DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPELLER DRIVEN TRICYCLE FOR INTRA-CAMPUS USE

This project proposes the use of a propellers to power a lightweight vehicle as a non-conventional means of transportation within the school environment.

Propellers work based on the generation of thrust sufficient enough to move a mass (in this case, a lightweight, three-wheeled vehicle) to which it is connected. The propeller powered vehicle makes use of this thrust generated as the basic source of power needed for acceleration.

Although there already exist various works on the development and use of three-wheeled vehicles by various means, the use of propellers give the added advantage of better fuel efficiency achieved via weight reduction by the elimination of complex transmission mechanisms and replacing them with a much simpler belt drive system.

The project aim was to design a propeller-driven tricycle of dimensions 1200x1000x800 able to carry up to 75kg and capable of achieving speeds up to 60km/hr. A delta wheelbase configuration was used for the design considering its merits and belt drive was the preferred choice of motion transmission from the engine to the propeller.

A working model was developed weighing about 42kg (empty weight) was developed with the capability of carrying 52kg human weight at a speed of 23.04km/hr. In conclusion, it was shown that the tricycle had a relatively good loading capacity, good speed and stability and will serve as an efficient alternative means of transport for short and medium-range transportation especially within the school campus.

 

 

                                    TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………………………i

CERTIFICATION………………………………………………………………ii

DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………..iii

ACKNWLEDGEMENT………………………………………………………...iv

ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………...v

TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………..vi

LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………...viii

LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………….ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  Introduction

1.1  Overview and background……………………………………………………….1

1.2  Statement of the Problem………………………………………………………...2

1.3  Aim and Objectives……………………………………………………………....3

1.4  Methodology…………………………………………………………….………..4

1.5  Justification……………………………………………….………………………4

1.6  Scope and Limitation……………………………………….………………….....4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review

2.1 History and development of three-wheeled vehicles (tricycles)……………….…7

2.2 Theory and mechanism behind propeller propulsion………………………….….11

            2.2.1 Propulsion……………………………………………………………….11

            2.2.2 Thrust……………………………………………………………………13

            2.2.3 Propulsion using propellers………………………………………..........13

2.3 Engine selection…………………………………………………………………...16

2.4 Belt drives………………………………………………………………………....17

2.5 Design considerations: tadpole vs delta trike……………………………………...20

2.6 Material selection ………………………………………………………………....20

 

 

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Principle of operation…………………………………………………….………..22

3.2 Design consideration………………………………………………………………22

3.2.1 Design concept and prototype development…………………………….23

3.3 Design calculations………………………………………………………………..27

            3.3.1 Design loads……………………………………………...………………..27

            3.3.2 Engine power required…………………………………………….………27

            3.3.3 Engine specifications………………………………………………….…...28

            3.3.4 Transmission from engine to the propeller……………..…………………28

            3.3.5 Thrust produced by the propeller………………………………………….29

            3.3.6 Power developed by the propeller…………………………………………30

            3.3.7 Power delivered to the wheels……………………………………………..30

3.4 Material Selection……………………………………………………………………31

            3.4.1 Propeller Selection…………………………………………………………31

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Results………………………………………………………………………………..32

4.2 Comparison between the propeller-powered tricycle and conventional motorized

      Tricycles……………………………………………………………………...………33

4.3 Cost analysis………………………………………………………………………….34

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………35

5.2 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………36

REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………….37

APPENDIX………………………………………………………………………………38