View Single Post
Old 04-19-2008, 05:23 PM   #38 (permalink)
aerohead
Master EcoModder
 
aerohead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A.
Posts: 16,267
Thanks: 24,392
Thanked 7,360 Times in 4,760 Posts
inflateables

Quote:
Originally Posted by dremd View Post
I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

My biggest question at the moment is how many/ much internal braces would be required so it did not turn in to a bubble, but stayed shaped more how I'd like it to look. Do you guys think it woud be posable to have all of the braces run paralel to airflow? (reduced drag)

I am considering using pictures of Basjos's car from side, top and using that as a pattern for the top/ sides (scaled to golf size) (and ofcouse if he would give permission).

Considering convertible plastic rear window material for the upper portion to retain visibility(in a final version) Maybe visquine to start.

As far as stiffness goes, I'm not sure where/ how, but I believe that the structure could be greatly enhanced with plywood panels and / or tent poles glued/ sewn in.

And a final thought, wouldn't it be great if it could be collapsed entirely just by sucking the air out? How about using the tension from the top to hold the boat tail from hitting the ground, then having tent poles (or plywood)hinged in 2 (folding so the "V" is inverted) collapse in such a manner that the entire assembly sits between the bumper and the back window?
Goodyear Aerospace (the blimp people in Dayton,Ohio) came up with an inflatable airplane for the air force.It never saw service,however,there may be de-classified patent images that would illustrate the internal construction used to prevent shedding eddies from setting up wild cyclic deformations.I think inflatables would be a multi-billion dollar/euro/yen/piaster/peso/etc.,idea for the ground vehicle industry.I'm prior-art,so I don't worry about patents,and any one of you entrepreneurial-spirited modders,with access to venture capital could be drowning in cash if your first to market.You can get the patent later.
__________________
Photobucket album: http://s1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj622/aerohead2/
  Reply With Quote