hydraulic bike

[unknown52]

To all the research i have now done, hydraulics is out of the question. Seems only plausable use as stored energy, but that requires a gas motor and hydraulic motor to apply power together (dont know how) or apply hydraulics to front and gas motor to rear and that is too much money.

Got the trike kit so figure just gonna put gas motor on it and get 12 mph out of it.

 

[Beaverdam]

"... but that requires a gas motor and hydraulic motor to apply power together ... "

The only power available is the power you supply (via pedal or gas motor), the rest of the system is just transmitting it to the axle. The hydraulic motor can only put out the power spec'd if it has the input GPM & PSI spec'd.

The gas motor converts chemical energy (sunlight stored for eons) into rotary HP (torque and RPM). The hydraulic pump converts rotary HP to hydraulic HP (PSI and GPM). The hydraulic motor converts the hydraulic HP back into rotary HP. Each conversion has it's own (in)efficiency factor, as well as fluid drag in hydraulic lines, friction in shaft bearings and seals, etc.

Regular bike drives convert rotary power to linear pull, and back to rotary power. But the conversions are more efficient, there is no fluid drag or shaft seals, and much less mechanical friction to deal with.

 

[climbhike]

Parker Hydraulics used to hold a competition for "chainless bikes" a few years ago search for "chainless challenge". Web site had pics of two wheelers and trikes. Interesting ideas but less than practical. PapaG