Retractable Paddle Wheels
Paddles can protrude from the tread in part of the wheel rotation cycle. They can be projected either in the lower part of the cycle to drive fast, or further forward to get the vehicle out of the mud or to make it rise to the surface of the water in order to reduce its drag.
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| Instead of seeing its tracks sink into the mud, the vehicle frees itself by modifying the angular sector in which the paddles exit the wheel. |
Sailing in water is much faster and more energy efficient because the forward-facing paddles help lift the vehicle above the surface like foils do. |
The mechanism that allows their movement is very simple and light, because the effort to be made to obtain this protrusion is very low. The resistance opposed by mud, snow or water cannot retract the blade when it is extended.
An elastic return pushes the blade outwards, but only when nothing opposes this exit, which has the effect that the blade retracts when it meets a hard ground or any obstacle.
Applications
- Boats: ARWIMS wheels replace traditional propellers and provide many advantages including the ability to get out of the water and roll on all types of ground, to embark and disembark dry, cross shallows, and pose no risk to swimmers or to flora or fauna.
- Land Vehicles: ARWIMS wheels brings improved mobility on soft ground and ability to navigate on water.
- Airplanes: Our technology also allows the blades to be used to turn aircraft wheels before landing, saving rubber and eliminating the need for regular runway stripping.
Benefits
- ARWIMS wheels enable efficient movement on soft terrains (sand, powder snow or heavy mud),
- They allow for propulsion on water and underwater mobility.
- They provide an energy efficiency whis is superior to tracks on land, and comparable to propellers in water.
- They provide durability and safety in all circumstances.
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Franck Guigan 2024.11.03