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On the Rebound: Scientists invent regenerative shocks

Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: General Motors
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with technical issues for the cars not dealt with in the other forums. These don't need to be BMWs!
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=43887
Printed Date: 04-May-2024 at 00:30


Topic: On the Rebound: Scientists invent regenerative shocks
Posted By: kbannon
Subject: On the Rebound: Scientists invent regenerative shocks
Date Posted: 01-February-2009 at 19:12

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/01/on-the-rebound-scientists-invent-regenerative-shocks/" rel="bookmark - - http://www.gizmag.com/regeneration-no-longer-just-about-braking/10640/">


Scientists at Tufts University have patented a shock absorber that converts compressive energy into electricity, which can then be stored in a hybrid vehicle's batteries. Called the Power-Generating Shock Absorber (PGSA), actually an electromagnetic linear generator, it uses "magnet arrays, high magnetic permeability spaces, coil winding arrays," and a linear electric motor to capture the energy of its motion and use it to charge the batteries.

The movement of a standard shock absorber creates heat, which is neutralized by the oil in the shock. In a PGSA, a linear electric motor converts the magnetic field created by the repetitive motion into electricity. Or, if you like your technology to http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/11/electric-truck.html - sound science-y , it "uses an electromagnetic linear generator to convert variable frequency, repetitive intermittent linear displacement motion to useful electrical power."

The technology can be used on any vehicle that uses shocks and batteries, but its greatest application could be on trucks due to their higher mass and electricity-generation potential. Electric Truck, LLC has licensed the shock technology, which is predicted to generate between 2kW and 17kW of energy on an average road. According to the men who created it, "the percentage of recoverable power/energy for a 2,500 lb vehicle that employs four optimized design regenerative magnetic shock absorbers and whose average speed is 45 mph on a typical US highway is likely to be between 20% and 70%." Put four of those on a Prius and stay in town, and all of a sudden you're talking about interstellar gas mileage.

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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE
1997 E39 523i
2003 E39 525i Sport Individual


Replies:
Posted By: Misty Morning
Date Posted: 01-February-2009 at 22:20
I wonder if they have taken into consideration speed humps . Where I live you would never need to fill up again!

Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 02-February-2009 at 13:04

No! This cannot be allowed to happen. 

Can you imagine if it did, then I would never be able to persuade Renfrewshire Cooncil to get rid of all the pot holes in the road around me!  potholes = electricity generated so the roads will continue to reassemble ploughed fields. 



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Current
'13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto

Previous
'04 04 E60 545i SE Auto
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'98 S E39 523i SE Auto

Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 02-February-2009 at 21:01

Don't worry - most of the 'green' cars curl up and die when faced with a speed-hump



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But don't care.


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