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- Lost the way: a transformer all-terrain vehicle for impassable obstacles was developed in the Russian Federation
Lost the way: a transformer all-terrain vehicle for impassable obstacles was developed in the Russian Federation
Russian engineers have developed and patented a fundamentally new type of all-terrain vehicle. It combines a hovercraft, an airmobile and a screwboat. In the first mode, the car moves based on the air layer. In the second case, it slides on snow or ice. The third method involves movement using two screws — spirals rotating parallel to the surface. It is suitable for driving in the most difficult areas — mud, hummocks, loose snow, where other equipment will not pass. Experts believe that the new all-terrain vehicle will be in demand for rescue operations and transportation in difficult terrain.
A new all-terrain vehicle concept
A new concept of an amphibious all-terrain vehicle has been proposed at the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University named after R.E. Alekseev. It combines a hovercraft, an air sled and a screwboat.
— The invention relates to the field of shipbuilding. The development is a unique multi-purpose vehicle that is designed to operate in the most difficult natural conditions. Where other devices cannot work. Such a machine is suitable for performing rescue operations, delivering goods and passengers in difficult terrain. In particular, the all—terrain vehicle can overcome water surfaces, wetlands, areas with deep loose snow, ice, hummocks, as well as steep slopes and bumps," said Nadezhda Kalinina, one of the authors of the development, head of the Department of Shipbuilding and Aviation Engineering.
She explained that in the first mode, a layer of compressed air is created under the bottom of the vessel, which lifts the car above the surface. At the same time, the absence of friction reduces the resistance to movement. This method is designed for fast movement over relatively flat terrain — water, ice, flat ground. The second one involves the vehicle sliding on the surface of snow or ice. The third is movement with the help of two spiral screws that rotate parallel to the surface of the earth. This method is suitable for moving through terrain with difficult terrain and deformable soils. For example, over quicksand, mud, hummocks, loose snow, loose pebbles, and steep slopes.
A patent has been obtained for the development at the Eurasian Patent Office. This is a structure that protects copyrights to inventions in the territory of the participating countries — Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Rescue of people on drilling rigs and in remote areas
The design of the device includes the possibility of switching between modes using a transmission. In this case, the vessel can combine two types of propulsion. For example, you can use an air cushion and a screw driver at the same time. This is in demand when overcoming blockages of broken ice in the water or when the device exits the water area to the shore. Also, the combination of modes increases the maneuverability of the vessel.
— The idea of creating an ultra—impassable combined all-terrain vehicle was born when solving the problem of evacuating people from a burning Arctic drilling platform, which is located in the ocean surrounded by ice, - said Nadezhda Kalinina.
At that time, floating screwboats were proposed, placed at the facility as rescue vehicles, she added. In case of an emergency, they could descend from the platform, walk across the water, get out on the ice and take people to a safe place, but these devices have disadvantages. In particular, they often turn over when entering an ice floe. Therefore, the idea of a universal vehicle arose.
According to the designer, depending on the needs, such a vessel can have various configurations — from small vehicles to large vehicles that can evacuate a large number of people at the same time. Also, on the basis of the invention, it is possible to create tiny all-terrain vehicles that will independently make their way through snow or swamps in unmanned mode and deliver goods to hard-to-reach areas.
— The work of scientists from NSTU is important and necessary from the point of view of the development of domestic engineering and the development of the northern territories of the Russian Federation. Regarding the design, it can be noted that each type of propulsion has a number of disadvantages. However, their combination not only compensates for them, but also expands the range of tasks performed," Evgeny Grazhdantsev, Head of the Department of Transport and Technological Machines at Siberian Federal University, told Izvestia.
The operation of such equipment in the zones requires energy autonomy and the use of combined (or electric) power plants, he added.
— The development is based on a well—known type of propulsion device, a screw drive, which previously had its own scope of application, but limited. Today, technology allows us to take a fresh look at such solutions and, by combining them, obtain new properties of technology. With the support of industrial enterprises, the project has a chance to enter the series. But for this, it is important to go all the way — from design documentation to prototype and testing. Such activities at the university motivate students to develop competencies and teach them how to work in a team in the system engineering format," says Dmitry Onishchenko, Director of the Youth Design Bureau at Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
He noted that the NSTU team continues the traditions of the engineering school of the Soviet designer Rostislav Alekseev, who presented the country and the world with unique machines, from hydrofoils and hovercrafts to ekranoplanes. It is typical for this school to solve problems that seem impossible to others.
— In the north, the need for heavy machinery is great. Especially in the off-season, when the ice has not yet risen or there is a sludge. And now the permafrost is melting, more water is appearing. And roads that used to be accessible for regular transport are being blurred. The situation is aggravated by forest fires, which expose huge areas and the permafrost thaws even more,— said Nikolai Nakhodkin, an ecologist and honorary polar explorer of the Russian Federation.
It should be understood that the proposed equipment is likely to be expensive to operate. For example, according to this indicator, hovercraft are in second place among vehicles in the north. There are only helicopters ahead. Therefore, heavy-duty all-terrain vehicles are more likely to be suitable for emergency situations, he added.
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