In a miniature vehicle having a motor and at least one drive wheel, an assembly comprising:
- (a) an engagement wheel adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation;
- (b) first engagement means for engaging the engagement wheel to the motor in such a way that the rotation of the motor causes the rotation of the engagement wheel;
- (c) a shaft section having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being coaxial with the axis of rotation;
- (d) second engagement means for engaging the shaft section to the drive wheel in such a way that the rotation of the shaft section causes the rotation of the drive wheel;
- (e) clutch means for frictionally engaging the engagement wheel to the shaft section in such a way that the rotation causes the rotation of the shaft section about its longitudinal axis, the clutch means comprising (i) a backing plate affixed to the shaft section and (ii) a clutch pad having a central aperture and being disposed about the drive shaft in such a way that it is sandwiched between, and in contact with, the backing plate and the engagement wheel;
- (f) a first impeller housing moiety comprising a circular first impeller housing moiety base wall and a first impeller housing moiety side wall affixed at right angles to the first impeller housing moiety base wall, the first impeller housing moiety base wall, the first impeller housing moiety base wall having a first impeller housing moiety central aperture;
- (g) a second impeller housing moiety comprising a circular second impeller housing moiety base wall and a second impeller housing moiety side wall affixed at right angles to the second impeller housing moiety base wall, the second impeller moiety base wall having a second impeller housing moiety central aperture;
- (h) connection means for connecting the first impeller housing moiety side wall to the second impeller housing moiety side wall to form an impeller housing which defines an impeller enclosure;
- and
- (i) an impeller disposed within the impeller enclosure and comprising a hollow central hub and at least five evenly spaced vanes of equal length;
- wherein the shaft section is disposed through the first impeller housing moiety central aperture, the hollow hub of the impeller and the second impeller housing moiety central aperture;
- wherein the shaft section is attached to the impeller housing perpendicular to the first and second impeller housing moiety base walls so that the rotation of the shaft section causes the rotation of the impeller housing about the first and second impeller housing moiety central aperture;
- wherein the impeller hub is linked to the engagement wheel in such a way that the rotation of the engagement wheel causes the rotation of the impeller about the axis of rotation;
- and
- wherein the first and second housing moiety central apertures are sealed to prevent leakage of fluid disposed within the impeller enclosure.