Title: Steered and propelled water powered vehicle

Authors: Patrick Chua, Gary Krutz

Addresses: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore. ' Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Purdue University, 225 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA

Abstract: A mobile vehicle powered by water was engineered and built by the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at Purdue University. This pressurised water system was designed to operate on a modified greens mower. All existing oil hydraulic components were replaced by current industrial water hydraulic components. Water hydraulic pressure compensated flow control components of the individual systems had to be inserted for performance as a variable displacement pump was not available. Water power was used to power all circuits including; steering, propulsion, reel drives and reel lifts. Testing has shown that the machine is fully functional and operates with similar characteristics at approximately 4.8 km/h.

Keywords: environmental water impact; greens mower; water hydraulics; water powered vehicles; water properties; power transmission; pressurised water systems; flow ocntrol; water power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2005.007291

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2005 Vol.38 No.2/3, pp.179 - 195

Published online: 02 Jul 2005 *

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