Human Powered Vehicle Design Contest

The Mission of MIDLTD

This prototype vehicle was designed to explore the problems with flywheel regenerative energy, lean steering and capitalizing the potential of immediate acceleration.

I had been contemplating this idea in the late seventies as an alternative project to the oil less 2 cycle engine as a concept to use as a marketing tool for Middleton Industrial Design. It seemed a more achievable goal, certainly more realistic for MID from an economic point of view. This drawing represents the fourth generation of development, which is currently about two generations behind the most recent development.

In March of 1997 while using a magnetic pulse speedometer calibrated for 26 in. wheel with the tire pressure set at 100 psi. An associate Joe Keller achieved a speed of 34 miles per hour in 2 seconds. Further tests exposed several weaknesses in the drive train. 

• First, the input wheel bracket allowed the input wheel to track to the inside of the flywheel.
• Second, the derailer chain used for the output side proved to be too weak.                                                                                         

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