A Regenerative Braking Mechanism Using Kers
A Regenerative Braking System Using ‘KERS’ a device used to recover, otherwise wasted energy.
I. Abstract -Kinetic Energy Recovery System or simply ‘KERS’ is a system developed to recover a modest amount of energy during braking of an automobile or a locomotive. This system tries to harvest energy which is otherwise wasted. KERS works on the principle of Regenerative Braking, which uses the braking energy to rotate a flywheel connected to the differential( in an automobile) through a gear mechanism, which when actuated( while braking )uses the energy to spin the flywheel at more than 60,000 rpm. There are various methods of achieving this, most commonly used systems are Electrical KERS and Mechanical KERS. Electrical KERS uses a generator and a battery setup to store the energy while braking, where as a Mechanical KERS system uses a flywheel to accomplish the same, which are discussed in full length of this paper effectively, either way this stored energy is then utilized by the driver to achieve a ‘Boost’ or utilize this energy hence reduce his original energy demand. KERS are effectively applied in Formula 1, 24 Hours of Le Mans and other prestigious races because of the energy boost it offers (around 60 kW in F1). Several companies like Volvo, Mercedes Benz have tried to implement KERS technology to achieve more efficiency and decrease fuel consumption, many hybrid cars use this technology. They have been successfully applied in Tram cars and rail locos in Europe. Other applications even include a bicycle called
the ‘Copenhagen Wheel’ to reduce rider fatigue. In the race to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, salvaging every bit of wasted energy is major step forward for a better tomorrow. II. Introduction - Kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) is a system that attempts to recover wasted energy while braking. Braking is employed to retard a vehicle or a machine by absorbing kinetic energy and reducing motion, this kinetic energy gets converted into
I. Abstract -Kinetic Energy Recovery System or simply ‘KERS’ is a system developed to recover a modest amount of energy during braking of an automobile or a locomotive. This system tries to harvest energy which is otherwise wasted. KERS works on the principle of Regenerative Braking, which uses the braking energy to rotate a flywheel connected to the differential( in an automobile) through a gear mechanism, which when actuated( while braking )uses the energy to spin the flywheel at more than 60,000 rpm. There are various methods of achieving this, most commonly used systems are Electrical KERS and Mechanical KERS. Electrical KERS uses a generator and a battery setup to store the energy while braking, where as a Mechanical KERS system uses a flywheel to accomplish the same, which are discussed in full length of this paper effectively, either way this stored energy is then utilized by the driver to achieve a ‘Boost’ or utilize this energy hence reduce his original energy demand. KERS are effectively applied in Formula 1, 24 Hours of Le Mans and other prestigious races because of the energy boost it offers (around 60 kW in F1). Several companies like Volvo, Mercedes Benz have tried to implement KERS technology to achieve more efficiency and decrease fuel consumption, many hybrid cars use this technology. They have been successfully applied in Tram cars and rail locos in Europe. Other applications even include a bicycle called
the ‘Copenhagen Wheel’ to reduce rider fatigue. In the race to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, salvaging every bit of wasted energy is major step forward for a better tomorrow. II. Introduction - Kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) is a system that attempts to recover wasted energy while braking. Braking is employed to retard a vehicle or a machine by absorbing kinetic energy and reducing motion, this kinetic energy gets converted into
References: [1.]http://www.flybridsystems.com/Technology.h tml [2.]Top gear magazine , august 2010 [3.]Fig.1 Volvo automobiles,sweden [4.]Fig. 2 Magneti Marlelli, italy [5.]ASME online journal january 2012, “Stopping Power” [6.]http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_an