Dual lane multi-axle transport vehicle

Abstract

A dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle for moving heavy loads includes a forward module mounted on a plurality of axles and a rearward module mounted on a plurality of axles. The forward module is mechanically connected to the rearward module for providing a dual lane transport body. The forward module and the rearward module of the transport body each have a single central spine wherein the axles of both the forward module and the rearward module are each attached to the corresponding single central spine. The axles of both the forward module and the rearward module have an axle spacing of at least six feet. A hydraulic suspension is provided for dynamically stabilizing the axles for reducing axle yaw. An axle steering system having a plurality of steering rods controls the position of the axles of both the forward module and the rearward module.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This patent application is a continuation-in-part application under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.53(b)(2) of co-pending patent application having Ser. No. 11 / 800,361 filed May 5, 2007 and claims priority therefrom, which in turn claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 383,554 filed May 24, 2002, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention pertains generally to multi-axle transport vehicles for moving heavy loads, and more particularly to a dual lane multi-axle transport vehicle.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]Heavy hauling vehicles for moving transformers, cranes, boats, industrial equipment, and other heavy objects are well known in the art. An example of such a vehicle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,078 which discloses a heavy load hauler for traveling on conventional roadways for moving heavy const...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention is directed to a dual lane multi-axle transport vehicle for moving heavy loads. The transport vehicle is employed to transport extremely heavy loads such as large industrial equipment “on-road” over highways typically during non-peak travel times. The inventive transport vehicle occupies two adjacent highway lanes when traveling and typically includes at least a pair of transport modules that are mechanically connected by a load bearing means for providing a high speed, dual lane transport body. The transport vehicle is capable of carrying a payload on both the load bearing means and on each of the transport modules. Further, the transport vehicle is capable of speeds up to 35 miles per hour when carrying a full payload. Such speeds improve the utility of the transport vehicle.

[0015]The hydraulic suspension system of the transport vehicle serves to dynamically stabilize the axles of the dual lane transport body and tends to resist axle yaw. The suspension system for the multi-axle transport vehicle is utilized to move heavy loads and includes two fluid activated cylinders and two spaced apart arms for each wheel and axle set. The hydraulic suspension system thus enables the transport vehicle to be raised and lowered with respect to the roadway. The suspension system mechanically stabilizes the axles with respect to the transport vehicle thereby reducing axle yaw. Axle yaw is typically characterized by the intermittent vibration of the respective wheel and axle set typically caused by the deterioration of the road surface. Consequently, reducing axle yaw facilitates higher transport speeds.

[0016]The structure of the suspension system is connected to the axle of each wheel and axle set by an axle linkage member which is connected to the two spaced-apart arms at four different pivotal or attachment locations. This four-point connection stabilizes the axle linkage member and substantially reduces any tendency of the axle to yaw when exposed to road induced forces. It is important to note that the suspension system employs the two fluid activated cylinders rather than the conventional single cylinder. This feature allows the use of smaller diameter fluid activated cylinders for a given system pressure. The cylinders are mounted on the outside of the suspension system for ease of maintenance. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, when the transport vehicle is traveling on a roadway, the connection of a first attachment station to a third attachment station, the connection of a second attachment station to a fourth attachment station, and the connection of the two fluid activated cylinders between the structure of the suspension system and the axle linkage member combine to reduce yaw of the axle.

[0017]The present invention is generally directed to a dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle for use in moving heavy loads including a forward module mounted on a plurality of axles and a rearward module mounted on a plurality of axles. The forward module is mechanically connected to the rearward module for providing a dual lane transport body. The forward module and the rearward module of the transport body each have a single central spine wherein each of the axles of the forward module and each of the axles of the rearward module are respectively attached to the corresponding single central spine. The axles of the forward module and the axles of the rearward module have an axle spacing of at least six feet. A hydraulic suspension is provided for dynamically stabilizing the axles for reducing axle yaw. An axle steering system having a plurality of steering rods controls the position of the axles of the forward module and the axles of the rearward module.

[0018]An additional aspect of the dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle for moving heavy loads of the present invention includes a self-steering caster suspension system. The caster suspension system is utilized for moving ultra heavy loads and also includes the two fluid activated cylinders and the two spaced apart arms for each wheel and axle set of each dolly. The caster suspension system allows the transport vehicle to be raised and lowered with respect to the roadway. The caster suspension system also mechanically stabilizes the axles with respect to the transport vehicle thereby reducing the axle yaw and allowing for higher transport speeds. As the transport vehicle moves, the suspension system casters into alignment with the direction of travel of the transport vehicle. The caster suspension system includes a structure pivotable about a first axis where the structure has a first attachment station spaced apart from a second attachment station. An axle is disposed along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The second axis is spaced from the first axis by an amount sufficient to cause the axle and the second axis to caster about the first axis and move into alignment with the direction of travel of the transport vehicle when the transport vehicle is moved. An axle linkage member has a third attachment station spaced apart from a fourth attachment station. The third attachment station of the axle linkage member is pivotally connected to the first attachment station of the structure. The fourth attachment station of the axle linkage member is pivotally connected to the second attachment station of the structure. The axle linkage member is pivotable about a third axis which is parallel to the second axis. Finally, the axle is pivotally connected to the axle linkage member, and the axle is pivotable about a fourth axis perpendicular to the first, second and third axes.

Problems solved by technology

Traditionally, these heavy haul transport vehicles of the prior art occupy two lanes of the highway and move at very slow speeds such as five miles per hour because of limitations in the equipment.

Many of the traditional wide axle heavy transport vehicle systems of the prior art are difficult to control and are virtually impossible to move in the reverse direction.

These traditional heavy transport vehicle systems require many manual steering adjustments during travel that are both difficult to complete and inefficient.

Further, variations in the road surface such as dips, holes, and slants may break equipment if higher speeds are attempted.

While these traditional heavy transport vehicle systems are designed to meet the requirements of the Vehicle and Transportation Codes of many states regarding axle spacing, in general, they have not had either an automatic steering system or the ability to travel at high speeds.

However, the rear wheels of the dollies do not steer.

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