Dynamics Project Kinetic Energy Recovery System Bicycle

Introduction
The Kinetic Energy Recovery System(KERS) was developed in Formula1 as a way of optimizing the performance of the car on its never ending quest of perfecting and creating the ultimate motorsports vehicle. It is quite simply a device that recovers the kinetic energy that is present in the waste heat created by the cars braking process. It stores that energy and converts it into power that can be called upon to boost acceleration. Using a motor-generator incorporated in the cars transmission mechanical energy during braking is converted into electrical energy and stored in a battery. This stored energy can later be used whenever required. During braking the motor-generator acts as a generator which converts the shaft spin into electrical energy. During battery discharge the motor-generator acts a motor converting the electrical energy and coupling its own rotation with that of the shaft. In effect the system uses regeneration to collect and store energy during braking which allows the drivers to use 60 KW (82 hp) for 6.6 seconds per lap. As the use of fossil fuels can no longer serve as a viable option for the future the KERS system is slowly making its advent into the automobile industry in the form of hybrid cars and a number of top car manufacturers have already come up with their own innovative designs like the Ferrari HY-KERS and Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Owing to the clean energy and increased efficiency that KERS provides to a car it is a sure stay in the automobile industry in the years to come.

Drawing inspiration from this technology we would like to present a more mechanical, less sophisticated and more practical form of this KERS technology that can be introduced into a normal bicycle. Hence the KERS bicycle.

What is the Need?

As the world looks for ways to shift its dependence from fossil fuels to power its automobiles many new forms of energy have come up including electric cars, solar cars etc. And to that list we would like to add one more: The KERS Bicycle. The dependence of the worlds population cars is one which can almost never be replaced and of that too replacing it with a bicycle is almost suicidal. But facts cannot be ignored and one day we will need to get rid of cars and find another fast way to get around. So at that point taking out your old bicycle and giving it a ride does not seem to be that bad an idea after all. But recent trends are showing good signs of change. In todays health conscious world people are always ready to go for a good workout and these bicycles could provide as good a workout as anything else. Using this project we aim to provide a new class of bicycles inculcated with a new technology that would decrease the physical strain experienced by bike riders over large distances as well as bring back the joy of bike riding that was present in the past and could change the future as well.

Principles
In this project we aim to introduce three main principles: KERS (Flywheel Technology): As stated in the first page the normal KERS technology uses a generator-motor to convert electrical energy and the energy is stored in a battery. In this purely mechanical version of the KERS technology this function is performed by a flywheel. A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device that is used to store rotational energy. Flywheels have a significant moment of inertia and thus resist changes in rotational speed. The amount of energy stored in a flywheel is proportional to the square of its rotational speed. Energy is transferred to a flywheel by applying torque to it, thereby increasing its rotational speed, and hence its stored energy. Conversely, a flywheel releases stored energy by applying torque to a mechanical load, thereby decreasing its rotational speed. The flywheel is constructed such that the diameter is large and the majority of the mass is concentrated along the outer ends so as to maximize the moment of inertia. In this bicycle the flywheel gains energy and discharges energy though the rear wheel of the bicycle. Q Ring : We have all grown up pedaling the traditional circular chain ring in our bicycles but latest technology is all set to replace this traditional bicycle heirloom with the introduction of Q rings. Instead of the conventional circular shapes these chain rings are oval shaped and help to increase the power generation, decrease the fatigue and provide an overall faster and smoother ride. Rotor Q-Rings do not eliminate the dead-spot (as do Rotor Cranks) but help to reduce its negative effects, moving the legs easier through the dead spot imitating a smaller circular chain ring, and enabling the legs to remain in the power stroke for a longer period of time when compared to round chain rings. In the beginning of a pedaling cycle the diameter of the chain ring is minimum and hence less torque is required to enter the pedal cycle. As the pedal cycle enters the maximum torque stage the larger diameter side occurs and hence it is easier to pedal through that portion. Controller Mechanism: This is a mechanism used to link the flywheel system and the rear wheel system whenever required. During normal pedaling from rest flywheel-rear wheel link should be present to enable charging of the flywheel. And while breaking this link should be severed beforehand so as to allow the flywheel to retain the rotational energy it already posses while the ear wheel will be slowed down due to the applied breaks.

Construction
Materials and Parts used: Any Normal Bicycle Flywheel Q Rings Normal Circular Chain Rings and Chains Controller Mechanism

Method
The circular chain ring of the front pedal is replaced by the Q Ring. The rear wheel is modified as follows: The new Circular Chain Ring of larger diameter is attached to the rear wheel chain ring such that it rotates along with the rotation of the rear wheel and slows down corresponding to the braking. This new chain ring should be attached in such a way that it only transfers pure rotation and any kind of disturbance such as wobbling is avoided. The flywheel is attached to the bicycle as follows: Two long rods of steel are connected between the rear wheel and the front handle. On this, ideally above the pedal, another connecting rod is connected parallel to the ground and on this the flywheel is secured as ideally as possible. Corresponding to the new chain ring attached to the rear wheel, a Circular Chain Ring of smaller diameter is attached to the connecting rod. A chain is used to connect this Chain Ring with that in the rear wheel. The controller mechanism is attached as follows: The controller mechanism is introduced linking the front handle and the connecting rod on which the flywheel is suspended. On the connecting rod the flywheel and the chain ring is interconnected by a variable connection mechanism controlled by the control mechanism. A switch/lever is provided on the front handle that if pressed can lock or unlock this interconnection depending on whether you want to connect the flywheel to the rear wheel or not.

Working
The working can be explained stage by stage: Stage 1: Starting from rest as we start pedaling. Initially the flywheel and the rear wheel are connected. When we start pedaling the Q rings aid the pedaling and greater force is transferred to the rear wheels. As the rear wheels start gaining speed so does the flywheel and hence it is getting charged. The chain ring present on the rear wheel is of greater diameter than that present alongside the flywheel. Hence proportional to the rear wheel greater rotation is being transferred to the flywheel. Stage 2: Reaching optimum speed. By optimum we are referring to a very high speed. So the rear wheel now rotates at a very high speed and so too does the flywheel. Stage 3: Application of brakes. Now we are reaching a turn or bend, hence it is necessary to decrease the speed before taking the turn. So initially we need to disconnect the flywheel from the rear wheel. After the connection has been severed, the brakes are applied and the rotational speed of the rear wheel is decreased. But at the same time, the braking has not affected the flywheel and its high moment of inertia enables it to continue on rotating with minimal decrease in rotational energy. Stage 4: Recovering lost speed : The KERS System After the turn has been encountered, the rear wheel now rotates at a lower speed than the flywheel. Now if the control mechanism is engaged to reconnect the flywheel and the rear wheel the KERS system will spring into action. The speed of the flywheel will be proportionally decreased and that of the rear wheel proportionally increased until a common speed is reached. So the rider of the bike experiences a rise in speed of the bike without him actually doing any work. Stage 5: Cycle begins again. Now we are back to Stage 1 and the whole cycle begins anew.

In this way energy which would otherwise have been simply wasted during braking can now be converted to useful energy available to the rider hence decreasing the physical strain imposed on him/her.

Future Developments
As technology keeps on advancing new developments to this cycle can be made. Here we take a look at some possible future developments: Electro Magnetic Suspension: A defect with the existing model lies in the losses that the flywheel will endure in the form of friction and other mechanical losses. A useful technology for counteracting these losses is the electromagnetic suspension of the flywheel. If the flywheel can be magnetically suspended about the connecting rod then all the mechanical losses can be averted leading to almost idealistic energy transfer between the flywheel and the rearwheel.

Efficient Gear Mechanism: A single chain linkage between the flywheel and the rear wheel comprising of the same two gears is not very efficient for riding the bicycle across different terrains. For flat terrains a larger diameter chain ring connected to the flywheel while a smaller diameter chain ring to the rear wheel is advisable for faster rotation of the rear wheel. While in the case of terrains with an upward gradient like mountainous paths the opposite chain ring allocation with respect to the above is preferred. So an efficient gear transfer mechanism between the flywheel and rear wheel depending on the terrain and the likes of the rider if developed can improve the efficiency of the ride. Electrical KERS Mechanism: If the electrical motor-generator run KERS mechanism that is currently being used in cars can be re-innovated to be compact and cost efficient as to be feasible for a normal bicycle then this is also another possible alternative for the future.