The present invention provides a method and apparatus for brake steering a
tracked vehicle such as, for example, a military tank. More precisely,
the present invention provides independent control of a left brake and a
right brake to create a track speed differential and thereby turn the
vehicle. The apparatus of the present invention preferably includes a
controller, a plurality of circuit selector actuators operatively
connected to the controller, and a plurality of brake apply actuators
operatively connected to the controller. A plurality of valves are
disposed in fluid communication with the plurality of circuit selector
actuators. The left brake is in fluid communication with one of the
plurality of brake apply actuators, and the right brake is in fluid
communication with another of the plurality of brake apply actuators. The
controller is configured to control the plurality of brake apply
actuators to independently apply the left brake and the right brake such
that the tracked vehicle can be turned in a desired manner.