Patent ID: 6886837
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: B60F,B60G,F16F

Abstract:
1. An amphibious vehicle having at least one wheel moveable from a protracted position, in which the wheel is arranged to support the vehicle for use on land, to a retracted position, in which the wheel is elevated relative to a body of the vehicle for use of the vehicle on water, the vehicle further having a hydraulic strut comprising: a cylinder containing hydraulic fluid, a piston movable within the cylinder and defining a first chamber and a second chamber within the cylinder, a linkage means for connecting the piston to a suspension linkage associated with the wheel, a first on/off valve for controlling flow of fluid between the first and second chambers over at least part of the stroke of the piston, and a second on/off valve in communication with only one of the first and the second chambers; characterised in that: with the first valve open and the second valve shut, the strut is adapted to provide suspension and/or damping for the wheel; and with the first valve shut and the second valve open, the strut is adapted to operate as an actuator for moving the wheel between the protracted and retracted positions.