Monowheel
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A monowheel or uniwheel is a type of one-wheeled, single-track vehicle. Unlike the unicycle, a monowheel consists of a large, hollow wheel that loops above and around the driver. Monowheels are typically powered by an engine as with a motorcycle, with a chassis securing the steering, driver's seat, and propulsion mechanism to the interior of the wheel.
Hand-cranked<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and pedal-powered monowheels were patented<ref>Template:Cite patent</ref> and built in the late 19th century; most built in the 20th and 21st century have been motorized. Some modern builders refer to these vehicles as monocycles, though that term is also sometimes used to describe motorized unicycles.
A world speed record for a motorized monowheel was set in 2016, at 98.464 km/h (61.18 mph).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
StabilityEdit
Similar to bicycles, monowheels are stable in the direction of travel, but have limited horizontal stability. This is in contrast to unicycles which are unstable in both directions.<ref name=Bicycles&Tricycles>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Monowheels have also been found to have a lower speed required for stability when compared to unicycles.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
A monowheel remains upright due to gyroscopic effects, but its lack of stability makes it highly dependent on forward momentum and the balance of the rider,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> who must maintain stability while steering. Over the history of the monowheel, various stability enhancements have been tried such as support struts (Green & Dyer, 1869), skids and propellers (D'Harlingue Propeller-Driven Monowheel, 1914), as well as gyroscopes, fins, and rudders (The McLean V8 Monowheel, 2003).<ref name=SelfSite>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Many riders choose to control stability when at a stop by putting their feet on the ground, similar to bicycles and motorcycles.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Edit
There have been many proposals for variants or uses, such as a horse-drawn monowheel<ref name=SelfSite/> or a monowheel tank.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
An electric monowheel called Dynasphere was tested in 1932 in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Google books</ref>
In 1971, an American inventor named Kerry McLean built his first monocycle (aka monowheel). In 2000, he built a larger version, the McLean Rocket Roadster powered by a Buick V-8 engine, which subsequently crashed in 2001 during the initial test run. McLean survived and proceeded to build over 25 different variations of his version of the monocycle, from pedal powered models, 5HP models, all the way up to V8 powered models.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2010, Nokia used two of McLean's monocycles in their commercials promoting the new Nokia SatNav smartphone.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
One variant called a RIOT wheel was presented at Burning Man in 2003. It involves the passengers sitting in front of the wheel and being balanced by a heavy counterweight inside the wheel. Rather than the typical ring drive, this vehicle is powered through a sprocket attached to the spokes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
A company in the Netherlands began taking custom orders for a monocycle variant called the Wheelsurf in 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>
A related vehicle is the diwheel or the dicycle, in which the rider is suspended between or inside of a pair of large wheels placed side by side.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Video of Guinness world speed record
- "Speedy New Motor-Hoop Amazes Italians", Popular Science, December 1924, page 40, scanned by Google Books
- "Amazing New Motor-Driven Hoop May Be Car of the Future", Popular Science, May 1932, front cover and page 63, scanned by Google Books
- "War Tank on One Wheel, Operated by One Man", Popular Science, November 1933, front cover and page 47, scanned by Google Books
- Cycle World: Circle Cycle
- Impact Lab: History of the World’s Craziest Invention - The Monowheel
- Douglas Self's monowheel page
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