Kinetic energy recovery system
A kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) is an automotive system for
Xtrac and Flybrid are both licensees of Torotrak's technologies, which employ a small and sophisticated ancillary gearbox incorporating a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CPC-KERS is similar as it also forms part of the driveline assembly. However, the whole mechanism including the flywheel sits entirely in the vehicle's hub (looking like a drum brake). In the CPC-KERS, a differential replaces the CVT and transfers torque between the flywheel, drive wheel and road wheel.
Use in motorsport
History
The first of these systems to be revealed was the Flybrid.
Already in 2006, a first KERS system based on supercapacitors has been studied at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) in the framework of the development of the "Formula S2000". A 180kJ system has been developed in collaboration with other institutes (Multiphysic Modeling of a Hybrid Propulsion System for a Racecar Application, A. Rufer, P. Barrade, M. Correvon and J.-F. Weber, iamf EET-2008 : European Ele-Drive Conference, International Advanced Mobility Forum, Geneva, Switzerland, 11–13 March 2008).
Two minor incidents were reported during testing of various KERS systems in 2008. The first occurred when the Red Bull Racing team tested their KERS battery for the first time in July: it malfunctioned and caused a fire scare that led to the team's factory being evacuated.[5] The second was less than a week later when a BMW Sauber mechanic was given an electric shock when he touched Christian Klien's KERS-equipped car during a test at the Jerez circuit.[6]
Formula One
With the introduction of KERS in the 2009 season, only four teams used it at some point in the season:
Although KERS was still legal in F1 in the 2010 season, all the teams had agreed not to use it.[11] New rules for the 2011 F1 season which raised the minimum weight limit of the car and driver by 20 kg to 640 kg,[12] along with the FOTA teams agreeing to the use of KERS devices once more, meant that KERS returned for the 2011 season.[13] Use of KERS was still optional as in the 2009 season; and at the start of the 2011 season three teams chose not to use it.[14]
Since 2014, the power capacity of the KERS units were increased from 60 kilowatts (80 bhp) to 120 kilowatts (160 bhp). This was introduced to balance the sport's move from 2.4 litre V8 engines to 1.6 litre V6 turbo engines.[16]
Working diagram for KERS
Autopart makers
Car manufacturers
Several automakers have been testing KERS systems.
At the
In 2011,
In 2020, FIAT launched the series of the FIAT Panda mild-hybrid with KERS technology.[27]
Motorcycles
KTM racing boss Harald Bartol revealed that the factory raced with a secret kinetic energy recovery system fitted to Tomoyoshi Koyama's motorcycle during the 125cc race of the 2008 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix. Koyama finished 7th.[28] The system was later ruled illegal and thus was banned.[citation needed] The Lit C-1 electric motorcycle will also use a KERS as a regenerative braking system.[29]
Bicycles
KERS is also possible on a bicycle. The
This has also been demonstrated by mounting a flywheel on a bike frame and connecting it with a CVT to the back wheel. By shifting the gear, 20% of the kinetic energy can be stored in the flywheel, ready to give an acceleration boost by reshifting the gear.[31]
Races
The
Audi and Toyota both developed LMP1 cars with kinetic energy recovery systems for the 2012 and 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro uses a flywheel-based system, while the Toyota TS030 Hybrid uses a supercapacitor-based system. When Porsche announced its return to Le Mans in 2014, it also unveiled an LMP1 car with a kinetic energy recovery system. The Porsche 919 Hybrid, introduced in 2014, uses a battery system, in contrast to the previous Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid that used a flywheel system.
Use in public transport
London buses
A KERS using a carbon fibre flywheel, originally developed for the
Parry People Mover
See also
- Regenerative brake
- Make Cars Green
References
- ^ Flybrid Systems LLP (2010-09-10). "Flybrid Systems". Flybrid Systems. Archived from the original on 2010-07-13. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- ^ "Torotrak.com". www77.torotrak.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2010.
- ^ "Torotrak, Xtrac & CVT pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2012-03-03. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b "F1 KERS: Flybrid". Racecar Engineering. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
- ^ "KERS failure caused Red Bull fire scare". Autosport. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- ^ "BMW mechanic escapes KERS scare". Autosport. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- ^ "Teams Comment on F1's Environmental Future". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. October 8, 2008. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "2009 Formula One Technical Regulations" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. December 22, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2008. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
- ^ FIA management (December 22, 2006). "2009 FORMULA ONE TECHNICAL REGULATIONS" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
- ^ Whyatt, Chris (August 30, 2009). "Raikkonen wins exciting Spa duel". BBC. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS)". Formula One. Archived from the original on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
- ^ "Adjustable rear wings among confirmed 2011 changes". Formula 1. Archived from the original on 22 December 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Benson, Andrew (23 June 2010). "Changes made to F1l". BBC. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
- ^ "Team Lotus, Virgin, HRT F1 to Start 2011 Without KERS". Autoevolution. 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
- ^ "Audi unveils hybrid R18 e-tron quattro in Munich". Autosport. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ "Formula 1 delays introduction of 'green' engines until 2014". BBC. 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
- ^ "Bosch Developing Modular KERS Systems for Range of Motorsport Applications". Green Car Congress. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ http://www.carmondo.de/blog/2008/07/03/honda-und-bmw-mit-formel-1-hybriden/ (in German)
- ^ "Peugeot Sport Hybrid". Racecar Engineering. 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ^ Lawrence Butcher (2008-09-18). "F1 KERS; McLaren on track with KERS | People". Racecar Engineering. Archived from the original on 2008-09-22. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
- ^ McLaren to work with Freescale on KERS November 12, 2008
- ^ "Toyota Hybrid Race Car Wins Tokachi 24-Hour Race; In-Wheel Motors and Supercapacitors". Green Car Congress. 2007-07-17. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- ^ 918 RSR: Have Flywheel, Will Race January 10, 2011
- ^ Kurt Ernst. Mazda's regenerative braking system switches batteries for capacitors. 2011
- ^ "PSA Peugeot Citroën and Bosch developing hydraulic hybrid powertrain for passenger cars; 30% reduction in fuel consumption in NEDC, up to 45% urban; B-segment application in 2016". Green Car Congress.
- ^ Nouvelle, L'Usine (2015-01-12). "Hybrid Air : pourquoi PSA se dégonfle - Innovations Auto". usinenouvelle.com/ (in French). Retrieved 2018-08-26.
- ^ "Fiat Panda Hybrid: come funziona il Recupero di Energia" [Fiat Panda Hybrid: how it functions the recovery of energy] (in Italian). March 10, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ "KTM beats F1 with secret KERS debut! | Feb 2009". Crash.Net. 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
- ^ "C-1". Lit Motors. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ EPA, US. "Hydraulic Hybrid Bicycle Research- Clean Automotive Technology - Transportation and Air Quality- US EPA". archive.epa.gov.
- ^ Boost Your Bike, Science Friday, 2011-08-12, archived from the original on 2012-09-18, retrieved 2022-08-24
- ^ "ACO Technical Regulations 2008 for Prototype "LM"P1 and "LM"P2 classes, page 3" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). 20 December 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
- ^ Sam Collins (2008-09-13). "Peugeot Sport Hybrid | People". Racecar Engineering. Archived from the original on 2009-01-13. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
- ^ "UK: GKN in deal to supply KERS flywheel tech on London buses". Just Auto. Archived from the original on 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
- ^ "GKN hybrid project lands major accolade". Shropshire Star. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
- ^ "PPM Technology". Parry People Movers. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2023.