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CLEVER: A Three-Wheeled, Natural Gas, Two-Seat Urban Vehicle
2 December 2005
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| The CLEVER |
A European research consortium is wrapping up a three-year project to develop a three-wheeled, natural-gas powered micro-car: CLEVER (Compact Low Emission VEhicle for URban Transport).
CLEVER, a €3.3 million (US$3.9 million) effort, is an enclosed two-seater that combines the safety of a microcar, and the maneuverability of a motorcycle, while being less polluting than other vehicles as it runs on compressed natural gas.
Its strengthened frame will protect the driver in a crash and the vehicle will have a top speed of approximately 50 mph.
The 230cc BMW engine—modified by Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP) to use natural gas—produces 12.5 kW (17 hp) of power and maximum torque of 15.5 Nm at 6,300 rpm.
IFP increased the swept volume of the engine cylinders, allowing the engine to run more slowly and bringing several benefits. The lower engine speed both reduces emissions and lowers engine friction, which enhances fuel efficiency. It also produces less noise. The increased displacement contributes to the higher torque, providing the level of acceleration needed in urban traffic.
Fuel consumption is estimated to be 2.4 liters/100 km gasoline equivalent (98 mpg US), with 59.5 g/km of CO2 emissions.
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| The fuel tank system. |
The compressed natural gas is stored in two removable cylinders that are custom designed for ease of handling and refilling. The two connected gas bottles provide a range of approximately 150 km (93 miles).
A problem with three-wheel vehicles with a symmetrical wheel layout is the tipping moment when cornering, which cannot be controlled at high speeds if the vehicle has a short wheelbase.
To solve this problem the vehicle’s center of gravity can be moved towards the center of the corner, for example by angling the complete vehicle—just as a motorcycle does when it corners.
This is the approach used by “tilting three-wheelers”—and there have been two basic technical methods to achieve it:
Change the camber of the two parallel wheels (front or rear) with or without tilting the vehicle.
Angle the vehicle around a pivot relative to the axis of the two parallel wheels.
Vehicles that use the first concept have been around since the forties (Ernst Neumann-Neander 1948) and the method has regularly been used for concept cars (Mercedes Benz F300 “Life Jet” 1997).
Vehicles that use the second concept include, for example, the “GM Lean Machine” dating from 1983, the “Carver” from Vandenbrink and various scooter-type vehicles from Honda, including the Honda Gyro/Honda Stream dating from 1984. There has been a BMW concept on this basis in the BMW Museum in Munich since 1991.
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| The cabin-tilting CLEVER. The rear section, with the engine, remains upright, while the cabin tilts. |
The CLEVER vehicle is a cabin tilter, with the system designed by the University of Bath. The cabin with the front wheel is connected to the power unit and the two rear wheels by a pivot bolt. The rotary movement of the cabin is produced by two hydraulic cylinders (actuators) that are installed between the cabin and the power unit. The actuators create the rotary angle of the cabin of +/-45° relative to the vertical power unit.
The hydraulic system consists of a pump that is driven direct by the engine and a pressure accumulator that maintains the oil pump if the pump suffers a defect. The two single-action hydraulic cylinders are controlled by an electromagnetically actuated valve.
The signals for the hydraulic control valve come from a freely programmable computer that processes the input signals from a sensor system, such as speed, tilt angle of the cabin and lateral acceleration.
CLEVER was funded by the European Commission with the Growth Programme of the Fifth Framework Programme. Partners included:
- Technical University of Berlin, Institute for Land and Sea Transport (TUB), Berlin, Germany
- BMW
- Cooper-Avon Tyres Ltd, Melksham, Great Britain
- ARC Leichtmetall Kompetenzzentrum Ranshofen GmbH (LKR), Ranshofen, Austria
- IFP
- TAKATA-PETRI AG, Berlin, Germany
- University of Bath, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Power Transmission and Motion Control, Bath, Great Britain
- Universität für Bodenkultur Vienna, Institute of Transport, Vienna, Austria
- WEH GmbH, Illertissen, Germany
(A hat-tip to Wolf Faust!)
Resources:
December 2, 2005 in City car, Europe, Natural Gas, Personal Transit | Permalink | Comments (40) | TrackBack (2)
Comments
Posted by: bamshad aghdaie | July 12, 2006 at 06:08 AM
Maybe you can help me I heard that thier was several dearlerships in Tx,that sold athree wheel vehicle that was powered by a fod motor and had a/c and heatint do you know of this vehicle.
Posted by: Charles Russell | July 20, 2006 at 06:57 PM
Every time something new comes out way too many here in the US have to add their two cents worth of negativity. I have never ceased to be amaized at how much new concepts and ideas come out of Europe. Its a shame all we can offer someone in the US is a piece of junk that gets 30mpg or maybe 50 out of Detroit that has nothing but maintenance issues. Its also why I have sold my Harley and will go with a BMW due to the engineering excelience of German Engineering! The oil companies and the US Automakers have been screwing us for years and I applaud the Europeans for their consistent and constant efforts to find better ways to get us from point A to point B without hurting the environment and telling the Big Oil companies to go suck oil were going GREEN! Im not a tree hugger but Im for anything that sends a message to Washington and Detroit and Houston Texas! If America was so Great why dont we have designs that are simplistic and that works. Smart vehicles are on the way America, deal with it and be greatful!!! All we can do is come up with stupid hybrids with tons of computers and technology that no one can afford little alone afford to maintain when a computer fails or a survo or a power cell fails and we have to pay to have it diagnosed and then pay for the parts... Long live Simplicity! Hats off to our friends across the Ocean!!!! Hey wonder if we could give this scooter a hit if Nitrus and see what it does? I got your 50mph for ya. lol I bet we got some folks here that can't wait to get their hands on this motor and trick it so it can take off doing wheelies down Main Street USA. lol
Posted by: Mike | September 25, 2006 at 11:15 AM
Hey Bamshad, here is the Texas company selling 3-wheelers with heat and A/C. $30K is too rich for me for this trike, let me know if you buy one.
http://www.thoroughbred-motorsports.com/
Posted by: Bill | November 26, 2006 at 08:08 AM
I agree with the people who want to see this type of vehicle in an electric version. I'd buy this if it were around $10k US. If it were electric I'd pay even more, easy - $15k in a heartbeat... CASH.
Posted by: CO2Junkie | December 19, 2006 at 12:40 AM
will they ever be avalable in the US and how soon. @ $3.00 we cant wait much longer.
Posted by: Chuck K | May 16, 2007 at 03:58 PM
Check out detalidon.com its a grass roots open source design that should cost under 10,000. May no be as glamerous as a carver, but it would be good for the environment.
It's a whole design, so maybe its too big a thread to read very fast. goto about page 38 to see the classic body style option. I don't think there is anything quite like it.
Posted by: Ari | July 14, 2007 at 09:02 PM
Um. y'all have seen the videos at: http://www.flytheroad.com ?
Let's hope they can bring the VO out in < 2 years at under $20k.
Posted by: Mark | August 19, 2007 at 11:58 AM
That is really sharp. When is going to be ready for market? I want one.
Posted by: Tanning Lotion | September 23, 2007 at 08:25 PM
3wheelmolorcycle
Posted by: wayne mccraw | September 24, 2007 at 05:59 PM
Measenger bags define "hip" by being nearly an anti-fahion statement. They look casual and trendy all at once - and like a denim jacket or a concert t-shirt, they can actually become even cooler the olpder and more beat up they become.
In addition to the fact that these bags are usually roomy enough hold a lot of tsuff, their large, straight surface is the perfect canvas for pins, buttons, patches and other embellishmnets.
This prime real estate will allow one to customize their bag to their liking - and custom is always cool, hence, so is the messenger bag.
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www.greencarcongress.com live messenger 3
Posted by: ByronKN | January 26, 2008 at 08:00 AM
I like the tilting idea but it won't work as well as most people like think - due to a simple overlook. Any experienced biker (like myself) will be able to confirm this - if grip is lost (at the front) due to wet, sand, gravel, oil, leaves, plastic bags, grass, doggie poo, etc...steering is lost, and who knows where you might end up. If you can guarantee that the road surface we travel on are in perfect condition - you have a winner. If not - keep the steering wheels upright and WIDE. A reverse trike with upright front wheels will still continue steering. IMHO this type of layout is too risky (dangerous), especially at faster (than walking speed) and under heavy braking. Remember the doggie..?
Posted by: Me | March 06, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Hi I really like the idea of this vehicle as it would be great with its ecofriendly engine but as many above have stated it would need to be capable of at least 70mph for use on the motorways. Now don't get me wrong I think one of the most appealing characteristics of this vehicle is that it tilts, makes it incredible fun to drive, but what happens when you need to back into a space inbetween two vehicles and you need to turn as part of the manouver? Can see alot of insurance claims! I think for such manouvers it needs to be able to steer without titlting at slow speeds or perhaps just when its in reverse?
Posted by: Steve Clark | October 17, 2008 at 08:54 AM
nice blog! check out fun printable thanksgiving games at http://www.printable-thanksgiving-games.com
Posted by: printable thanksgiving trivia | November 20, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Well i too am intrigued by these three wheel tilting designs and this one looks like the carver and their first major hurdle will be the price point.in doing my research in to three wheel tilting vehicles i have found what i think is the best bang for the buck its called the auto moto here is the link. i found the website very informative http://www.theautomoto.com maybe you guys will as well.
Posted by: John | December 15, 2008 at 09:44 PM
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Tracked on Dec 4, 2005 4:38:49 AM
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Tracked on Dec 9, 2005 9:13:45 AM

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Dear Sirs,
Can you introduce to us a manufacturer of machinery to produce gas bottels?
Thank you in advance for your kind reply.
Bamshad