Gyrobus facts for kids
A gyrobus is a special kind of bus that doesn't use a regular fuel engine. Instead, it gets its power from a giant spinning wheel inside it! This amazing wheel helps the bus move without needing gasoline or diesel.
Contents
How a Gyrobus Works
A gyrobus uses a very clever system to move. It has a huge, heavy flywheel made of steel or other strong materials. This flywheel can weigh about one ton, which is like a small car!
The Amazing Flywheel
The flywheel spins super fast, storing a lot of kinetic energy. Think of it like a toy top spinning quickly; it stores energy that keeps it going. This stored energy is what makes the bus's wheels turn.
Getting Power
When the flywheel starts to slow down, the bus needs to "recharge." At special stops, electric motors quickly spin the flywheel back up to full speed. This means the bus can keep running without needing to stop for fuel. It's a bit like plugging in an electric car, but instead of charging a battery, it spins a wheel!
Why Aren't Gyrobuses Common?
Even though gyrobuses are very interesting, you don't see many of them today. One big reason is that they are quite expensive to build and maintain. Also, setting up all the special charging stations along a bus route can be costly.
History of Gyrobuses
Gyrobuses were mostly experimented with in the 1950s. For example, some were used in Switzerland and Belgium. The idea was to create a quiet and pollution-free way to travel. However, their high cost and the need for frequent recharges made them less popular than other types of buses.
Images for kids
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Gyrobus G3, the only surviving gyrobus in the world (built in 1955) in the Flemish tramway and bus museum, Antwerp
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Loading up the flywheel with three-phase charging
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Loading up the flywheel
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Interior of the Gyrobus G3 (front)
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Interior of the Gyrobus G3 (back)
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Engine of the Gyrobus G3
See also
In Spanish: Girobús para niños
