30> Active Wheels

Back in my January 30 post, I brought up the concept of the “motor in the wheel” design. I like the idea a lot because it has no more moving parts than a LIM (linear Induction Motor) but is all contained in a neat little package, as opposed to having to provide miles of “reactor plate” in the track. Also, the tolerance between the rotor and stator parts of the motor can be very small. With a LIM these spaces would be a challenge to maintain, effecting efficiency. Check out this excellent simulation by Paul Nylander (http://bugman 123.com)



Oops. Bloggers' videos don't loop so it doesn't go 'round- Check out the web site...There's lots of neat stuff..

I found motor in wheel suppliers for bicycle conversions, and conveyor belts (drum motors) but I missed the obvious search words “wheel motor” until I ran into this interesting innovation from Michelin.



Anyway, I found a UK company, PML that produces a range of “wheel motors” sized for vehicle use. I have not had a chance to consider the various choices or to work them into a design, but they appear to be sufficiently small as to enable the many wheel, split carriage design I favor. (lots of traction, very tight turning radii, both up and down and side to side)

Designs will be forthcoming.