TRACKED AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC B60F3/00 

FIELD: transport mechanical engineering; reactive hydrodynamic facilities for improving in-water running characteristics.

SUBSTANCE: proposed tracked amphibious vehicle has drive wheel arranged in front portion; vehicle is equipped with hydrodynamic unit which is made in form of centripetal paddle wheel and guide cone mounted integral on drive wheel before stream crossing. During rotation of drive wheel, water sucked by paddle wheel in radial direction gets in contact with cone forming flow which is thrown in axial direction through central hole, thus forming lateral reactive force. At rectilinear motion, lateral reactive forces get balanced, thus steering the vehicle on steady course due to reduced effect of difference in track thrust forces. At braking of one of tracks and consequently stop of drive wheel, thrust force of leading track is summed-up with lateral reactive force, thus increasing the turning moment towards lagging side.

EFFECT: enhanced maneuverability and stability of course; simplified construction.

2 dwg