Beate's old Go-One 3

[beate]

But someting else to show here, actually my 1st modification with aerodynamics in mind:



This is to cover the air intake below the nose of the VM. The original (missing) intake would have reduced the ability to cross steps in the roads which we have plenty of them in German bicycle paths. Well, any effect too small in order to be noticeable, but It works nicely as an air intake to the fan box. Birch plywood, 2mm, and sidewalls rests of poplar plywood, 4mm.

[samwichse]

LOL that's the first time I've ever seen a wooden NACA duct.

Nice fabrication

[freebeard]

Nicely done. I believe I mentioned stitch-and-glue before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXz6BLoQsQI

[Grant-53]

Transverse leaf springs were discussed in detail in the recumbents.com forum a few years ago. For ease of fabrication I would go for tubular compound torsion bars as used on the old Lotus 72 F1 car. A tail section would help the aero of these velomobiles. High performance sailplanes have similar windshields and use solar shade materials to minimize solar heating of the cockpit. They vent air from behind the head for cooling.

[beate]

A propos stich-and-glue: first free handed steps with the canopy - a few minor mistakes at the back which i could correct with the Kataba - but currently i do not the urgency ... I'll have to complete it anyway.





Next steps:
> replace the screen (low quality PET) with optically good PMMA foil.
> find a better position for te mirror

I'll give the prototype of the back a third chance:



> remove the cover.
> change the angle of the upper support plate toward horizontal
> make a new surface from wood - that can be bent to follow
the shape of the velomobile better than it does now.
> Possibly narrow stripes of Paulownia paralleling the angle of the back.
> Maybe extending and thus narrowing the back a bit
> Add the still missing downward continuation

Again: that will still remain a prototype. But i need to gain more experience before i invest into a final version which should also be more lightweight.

Again

[freebeard]

That's nice work, but it precludes a central periscope rearview mirror.

[beate]

Well, those camera systems are cheap...

there are actually no velomobiles with central mirrors, and those on the sides are sufficient in these narrow vehicles.

[The Toecutter]

Originally Posted by beate

Well, those camera systems are cheap...

there are actually no velomobiles with central mirrors, and those on the sides are sufficient in these narrow vehicles.

Seconded. The side mirrors on both my Milan SL and my custom build give me a complete view of everything behind me.

Nice velo. I was about to comment on the need to clean up the airflow in the rear, until I saw your most recent photos. Don't give up on the rear if the 3rd try doesn't work. You'll eventually solve that if you keep trying, and maybe the 3rd iteration will indeed work. I look forward to hearing about some efficiency figures!

[freebeard]

No worries, it's just that on cars, the side mirrors are the most intractable problem.

I was led astray by Bucky Fuller's Dymaxion tricycle.

[beate]

If there was better visibility through the PET screen of the canopy i would probably mount mirrors in the front part of the canopy, just below the light.

As for attempt 3, i would like to get an idea what to improve. Except of course, the evennes of the surface.

Angles: here You see the skeleton after removal of the cardboard. I am currently glueing a few broken spots - more that i expected on first impression.

Main idea: i leave the space for the headlight free and possibly will add some transparent "strakes" the will reach to the top of the light but willl remain open toward the back.

As You might see here, the top most plate points slightly upward. An aerodynamic disadvantage? Shoul i change this to horizontality of even let it point slightly downward toward the back?

What about the tail angles of the supporting triangles?
The upper one now has 22° toward the central axis, the other angles are close to 15°