SubscribeThe driver’s controls of the T55 are based on mechanical linkage connecting the driver steering levers, brake and clutch pedals to the steering, braking and main clutches that are located on the power-pack.
The driver's efforts to operate the system are very high:
- The effort required to operate the steering levers is about 24 kgs.
- The effort required to operate the brake/clutch pedal is about 85 kgs.
These effort values are for systems in good conditions, well adjusted and clean.
As the system's condition deteriorates and accumulates dirt (mainly dust and mud) these efforts are higher.
This situation creates hardship in the tank driving and after some time (a short time) driver's fatigue is accumulated and the driving performance is reduced, which is reflected by poor mobility and maneuverability.
Further, the driving hardship reduces the tank's safety - poor steering and braking capability limit the tank's maneuvering and recovery from dangerous conditions.
In order to overcome this problem, a power assisted system for the driver controls is proposed. This system significantly improves the driver's efficiency and as a result improves the tank's mobility.
The driver controls power assistance system is based on four "smart" hydraulic pistons that are connected to the steering, braking and clutch linkages (see figures 1-Power assistance brake pedal and 2-Power assistance steering system. These pistons have an integral control valve that senses the linkage's movement and activates the piston at the same direction and the same rate of movement, to create a "Follow me" motion.
The system is "transparent" to the driver - he drives the tank as usual and the system is operating in parallel and reduces significantly the driver's efforts, to a very low level of a few kilograms.
Comparison tests conducted between a standard T55 and a T55 equipped with this system indicated mobility superiority of the latter in all aspects and its performance was incomparable. One may say that the upgraded tank behave as if it has a much powerful engine, coupled to a new transmission.
The T55 Tank Automotive Upgrading introduces:
- Improving Suspension performance with these limitations:
- Limit cross-country performance.
- Limit the use of the Engine power.
- Affect on crews fatigue.
- Increasing the road wheel travel to 200 mm.
- Increasing power absorbing capacity by adding hydraulic bumpers, optional.
- Improving Man-Machine interface to obtain these improvements:
- Suspension upgrading.
- Power assistance driver controls:
- Steering.
- Braking.
- Clutch engagement.
- With these limitations:
- High fatigue reduces crews performance and safety.
- High driving efforts reduce mobility performance and safety.
- Power Assistance for these systems:
- Clutch Pedal.
- Steering System.
- Brake Pedal.
- Increasing Power-Pack durability and reliability improving of engine peripheral systems:
- New air intake system.
- Improved cooling system.
- New clutch plate.
- Increase Engine Up-Powering, obtaining:
- Improving of fuel injection system.
- Increasing engine power by 10%.