Bluebird Marine Systems Limited

 

AMPHIMAX CHASSIS DESIGN AND BUILD

 

 

   AMPHIBIOUS LAUNCH - AMPHIMAX - CAB - CHASSIS - DIESELS - FLOATATION - HYDRAULICS - LAUNCH SITE - MODEL 1/20 - TIMETABLE - TRACKS - TRAILER  - THRUSTERS - WHEELS

 

 

    


The frame or chassis of the AmphiMax is made up of 18 triangulated sub-assemblies. These sub-assemblies are fabricated from RHS (Rolled Hollow Section) tubing and then assembled to make the complete AmphiMax chassis. We will use a combination of welding and bolt fixings to complete the chassis to:

 

a) simplify fabrication

b) reduce cost

c) speed up production, and

d) allow disassembled storage

 

 

WHEELED SOLUTION

 

 

 

WHEELS - SIDE VIEW - This is a diagram of one of the chassis sub-assemblies that go together to make the AmphiMax transporter main frame, here showing the wheeled design. Eighteen of these space-frames are welded and bolted together to make the completed vehicle chassis. Earth moving floatation tyres are shown here with an 1860mm OAD. These are more likely to be tractor tyres and rims for economy when this part of the project costings are complete. Dimensions are in Meters.

 

 

 

 

TEN AXLES - Shown here is a 10 axle (20 wheels) chassis. The idea of using one design of axle potentially simplifies production in that all the drive units are the same. It also means that twenty smaller wheel-motors might be used - which may prove more economical.

 

Wheel-motors use planetary reduction gearboxes to reduce the output rpm at an increase in cost. An example is the Poclain MS125 (or equivalent from the Bonfiglioli and Bosch/Rexroth) hydraulic motor ranges. Couple these wheel-motors with the Poclain PL4H10 pumps or equivalent to provide sufficient fluid flow to drive the wheels. See the Eight-Axle chassis with hydraulic circuit diagram. We need to be able to source the best package for prospective SeaVax operators, where the AmphiVax may be offered as an accessory for long-term fleet servicing, etc. In New Zealand they use trailers like this (only smaller) to launch their fishing fleets from a beach at Ngawi, whereas at Hasting in Sussex, they launch their fishing boats using wooden planks to slide on. A trailer allows our Kiwi cousins to recover their boat and trailer combos with a bulldozer, whereas in Sussex they are forced to use winches to haul their boats out, because a bulldozer could not cope with the friction of dragging a hull uphill along beach.

 

AmphiMax sub-assembly spaceframe cross beam chassis member diagram

 

CROSS MEMBER - Six sub-assemblies go to make up the beam that joins the sponson support members. Please note that these drawings are Copyright © May 21 2016 Bluebird Marine Systems Ltd, all rights reserved. You will need permission from the company to reproduce these diagrams except for private study or review.

 

 

 

 

MOTIVATION

The final detailing of the chassis is subject to design of the axles. In turn the axles depend on whether wheels (wheel-motors) or tracks, that are chosen. We will have to fabricate our own mountings for axles of either system. This is likely to be from steel tubing. We are not having (do not need) suspension as such, which helps to simplify this stage of the manufacturing and assembly stages. Rubber mounting may help to absorb shock loadings. If we have the time and money for such a luxury, we will give it a shot.

 

In the case of using wheels and tyres, we have thought about mounting the wheel-motors directly to the chassis and will keep this in mind. The problem here is ground clearance. Whatever scenario, we will need to extend the underside of the main frame to provide mountings. In these circumstances an axle may have the upper hand.

 

The theoretical maximum speed of the vehicle is roughly the same for wheels or caterpillar (type) tracks, though wheels would give an advantage on road due to a lower rolling resistance, on a shingle beach we are looking for traction, when tracks offer a significant advantage due to increased contact area. The problem is then one of cost benefits. With large diameter tyres, we'd need Poclain MS125 wheel-motors, or equivalent to achieve 50 RPM (max), and so stay within the capabilities of a hydraulic system. With a caterpillar tracked system we can stay within the 140 RPM operating range of the MS35 hydraulic motor.

 

 

 

 

 

TRACKED SOLUTION

 

 

 

 

TRACKED BOGIE - SIDE VIEW - This is a diagram of the same chassis sub-assembly, but with a tracked bogey instead of a wheel. These tracks are 30" wide (762mm), 96" (2440mm) long and 39.25" high (1000mm), but the surface area in contact with the beach is significantly improved. We have yet to cost this arrangement or find a supplier.

 

 

 

HYDRAULICS - This is what the chassis looks like in plan view using tracked bogies. The hydraulic circuit and general layout is the same. Turning will mean stopping the port or starboard tracks, or even reversing the tracks on the inside turning radius.

 

 

 

CHASSIS SIDE VIEW - Here we see the chassis frame fitted with track bogies. Tracks offer another engineering advantage over wheels, in that the rotation of the driving cog requires much less torque from the smaller diameter - in this case a shade over 24" (610mm) for the driven cog. An MS35 hydraulic motor with suitable planetary reduction could power a bogie for a land speed of 7.737mph per hundred rpm, for a max speed of 10.83mph at their 140rpm maximum rating.

 

 

TRACKED CROSS MEMBER - Once again, we see the cross-member of the space-frame, but with tracked bogies. Please note that these drawings are Copyright © June 2 2016 Bluebird Marine Systems Ltd, all rights reserved. You will need permission from the company to reproduce these diagrams except for private study or review. 

 

 

 

 

LINKS & REFERENCE

 

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   AMPHIBIOUS LAUNCH - AMPHIMAX - CAB - CHASSIS - DIESELS - FLOATATION - HYDRAULICS - LAUNCH SITE - MODEL 1/20 - TIMETABLE - TRACKS - TRAILER  - THRUSTERS - WHEELS

 

 

   

 

 

 

This page is Copyright © 2016 Bluebird Marine Systems Ltd. The names AmphiMax™, Bluebird™, Bluefish™, RiverVax™, SeaNet™, SeaVax™ and the blue bird & fish in flight logos are trademarks. All other trademarks are hereby acknowledged.