Characteristics of steering assembly for vehicle designed to move large components of space flight vehicles are presented. Design makes it possible to move heavy and bulky items through narrow passageways with tight turns. Typical configuration is illustrated to show dimensions of turning radius and minimum distances involved

Fincannon, O. J.

Glenn, D. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

August 1972	 B72-10499 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Tandem Steerable Running Gear 
Development of transportation equipment to handle 
flight vehicle components used in the Skylab Program 
was necessary in order to successfully maneuver the 
units through narrow factory aisles as well as to trans-
port them over public highways and access roads. The 
prime design considerations relative to the transporting 
capabilities of the units were their ability to negotiate 
the tight turns within the factory area, both inter-plant 
and intra-plant, and their ability to adequately distribute
Tandem-axled, articulately steered, running-gear as-
semblies were designed that are capable of carrying a 
18,000 kg (40,000 lb) load on each pair of axles with 
a 11 .6-m (38 ft) turning radius. The assemblies included 
standard pneumatic brake systems which are compatible 
with commercial truck pneumatic brake systems and 
which have been verified in compliance with ICC regu-
lations regarding braking capability. The gear assemblies 
utilize a large majority of commercially available parts, 
456.0 Ft. 
(139.0 ml 
26°27	
Ref 
19°12t 26°27' 
19°12'H
	 1
.
I I l 
144.0 Ft.	 125.00 Ft. Track 
(43.9 m)	
(38 1 m,,,,,/' 
Ref	 Ref 
I
I -	 26°7' 
350	 350 
480.00 Ft. 
(146 ml "313.0 ± 3.0 Ft. /	 (95.4 ±0.9 ml 453.0 ±3.0 Ft. 
/	 Inside Turn (138 ±0.9 m) Radius Outside Turn 
Radius
Typical Steering Diagram No Scale 
the large, gross transporter loads over the factory floors 
and aisles as well as highways and access roads. Compli-
ance with state and federal highways standards required, 
as a minimum, a tandem-axle system at each end of the 
transporter plus a tandem-axle suspension system that 
would assure equal load distribution by all axles.
use commercial wheels and tires, and have been packaged 
to be readily dismounted as a unit and reinstalled on 
other trailer frames. The assemblies incorporate load 
equalizing beam assemblies to equally distribute the 
load to each axle. Interconnecting linkages are installed 
between the wheel assemblies mounted on the equalizing 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States	 will be free from privately owned rights. 
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beam assembly so that when the steering tow bar is 
actuated in either direction, each wheel assembly is 
moved in proportion to its radial position from a pre-
determined common turning point. 
Notes: 
1. Information concerning this innovation may be of 
interest to manufacturers and users of vehicles carry-
ing large loads, e.g. trailers, as well as the truck and 
automotive industry. 
2. Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code A&TS-TU 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B72-10499
Patent status: 
Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of 
this invention should be addressed to: 
Technology Utilization Office 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code A&TS-PAT 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Source: 0. J. Fincannon, and D. L. Glenn of

McDonnell Douglas Corporation

under contract to
Marshall Space Flight Center

(MFS-2201 2) 
B72-10499	 Category 07


Tandem steerable running gear

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