Alternative means for storing KERS-energy?

[xpensive]

Geek-thread this, but let's see if anyone picks up on it.

With the reported terrible cost and lifespan of last years KERS-batteries, including the challenge of rapid charging/discharging, I have pondered about alternative means for energy-storage.

I understand that McLaren had a KERS-embryo in late 90s, based on hydraulics, why I took a brief look into that with some numbers.

Power from a fluid is Flow times Pressure; Q m^3/s) * p(Pascal) = Watts.

Imagine an average pressure of 20 Mpa(200 Bar or 2900 psi) and a flow of 2 liters per second(half a gps), this would give you an mean power-boost of 40 kW(55 Hp), while a 10 liter accumulator should last for 5 seconds, discharging 200 kJ.

Doesn't sound like much, but this way you could charge and discharge at every corner without wearing out the means of storage.

If anyone have some info on the McLaren system and their xperience from that, please share, scarbs?

[WhiteBlue]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3619

There is a dedicated thread that deals with this issue. It also contains numerous alternative means of KERS. Basically you find our complete discussions from 2006 on the subject. I vote that we maintain this thread instead opening new ones which do not include all the sources that have already been compiled here.

[xpensive]

Don't think so WB, this is intended to be a strictly engineering thread, why if you have a problem with that, take it upstairs.

[xpensive]

To store 400 kJ, things gets a bit more difficult. With the same hydraulic pressure you obviously need to double the accumulator volume to 20 liters, which would begin to be somewhat bulky. Better to pick up 100 kJ ahead of each corner, for release after the same.