Battery Electric Vehicle News / Enjoying the Transportation Revolution

Martyn1981

Netexporter said:

Winches are OK for gliders and jets but propellers and cables don't really mix. 

Catapults were used by Navies all around the World to launch propeller scouts and fighter aircraft from large ships such as battleships and heavy cruiers, for decades. These aircraft had floats, to allow them to be retreived via cranes after a patrol/sortie.

"Gonna need a bigger rubber band!"

But I appreciate that a cable launch would not be ideal, to say the least. I also suspect that my half baked idea of trailing a long breakaway extension lead, has room for improvement too.   

Coastalwatch

Hmmm, very true. But somehow they seem to make it work with drones!

Netexporter

To be clear, I was talking about a single line winch. A catapult system will pull from two points to either side of the aircraft, largely obviating the danger of a central propeller snagging the cable.

Martyn1981

Netexporter said:

To be clear, I was talking about a single line winch. A catapult system will pull from two points to either side of the aircraft, largely obviating the danger of a central propeller snagging the cable.

Yep, I totally got where you were coming from, just exploring the catapult idea that CW mentioned, a bit more.

Taking things to an absolute extreme, there is even a space launch system that spins a small 'missile' type unit up to incredible speeds, before releasing it (hopefully) through a hole and into space. But this is not suitable for anything fragile, especially humans.

When asked how far an electric car can drive, I have in the past answered - "depends on the length of the extension lead." So perhaps I'm not taking this entirely seriously, just enjoying all the potential outcomes, for now.  

Coastalwatch

Martyn1981 said:

Netexporter said:

To be clear, I was talking about a single line winch. A catapult system will pull from two points to either side of the aircraft, largely obviating the danger of a central propeller snagging the cable.

Yep, I totally got where you were coming from, just exploring the catapult idea that CW mentioned, a bit more.

Taking things to an absolute extreme, there is even a space launch system that spins a small 'missile' type unit up to incredible speeds, before releasing it (hopefully) through a hole and into space. But this is not suitable for anything fragile, especially humans.

When asked how far an electric car can drive, I have in the past answered - "depends on the length of the extension lead." So perhaps I'm not taking this entirely seriously, just enjoying all the potential outcomes, for now.  

Wow Mart! That's an incredible piece of apparatus which I'm still trying to get my head around. Can you imagine the centrifugal forces involved not to mention the timing issue for release. Might it be in the order of nano secs as opposed to mere m'secs! 

Then thinking about balance, I wonder how once the rocket is released that unless an equivalent weight is shed from the opposing counter balance arm then surely it would cause the thing to self destruct. That is if it's anything like the washing machine in our kitchen and that with only a max spin of 1400 rpm!

There was an FAQ section but I couldn't see any reference to balance mentioned so would be great to learn more a bout it!

silverwhistle

How about helicopters and trampolines?Or rig up a second hand Martin Baker..

Martyn1981

silverwhistle said:

How about helicopters and trampolines?Or rig up a second hand Martin Baker..

Apologies for diversion, but I've recently read 'Eject! Eject!' by John Nichol. All about the development of the ejection seat, the Martin Baker company and stories of its use. It was an incredible read.

orrery

Martyn1981 said:

When asked how far an electric car can drive, I have in the past answered - "depends on the length of the extension lead." So perhaps I'm not taking this entirely seriously, just enjoying all the potential outcomes, for now.  

When asked how long it takes to charge my car, I answer "About 30 seconds - that's how long it takes to stuff the plug in, lock the car and walk in through my front door".

zeupater

Martyn1981 said:

Now I think about it, not only are there electric tow planes for launching gliders, but in Canada some small fleets of aircraft that carry out short range roles, such as float planes and puddle-jumpers are converting over to BEV.

Brave new World.

Even better .... put the field for the gliders on the top of a hill and have a group of people with a long rope run down a steep slope to tow-launch the things .... who needs costly gym membership ...

Seen it done many-a-time & it works well .... no need for costly launch methods involving complex energy systems when a drink at the bar (favourable delegated driver required!) and a packet of crisps will suffice .... makes good conversation points too when someone discovers that fresh (if that's the correct term!) sheep droppings on damp grass have pretty much the same level of grip as an ice rink .... 

Whoops ... never mind, it'll probably wash out !!!! ....

Z

Martyn1981

Great progress for London's bus fleet, as it steadily transitions to BEV's. Nice graphic about one page down.

London Gains Momentum in Electrifying Its 9,000-Strong Bus Fleet

London’s bus fleet includes 1,600 electric buses, up from 485 in March 2021, and TfL says it’s on track to have 2,500 by next year. Wallis explained that Stagecoach — one of several operators in the city — will have about 350 electric buses in London by the end of the financial year, up from just 78 at the end of 2023. Preparing for these vehicles is no small feat, but the industry is learning fast.