portal axle
{{short description|Off-road vehicle suspension and drive technology}}
File:Pinzgauer portal axle.JPG portal axle]]
A portal axle (or portal gear lift) is an off-road vehicle suspension and drive technology where the axle tube or the half-shaft is offset from – usually above – the center of the wheel hub and where driving power is transferred to each wheel via a simple gearbox, built onto each hub.{{Cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FZX/is_7_65/ai_55438454 |title=New Spicer portal axles for compact utility tractors - introduced by Off-Highway Systems Group of Dana Corp |publisher=Diesel Progress North American Edition }} It gives two advantages: ground clearance is increased, particularly beneath the low-slung differential housing of the main axles — and secondly, any hub reduction gearing allows the axle half shafts to drive the same power but at reduced torque (by using higher shaft speed). This reduces load on the axle crown wheel and differential.
The portal gear configuration is also sometimes called a drop gear or drop gearset configuration{{US Patent|20130240282}}{{US Patent|6095005}} (which, despite its similarity to the term dropped axle, produces the opposite effect).
Description
Compared to a normal layout, portal axles enable the vehicle to gain higher ground clearance, as both the axle tube and differential casing are tucked up higher under the vehicle.
Due to the gear reduction at the wheel which lessens the torque on all the other drivetrain components, the size of the differential casing can be reduced to gain even more ground clearance. Additionally, all drivetrain elements, in particular the transfer gearbox and driveshafts, can be built lighter. This results in lowering the center of gravity for a given ground clearance. Where a vehicle also requires a reduced top speed, in at least one gear, the gear ratio can also have this effect. The military Kübelwagen of WWII used a ratio of 1.4:1 to provide a 2.5 mph walking speed in first gear, as well as a useful lift of 50 mm.
As they require a heavier and more complex hub assembly, however, these systems can result in an increased unsprung weight and require robust axle-control elements to give predictable handling. In addition, at higher speeds the hub assembly can overheat.[http://www.exaxt.ca/faq.asp#5 Exaxt 4WD] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219093411/http://www.exaxt.ca/faq.asp |date=2008-12-19 }}
File:1930 Farmall F-30 (22105730521).jpg tractor with rear portal axle]]
File:0384 Porsche Diesel F 108.jpg tractor with rear portal axle]]
They are also used in railways and low floor buses[http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/bogies/ghh/ghh3.html Railway Technology - Portal axle with SAB V60 rubber-sprung wheels and sound absorbers][http://english.chinabuses.com/news/0710/24004.htm ArvinMeritor Reveals New Second Generation Inverted Portal Axle] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101035209/http://english.chinabuses.com/news/0710/24004.htm |date=2007-11-01 }} although, in the case of the latter, the device is engineered in the opposite way to those fitted to off-road vehicles - the axle is below the center of the wheel. Thus, the inverted portal axle allows the floor of the bus to be lowered, easing access to the bus and increasing the available cabin height.
Image:100715rk PL02845 cut4000angles.jpg fitted with bolt-on portal axles]]
Bolt-on portals (or drop boxes) are a housing with a set of gears which bolts onto the final flange of the axle tube. This approach allows existing vehicles to be converted to use portal gear lifts without modifying the axles (Volvo C303 or Unimog 404).
Examples
Vehicles fitted with portal axles include:
- AM General HMMWV[http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/ecars/FAQ.html 4WD Glossary & FAQ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211131022/http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/ecars/FAQ.html |date=2007-12-11 }} and Hummer H1
- International FTTS{{cite web |url=http://www.internationaldelivers.com/assets/PDFs/FTTS_Specs.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.internationaldelivers.com |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060709172819/http://www.internationaldelivers.com/assets/PDFs/FTTS_Specs.pdf |archive-date=9 July 2006 |url-status=dead}}
- Land Rover Defender 130CC-R(hino)[http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37713 An Expedition Truck on Portals]
- Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² and G63 AMG 6x6 6x6 truck.{{cite web |url=http://i.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/mercedes-releases-6x6-g63-amg-specs-and-pics-w-video/ |title=Mercedes releases 6x6 G63 AMG specs and pics [w/Video] |accessdate=2013-03-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130410130055/http://i.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/mercedes-releases-6x6-g63-amg-specs-and-pics-w-video/ |archivedate=2013-04-10 }}
- Mercedes-Benz Unimog{{Cite web |url=http://unimogcentre.com/unimogprinc.html#portalaxle |title=The Unimog Principle |access-date=2007-12-04 |archive-date=2008-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718022832/http://www.unimogcentre.com/unimogprinc.html#portalaxle |url-status=dead }}
- Porsche 597{{citation needed|reason=No mention at 597 page, nor independent reference on the Internet|date=January 2019}}
- Porsche 911 in Porsche 997 GT3 R Hybrid (2010)Michael Trzesniowski: Rennwagentechnik: Grundlagen, Konstruktion, Komponenten, Systeme, Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden, 2012, page 782–783 {{ISBN|978-3-8348-2209-3}}
- Praga V3S (1952-1989) - 3 ton all-terrain truck (6x6)
- Steyr-Puch Haflinger
- Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer{{Cite web |url=http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/portal-compare.htm |title=portal-compare.htm |access-date=2007-12-04 |archive-date=2007-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008061419/http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/portal-compare.htm |url-status=dead }}
- Tatra T 805 small truck
- Tatra T 810 medium truck
- Toyota Mega Cruiser (Civilian model and JGSDF's High Mobility Vehicle)
- Volkswagen Type 2 (first generation) Transporter | Kombi | Microbus{{dubious|date=March 2020}}
- Volkswagen Type 82 Kübelwagen
- Volkswagen Type 166 Schwimmwagen
- Volkswagen Type 181
- Volvo C303
- Volvo C202
- LuAZ/ZAZ 969
- UAZ-469 (Only some military versions)
- UAZ Bars
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In-line gearboxes {{anchor|In-line}}
File:Alvis Stalwart pic2.JPG]]
A related development is the use of an epicyclic hub gearbox. This is mounted in-line with the half shaft, so that there is no change in ride height. They are often used for large and heavy vehicles, where the wheel diameter already gives adequate ground clearance. The reduction gearbox allows the half shafts to turn faster than the wheels, thus requiring less torque for the same power. This permits a smaller and lighter half shaft and internal drivetrain.
Hub gearboxes were an iconic feature of the Alvis FV600 chassis vehicles, such as the Stalwart and Saracen. The FV600 used a version of the DAF H-drive, with a single differential between sides and all wheels on each side linked by an internal driveshaft and bevel gearboxes to the half shafts. This has no differential axle between wheel stations on each side and so 'wind-up' was a regular problem for these vehicles when driven on roads. If individual wheels were out of phase with their neighbours, possibly caused by cornering or slightly varying tyre diameter, this could place a considerable force on the gearbox, leading to breakages. For this reason, it was regular practice when driving on tarmac to bump the vehicle over a kerb or other object at times, to allow this wind-up to be released. On slippery surfaces like sand or mud there is enough slippage between the tires and ground to dissipate the tension.
They are now found on many large quarrying dump trucks and heavy plant vehicles.
Manufacturing
Today, portal gear lifts are manufactured for use in utility task vehicles (UTV).
See also
References
{{Commons category|Portal axles}}
{{Reflist|refs=
|title=Professor Porsche's Wars
|last=Ludvigsen |first=Karl
|authorlink=Karl Ludvigsen
|year=2014
|publisher=Pen & Sword Military
|isbn=978-1-52672-679-7
|ref={{harvid|Ludvigsen, Professor Porsche's Wars}}
|pages=134–135
}}
}}