Have fun: "RORMaxx Could be First Steps to Wind Powered Sports Car"

[kristopher]

In the ongoing search for alternative energy, few things have been so overlooked as wind. Granted, many places are beginning to accept wind power as an easily accessible form of renewable energy, but still others don't see its potential. It is this problem that 2 young minds from California have set out to solve. The solution came in the form of a wind powered sports car. While the design is still in the earliest stages of development, the basic principals of operation have been hammered out. Surprisingly enough, this idea didn't come from a university or laboratory. It came from a pair of high-school students. Rory Handel and Max Bricklin, both of Harvard-Westlake High School, are responsible for the wind driven concept and they have every intention of following through with the idea. Handel has a passion for motor racing and there is no doubting that his racing ambitions played a part in designing the RORMaxx.

Powering the RORMaxx is a 285 horsepower AC electric motor. Power will be provided via Lithium-Phosphate batteries that can be charged through solar paneling mounted on the body of the vehicle. On a sunny day, the solar power could extend the overall range by 15%-30%. The body and frame of the RORMaxx will be kept as light as possible to keep the required level of power down. The F1 inspired shell is expected to be aluminum based with steel being used only when necessary. Light-weight Magnesium racing wheels with M composite tires will keep the RORMaxx on the tarmac without adding too much weight.


Once the vehicle is moving, the forward motion will be used to route air into 4 ducts, each one housing a small turbine. The turbines will be connected to ultra-capacitors that will store the charge until it is needed. The capacitors will provide for quicker acceleration off the line and when coming out of turns. ...

http://inventorspot.com/articles/rormaxx_could_be_first_steps_wind_powered_sports_car_21756

[chucktaylor]

1. ultra-capacitors ..the stuff that dreams are made of.

[Lasher]

2. They've been working on this concept for a few years.

Here's an early prototype:

[donco6]

3. That passenger doesn't look terribly confident.

:)

[Lasher]

6. This actually evolved into landsailing

I was making a funnee before but this looks like more fun.

[madokie]

7. Son and I have given thought to making us one of these

I have pretty much everything needed in my resourse bag, ie junk pile. What to another man is junk is my parts supply :-)

[donco6]

8. I've seen those.

They do look fun, but you sure have to have a lot of room to maneuver.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. I'm having a problem with the physics of this.

It seems to me that this can't possibly work, sail-car exception below noted.

[Fledermaus]

5. Amateur

An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without formal training or pay. Conversely, an expert is generally considered a person with extensive knowledge, ability, and/or training in a particular area of study, while a professional is someone who also makes a living from it. Translated from its French origin to the English "lover of", the term "amateur" reflects a voluntary motivation to work as a result of personal passion for a particular activity.

As with any construct, amateurism can be seen in both a negative and positive light. Since amateurs often do not have training, amateur work can sometimes be seen as sub-par. For example, amateur athletes in sports such as basketball or football are not regarded as having the same level of ability as professional athletes.

http://www.reference.com/search?q=Amature

I hope these students have enough passion and intelligence to learn the skills they need. The wind part is unrealistic.