I can see why Volvo does not seek advice from their experimental Flywheel KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) via the acronym FKERS (even though it would make for hilarious interviews). But, all laughing apart, we have been hearing quite a few KERS recently. Ferrari has one in the LaFerrari. Porsche is placing one in their 918. Same with the Audi e-tron R18 Quattro. Hell, even Formula 1 motors use them. You cannot flip a nook with out bumping into a few carmaker running on a car with a Kinetic Energy Recovery System.
So, what makes Volvo’s Flywheel KERS so special? To begin with, Volvo has been playing around with flywheel propulsion since the Eighties once they tested it in a Volvo 260. However, because of barriers in materials, the complete system, even as interesting, wasn’t virtually viable. The massive metal flywheels from the 80s have been too heavy and had confined rotational ability.
Not so nowadays. Thanks to carbon fiber, the Volvo system’s flywheel weighs a scant six pounds, has a diameter of 20 centimeters and spins in a vacuum to lower losses of kinetic energy due to friction. Here’s how the brand new gadget works:
“The experimental system… Is suited for the rear axle. During retardation, the braking energy causes the flywheel to spin at as much as 60,000 revs consistent with minute. When the สำรองข้อมูล automobile begins transferring off once more, the flywheel’s rotation is transferred to the rear wheels thru a mainly designed transmission. The combustion engine that drives the front wheels is switched off as quickly as braking starts. The electricity in the flywheel can then be used to boost up the automobile when it’s time to move off once more or to strength the vehicle once it reaches cruising velocity.”
By harnessing the kinetic strength of the flywheel, Volvo claims a KERS-prepared automobile will attain 25 percent higher fuel financial system. To take a look at the whole shebang, Volvo bolted a KERS to an S60 check vehicle. The S60 has a turbo 4-cylinder inner combustion engine powering the the front wheel and the KERS, which adds a further 80 horse, powering the rear. With this setup, the S60 will jaunt from zero-sixty two mph in 5.Five seconds. A comparable Volvo S60 powered by means of a conventional three.Zero liter T6 6-cylinder rapid engine placed to the floor through all-wheel-pressure take 6.6 seconds zero-sixty two. The KERS is quicker and receives 25 percent better gasoline efficiency. Not terrible. Not terrible in any respect.
Like maximum hybrids, the finest profits in gas economy will are available in urban regions and during periods of heavy braking and common prevent/starts offevolved. Volvo estimates in best situation a KERS-prepared vehicle should power without using the inner combustion engine approximately 50 percentage of the time when driving in line with the New European Driving Cycle.