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Whispering Wheel

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Whispering Wheel is a self-propelled electrically powered wheel designed for propulsion in hybrid or alternative energy vehicles or busses.

Contents

  • 1 Mechanics
  • 2 Whispering Wheel Bus
  • 3 See also
  • 4 External links
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    Mechanics

    The whispering wheel design with only one moving part for propulsion
    The whispering wheel design with only one moving part for propulsion

    The idea of the Whispering Wheel lies in the combination of existing technologies to create a simpler more reliable and fuel efficient vehicle propulsion system. Vehicles utilizing the whispering wheel technology typically combine a diesel engine, a generator and an electric in wheel drive motor.

    The idea behind the invention lies in the idea of housing the electric motor used for propulsion in the wheel itself. The result is no need for massive diesel engine, transmission or any type of axle drive systems of any kind.

    The wheel consists of an electromotor in the wheel spinning around and the housing which remains stationary. The rotor is affixed with permanent magnets on the inside, spins around and the stator, which contains the electromagnets and remains stationary. The tire is mounted directly to exterior of the direct drive motor. The greater the diameter of the motor within the wheel, the greater the torque.

    The wheel provides energy conservation through regenerative breaking. Because of regenerative breaking, the usual disc breaking system is uses conservatively. The absence of the drive train, transmission and larger diesel engine, allows vehicles using the whispering wheel to be twenty to thirty percent more efficient according to e-Traction. Simply coasting down a hill allows the engines to function as generators. The regenerative breaking increases the endurance of the batteries and decreases the need for a larger diesel powered engine.

    Whispering Wheel Bus

    Hybrid bus with two in wheel motors also used for regenerative breaking
    Hybrid bus with two in wheel motors also used for regenerative breaking

    The Whispering Wheel Bus (The Whisper) is a Dutch invention for a hybrid powered bus. The bus utilizes an in wheel electric motor for propulsion which is powered with electricity from a generator which in turn is propelled by a diesel engine.

    Testing of the bus started late March 2005 in the town of Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Evaluation and testing of performance data is currently under way. The next phase includes purchase and/or conversion of five buses in Apeldoorn and surrounding area for March 2006.