DIY suspension generator / regenerator

[dutchboy]

Originally Posted by Christ

I rather like this idea... if I ever get around to building an electric car, I might try it out.

In fact, I might try it with air shocks in my Taco... As you hit bumps, the pressure in the shocks goes up... Tee off the inlet valve (where you pump them up) and put a small turbine in one line, with a check valve, into a bladder, then loop it back to the shock with another one-way flow check valve... as the pressure in the shock increases, it can expand out through the turbine line, into the bladder. Once the pressure decreases (shock rebound) the pressure in the bladder exceeds the shock, so it will equalize again, blowing back into the air shock.

I'll expect a complete write-up on my desk by the end of the week...

[Christ]

LOL - I'll expect a grant form in the mail from your desk by Monday.

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by dutchboy

I'll expect a complete write-up on my desk by the end of the week...

Uhmmm... yeeeaaah...I'm gonna need you to stay late tonight...and finish up those TPS reports, 'kay?
Ha ha!

[theunchosen]

That sounds promising Christ. I was wondering on a convenient way to implement it. The downside of doing it the simple way(coil magnet in the springs) is you'd have to use a diode to make sure the current only goes one way(your alt does something like this) so you'd lose your energy production either up or down. . .

The air shocks sounds like a good bypass method for the entire process.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by theunchosen

That sounds promising Christ. I was wondering on a convenient way to implement it. The downside of doing it the simple way(coil magnet in the springs) is you'd have to use a diode to make sure the current only goes one way(your alt does something like this) so you'd lose your energy production either up or down. . .

The air shocks sounds like a good bypass method for the entire process.

Yeah, but anything that's charged with a liquid (such as oils or even water, not that you'd find water shocks), something non-compressible, the system could be even more efficient.

In order to control dampening, you could adjust load on the turbine, and adjust the check valve on the "out" side of the shock (where fluid leaves when the shock bounds) so that it doesn't open until a certain pressure is achieved. Changing the sizing of the tubes and valves will also change damping control.

[theunchosen]

Lol you don't have to sell me on it anymore ^_^. I'm convinced. the turbine would buy you alot of room if you went with an "incompressible." wouldn't recommend that first though. . .you know my engine is in pieces. . .so I advocate small advances ^_^

[Christ]

For sure. The bet to be hedged, so to speak, is in the expansion chamber. It can either expand, literally, or allow "air space" to be compressed, sort of as a holding tank. It shouldn't need any help to flow the fluid back into the shock, because as the shock rebounds, there will be a pressure differential between the reservoir and the shock, which allows the fluid to flow back through, into the shock.

I'm going to start with air shocks, though. Easier to keep air in check, I think. If air works, out pretty good, I'll probably move up to a light liquid fluid that won't damage rubber (air shocks are rubber bladders inside metal casings). Good thing a set of air shocks are only $70 or so.

I don't think the tubing that comes with them is sufficient, though... it's only like 1/8". Might have to do something about that, like drilling out the inlet of the shock to accept 1/4" tubing. We'll try 1/8" first though....

No, we'll get the darned truck on the road, first. LOL.

[dutchboy]

Originally Posted by Christ

Yeah, but anything that's charged with a liquid (such as oils or even water, not that you'd find water shocks), something non-compressible, the system could be even more efficient.

In order to control dampening, you could adjust load on the turbine, and adjust the check valve on the "out" side of the shock (where fluid leaves when the shock bounds) so that it doesn't open until a certain pressure is achieved. Changing the sizing of the tubes and valves will also change damping control.

What kind of price range are shocks that will have the fittings for doing something like this? Hydraulic shocks I mean.

I am wondering about the rubber in your air shocks, I don't know how you will find out what type of rubber is being used.

[Clev]

I don't know if they'd work, but most remote-reservoir shocks are revalveable. I wonder if it would be possible to put the turbine inline between the shock and reservoir, and then revalve the shock to tune the ride.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by dutchboy

What kind of price range are shocks that will have the fittings for doing something like this?

Post #40. Air shocks have a single inlet/outlet fitting on them. You'd have to tee off it and put check valves in the lines, so that the compressed fluid (air) could only flow in one direction through the circuit.

They're about $70 for a pair, with the install kit (tubes, fittings, etc.).

You can find a good set at AutoZone.

AutoZone.com | | Shock/Strut - Rear | HIJACKER AIR SHOCKS