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Author Topic: Electric Wheel Motors  (Read 674 times)

Tallpine

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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  ;/
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lee n. field

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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 »
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bedlamite

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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.
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just Warren

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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?
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Tallpine

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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  =|
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zahc

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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.
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Tallpine

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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  ;)
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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
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