SHEET 04

Foil Structure

COMPONENT CHALLENGE

HYDROWHEEL / FOIL STRUCTURE / ROUND 01

Concept
Refined
Build-Ready
SEC. 01 — THE PROBLEM

The center shaft, the arms holding each vessel, the wheels, and the wire loop connecting it all together need to survive the real forces involved, rotational torque, wire tension, wave loading, while adding as little friction as possible. Friction is the main efficiency loss this entire machine is trying to avoid, so this challenge is as much about minimizing drag as it is about strength.

SEC. 02 — OPEN QUESTIONS
Q1What materials and bearing types keep friction low at every moving joint (wheel axles, foil pivots) while holding up to continuous saltwater exposure?
Q2How do the arms carry force from each vessel back to the central shaft without excessive flex?
Q3How is the wire and wheel loop tensioned and guided so it doesn't slip or bind?
Foil Structure reference render
FIG. 03 — FULL ASSEMBLY · REFERENCE ONLY
COMPONENT SPEC
ComponentHW-C03 Foil Structure
StageConcept
Submissions0
Open questions3
FormatImages + description

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SEC. 03 — SUBMITTED DESIGNS · 0 SUBMISSIONS
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