Is KERS going to be around next year?

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ISLAMATRON
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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The start line has nothing to do with how much charge is in the system. when they cross the start finish, the KERS Bar goes back to 100% because that is how much of their 400kJ they have remaining to use, regardless of the actual instantaneous state of charge in the batteries.

They should not have any limitations on the KERS except for maybe a budget number on how much to spend, maybe $20M.

Giblet
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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The system ideally should only be able to hold the charge from the biggest braking point in the season, and that should be the max. So the driver starts with no charge, brakes for a corner, charging, and then releases that charge exiting the corner.

Is that not the best solution, instead of arbitrary made up numbers? That would be the most efficient/small system yes?
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xpensive
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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machin wrote:Your numbers do seem to make sense in theory...... but in practice whenever the KERS information is displayed on the TV and the car in question goes across the line the KERS "battery" symbol goes from empty to full.... which implies that the car has actually physically fully re-charged the system, but due to the rules can't start discharging it until after it has crossed the line (when the 400kJ per lap is re-set)... so the technology is definitely being restricted by the "400kJ per lap" rule, rather than say simply a "400kJ maximum storage at any given time" rule....
What I'm saying, if you read my previous post carefully, is with today's 60 kW MGU and the efficiencies involved, you probably need a full lap to store the 400 kJ. With some margin of course, but a three second braking/charging with 60 kW, followed by discharging after every corner would get you nowhere. Probably kill the batteries as well.

If you ask me, beginning with a plausible theory is what makes an engineer an engineer.
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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If you ask me, beginning with a plausible theory is what makes an engineer an engineer.
True... but looking at all the available evidence to formulate that theory is also another!!!
regardless of the actual instantaneous state of charge in the batteries.
Maybe this is true (I can't find an expalanation anywhere)... however, again, looking at the footage... the cars generally come out of the last corner with the "battery bar" showing "empty"... they cross the line and the bar jumps up and instantly they start using the boost... that means they had the system at least partially charged before the start/finish line, but couldn't use it until after they crossed the line due to the "400kJ per lap" rule....
Last edited by machin on 01 Oct 2009, 08:14, edited 1 time in total.
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xpensive
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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machin wrote:
If you ask me, beginning with a plausible theory is what makes an engineer an engineer.
True... but looking at all the available evidence to formulate that theory is also another!!!
Be my guest, machine, knock yourself out! :)
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Richard
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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machin wrote: looking at the footage... the cars generally come out of the last corner with the "battery bar" showing "empty"... they cross the line and the bar jumps up and instantly they start using the boost... that means they had the system at least partially charged before the start/finish line, but couldn't use it until after they crossed the line due to the "400kJ per lap" rule....
That TV graphic is probably a simple counter showing how much KERS has been used on the lap. I suspect a car could cross the line with a completely empty battery and the bar would still jump to 100%.

It is said that in quali the KERS cars save their charge until the exit of the last corner of the out lap to maximise speed at the start of the flying lap. In that case you'd expect little charge left, but the TV graphic still shows 100%.
Giblet wrote:The system ideally should only be able to hold the charge from the biggest braking point in the season, and that should be the max. So the driver starts with no charge, brakes for a corner, charging, and then releases that charge exiting the corner.

Is that not the best solution, instead of arbitrary made up numbers? That would be the most efficient/small system yes?

I agree with others that it should be more open, it should be part of an integrated power/brake cycle, not a bolt on gimmick. It should harvest when you want, discharge when you want.

I agree with concern about the cost of a KERS arms race, but the solution would be for non-KERS teams to be able to purchase customer units at a capped price, just like they do with customer engines.

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machin
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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That TV graphic is probably a simple counter showing how much KERS has been used on the lap. I suspect a car could cross the line with a completely empty battery and the bar would still jump to 100%.
But this doesn't explain my observation:-
looking at the footage... the cars generally come out of the last corner with the "battery bar" showing "empty"... they cross the [start/finsih] line and the bar jumps up and instantly they start using the boost... that means they had the system at least partially charged before the start/finish line, but couldn't use it until after they crossed the line due to the "400kJ per lap" rule....
Anyway... I think we're all in agreement that the "400kJ per lap" rule is rubbish and simply a maximum storage capacity would be a better use of the technology???
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Richard
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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machin wrote:they cross the [start/finsih] line and the bar jumps up and instantly they start using the boost... that means they had the system at least partially charged before the start/finish line
[/quote]

Yes, in that scenario I agree that there must be some charge in place. My point is that the TV graphic has no relation to the actual charge in the system.

xpensive
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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Not knowing xactly what you guys are discussing, but perhaps the following could be of some help?

The way the rules are set up, you can charge/store as much energy as you like, but you can't discharge more than 400 kJ, at a maximum rate of 60 kW, per lap.
Last edited by xpensive on 01 Oct 2009, 16:05, edited 1 time in total.
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i70q7m7ghw
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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This might have already been suggested but I had an idea for how KERS could be more effectively used for overtaking.

Instead of imposing a "only 6 seconds use per lap" rule or whatever it is. KERS can only be used when within 2 seconds of the car infront.

Therefore, it can't be used as a defensive measure, only for offensive moves. What do you think?

PS - The idea is to try and make up for the "dirty air" effect everyone bangs on about... I personally just think it's a load of hot air (sorry had to do it! :lol:)

:D

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ISLAMATRON
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/ ... 10022.html


Toro Rosso pushing for cost effective KERS for 2013

Although the teams look set to drop KERS from Formula One racing next season, the technology still has plenty of advocates in the paddock. Among them is Franz Tost, Toro Rosso team principal, who is urging his rivals to continue research away from races with a view to introducing a far more cost effective solution in 2013.

“KERS for me is an important part of Formula One, I am a supporter of KERS,” Tost told Formula1.com. “However, I am against the use of KERS in the period from 2010-2012. Why? Because all indications show that any KERS system is not technically mature enough yet to be used efficiently and be cost effective.

“The system should be developed for 2013 together with a new engine and gearbox, and that (development) should start now. For the smaller teams it should be offered as part of the drive train at a reasonable price. That is what I think should happen and that is what I am fighting for.”

Asked what feedback he had received from other teams on the proposal, Tost added: “There are some who are urging the use of KERS before 2013. Now we have to see how things develop.”

KERS was introduced as an option at the start of the 2009 and although several teams have experimented with the technology, only two - McLaren and Ferrari - are running it at every race. Tost now believes that a rethink can make KERS a more viable - and environmentally relevant - choice.

“I am all for the use of KERS in the long run but it should be planned better in terms of costs and in terms of environmental friendliness. Environmental friendliness means that it does not make sense if a KERS system is in use where you have to get rid of the batteries after every race. That cannot be it.”

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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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xpensive wrote:The way the rules are set up, you can charge/store as much energy as you like, but you can't discharge more than 400 kJ, at a maximum rate of 60 kW, per lap.
True... but its a bit like if they wrote the aero rules something like; "you can have wings on the car, but they must only produce downforce for 10 seconds per lap".... i.e a bit too arbitrary for my liking...
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nudger
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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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no
(answer to thread question)

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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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Williams "still" working on their flywheel-based KERS, but no report on whether they will definitely use it next season..... all other FOTA teams have just agreed not to use it; but what about new entrants??

any updates pls

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Re: Is KERS going to be around next year?

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raceman wrote:Williams "still" working on their flywheel-based KERS, but no report on whether they will definitely use it next season..... all other FOTA teams have just agreed not to use it; but what about new entrants??

any updates pls
There has been a statement from FOTA since FI and Williams rejoined saying that KERS won't be used.
- Axle