AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE

摘要

A planing amphibious vehicle has at least one trim tab at its stern. A vehicle control system (50) includes a mode change controller (62) and a trim tab controller (64). Controller (62) informs controller (64) when a mode change event is taking place. Controller (64) retracts the trim tab(s) if the mode change is from marine to land mode; and deploys the tab(s) if the change is from land mode to marine mode, to assist the vehicle in rising on to the plane. The controller may also retract the tab(s) if the vehicle reverses; and deploy the tab(s) if a change is made from reverse to forward motion. The vehicle control system may connect to actuators and sensors for retractable road wheels, which may use hydropneumatic struts. Safeguards against system faults and/or erroneous switch operation are included. Road wheel drive decouplers are used; a marine drive decoupler may also be fitted.