coupling, the articulable payload module coupling including a rotary encoder.