strange idea.

[deacon]

Now I know this is going to sound like I'm on crack, or have had one beer too many (at least) but I don't drink, not for the last 15 years. I don't take even the drugs they want me to take. So it can only be a **** of an idea, or my brain tumor talking but:

What if I took that ilfan engine that is to heavy for any of my present incarnations. and put it on the back of my trike with the drive shaft facing to the rear. I could get a really good balance that way. Then what if I got a fan blade and made myself a forced air helper engine. Kind of like a small air boat on wheels. Just a thought, but then again I might be delusional.

Of course with winter coming i would have to buy a thermal suit. You wouldn't need a clutch because the fan could blow on idle and not hurt a thing. just a thought

 

[Drewd]

Its been done ;-) I like the idea but the liability of some knucklehead getting hurt by sticking an appendage into the prop scares the heck out of me.

Propeller bicycle - YouTube

propeller bike - YouTube

fan-powered bicycle - YouTube

Cam on Propeller Bike - YouTube

 

[deacon]

I saw some of those and yes loss of appendages seems likely. I had one of those old fans with the cage blades switch if from electric motor to the ilfan. Just a strange thought. probably wouldn't get enough thrust though

 

[thegnu]

all I can say here is GAS TURBINE ENGINE ! .............MAYBE I am crazier !

 

[deacon]

Sail????????

 

[skyl4rk]

Outstanding Blokart Movie - YouTube

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Sail????????

Ya know, I think you'd get more thrust if the prop blew into a sail, just like you mentioned!

 

[thegnu]

doesnt work .... that way mythbusters prooved it , although I like the sail idea.

 

[cannonball2]

I have a 14lb thrust jet turbine the might move it along. Unfortunately it burns 7oz of kerosene/turbine oil mix a minute. Also might melt the grilles out of cars at stop lights. We mounted a 50cc R/C gasser to a bike turning a 20" prop. If you helped it from start it moved a long pretty well but forget climbing a hill. Just one of those crazy experiments.

 

[deacon]

I have a 14lb thrust jet turbine the might move it along. Unfortunately it burns 7oz of kerosene/turbine oil mix a minute. Also might melt the grilles out of cars at stop lights. We mounted a 50cc R/C gasser to a bike turning a 20" prop. If you helped it from start it moved a long pretty well but forget climbing a hill. Just one of those crazy experiments.

i have done more than one of those not that one but others .

 

[KDB]

Years ago I had a stray thought about building a flying platform out of those small model engine turbines.
I was pretty sure it was a bad idea without exploring it very far but the 7 oz./min fuel consumption for 14 lbs thrust makes it clear.
On the bright side, a turbine driven turbofan is still a possibility.
Search youtube for scramjet, ramjet and pulsejet for more flights of fancy.