Tracked transport vehicle with self-adjusting body aspect - has pairs of wheelsets at different gauges and different heights relative to vehicle body, engaging sections of track at varying gradients

摘要

The vehicle track is defined by a series of independent track sections (T1,T2) of different gauges, which overlap longitudinally at their end portions. The vehicle is provided with at least first (A1,B1) and second (A2,B2) pairs of front and rear wheel assemblies, arranged at different relative heights to define varying aspects of the vehicle body. Each pair of wheel assemblies is of a gauge corresponding to one of the track sections. As the vehicle passes over a transition area (T12), one pair of wheels comes into contact with its respective track section to support the vehicle, while another is lifted out of contact with its track section by movement of the vehicle. ADVANTAGE - Continuous adjustment of vehicle aspect to suit gradient, without need for mechanical active suspension system.