Turn tilt table

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a turn tilt table on a self propelled vehicle, and more particularly relates to such a turn tilt table for rotating objects such as a military vehicle through 360° while tilting the military vehicle between a horizontal position and 45° from the horizontal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The turn tilt table of the present invention is intended to support a test vehicle (hereinafter termed a military vehicle) weighing up to about 70 tons, and to rotate the table and military vehicle to any of a plurality of positions within 360°, and to tilt the table and military vehicle thereon between a horizontal position and a position that is tilted between 0° and 45° from the horizontal. The turn tilt table with the military vehicle rigidly secured to the table is positioned in a test area including a control tower from which a line of sight to the vehicle may be taken which line of sight includes a radar beam or other beam directed at the test vehicle. The military vehicle is rotated and tilted to present all detectable upright and top surfaces to the beam for the purpose of determining which surface finish or configuration is best to prevent an enemy from detecting the vehicle during combat by radar or the like, or determining the vehicle radar signatures. The turn tilt table vehicle is moved to different locations at the test area so that the effectiveness of the surface finish can be determined at different horizontal and vertical angles from the tower and also at ranges up to at least three kilometers. If the military vehicle being tested is relatively light, such as a one-half ton vehicle or an Mll3 personnel carrier, the turn tilt table vehicle may be driven to different locations in the test area while carrying the military vehicle at a time when the turn tilt table is in a horizontal position. When a 70 ton tank or the like is being tested, the turn tilt vehicle may carry the military vehicle to different locations in the test area provided the vehicle supporting surface has a density sufficient to support the load. Towable ramps are also provided for connection to the turn tilt table thereby enabling the military vehicle to be driven up the ramps onto the turn tilt table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• Figure l is a side elevation of the turn tilt table vehicle illustrating the turn tilt table in a horizontal position in solid lines, and tilted 45° with a military vehicle secured thereto in phantom lines.
• Figure 2 is a plan of the turn tilt table vehicle with the turn tilt table and the tracks outlined in phantom lines, and other components of the vehicle being shown in dotted lines.
• Figure 3 is a perspective of the turn tilt table in a horizontal position illustrating four hold down beams in position to secure a vehicle to the table.
• Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective illustrating a military vehicle tilted upwardly about 30°.
• Figure 5 is a diagrammatic perspective illustrating a military vehicle tilted to about 30° and rotated about 45°.
• Figure 6 is a diagrammatic perspective illustrating a military vehicle being driven up a two section towable ramp onto the turn tilt table.
• Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation illustrating a fragment of the turn tilt table and a portion of the ramp showing the structure for attaching the ramp to the table and further illustrating the structure to prevent the weight of the vehicle from deflecting the table.
• Figure 8 is a section taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 7 with a pair of hold down beams shown in phantom.
• Figure 9 is an operational view illustrating the towable mobile ramps being pushed into position to be connected to the turn tilt table vehicle, said ramp being connected to a towing vehicle.
• Figure l0 is an operational view illustrating the upper end of the ramp being hydraulically lowered for pivotal connection to the turn tilt table.
• Figure ll illustrates the ramp coupled to the rotatable table with its other end hydraulically raised and disconnected from the towing vehicle.
• Figure l2 illustrates the forward end of the ramp supported on the ground with its tongue removed from the ramp and the towing vehicle.
• Figure l3 is an enlarged section taken along lines l3-l3 of Figure 9, illustrating one of two ramp sections supported on two wheels.
• Figure l4 is an enlarged section taken along lines l4-l4 of Figure 8.
• Figure l5 is an enlarged section taken along lines l5-l5 of Figure 8.
• Figure l6 is a hydraulic diagram illustrating a simplified hydraulic circuit.
• Figure l7 is a plan view illustrating a test field having a tower from which a radar beam or the like is directed at the military vehicle being tested when at several different locations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The turn tilt table vehicle 20 (Figs. l, 2, 4 and 5) of the present invention comprises a pair of tread members or tracks 22,24 each having hydraulic motors 26,28 (Fig. 2) for driving the tracks. The tracks are connected to a leveling frame 36 by tubular connectors 34 which may be removed from the leveling frame 36 to reduce the overall width of the leveling frame when the vehicle is broken down into several components for shipment by truck or by rail to different locations.

The leveling frame 36 is rigidly connected to outrigger beams 40,42. Hydraulically actuated jack cylinders 46 having pontoons 48 on the lower ends of piston rods 49 are mounted on the ends of the outrigger beams 40,42 for leveling the frame 36 and components supported thereon when in testing position on the test area. An engine 50 and hydraulic pumps 52 are supported on the leveling frame 36 to provide hydraulic power to the track motors 26,28; to the leveling jack cylinders 46 and to other hydraulic components to be described hereinafter.

A tilting frame 54 is pivotally attached to lugs 56 on the leveling frame 36 by pins 58. The tilting frame is pivoted between a horizontal position and a tilted position of up to about 45° by a pair of hydraulic tilt cylinders 60 that are pivotally connected between the leveling frame 36 and the tilting frame 54 as best shown in Figure l. The tilting frame 54 supports a large diameter turntable bearing 64 having an upper rotatable portion 66 with gear teeth on its outer periphery which engage a pinion gear 68 (Fig. l) driven by a hydraulic motor and reducer 70. When in its horizontal solid line position of Figure l, the tilting frame 54 and rotatable portion 66 of the bearing 64 rotates about a vertical axis A. A rotating platform 72 (Figs. l-3) is rigidly secured to the rotatable portion 66 of the turntable bearing 64. The rotating platform 72 includes a track or wheel engaging bed 74 upon which the military vehicle MV to be tested is supported. The bed 74 is secured to a plurality of longitudinally extending beams (not shown) and a plurality of transverse beams 76 (Fig. l) which support the track or wheel engaging bed 74 upon the upper rotatable portion 66 of the turntable bearing 64. As best shown in Figures l and 2, an operator station 80 is provided at the rear of the vehicle 20. The operator station includes framework 82 defining an operator's box 84 having an opening on its left side to permit an operator to enter and exit the box. The box 84 is pivotally supported on the rear outrigger beam 42 by a pivot pin 86.

When the vehicle is to be broken down and transported long distances to different locations by truck or by rail, a latching rod 88 is removed from the lugs 90,92 on the outrigger beam 42 and the box 84 allowing the box to be pivoted to the phantom line position in Figure 2 thus simplifying the break down and transportation procedure. Conventional engine gauges, switches, and controls include; an ignition/starter button, a throttle lever, travel control and emergency shutdown controls mounted at the operator's station 80. Two live-dead switches are provided at the operator's station 80 with the first live-dead switch providing and denying power to hydraulic functions, i.e., swing, tilt, and outrigger jack controls. The second live-dead switch provides or denies power to the travel circuit thus insuring that the vehicle cannot travel during tests or when improperly positioned.

A two section towable mobile loading ramp l00 (Figs. 6-l3) is provided to permit the military vehicle MV being tested to drive up the ramp l00 onto the rotating platform 72 and be parked with the center of gravity of the military vehicle being substantially centered on the vertical axis of rotation A of the rotating platform 72 and tilting frame 54 when horizontal.

Each section l00a,l00b of the ramp l00 is identical, and is in the form of a relatively narrow two wheel trailer which is independently towed to and connected in its operative position as indicated in Figures 9-l2. Accordingly, only the ramp section l00a will be described in detail.

The ramp section l00a comprises an inclined portion l02 having a tongue l03 bolted on its lower end and connected to a towing vehicle l04 by a connector l06. The upper end of the inclined portion is rigidly connected to a generally horizontal portion l08. A pair of wheels l09 (Fig. l3) are journaled on an axle ll0, and the axle is rigidly secured to arms ll2 that are connected to the inclined portion l02 of the ramp l00a for pivotal movement about axis C. The arms ll2 are strengthened by diagonal members ll3. A hydraulic cylinder ll4 is pivotally connected between the axle ll0 and the inclined portion l02 and may be controlled to raise or lower the ramp section l00a relative to the ground. In order to maintain control of the military vehicle MV when driven up or down the ramp, traction bars ll6 (Fig. 7) and angle guide rails ll8 are welded to the inclined portion l02 and to the horizontal portion l08 of the ramp section l00a.

A pair of legs l20 are welded to the inclined portion l02 of the ramp section l00a and cooperate with bumpers l22 welded to the axle ll0 to support the ramp section l00a on the axle when the hydraulic cylinder ll4 is fully retracted and is disconnected from its source of hydraulic fluid. As best shown in Figures l0-l2 the cylinder ll4 receives its hydraulic fluid through quick connect conduit l23, connected to the hydraulic circuit nearly centered between rear outrigger jacks 46.

In order to connect each of the two sections of the ramp l00 to the rotating platform 72, an associated vertical plate l24 (Figs. 8 and l4) is welded to and projects downwardly and rearwardly from the horizontal portion l08 and is guided between a pair of spaced V-shaped plates l26,l28 (Fig. 3). The spaced plates are welded to the rear wall of the rotating platform 72 and are reinforced by gussets l30,l32 having slots l34 therein. A hole l36 in the vertical plate l24 is aligned with the slots l34 when the ramp section l00a is in position to be attached to the rotating platform 72 and receives a pin l38 which is held in place by cotter pins or the like.

Having reference to Figures 7 and 8, a pair of bars l40 are welded to the rear end of the horizontal portion l08 of the ramp section l00a and operatively engage and are supported by a pair of hooks l42 on the rotating platform 72 to transfer the weight of a portion of the ramp section l00a and the military vehicle MV thereon to the rear end of the rotating platform 72 when the pin l38 connects the rotating platform to the ramp section l00a.

In order to prevent the weight of the military vehicle MV from deflecting the rotating platform 72 downwardly when the vehicle is being driven onto or off the rotating platform, a pair of pedestals l50 (Figs. 8 and l5) and shims l52 are bolted to the leveling frame 36. The upper end of each pedestal l50 removably receives a pin l53 to which a pair of links l54 are attached and held in place by cotter pins or the like. The upper ends of the links l54 are removably received on a second pin l56 which is slidably received in a collar l57 welded to the rotary platform 72 and is held in place by connectors such as cotter pins. After the military vehicle has been driven onto the rotating platform 72 and its center of gravity is in approximate alignment with the axis A of the bearing 64, pins l56 are removed from the rotating platform 72 and links l54 pivoted downward to a storage position.

As best illustrated in Figures l and 3, a plurality of hold down arms l64 are bolted to the rotatable platform 72 in appropriate positions to supportively attach the particular type of vehicle being tested to the rotating platform 72.

When handling the illustrated military vehicle MV, each hold down arm l64 includes a sturdy box beam body l65 bolted to the rotating platform 72 and has an upturned end portion l66. Vehicle connecting brackets l68,l70 are connected to lugs (not shown) on the vehicle MV as by pinning or bolting. The brackets l68,l70 and a required number of shims l72,l74 are then bolted to the upturned end portion l66 of the associated hold down arm l64. Secured in this way, the vehicle MV may be turned and tilted to a plurality of positions, including those positions illustrated in Figures l, 4 and 5.

The hydraulic components for driving the tracks 22,24 are conventional in the art being the same as that used in Assignee's LS-7400A Crawler Hydraulic Excavator. However, a simplified hydraulic circuit 200 is provided to support the claims, and is illustrated in Figure l6 as providing means for operating the turn table vehicle 20. It will be understood that certain protective circuits, check valves, and other conventional hydraulic circuitry have been omitted from the illustrated hydraulic circuit for simplicity.

The circuit 200 includes a pump P driven by the engine and gearcase 50 which directs high pressure hydraulic fluid through main conduit HP and returns the fluid to a tank T through low pressure conduit LP. A pilot operated relief valve 202 opens and returns the fluid to tank T in the event the pressure in line HP exceeds a predetermined pressure. A plurality of manually or electrically operated valves Vl-V8 are connected to the high pressure and low pressure conduits, and are returned to their illustrated neutral positions by spring 204.

The track drive motors 26 and 28 are preferably hydrostatic motors driven by hydrostatic pumps controlled by an operator with conventional controls. The turntable motor 70 rotates the platform 72 in o ne direction when the valve Vl is shifted to its parallel passage position, and in the opposite direction when shifted to the cross passage position When the valve Vl is in its illustrated central position, the motor 70 is hydraulically locked in fixed position.

The four hydraulic jacks 46 are independently raised when valves V2-V5 are independently moved to the parallel passage position, and are lowered when the associated valves V2-V5 are moved to the cross passage position. The tilt cylinders 60 are raised when the valve V6 is moved to the parallel passage position and are lowered when the valve V6 is moved to the cross passage position. The two ramp cylinders ll4 for the two ramps l00 are independently retraated when the associated valves V7,V8 are in their parallel passage position, and are independently extended when the valves V7,V8 are moved to the cross passage position.

A control tower 206 (Fig. l7) is placed in a test area 208 within which the turn tilt table vehicle 20, with a test object such as the military vehicle MV secured thereto, is driven to a plurality of different test locations. A radar beam 2l0 or the like is directed from the tower 206 at the test vehicle MV when in said plurality of locations to determine vehicle radar signatures or the like. The test vehicle may be spaced 3 kilometers away from the tower 206 or at any desired position closer to the tower. While at each test position the test vehicle MV may be tilted to any position between horizontal and the 45° position, and may be rotated to any desired position within the 360° range of rotation. In order to shield the turn tilt table vehicle 20 from the beam projected from the tower 206, a shield 2l4 may be placed between the tower and a major portion of the turn tilt table vehicle 20 thus exposing only the military vehicle to the beam.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the self propelled turn tilt table vehicle of the present invention is capable of driving to different locations and supporting an article to be tested such as a military vehicle weighing up to about 70 tons. A loading ramp may be connected to the turn tilt table vehicle for allowing a test vehicle to be driven onto or off the turn tilt table vehicle. The turn tilt vehicle is capable of tilting a rotating platform to which the test vehicle is rigidly secured to anywhere between a horizontal position and a position tilting the vehicle up to about 45° from horizontal. While in the horizontal position, or any one of the tilted positions, the rotating platform and the test article or vehicle attached thereto may be rotated through 360° to test the surface finish of the article or vehicle for determining vehicle radar signatures or the like.

Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent that modification and variation may be made without departing from what is regarded to be the subject matter of the invention.

The following part of the description covers preferred embodiments 1 to 34. On pages 12 to 19 of the description please replace the word "claim(s)" by --embodiment(s)--.

• 1. An apparatus for turning and tilting a vehicle for the purpose of controllably exposing a multiplicity of different surfaces to a line of sight, comprising:
  
  

      means defining a rotatable table;
  
  

      means for rigidly securing the vehicle to said table;
  
  

      means for tilting the table and vehicle between any one of a plurality of positions between a horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position; and
  
  

      means for rotating the table and vehicle about an axis normal to said table.

• 2. An apparatus according to claim l wherein said table is tilted between a horizontal position and a position 45° from horizontal.
• 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said table and vehicle are rotated about said axis through any position within said 360° and while at any tilt angle between said horizontal position and 45° from horizontal.
• 4. An apparatus according to claim l and additionally comprising means defining a self-propelled mobil vehicle supporting said table; and means for driving said supporting vehicle to a plurality of different locations for determining the effectiveness of the surface finish of different portions of the vehicle at each location to reduce the detectability at different ranges and angles from said predetermined location
• 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said vehicle is a military vehicle weighing about 70 tons and said propelling vehicle additionally comprising: means defining a leveling frame; means defining ground engaging propelling members normally supporting said leveling frame; a plurality of leveling jacks secured to said leveling frame and spaced outwardly of said propelling members for supporting substantially the entire weight of the military vehicle and said propelling vehicle on said jacks when being contacted by said beam for stabilizing said propelling vehicle when the military vehicle is being tilted and rotated.
• 6. An apparatus according to claim l and additionally comprising: means defining a ramp having opposite end portions; wheel means movably supporting said ramp; means for attaching one end portion of said ramp to said rotating platform when said platform is horizontal, said other end portion of said ramp being supported on the ground, said vehicle being driven over said ramp onto or off of said rotating table.
• 7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means attaching said one end portion of said ramp to said platform comprises hook means secured to said rotating platform, bar means secured to one end portion of said ramp and received in said hook means, removable latching means for maintaining said bar means in said hook means, and hydraulic power means connected between said wheel means and said ramp for selectively moving said other end portion of said ramp between a position resting on the ground to a position spaced above the ground.
• 8. An apparatus for testing surface finishes of a military vehicle for the purpose of determining which of a plurality of surface finishes best prevents an enemy from detecting the vehicle by radar or the like, comprising:
  
  

      means defining a rotatable table;
  
  

      means for rigidly securing the military vehicle to said table;
  
  

      means for tilting the table and vehicle between any one of a plurality of positions between a horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position; and
  
  

      means for rotating the table and vehicle about an axis normal to said table.

• 9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said table is tilted between a horizontal position and a position 45° from horizontal
• l0. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said table and military vehicle are rotated about said axis through any position within said 360° and while at any tilt angle between said horizontal position and 45° from horizontal.
• 11. An apparatus according to claim 8 and additionally comprising means defining a self-propelled mobile vehicle supporting said table; and means for driving said supporting vehicle to a plurality of different locations for determining the effectiveness of said surface finish at each location to reduce the detectability at different ranges and angles from said predetermined location.
• 12. An apparatus according to claim l0 and additionally comprising means defining a self-propelled mobile vehicle supporting said table; and means for driving said supporting vehicle to a plurality of different locations for determining the effectiveness of said surface finishes at each location to reduce detectability at different ranges and angles from said predetermined location.
• 13. An apparatus according to claim ll wherein said military vehicle weighs about 70 tons and said propelling vehicle additionally comprises: means defining a leveling frame; means defining ground engaging propelling members normally supporting said leveling frame; a plurality of leveling jacks secured to said leveling frame and spaced outwardly of said propelling members for supporting substantially the entire weight of the military vehicle and said propelling vehicle on said jacks when being contacted by said beam for stabilizing said propelling vehicle when the military vehicle is being tilted and rotated.
• 14. An apparatus according to claim 8 and additionally comprising: a ramp having opposite end portions; wheel means movably supporting said ramp; means for attaching one end portion of said ramp to said rotating platform when said platform is horizontal, said other end portion of said ramp being supported on the ground, said military vehicle being driven over said ramp onto or off of said rotating table.
• 15. An apparatus according to claim l4 wherein said means attaching said one end portion of said ramp to said platform comprises hook means secured to said rotating platform, bar means secured to one end portion of said ramp and received in said hook means, removable latching means for maintaining said bar means in said hook means, and hydraulic power means connected between said wheel means and said ramp for selectively moving said other end portion of said ramp between a position resting on the ground to a position spaced above the ground.
• 16. An apparatus according to claim l4 wherein said ramp comprises two separate ramp portions, each supported on a pair of wheels and each being independently connectable to said platform when said platform is horizontal.
• 17. A mobile vehicle comprising:
  
  

      drivable ground engaging members supported on a surface;
  
  

      a leveling frame supported by said ground engaging members;
  
  

      a tilt frame pivotally supported on said leveling frame;
  
  

      a turntable bearing on said tilt frame and having a rotatable portion thereon for rotation about an axis;
  
  

      a rotatable platform rigidly secured to said rotatable portion of said turntable bearing for rotation about said axis;
  
  

      means for securing an object to said rotating platform;
  
  

      power means supported by said vehicle for providing power to drive said ground engaging members, for pivoting said tilt frame through a predetermined arc, and for rotating said platform about said axis when said tilt frame is positioned anywhere within said predetermined arc; and
  
  

      control means for selectively tilting said tilt frame, for rotating said platform, and for driving said ground engaging members.

• 18. An apparatus according to claim l7 and additionally comprising outrigger jack means secured to said leveling frame for leveling and maintaining said leveling frame level when said tilt frame is tilted and when said rotatable platform and the object thereon are rotated about said axis to any position within a 360° arc.
• 19. An apparatus according to claim l7 wherein said power means includes an engine, a plurality of hydraulic pumps driven by said engine and a plurality of separately controlled hydraulic motors for operating said ground engaging members, for pivoting said tilt frame, and for rotating said platform.
• 20. An apparatus according to claim l9 wherein said hydraulic motor for rotating said platform includes a swing motor, a speed reducer, and a swing brake.
• 2l. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said hydraulic motor for operating said tilt frame includes a pair of hydraulic cylinder cases and rods pivotally connected between said leveling frame and said tilt frame.
• 22. An apparatus according to claim l7 wherein said object is a military vehicle.
• 23. An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said military vehicle is a tank weighing about 70 tons.
• 24. An apparatus according to claim l7 wherein said object securing means comprises a plurality of beams, means for securing each beam to said rotatable table in one of a plurality of different positions, and means for attaching said beams to different portions of said object for rigidly anchoring said object to said rotatable table.
• 25. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said military vehicle has a plurality of attachment means formed on opposite ends thereof; a plurality of beams, each beam being associated with one of said attachment means and being rigidly connected to said rotatable table, and a plurality of adjustable connector means with each connector means being rigidly connected between associated ones of said beams and attachment means.
• 26. An apparatus according to claim l7 wherein said ground engaging members are endless tracks.
• 27. An apparatus according to claim l8 wherein said outrigger jack means are hydraulic jacks, wherein said ground engaging members are endless tracks, and wherein said hydraulic jacks support substantially all the weight of said mobile vehicle and said object and raise substantially all of said tracks off of said surface when positioning said leveling frame in its leveling position.
• 28. A method for testing surface finishes of a military vehicle mounted on a rotatable table for the purpose of determining which surface finish best prevents an enemy from detecting the vehicle by radar or the like, comprising the steps of:
  
  

      tilting the table and vehicle between any one of a plurality of positions between a horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position;
  
  

      rotating the table and vehicle about an axis normal to said table; and
  
  

      directing a surface detecting beam against the vehicle when the vehicle is in a plurality of different tilted positions and different rotatable positions for determining the effect of the surface finish for reducing the detectability of the vehicle by said beam.

• 29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said table is tilted between a horizontal position and 45° from horizontal.
• 30. A method according to claim 29 wherein said table is rotated about said axis to any position within 360°.
• 3l. A method according to claim 28 wherein said rotating table is supported on a self-propelled mobile vehicle and said beam is directed against said vehicle from a predetermined location; and additionally comprising the step of: driving said vehicle to a plurality of different locations for determining the effectiveness of said surface finishes at each location to reduce detectability of different ranges and angles from said predetermined location.
• 32. A method according to claim 30 wherein said rotating table is supported on a self-propelled mobile vehicle and said beam is directed against said vehicle from a predetermined location; and additionally comprising the step of: driving said vehicle to a plurality of different locations for determining the effectiveness of said surface finishes at each location to reduce detectability at different ranges and angles from said predetermined location.
• 33. A method according to claim 3l wherein said military vehicle weighs about 70 tons, and wherein said supporting vehicle includes ground engaging propelling members and further includes a plurality of leveling jacks secured thereto and spaced outwardly of said propelling members; and additionally comprising the step of supporting substantially the entire weight of said military vehicle and said propelling vehicle on said jack when being contacted by said beam for stabilizing said propelling vehicle when the military vehicle is being tilted and rotated.
• 34. A method according to claim 28 and additionally comprising the steps of attaching a ramp to said rotatable platform when said platform is horizontal, and driving said military vehicle onto said platform with the center of gravity of said military vehicle being positioned to substantially intersect the axis of said rotatable table.