Some Notes from Today's Design Session Tote wheels may need to be separable from the axle.
Four wheels will form a low, four-wheel wagon. The packed set of rigid wing-frame elements will be strapped to the two axles, each axle having two wheels mounted on it. The strapping of the wheeled axles may be accomplished by a strap of various designs: simple elastic loop capturing the axle then overarching the pack finishing by capturing the axile on the other side of the pack; or an elastic strap with end hooks or end ties, or cord and tying. The elastic loop might be the most quick means without the challenge of having hooks around the scene. Loops on during land hike could be quickly offed and stored on the pilot's neck during bus or train ride. The elastic loops might play some role in the wing for flight, perhaps a role in controls or damping vibrations, etc. Look for second uses of the tote-used loops.
Wheels might be made from half wheels, as in some flight uses, the wheels will be mounted on the bundle of crosslines that make up the base of the triangle control frame (TCF). A wrap will first be mounted over the bundle of crosslines. Then, two tote wheels will be mounted together over the port region of the control-base wrapped bundle of crosslines. Similarly, the other two wheels (four half-wheels) will form one wheel for the starboard region of the bundle of crosslines. If wider tread is wanted for sand, then the two sets of two tote wheels could be used in combination with a mounted tread of flat material screwed or otherwise bound to two tote wheels, say to get 6-inch-wide tread for port and similarly for starboard wheeling.
The wrap could be made from various materials, with some being more rigid than others. Spot sleeving on the wrap for mounting the wheels could be hardened.
Tote wheels may be set with limit washers and a small shear pin to keep the wheels in place during transport on the ground.
During travel on a city bus, the wheels will be removed and carried separately. The axles, each about 16 inches long, will be easily carried by the pilot. The flat wheels will also be worn by the pilot during bus or train rides.
While hiking on the ground, the low-slung rigid-element makeshift wagon will put very little strain on the toting pilot. At times, the pilot might choose to strap other gear or a backpack onto the low-slung wagon.
While on a bus or train, the wheels will not be seen, and the wagon arrangement will not exist. The two axles will also be inconspicuous.
Two low-mass elastic straps with light ties or end hooks will suffice to mount the wing's rigid-element pack to the two axles.
There is hope that the rigid-element pack might be reduced to 2.5 inches by 10 inches by 60 inches, which is less than a cubic foot, sans sail.
Sail segments might be wrapped around the rigid-element pack or packed into a chest pack and/or flat backpack. If the sail segments are wrapped around the rigid-element pack, a final abrasion guard, which could be the wrap used for the TCF bundle of crosslines, will be needed.
It is hoped that telescoping tubes will permit low-volume rigid-element packing. There may be as many as seven telescoping tubes, twice over, plus two additional tubes. The four tube sets may be filled with some rib tubes, and empty spaces alongside the main tubes will provide room for additional rib tubes.
How might sand interfere with the assembly and disassembly of telescoping tubes? This issue suggests the need for a large, low-mass ground sheet at certain sites or the careful use of smaller clean sheets. Special vigilance is required, particularly during packing. Additionally, caps may be necessary to close the ends of tube packs to prevent contamination. Moisture can exacerbate the problem by causing sand to adhere to the components.
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Below is a GPT 3.5 chat response to my half-wheel need, but there are other ways than the AI suggested:
Concept: Split-Wheel Mounting System
Objective:
To design a wheel that can be mounted directly onto an axle where traditional side mounting is impeded by structural constraints. The solution involves splitting a standard 6-inch wheel into two halves that can be joined around the axle using bolts.
Detailed Description:
Wheel Splitting:
Initial Wheel: Start with a standard 6-inch wheel.
Division: Cut the wheel precisely into two equal halves along the plane of the wheel's axis. Ensure the cuts are clean and even to maintain balance and integrity when reassembled.
Joining Mechanism:
Flanges: Each half of the wheel will have flanges with pre-drilled bolt holes along the cut edges. These flanges will align perfectly when the halves are brought together.
Bolts and Nuts: Use sturdy bolts and nuts to secure the two halves together. The bolts should be evenly spaced around the circumference to distribute the load evenly and maintain the wheel’s structural integrity.
Axle Compatibility:
Direct Mounting: The split design allows each half to be placed directly on either side of the axle.
Alignment: Once positioned on the axle, the halves are joined together using the bolts, forming a complete wheel around the axle without the need for side mounting.
Structural Considerations:
Material: Ensure the wheel and flanges are made from durable materials capable of withstanding the mechanical stresses during operation.
Reinforcement: Consider reinforcing the wheel halves at the junction points to prevent any potential weakness at the split line.
Ease of Assembly and Disassembly:
Tool Requirements: Design the bolt holes and bolts for ease of access with common tools.
Time Efficiency: Ensure that the joining process is straightforward, minimizing the time and effort required for assembly and disassembly.
Advantages:
Accessibility: Enables wheel mounting in confined spaces where traditional side mounting is not possible.
Versatility: Can be adapted to various axle diameters and wheel sizes by modifying the design specifications.
Maintenance: Facilitates easier wheel maintenance and replacement without the need for disassembling surrounding structures.
Application Scenarios:
Machinery in Tight Spaces: Ideal for industrial equipment with restricted access to axles.
Custom Vehicles: Useful for custom-built vehicles where axle access is limited by design.
Robotics: Applicable in robotics where compact and modular designs are common.
Conclusion:
The split-wheel mounting system offers an innovative solution to the problem of mounting wheels in spaces where traditional methods are not feasible. By dividing the wheel into two joinable halves, the design ensures ease of installation, structural integrity, and versatility across various applications.