« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Electric Wheel Motors  (Read 752 times)

Tallpine

  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 23,172
  • Grumpy Old Grandpa
Electric Wheel Motors
« on: July 18, 2012, 08:34:26 PM »
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/07/18/protean-electric-looks-to-revolutionize-electric-cars-with-in-wheel-motors/?intcmp=features

Been wondering why they don't do this ...  =|

It's hardly "new" - Letourneau was doing it about 75 years ago  ;/
Report to moderator   Logged
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin

lee n. field

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 13,822
  • tinpot megalomaniac, Paulbot, hardware goon
Re: Electric Wheel Motors
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2012, 09:16:46 PM »
something about sprung and unsprung weight, is what I remember reading for why this isn't done.

There was a motorcycle that had a gasoline engine built in the front wheel.  Long time ago, of course.  Mi-go-la?

Here we go, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megola.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2012, 09:21:05 PM by lee n. field »
Report to moderator   Logged
In thy presence is fulness of joy.
At thy right hand pleasures for evermore.

bedlamite

  • Hold my beer and watch this!
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 9,923
  • Ack! PLBTTPHBT!
Re: Electric Wheel Motors
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2012, 10:03:14 PM »
Not only unsprung weight, but motors are kept inboard to keep them out of the worst of the water, dirt, salt, and other crap that wheels regularly see.
Report to moderator   Logged
A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.
Is defenestration possible through the overton window?

just Warren

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,234
  • My DJ name is Heavy Cream.
Re: Electric Wheel Motors
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2012, 10:07:05 PM »
Those were nice looking bikes. Would it be possible to fully enclose the engine to help keep it clean?
Report to moderator   Logged
Member in Good Standing of the Spontaneous Order of the Invisible Hand.

Tallpine

  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 23,172
  • Grumpy Old Grandpa
Re: Electric Wheel Motors
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2012, 10:12:48 PM »
Quote from: bedlamite on July 18, 2012, 10:03:14 PM
Not only unsprung weight, but motors are kept inboard to keep them out of the worst of the water, dirt, salt, and other crap that wheels regularly see.

Well, it was working for heavy earthmoving equipment back in the 1940s  =|
Report to moderator   Logged
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin

zahc

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,871
Re: Electric Wheel Motors
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2012, 07:58:56 AM »
Earth moving equipment doesn't even have suspension, so all weight by definition is unsprung.
Report to moderator   Logged
Maybe a rare occurence, but then you only have to get murdered once to ruin your whole day.
--Tallpine

Tallpine

  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 23,172
  • Grumpy Old Grandpa
Re: Electric Wheel Motors
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2012, 10:06:52 AM »
Quote from: zahc on July 19, 2012, 07:58:56 AM
Earth moving equipment doesn't even have suspension, so all weight by definition is unsprung.

But it still gets dirty  ;)
Report to moderator   Logged
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin
Pages: [1]
« previous next »