h a l f b a k e r yYou gonna finish that?
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When you spin a motor, it generates an electric current. This will turn another motor if the circuit is connected. What I propose is to turn several motors by foot power and connect their cables to motors driving the wheels of a small vehicle. This is not a solution to modern passenger vehicles, it
would be more apt for go-carts. With this design you can create a 4wd vehicle without complicated drivetrains or heavy batteries.
Something's missing
http://www.northrup...r-missing-petal.JPG
[normzone, Jun 09 2009]
[link]
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So, the idea is a pedal-driven generator driving independent
wheel motors to give 4wd? Yessssss, but (a) it's going to be
very inefficient (mechanical > electrical > mechanical
conversion is going to waste quite a bit of energy) and (b)
why do you want 4wd on a go-cart? |
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I thought this would be a new form of biofuel using flower
petals. That would've been better. |
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Typical I come up with a statistic I don't have time to work out, maybe [gryphon327] could help there ? |
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Given a moderate power output of a human at 100W, what is the cost of an hours work for -
a) Petrol from the local gas station
b) Someone in your country
c) Someone in a country with a minimum wage e.g. UK, US .. |
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In that respect there is a direct comparison between pedal power and fossil fuels. |
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If I were going to build a 4wd, pedal powered go cart, and not use a conventional drivetrain, I'd use a hydraulic system, since there are smaller conversion losses than with an electrical system. |
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The pedals would connect to a variable displacement hydraulic pump, and each of the wheels would be powered by it's own hydraulic motor. |
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// hydraulic system, since there are smaller conversion losses than with an electrical system// |
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Really? DC motors can go to high 90's %. Rotary hydraulic equipment require large radiators to keep cool. In my experiance, hydraulic drives lend themselves to low speed/high torque applications, where efficiency isn't as important as robustness, and large service intervals. Is anyone using high speed hydraulic drivetrains? (they probably are, but I don't know about it...). ? |
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I don't understand what this has to do with petals? If you
mean like the very old-fashioned flashbulb reflectors, that
unfolded into a parabolic reflector, with a set of petals that
join together, then that's not really rotational and won't
form the basis of a motor by itself. On the other hand, the
petals, when folded up, could form the basis of a compact
portable carry-able device. When the petals are
unfolded into a complete circle or dish, facing the ground,
acts like a personal hovercraft. |
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I thought this would be a way to increase solar panel space on a car by the opening of "petals" to increase solar power generation area when parked. |
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//without complicated drivetrains// - so use a simple drivetrain, like on a bicycle.
The 'petals' unfold to form a rigid sail to allow wind-assisted travel. A good idea, although you should be mindful of the hazards of tacking in heavy traffic. |
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//I don't understand what this has to do with petals// |
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<shouts>Petal to the medal!</shouts> |
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[bigsleep] - Gasoline = 32 MJ/l therefore about 33 MJ/£ (£0.97/l) |
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100W over 3600 seconds = 360000J or 360kJ or 0.36MJ |
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Minimum wage in the UK is £5.73, so human power is 0.0628MJ/£ |
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Nice calcs. So a human would have to be paid 1 UK pence per hour to be a viable power generator (against petrol). One google later, a slave labour rate in India is 4 UK pence per hour (and that includes child labour). Amazingly enough this makes human power generation almost viable in places like bangladesh and india. Of course, with the capital outlay, you might as well buy solar panels, especially in those regions. |
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The idea though is not so barking mad, take out the electrics and have a lightweight shell containing a big flywheel and as your 8 kids pedal like mad in the back you can steer round cattle and stop and start at traffic lights. |
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OK. So I can't spell very well. I'll fix the post. |
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I realize that gas power would be a lot more efficient, but it costs money that I don't have. I do however have legs that I can use whenever I have free time. You ask why I would want a 4wd go-cart, well, the origional idea was to create a small tank type go-cart, but I haven't come up with an easy and cheap way to make the treads. |
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