On 6/23/07, Andrew in Ann Arbor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
For a bike I think you'd do better with a twist grip that would let you ramp up the regen by twisting further away from you just as you ramp up the acceleration by twisting the throttle towards you. So the twist grip would have an "off" position (centered by two springs). Twisting one way would increase the power to the motor. As you slowed down you'd return the grip to the "off position" which should be large enough to allow coasting. Twisting further the other way would gradually bring the regen in. Doe any of the modern controllers offer a gradual regen feature?
Hi Andrew, This is a great example of how our patent system drives me crazy. Your idea is simple, elegant, intuitive. (Some would say obvious.) I had the same idea myself. So have others. Turns out it's exactly what Cedric Lynch did on his ultra-lightweight recumbent motorcycle, and was posted on Paul Compton's(?) site years ago. Yet in spite of that public disclosure, Vectrix was able to patent the idea. See the last bullet point on this page: http://www.vectrix.com/default.aspx?portal=1&page=68 Now anyone who wants to use it on a production motorcycle needs to license it from Vectrix. (Hmmm. Paul, if it was posted on your page, would you be able to prove when? I wonder if a verified prior disclosure could be used to invalidate a patent?) There are no limitations on personal use though. It seems to work quite well. Chris
