carbon fiber wing wheel dolly

[gonz]

nice design for this wing wheel dolly
carbon fiber texalium
shock absorber
easy to use
watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXBxx9ys_Y

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Jul 26, 1:04*am, gonz > wrote:
> nice design for this wing wheel dolly
> carbon fiber texalium
> shock absorber
> easy to use
> watch the video * * * *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXBxx9ys_Y

Looks neat, maybe I'll make one for myself.

Thanks, Bob K.

[Brad[_2_]]

On Jul 27, 5:15*pm, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
> On Jul 26, 1:04*am, gonz > wrote:
>
> > nice design for this wing wheel dolly
> > carbon fiber texalium
> > shock absorber
> > easy to use
> > watch the video * * * *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXBxx9ys_Y
>
> Looks neat, maybe I'll make one for myself.
>
> Thanks, Bob K.

Tom and I are already thinking the same thing. Carbon fiber sleeve
over a EPS foam rod?

Brad

[Dave Nadler]

On Jul 26, 3:04*am, gonz > wrote:
> nice design for this wing wheel dolly
> carbon fiber texalium
> shock absorber
> easy to use
> watch the video * * * *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXBxx9ys_Y

Why would you use a big ugly coil spring,
when you can easily make the arm springy ?
Needs no loose parts and easier attach,
just because a girl can do it doesn't mean
a glider pilot can....

See ya, Dave

[Brad[_2_]]

On Jul 27, 7:42*pm, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> On Jul 26, 3:04*am, gonz > wrote:
>
> > nice design for this wing wheel dolly
> > carbon fiber texalium
> > shock absorber
> > easy to use
> > watch the video * * * *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXBxx9ys_Y
>
> Why would you use a big ugly coil spring,
> when you can easily make the arm springy ?
> Needs no loose parts and easier attach,
> just because a girl can do it doesn't mean
> a glider pilot can....
>
> See ya, Dave

ya know, that is a pretty cool looking contraption, but from a
homebuilder point of view, making it out of aluminum tubing, extrusion
and flat sheet is much easier and less labor intensive. might be a bit
heavier, but not much. of course the wing cuff would be composite!

[Andy[_10_]]

On Jul 27, 10:14*pm, Brad > wrote:
> On Jul 27, 7:42*pm, Dave Nadler > wrote:
>
> > On Jul 26, 3:04*am, gonz > wrote:
>
> > > nice design for this wing wheel dolly
> > > carbon fiber texalium
> > > shock absorber
> > > easy to use
> > > watch the video * * * *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXBxx9ys_Y
>
> > Why would you use a big ugly coil spring,
> > when you can easily make the arm springy ?
> > Needs no loose parts and easier attach,
> > just because a girl can do it doesn't mean
> > a glider pilot can....
>
> > See ya, Dave
>
> ya know, that is a pretty cool looking contraption, but from a
> homebuilder point of view, making it out of aluminum tubing, extrusion
> and flat sheet is much easier and less labor intensive. might be a bit
> heavier, but not much. of course the wing cuff would be composite!

Looks sleek but you need three hands to put it on the wing. Also, not
that you'd do it all that often but I would not be inclined to tow the
glider nose first with that long trailing arm. It would be
directionally unstable like a weather vane pointing downwind.

9B

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Andy" > wrote

Also, not
that you'd do it all that often but I would not be inclined to tow the
glider nose first with that long trailing arm. It would be
directionally unstable like a weather vane pointing downwind.

I wondered about that, too. I wonder if she put it on backwards?
--
Jim in NC

[Brad[_2_]]

On Jul 28, 6:32*am, "Morgans" > wrote:
> "Andy" > wrote
>
> *Also, not
> that you'd do it all that often but I would not be inclined to tow the
> glider nose first with that long trailing arm. It would be
> directionally unstable like a weather vane pointing downwind.
>
> *I wondered about that, too. *I wonder if she put it on backwards?
> --
> Jim in NC

she wasn't blonde...................just sayin'

Brad

[Bob]

Look again, she put it on the correct way. Maybe towing tail first is
not how Y'all do it?

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Jul 27, 10:14*pm, Brad > wrote:

> ya know, that is a pretty cool looking contraption, but from a
> homebuilder point of view, making it out of aluminum tubing, extrusion
> and flat sheet is much easier and less labor intensive. might be a bit
> heavier, but not much. of course the wing cuff would be composite!

Actually, the carbon has some pretty compelling advantages. It is a
lot lighter, so that it is easier to stow, carry, and attach.

I think that carbon sleeve over EPS or EPP rod would indeed do the
trick for the arm. If you were serious about it, you'd have a high-
pressure female mold, and mold the part by inflating a plastic bladder
inside the sleeve material, but the male molded part would be almost
as stiff and easier and cheaper to make for just one or two.

As Dave points out, it can be made springier, so that the goofy steel
spring and shock absorber isn't required. The way it grabs the axle on
only one side of the wheel is a neat trick, but the greater bending
loads makes the axle heavier than if the arm were forked.

As Andy points out, the leading arm might be divergent, but I don't
think that it is actually unstable except at very high speeds and
loads.

Thanks, Bob K.

[Tim Taylor]

On Jul 28, 8:37*am, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
> On Jul 27, 10:14*pm, Brad > wrote:
>
> > ya know, that is a pretty cool looking contraption, but from a
> > homebuilder point of view, making it out of aluminum tubing, extrusion
> > and flat sheet is much easier and less labor intensive. might be a bit
> > heavier, but not much. of course the wing cuff would be composite!
>
> Actually, the carbon has some pretty compelling advantages. It is a
> lot lighter, so that it is easier to stow, carry, and attach.
>
> I think that carbon sleeve over EPS or EPP rod would indeed do the
> trick for the arm. If you were serious about it, you'd have a high-
> pressure female mold, and mold the part by inflating a plastic bladder
> inside the sleeve material, but the male molded part would be almost
> as stiff and easier and cheaper to make for just one or two.
>
> As Dave points out, it can be made springier, so that the goofy steel
> spring and shock absorber isn't required. The way it grabs the axle on
> only one side of the wheel is a neat trick, but the greater bending
> loads makes the axle heavier than if the arm were forked.
>
> As Andy points out, the leading arm might be divergent, but I don't
> think that it is actually unstable except at very high speeds and
> loads.
>
> Thanks, Bob K.

I like the whole concept except the fact I then will need to add
weight to the wingwheel or tip on that side to prevent the other wing
from hitting the ground. Similar to when you tow out with water.
Sometimes lighter is not better.

[bildan]

On Jul 28, 8:42*am, Tim Taylor > wrote:
> On Jul 28, 8:37*am, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jul 27, 10:14*pm, Brad > wrote:
>
> > > ya know, that is a pretty cool looking contraption, but from a
> > > homebuilder point of view, making it out of aluminum tubing, extrusion
> > > and flat sheet is much easier and less labor intensive. might be a bit
> > > heavier, but not much. of course the wing cuff would be composite!
>
> > Actually, the carbon has some pretty compelling advantages. It is a
> > lot lighter, so that it is easier to stow, carry, and attach.
>
> > I think that carbon sleeve over EPS or EPP rod would indeed do the
> > trick for the arm. If you were serious about it, you'd have a high-
> > pressure female mold, and mold the part by inflating a plastic bladder
> > inside the sleeve material, but the male molded part would be almost
> > as stiff and easier and cheaper to make for just one or two.
>
> > As Dave points out, it can be made springier, so that the goofy steel
> > spring and shock absorber isn't required. The way it grabs the axle on
> > only one side of the wheel is a neat trick, but the greater bending
> > loads makes the axle heavier than if the arm were forked.
>
> > As Andy points out, the leading arm might be divergent, but I don't
> > think that it is actually unstable except at very high speeds and
> > loads.
>
> > Thanks, Bob K.
>
> I like the whole concept except the fact I then will need to add
> weight to the wingwheel or tip on that side to prevent the other wing
> from hitting the ground. *Similar to when you tow out with water.
> Sometimes lighter is not better.

Take something you're going to carry out with the glider anyway - like
a parachute - and make a way to securely lay it atop the wing glove.
Make it short enough the glider tilts toward the wheel.

[Andy[_1_]]

On Jul 28, 7:37*am, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:

> I think that carbon sleeve over EPS or EPP rod would indeed do the
> trick for the arm. If you were serious about it, you'd have a high-
> pressure female mold, and mold the part by inflating a plastic bladder
> inside the sleeve material, but the male molded part would be almost
> as stiff and easier and cheaper to make for just one or two.

All far too complicated!

When I built my wing wheel I prototyped the legs with 3/4 inch
schedule 40 pvc pipe. The idea was to get the geometry right then
make to final legs from aluminium square tube. It turned out the sched
40 pvc was perfect for the job. It is dimensionally stable, has just
the right amount of spring, and does no damage anything it bangs or
rubs against. The protype legs have lasted 8 years. They will be
changed this winter for a design that allows height adjustment but
I'll use the same material.

Andy (GY)

[SoaringXCellence]

On Jul 28, 10:35*am, Andy > wrote:
> On Jul 28, 7:37*am, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
>
> > I think that carbon sleeve over EPS or EPP rod would indeed do the
> > trick for the arm. If you were serious about it, you'd have a high-
> > pressure female mold, and mold the part by inflating a plastic bladder
> > inside the sleeve material, but the male molded part would be almost
> > as stiff and easier and cheaper to make for just one or two.
>
> All far too complicated!
>
> When I built my wing wheel I prototyped the legs with 3/4 inch
> schedule 40 pvc pipe. *The idea was to get the geometry right then
> make to final legs from aluminium square tube. It turned out the sched
> 40 pvc was perfect for the job. *It is dimensionally stable, has just
> the right amount of spring, and does no damage anything it bangs or
> rubs against. *The protype legs have lasted 8 years. *They will be
> changed this winter for a design that allows height adjustment but
> I'll use the same material.
>
> Andy (GY)

How about pictures Andy, Any place you could post them for others to
view?

[flyingmr2]

Windward performance makes a wing wheel for the Sparrowhawk that uses
two skate wheels. It's really neat and has a natural spring arc made
out of carbon fiber and fiberglass with two skate wheels on the
bottom. It pivots 360 deg for which every way you drag the
sailplane. Yes the wing is only 42 lbs so it might not scale up to
full weighted sailplanes. Sorry I have no photos but I thought it
might be an interesting idea out there for those entrepreneurs. It
does not fold but stores well as it is small. Just an idea that you
don't have to use a bike tire like every one else.
JOhn

[Grider Pirate]

On Jul 28, 7:12*pm, flyingmr2 > wrote:
> Windward performance makes a wing wheel *for the Sparrowhawk that uses
> two skate wheels. *It's really neat and has a natural spring arc made
> out of carbon fiber and fiberglass with two skate wheels on the
> bottom. *It pivots 360 deg for which every way you drag the
> sailplane. *Yes the wing is only 42 lbs so it might not scale up to
> full weighted sailplanes. * Sorry I have no photos but I thought it
> might be an interesting idea out there for those entrepreneurs. It
> does not fold but stores well as it is small. *Just an idea that you
> don't have to use a bike tire like every one else.
> JOhn

I love the Windward wing wheel setup. I saw it at Mountain Valley
(Tehachapi) and it handled the gopher holes just fine!

[Andy[_1_]]

On Jul 28, 12:32*pm, SoaringXCellence > wrote:

> How about pictures Andy, *Any place you could post them for others to
> view?

I dug out a couple of photos and will send them to you if you email
me. My RAS address is valid.

I don't have a photo sharing account.

Andy

[bumper[_3_]]

On Jul 28, 7:12*pm, flyingmr2 > wrote:
> Windward performance makes a wing wheel *for the Sparrowhawk that uses
> two skate wheels. *It's really neat and has a natural spring arc made
> out of carbon fiber and fiberglass with two skate wheels on the
> bottom. *It pivots 360 deg for which every way you drag the
> sailplane. *Yes the wing is only 42 lbs so it might not scale up to
> full weighted sailplanes. * Sorry I have no photos but I thought it
> might be an interesting idea out there for those entrepreneurs. It
> does not fold but stores well as it is small. *Just an idea that you
> don't have to use a bike tire like every one else.
> JOhn

But like Tom says, there's a problem when it's too light.

I "kludge" repaired a Sparrowhawk wing wheel. Owner added weight to
top of wing to keep it down. This caused composite to slowly grind
away near radius and further weaken. At least for moving the glider on
pavement in stronger conditions, the composite spring isn't strong
enough to allow adding the needed weight,

bumper
MKIV & QV
Minden

[mattm[_2_]]

On Jul 29, 9:58*am, Andy > wrote:
> On Jul 28, 12:32*pm, SoaringXCellence > wrote:
>
> > How about pictures Andy, *Any place you could post them for others to
> > view?
>
> I dug out a couple of photos and will send them to you if you email
> me. *My RAS address is valid.
>
> I don't have a photo sharing account.
>
> Andy

I'd love to see some pictures, too. Unfortunately, I don't have
anywhere
to post them either.

Last year at Cordele the guy parked next to me had a homemade wing
wheel.
He'd used a couple of pieces of copper tubing bent into a U-shape and
flattened
at the ends so he could run the bicycle wheel axle through them. He
attached
the bottom part of the U's to an old skateboard. The whole
contraption got
put on the wing with some bungy cords. It worked fine for him,
although
it didn't hold the plane level. That would have been a problem if he
wasn't
flying club class (no ballast).

-- Matt

[Andy[_1_]]

On Jul 29, 9:01*am, mattm > wrote:

> I'd love to see some pictures, too. *

I posted them to SSA where they can be seen by non members as well as
members.

Go to SSA home page http://www.ssa.org/
then select "About Soaring" / "Photo Gallery"
They currently show at the top of the page.

Members can find me and then go to my gallery

One photo is a duplicate. I have not yet found out how to delete a
photo I posted or how to edit the text after posting.

Andy

[[email protected]]

Andy...it's been a few years now.... did you redesign the wing wheel to allow height adjustment? If so, please post pics on SSA as before..

Mike V
N171XX