New rotating spoke technology

chocothon

This appeared on a technology website so I've tried to summarise it below with a link:-
Aeronautics engineers in Holland who also happen to be cyclists had the idea of applying some of the more unusual research into aeroplane wing design to spokes.

Nothing new there, except that they have introduced deliberate movement into the equation.
Basically each spoke has a rotatable Kevlar aerofoil attachment on its leading edge, in a "U" shape which extends around the spoke. It is attached via pivots which allow easy automatic rotation, in response to air pressure.

There are said to be several advantages, including a 10% drag reduction; there are some more details about it on this link:

http://www.wheelhub.co.uk/Blog/General-Topics/New-rotating-spoke-technology.cfm

voxegam

Hmmmm....is it April 1st????

MattC59

Nice try, unfortunately, the idea has a considerable flaw.

At the hub, the rotational speed of the spokes is less than that at the rim, therefore the air pressure is different. Each end of the spoke would want to rotate at a different rate. This will effect it's ability to rotate.

PLUS, with all the tension on the spokes, unless they had tiny little bearings at each end, they wouldn't rotate anyway.

I know, I know, it's an April Fool, but I'm a geeky engineer :roll:

lastant

"One of the Dutch Engineers, Mr. B.O. Gus..."

Chortle