HPT

15.3Thrust Plate:

The most important component of a Grid compliant vehicle will be the vehicle’s Trust Plate (see Section 9.1 and 11.7 “Thrust Plate”), which carries the weight of a Grid vehicle when in transit. The Thrust Plate, with its series of small solid wheels made of plastic, stainless steel or rubber will require replacement at 10,000 mile intervals reaching 50,000 mile intervals within a few years of development. Normal items such as brake linings and ball joints will require replacement. In the design phase, a mechanism which allows for quick removal of one Thrust Plate, and installation of another, is of critical importance. These plates will be interchangeable in about the same amount of time as a typical oil change or tire replacement, and will be mass produced to a single design dimension to take advantage of bulk pricing. To keep costs low, thrust Plates will be replaced through an exchange program and rebuilt by various certified shops located at convenient locations.