Revolutionary Brakes ----

[hammersley]

Ok folks - check this out --- http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?domai...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=41059

 

[TBrennan]

Should be about 20 years before we see it on a Dodge truck, and it's just a little scary IMO. Imagine the electrics going out and your just freewheeling!!

 

[rashwor]

Neat....

They don't say how well it holds up when exposed to severe elements such as mud, rain, road salt, etc. I am sure it would be sealed, but how well?

 

[fkovalski]

I would think that there would need to be some sort of mecanical back up should there be an electrical failure.

 

[lmills]

yeh, it said at the end of the article that it would have a back up brake system incase of an electrical failure

 

[rfcom]

"Motorists will still push the middle pedal to slow down, and Visteon's system also features a normal brake for emergencies in case the electrics fail. "

 

[fkovalski]

Bad Me for just scanning the article



(tis' what I get for taking a speed reading course )

 

[hammersley]

Why this will be possible - going to 48 volts

A buddy of mine - a registered EE wrote me about this braking and why it will be possible in the near future... . Remmber we're about to go to 42 vo;ts real soon.



During the Korean War the Airforce installed eddy current brakes on a number of their trucks because they got tired of replacing the brakes after heavy mountain driving. The Germans during WWII had a large number of their trucks equipped with electric drive wheels that also utilized regenerative braking.

What makes this now possible in mass produced vehicles is the increase in operating voltage. Magnetic flux density is a function of current times the number of turns. At 6 or 12 volts operating voltage, you are limited in the number of turns of wire before the current level gets to the point of diminishing returns (remember the voltage divided by the resistance of the circuit equals current, the more turns the more resistance and hence the lower the current). If you up the operating voltage to 48 volts, you can have a flux density strong enough to operate a real braking system for a car and at the same time not drain your batteries to the point of stalling the vehicle engine. A mechanical brake for failsafe stopping and for parking would still be needed.

 

[mgonske]

I seem to recall reading in RV forums about "retarders"--electromagnetic brakes on driveshafts--currently (no pun intended) used on some busses, and their potential for RVs.

 

[Speedo]

Telma Retarders

We started using Telma Retarders on our coaches starting with

1983 model year. They were bolted to the drop in on our Rockwell

rear ends and the pinion bearing supported the weight of the

rotor. They do help with brake life but to do away with the regular

service brakes, I think I'll pass.



Gus

 

[Moterhead]

Visteon is also working on electric power steering.