Square wheel

Square wheel

A literal square wheel is a wheel that, instead of being circular, has the shape of a square. A more common use is as slang, meaning stereotypically bad or naïve engineering (see reinventing the square wheel).

A square wheel can roll smoothly if the ground consists of evenly shaped inverted catenaries of the right size and curvature. [ [http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20040403/mathtrek.asp "Riding on Square Wheels"] , Ivars Peterson, "Science News", Week of April 3, 2004; Vol. 165, No. 14.] [ [http://nths.newtrier.k12.il.us/academics/math/Connections/curves/sqwheels.htm "A Catenary Road and Square Wheels"] , New Trier High School, Winnetka, Illinois] [ [http://faraday.physics.uiowa.edu/mech/1M20.65.htm "Non-Circular Wheels"] , Physics and Astronomy Lecture Demonstrations, University of Iowa]

A different type of square-wheeled vehicle was invented in 2006 by Jason Winckler of Global Composites, Inc. in the United States. This has square wheels, linked together and offset by 22.5°, rolling on a flat surface. The prototype appears ungainly, but the inventor proposes that the system may be useful in microscopic-sized machines (MEMS). [ [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/12/prweb316686.htm "Square Wheel Car Propels Itself by Shifting Weight - Possible MEMS Locomotion"] , Global Composites Inc. press release, December 2, 2005 (with link to video of prototype)]

ee also

* Reuleaux polygon

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • square wheel — noun : a wheel (of a car or locomotive) that has a flat spot on its rim …   Useful english dictionary

  • Wheel Horse — was a manufacturer of lawn and garden tractors. The business was started in the two car garage of Elmer Pond in 1946. He began building two wheel, self propelled Walk Away garden tractors that were sold under the Pond name. The framework was… …   Wikipedia

  • Wheel — A wheel is a circular device that is capable of rotating on its axis, facilitating movement or transportation whilst supporting a load (mass), or performing labour in machines. A wheel, together with an axle overcomes friction by facilitating… …   Wikipedia

  • Wheel of Manchester — Wheel of Manchester, Exchange Square, May 2008 The Wheel of Manchester[1] is a transportable Ferris wheel installation at Exchange Square, Manchester, England. The first wheel was first installed in 2004. A second wheel was erected …   Wikipedia

  • Wheel of Birmingham — The Wheel of Birmingham, also known as the Birmingham Wheel and informally as the Birmingham Eye, refers to two convert|60|m|ft|0 tall Ferris wheel installations at Centenary Square in Birmingham, England. The first opened on November 6 2003,… …   Wikipedia

  • Wheel speed sensor — [ head unit.] Wheel speed sensors or vehicle speed sensors (VSS) are sender devices used for reading the speed of the vehicle s wheel rotation. It usually consists of a toothed ring and pickup. Special purpose speed sensors Rotary speed sensors… …   Wikipedia

  • Square One Television — Infobox television show name = Square One caption = The Square One TV Logo format = Educational runtime = 30 minutes creator= starring = Reg E. Cathey Beverly Mickins Arthur Howard Larry Cedar Luisa Leschin Cynthia Darlow Cristobal Franco Beverly …   Wikipedia

  • Square pyramid — Infobox Polyhedron with net Polyhedron Type=Johnson J92 J1 J2 Face List=4 triangles 1 square Edge Count=8 Vertex Count=5 Symmetry Group= C 4v Vertex List=4(32.4) (34) Dual=self Property List=convex Net In geometry, a square pyramid is a pyramid… …   Wikipedia

  • Wheel of death (Impalement arts) — The Wheel of Death, in the context of the impalement arts, is a classic moving target stunt sometimes performed by knife throwers. The thrower s assistant or target girl is secured to a larger circular target board that is free to spin about its… …   Wikipedia

  • wheel arch extension — A roughly square extension of the wheel arch; the areas in front of and behind the wheel cutout, as well as a strip above the cutout, are angled sharply outward to increase the width of the wheel arches to allow wider tires to be installed …   Dictionary of automotive terms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”