A Preliminary Study of Energy Recovery in Vehicles by Using Regenerative Magnetic Shock Absorbers

Abstract

Road vehicles can expend a significant amount of energy in undesirable vertical motions that are induced by road bumps, and much of that is dissipated in conventional shock absorbers as they dampen the vertical motions.Presented in this paper are some of the results of a study aimed at determining the effectiveness of efficiently transforming that energy into electrical power by using optimally designed regenerative electromagnetic shock absorbers. In turn, the electrical power can be used to recharge batteries or other efficient energy storage devices (e.g., flywheels) rather than be dissipated. The results of the study are encouraging -they suggest that a significant amount of the vertical motion energy can be recovered and stored.

Active controller design for an electromagnetic energy-regenerative suspension

“…The relevant research focusing on vibration control and energy regeneration has been carried out both theoretically and experimentally. Recently, some prototypes of electromagnetic actuators have been developed (Suda et al, 2000;Graves et al, 2000;Goldner et al, 2001;Kawamoto et al, 2007) and have received attention for their improved efficiency, quick response, good controllability and energy regeneration.…”

Oscillation Control Over Light Duty Cars Using Magnetic Semi-Active Shock Absorbers

“…They are more suitable for carrying out the above-mentioned functionalities, especially for stability. It is possible for active shock absorbers to apply forces opposite to the force of the spring element in a suspension (Goldner et al 2001).…”

Gain-scheduling control of electromagnetic regenerative shock absorbers for energy harvesting by road unevenness

“…the systems developed by Bose [1] and Boiling Springs [2]. In academia, researchers at Tufts University have developed and patented a high power regenerative shock absorber [3], [4] that allows the achievement of high levels of electrical power. More recently, the research has been directed towards the development of a second generation of more compact and economic regenerative shock absorbers.…”