DaveKillens wrote:Michiba wrote:thanks for the explanation... still trying to get my head around it though.
On a side note, if such a system were in place, theoretically would the gyroscopic forces be able to 'hold' the car in midair after it goes over a curb/bump momentarily? In practice, I assume the downforce would counter that if it were the case though.
If the gyrscopic forces were powerful, it would inhibit the chassis from rolling and pitching, but have zero efect if the motion was straight up and down.
One additional handicap is the added weight of the electrical cables. They would have to carry high amperage, which would make them large gauge. Such large gauge copper wire would add up in the weight department. For instance, 10 ga. copper is 31.8 feet per pound. So roughly, expect adding at least 2 kilos for wire if you intend to run it to the nose. Considering engineers sweat the fine details just to remove a gram here and there, and this makes for a difficult decision.
Are you guessing at the amperage requirements of the Williams KERS system, or do you have some actual information leading to your dismissal of this idea? I have seen some rather large machinery that uses 480v 3phase, and run on 8 gague wire over a 150ft run.
I think for the 10 feet or so that would be needed, 10/3 aluminum MC cable should be fine.
Unless, of course, you actually have some amperage numbers from WIlliams?
Also: Why would it slice the drivers feet? It is a fully enclosed, vacuum sealed "disc" casing. Even in the event of catastrophic failure, I believe that Williams claims 100% containment.
The question is: Would it be advantageous to place the flywheel low and in the front (nosecone, or under the drivers feet) to control pitch? Or would its placement be necessitated by the pitch center of the car?
Thanks!