Amphibious cycle

Amphibious bike 'Cyclomer', Paris, 1932

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.

The Ocean Biker, Ebrahim Hemmatnia in his boatbike, March 2015, João Pessoa, Brazil.

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 developed by Ebrahim Hemmatnia for his voyage around the world. This velomobile was called the Melanie.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Shourie, D. (2006) Grassroots inventions The Tribune, Chandigarh, India. 17 February 2006.
  2. ↑ This has been featured on both the Discovery Channel and BBC News
  3. ↑ Moraga, E.O. (1969) 21 September 1971 Cyclo Amphibious US Patent 3,606,856.
  4. ↑ SBK Engineering Shuttle-bike
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ featured in the Southern Daily Echo (5 June 2008) and The Daily Telegraph (6 June 2008)
  7. ↑ Calvin College amphibious vehicle
  8. ↑ Ad Infinitum amphibious bicycle
  9. ↑ Ad Infinitum bicycle

External links

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