The
Torvec Full Terrain Vehicle (FTV™) bridges
an important gap between wheeled and tracked vehicles.
This new vehicle combines the high-speed capabilities
of trucks and cars with the high-traction capabilities
of tracked vehicles.
From
U.S. Patent #6,554,729
The
patented design of the FTV™ required a unique
steering system. Most tracked vehicles are steered
employing either "skid steering" or
hydrostatics. Torvec has designed a revolutionary
steering system which is hydromechanical, and
allows the vehicle to be steered using a conventional
steering wheel. The result is a traditional driving
experience in a most unconventional vehicle.
The
FTV™ steers as easily as a truck through
the use of a steering wheel. The steering is accomplished
by changing the relative speeds of the two tracks.
For example, when moving straight forward, both
tracks are moving at the same speed; when turning,
the inside track slows down while the outside
track speeds up proportionately. The vehicle turns
in the direction of the slower track. Our unique
steering mechanism separates the mechanical function
of driving the vehicle forward for high speed,
from the steering function, as needed. The two
functions operate independently and simultaneously.
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Key
Features Patented
steering mechanism
Allows
tracked vehicle to be driven with steering wheel
Compact,
inexpensive packaging
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