Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) Implemented on Bicycle

Abstract

Kinetic Energy is wasted when brakes are applied and is converted to heat energy due to friction at the contact surface and dissipated to the atmosphere in the form of thermal radiations. Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) is used to recover the kinetic energy of a moving vehicle when brakes are applied. When KERS system is equipped with a vehicle, it can take some K.E from the vehicle which is used to slowing down the vehicle and is again used for boosting the vehicle. In this system the energy is not wasted but is stored in a device in the form of potential energy. The stored P.E can be again converted to K.E using a proper mechanism. In the presence of KERS system, the driver will have the option of using any one of the two available sources of power. Mechanical KERS system there are of two types; clutch based and CVT based. In this project the focus would be to design a KERS system that could function in vehicles like Bikes and other electric vehicles. The KERS system can be automated using PID controllers and servo motors will be used instead of lever arm. Also, the flywheel weight can be optimized by proper material selection and size optimization depending upon the usage. Finally, the complete KERS system will be implemented on a vehicle (bicycle/motorcycle).