Computer-Aided Method RTVPM for Evaluating the Performance of Vehicles with Long-Pitch Link Tracks

Publisher Summary A computer-aided method—RTVPM—has been developed to provide a comprehensive method for design and performance evaluation of tracked vehicles with relatively long-pitch link tracks. RTVPM takes into account all major design parameters of the vehicle, including the vehicle weight, location of the center of gravity, number of roadwheels, roadwheel dimensions and spacing, locations of the sprocket and idler, supporting roller arrangements, track width, track pitch, initial track tension, and drawbar hitch location. The prime objective for the development of RTVPM is to establish an analytical procedure with which the interaction between the long-pitch link track and the terrain under steady-state operating conditions may be predicted in a realistic manner. In the analysis, the track system is divided into four sections: the upper run of the track supported by rollers, sprocket, and idler; and the lower run of the track in contact with the terrain; the section in contact with the idler; and the section in contact with the sprocket. The tractive performances of the three track system configurations with tracks of various pitches predicted using RTVPM indicates that for given overall dimensions of a track system, the ratio of roadwheel spacing to track pitch is one of the design parameters that have significant effects on its tractive performance.