Compact pulling apparatus

• US 9,821,865 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2016
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yvon Martel
• Original Assignee: Yvon Martel
• Inventors: Martel, Yvon
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US14/991,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20160121944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/005 the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/006 the electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/25 Track vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/46 Arctic-/Extraterrestric explorers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/04 the driver walking
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/00 Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains traction couplings other than fifth wheel coupling B60D ; tracked vehicles comprising at least two articulated parts B62D55/0655
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/07 Mono-track vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/061 by scraper blades

Abstract

The compact pulling apparatus includes a watertight elongated housing extending along a longitudinal axis and a track disposed around the housing along its longitudinal axis. The track enables the apparatus to move when rotatably driven around the housing. Depending on the implementation, the apparatus can include a generator/motor to selectively produce electricity which can power external equipment and rotatably drive the track, and/or a fuel-power engine. The apparatus further includes a power train assembly by which the rotating output power is transmitted from inside to outside the housing by the power train assembly using at least one rotatable shaft section sealingly extending across a corresponding one of the walls of the housing.

Claims

1. A compact pulling apparatus including:

a watertight elongated housing extending along a longitudinal axis, the housing including a plurality of exterior walls;

a track disposed outside the housing along its longitudinal axis and enabling the apparatus to move when the track is rotatably driven around the housing;

at least one track-driving motor for generating rotating output power to move the track, the at least one track-driving motor being longitudinally disposed within the housing; and

a power train assembly supported by the housing and establishing a torque-transmitting engagement between the at least one track-driving motor and the track, the power train assembly including;

a main longitudinally-disposed driveshaft located at least partially within the housing;

a transversal driving axle; and

a gearbox having an input and an output, the input being drivingly connected to the main longitudinally-disposed driveshaft, and the output being drivingly connected to the transversal driving axle;

wherein the rotating output power is transmitted from inside to outside the housing by the power train assembly using at least one rotatable shaft section sealingly extending across a corresponding one of the walls of the housing.

2. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the gearbox includes one among the following two features:

an internal speed-reducing gear mechanism between the input and the output of the gearbox;

an internal speed-reducing gear mechanism between the input and the output of the gearbox, the internal speed-reducing gear mechanism of the gearbox being self-locking.

3. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the gearbox and the transversal driving axle are located outside the housing.

4. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the apparatus includes one among the following two features:

the transversal driving axle extends across the output of the gearbox;

the transversal driving axle extends across the output of the gearbox, the gearbox being positioned substantially at a center position along the transversal driving axle.

5. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the rotatable shaft section is a portion of the main longitudinally-disposed driveshaft and is sealingly connected to the wall by a sealed bearing or a rotatable seal arrangement.

6. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the apparatus includes one among the following two features:

the output of the gearbox is drivingly connected to the transversal driving axle located at a rear end of the apparatus;

the output of the gearbox is drivingly connected to the transversal driving axle located at a rear end of the apparatus, the transversal driving axle being drivingly connected to the track in a torque-transmitting engagement using at least one roller coaxially mounted on and rigidly coupled to the transversal driving axle, the at least one roller engaging an inner side of the track.

7. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including an external rack attached to the housing and located above the track, the external rack including at least one among the following features:

a storage space for a payload;

external batteries and an electrical wiring extending between the external batteries and the interior of the housing;

an external fuel storage tank and a fuel line extending and providing a fluid communication between the external fuel tank and the interior of the housing.

8. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including one among the following two features:

a handlebar having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being attached to the housing;

a handlebar having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being attached to the housing, the proximal end of the handlebar having a left and a right side that are pivotally attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the housing.

9. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the handlebar has at least one among the following features:

the handlebar includes at least one hollow tube providing at least one air circuit extending between the interior of the housing and an air opening located on the handlebar, the at least one air circuit passing through a pivotal attachment of the handlebar with at least one among the left and right sides of the housing;

the handlebar includes means for preventing the distal end of the handlebar from falling on the ground surface;

the distal end of the handlebar is capable of being positioned at either ends of the housing, whereby the apparatus can be operated in either directions upon pivoting the distal end of the handlebar to a corresponding one of the ends of the housing;

the distal end of the handlebar is capable of being positioned at either ends of the housing, the proximal end of the handlebar being pivotally connected at substantially a center of the housing, whereby the apparatus can be operated in either directions upon pivoting the distal end of the handlebar to a corresponding one of the ends of the housing;

the handlebar includes wires extending internally between the proximal end and the distal end of the handlebar to protect the wires from wear and damage.

10. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including at least one of the following features:

at least one snorkel extending sideways and upwards from the housing for admission of fresh air inside the housing from a location above the track;

a hauled unit operatively connected behind the housing, the hauled unit including a ground-engaging tire and an upper platform disposed above the ground-engaging tire for receiving an upstanding operator;

a brake disk coaxially mounted on and rigidly attached to the driveshaft;

at least one side panel pivotally connected to a corresponding wall on the housing using an upper hinge, the side panel providing a rain protection when opened;

skids provided with one or more pairs of rollers and/or wheels that are operatively connected to the housing and that are engaging the inner face of the track for reducing the friction between the inner face of the track and outside of the housing;

at least one among a search and rescue equipment and a search and rescue supply item mounted on the apparatus;

at least one among a plow blade, a bucket and a forklift attached to the housing;

the housing includes a cargo space located inside the housing, the cargo space holding a self-powered equipment;

the housing includes a cargo space located inside the housing, the cargo space holding a self-powered equipment, the self-powered equipment having at least one of the following features;

the self-powered equipment is integrated within the apparatus and can run from inside the cargo space;

the self-powered equipment is a self-powered electric generator running on fuel, the self-powered electric generator including an electric output for charging batteries inside the apparatus when running and/or for providing heat to the batteries when running using an air circuit extends between the cargo space and another part of inside the housing where the batteries are located;

the self-powered equipment includes a self-powered water pump running on fuel.

11. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes one among the following two features:

the at least one track-driving motor includes an electric motor coaxially mounted on the driveshaft;

the at least one track-driving motor includes an electric motor coaxially mounted on the driveshaft, the electric motor receiving electrical power from batteries located inside the housing.

12. The compact pulley apparatus as defined in claim 11, further including a power inverter unit, the power inverter unit receiving electrical power from the batteries inside the housing to power one or more external equipment.

13. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing includes an interior wall dividing the interior of the housing between a front inner chamber and a rear inner chamber and/or the apparatus further includes an internal ventilation circuit inside the housing, the ventilation circuit passing through at least one motorized shutter provided on the interior wall.

14. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the apparatus includes means for pressurizing the front inner chamber of the housing at a positive pressure.

15. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the apparatus has only one among the following features:

the at least one track-driving motor only includes an electric motor to generate the rotating output power for driving the track;

the at least one track-driving motor includes an internal-combustion engine having a crankshaft rotation axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the engine having an output that is drivingly connected to an end of the driveshaft, the engine including an integrated shroud and a built-in ventilator having an inlet in fluid communication with the rear inner chamber through a corresponding air duct;

the at least one track-driving motor includes an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, the engine having a crankshaft rotation axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the engine having an output that is drivingly connected to an end of the driveshaft;

the at least one track-driving motor only includes an internal-combustion engine having a crankshaft rotation axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;

the at least one track-driving motor only includes an internal-combustion engine having a crankshaft rotation axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the apparatus including an engine control device to reverse rotation of the engine and drive the apparatus in a reverse direction.

16. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one track-driving motor includes an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, the engine having a crankshaft rotation axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the engine having an output that is drivingly connected to an end of the driveshaft, the apparatus further including one among the following two features:

a first clutch allowing coupling and uncoupling two portions of the driveshaft located between the electric motor and the gearbox;

a first clutch allowing coupling and uncoupling two portions of the driveshaft located between the electric motor and the gearbox, the first clutch being a centrifugal clutch or an electrically-operated clutch.

17. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the electric motor includes at least a starter mode and a power generator mode, the starter mode providing rotating output power to drive a crankshaft of the engine into rotation for starting the engine, and the generator mode creating electrical power from the rotating output power received from the engine.

18. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 17, further including one among the following two features:

a second clutch provided between the engine and the driveshaft;

a second clutch provided between the engine and the driveshaft, the second clutch being a centrifugal clutch, an electrically-operated clutch or an unidirectional clutch.

19. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the electric motor has a power generator mode that can be activated to generate a braking force when the apparatus is in motion and charge the batteries using torque from the braking force.

20. The compact pulling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the driveshaft includes two coaxially-disposed shaft sections.