The energy saving advantages of electric steering are well known yet these systems often lack the feel of the hydraulic systems found on our Jags.
Engineering students at a local college in my new home of Oklahoma have come up with a conducting serpentine belt surrounded by a permanent magnet. This system can feed back current to the system reducing the overall energy consumption of the hydraulic system. Advance prototypes have ceramic/rare earth metal plates embedded in the belt and this system can act as a flexible linear motor. This will be of particular use as an auxiliary assist in cold starts with the new fuel saving 20w/50 oils which reduce piston ring blow back. Naturally, the new belt has low dusting characteristics as well.

 

WHy waste energy of a driven belt at all? Simply driving the hydraulic pump with an electric motor, whose drive current is adaptive and a function of steering effort would maximize the energy savings... however it will never reach the level of savings afforded by a pure electric steering assist system.

 

A standard steering system requires about 1-2 HP maximum to operate. An electric power steering system puts about the same HP load on the alternator in order to generate sufficient electricity.

I don't know of any car that uses 20W50 oil, especially in winter.

??????

 

Get a Prius -- no belts ...... all systems are electric .......... and since it is Japanese -- absolutely no feed back to the driver. I just bought one to try out as an extra car.

Strange car -- but much better than I had imagined ... and surprisingly peppy.


The belt with the imbedded magnets sound $$

 

April FOOLS to you also???

bob gauff

 

Oh, CRAP! This makes SO much more sense than believing the conductive belt story... I am so ashamed.

 

April fool jokes end at noon. Is it time for the turboencabulator?

Turbo Encabulator - YouTube

 

Thanks for indulging my April Fool's story.
If only it were true.

Dan