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The Startup Gig Performance from Provo, Utah, Showcased a Device Called Roadkil 5000 (kil, kilowatts), a New Shock Absorber Designed to Convert Linear Suspension Movement into Electricity with a Damping Force Provided During This Process.
The prototypes currently on display of the new shock absorber are mounted on the chassis, with a pair of arms attached to the left and right suspension arms of the off-road vehicle side by side. These arms are mounted at each end of the generator with a one-way ratchet device; therefore, when they go up and down, they drive the main body (stator) and the rotor in opposite directions, spinning the rotor within the stator to generate electricity.
Adding planetary gears increases the rotational movement of this new shock absorber by ten times. It was a useful vehicle to demonstrate the Roadkil 5000, but Gig Performance also developed a support for semi-trailer platforms, noting that if integrated from the beginning, the form factor can be adapted to most road vehicles.
The Roadkil 5000 works somewhat like a mini tidal power plant, converting linear pulses into rotational movement to drive a generator. It may seem a bit eccentric at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the technical implementation is surprisingly simple. The generator group mounted on the frame is moved during travel by means of a rod acting on the axle through a constant bouncing motion. This rotational movement, in turn, generates an electric current.
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How Much Energy Can the New Shock Absorber Capture?
The company reports that it tested the Roadkil 5000 on a truck and found that, on a typical road, each unit produced 500 watts continuously, or a total of 4 kWh over an eight-hour shift. Its side-by-side model returned similar results, producing 3 kWh in a six-hour off-road day.
It is unclear whether all types of vehicles can fully rely on the Roadkil 5000 for all damping needs. As damping depends entirely on the energy produced, it is necessary to anticipate when the battery is fully charged and unable to accept energy. Measuring power generation could, theoretically, provide variable damping for all the times the battery can accept the maximum possible energy.
When Will the New Shock Absorber Be Available
GigPerformance is low on the development curve. It has initial funding from the investment company RevRoad, but the company needs to hire an OEM that can truly assess the value of the technology, including how much energy it can generate, how easily it can be hardened against environmental damage and normal wear, and, of course, there is also its cost and additional weight.
It is certain that the idea is intriguing, but the details make the difference. If the 5000-inch Roadkil is closer to production, we will keep an eye on it and report an update.
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