Energy-harvesting shock absorber

[flapdoodle]

I really did not know what section to post this to....


http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-07-...ncy-award.html


An energy-harvesting shock absorber that can be installed in a vehicle?s suspension system to absorb the energy from bumps in the road, convert the energy into electricity, and improve fuel efficiency by 1-8% has recently won the R&D 100 award. Nicknamed the ?Oscar of Invention,? the annual award is given out by R&D Magazine to recognize the top 100 innovative technologies introduced during the previous year. Previous winners have included the ATM (1973), liquid crystal display (1980), Nicoderm anti-smoking patch (1992), lab on a chip (1996), and HDTV (1998).

[break]
Due to bumps and vibrations from normal driving, the sliding tubes or rotating generator can produce an electric voltage. When installed in a medium-sized passenger car traveling at 60 mph, the shock absorber can generate 100-400 watts of energy under normal driving conditions, and up to 1600 watts on particularly rough roads. Trucks, rail cars, and off-road vehicles get a return of 1-10 kilowatts, depending on road quality.
_____________________
Hmm. Rough roads fits where I live. 1600 watts is more than 2 Hp.
10 Kw is enough to run a car around town.

[madnessspirit]

I could swear I had heard of this type of thing some number of years ago, otherwise, I am surprised it took this long to come up with... Basically the same premise as generators run on waves in the ocean, only on a smaller, rougher scale. I'm curious though as to what the distance one must travel to generate that amount of electricity.

[Sludgy]

Originally Posted by FIND

I could swear I had heard of this type of thing some number of years ago, otherwise, I am surprised it took this long to come up with... Basically the same premise as generators run on waves in the ocean, only on a smaller, rougher scale. I'm curious though as to what the distance one must travel to generate that amount of electricity.

Probably not the distance that matters, but the bumpiness of the road. Energy - recovering shock absorbers wouldn't produce energy if the roads were smooth.

On the other hand, energy recovering shock absorbers wouldn't be needed if we had good roads. Smooth paving saves gas, and my kidneys. Can someone tell Mass Highway Dept.?

[theholycow]

Yup, they'd work great in New England.

Talked to a tree guy who was in from Florida to help with the Hurricane Irene power restoration. He said our roads are killing him, he's never experienced anything like it before. I told him that we hate them too which is why I drive a 1980 Buick.