Amphibious cycle
An amphibious cycle is a human-powered vehicle capable of operation on both land and water. The design which has probably received the most coverage is Saidullah’s Bicycle.[1][2] The bike uses four rectangular air filled floats for buoyancy, and is propelled using two fan blades which have been attached to the spokes. Moraga’s Cyclo Amphibious [3] uses a simple tricycle frame to support three floaters which provide both the floatation and thrust. The wings on the powered wheels propel the vehicle in a similar way to a paddle wheel.
Another design is the SBK Engineering Shuttle-Bike. It consists of 2 inflatable floats with straps that allow the carrying of a bicycle with passenger. The ensemble, when deflated, fits in a backpack for carrying by the cyclist.[4]
Another amphibious vehicle, is that of seven engineering students at the University of Southampton.[5][6] The Amphibious Cycle combines a recumbent frame with separate floats, and is propelled using a paddle wheel. A speed test on water achieved an average speed of 1.12 m/s. The cyclist was able to transition the cycle both into and out of the water unassisted. This prototype has a real application in urban areas of flooding, as well as applications in the leisure industry.
An amphibious vehicle was created by five engineering students at Calvin College as a senior design project (May 2010). This vehicle improves upon previous designs by allowing smooth transition from water to land.[7]
Another recent design was made especially for Ebrahim Hemmatnia for his voyage around the world. This velomobile design was called the Ad Infinitum.[8][9]
See also
- Flood
- Hydrocycle (a bicycle-like watercraft that is not necessarily amphibious)
- Open hardware
External links
References
- ^ Shourie, D. (2006) Grassroots inventions The Tribune, Chandigarh, India. 17th February 2006.
- ^ This has been featured on both the Discovery Channel and BBC News
- ^ Moraga, E.O. (1969) 21 September 1971 Cyclo Amphibious US Patent 3,606,856.
- ^ SBK Engineering Shuttle-bike
- ^ Anthony Chesshire, David Edwards, Simon Halford, Joanna Hutchinson, Jack Marriott, Andrew Webster & Simon Wiles (2008) Design Build and Test an Amphibious Cycle School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton.
- ^ featured in the Southern Daily Echo (5 June 2008) and The Daily Telegraph (6 June 2008)
- ^ Calvin College amphibious vehicle
- ^ Ad Infinitum amphibious bicycle
- ^ Ad Infinitum bicycle