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Old 06-29-2008, 02:45 PM   #41 (permalink)
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It is possible the flat sides are a benefit. Say you extend them higher and in front and back of the car. You have made an airfoil shape with plates on the ends to keep air from spilling off.

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Old 06-29-2008, 03:26 PM   #42 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher Jordan View Post
This is a VeloKit. It has nearly paralell sides. I could not round it out much (just added 2 more panniers!).

That's what your Green Machine looks like, right Chris? I'd be interested to know what your average and maximum speed is with that vehicle.

Last edited by Peakster; 06-29-2008 at 03:41 PM..
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Old 06-29-2008, 09:06 PM   #43 (permalink)
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There is a program Hull Designer that is used to design boat hulls built out of flat plywood panels. It could also be used to design fairings made of coroplast.

Carlson Design Plotter/Cutters

Here is a short wheelbase recumbent bicycle fairing I designed using this software. The output is this image, plus dxf CAD files with coordinates to mark the coroplast sheets so you can cut out panels.



This fairing is just an example of the output of the program. It looks odd because the bike is so short and it has a high handlebar, so space is needed on top. You need to picture the riders head sticking out above this fairing.

I realize that flat panels are not as aerodynamic as rounded, however this type of fairing would be very easy to build and pretty cheap as well. The software would allow more than just two panels to the side, you can choose any number of panels. I was thinking of zip tying the panels together, then covering the joints with clear packing tape. I would design the fairing about 6" longer than it had to be, then cut it in half behind the rider, and use a hinge at the very front to raise the front half up, and when the front half is down it would overlap 6" over the rear half.

I have used this program to build canoes and small boats, it is very accurate and you definitely get the shape you design. It takes a while to get used to, and it would be worthwhile to build a few models. I usually take the output in dxf format and open it with Autocad, and then draw a 1' x 1' grid on it and take the coordinates of the upper line and lower line of the panels every one foot. Draw the outline using a long bendable straightedge, cut the panels out and stitch them together.

Here are some boatbuilding outputs from Hull Designer:


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Old 06-29-2008, 09:21 PM   #44 (permalink)
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No tear drop that and you got a very easy to construct body and good areo dynamics..
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Old 06-29-2008, 09:23 PM   #45 (permalink)
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I actually have be recreating the Aptera design in that Hull designer with good results.. however i dont have a image of it as of now..
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Old 06-29-2008, 09:27 PM   #46 (permalink)
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Quote:
There is a program Hull Designer that is used to design boat hulls built out of flat plywood panels. It could also be used to design fairings made of coroplast.
I don't understand the output.
Is each of those segments a flat panel with no bend or twist? Or does the program unbend segments and give the pattern to cut on a flat sheet?
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Old 06-29-2008, 09:29 PM   #47 (permalink)
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fhere is a snap o the hulls program Aptera design I made.
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Old 06-29-2008, 09:33 PM   #48 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ebacherville View Post
thats tempting, however i think for duplicability id like to use "off the shelf" items that are easily available to everyone.. but im sure people could modify a they see fit..
Equal opportunity- get a B I G shelf

www.wesleychurch.info/velomobile/ad.htm
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Old 06-29-2008, 09:43 PM   #49 (permalink)
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Quote:
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I don't understand the output.
Is each of those segments a flat panel with no bend or twist? Or does the program unbend segments and give the pattern to cut on a flat sheet?
The images I showed were the part of the program where you can drag the lines around to get the hull shape you want. When it looks good, you can select a button and it will generate the flat panel shapes. It outputs them several ways, visually on the screen and also a dxf CAD file that Autocad can open up.
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Old 06-29-2008, 09:51 PM   #50 (permalink)
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Quote:
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here is a snap of the hulls program Aptera design I made.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow very nice!

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