CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter presents on what are the procedures on how to design regenerative shock
absorbers. Methods and techniques are introduced to provide solution to the problem in this
study. Implementation of this project will meet the objectives regarding on the loss on the
suspension system of the existing e-trike in Mindanao University of Science and Technology.

3.2 Flow Chart

A

Start

Data Gathering Tabulating Test Results

Selection of Materials Evaluation of Test Results

Conceptualization of design Conclusion

Assembly of components End

Implementation of Design

IF NO
Is the output acceptable?

IF YES

A
3.3 Data Gathering

The researcher will gather data on what are the parameters that should be considered
before installing or actual testing of the regenerative shock absorber. Weight will be the
biggest factor that should be considered, during no load, full load or half load. Weight should
be measured first because shock absorbers will be first deflected during the applications of
load on a vehicle.

3.4 Selection of materials

In this part, the researcher will research on what will be the appropriate components
that should be needed to make regenerative shock absorbers. What materials that will give the
maximum efficiency. Comparison of different materials that will may possibly applied for the
fabrication will take place. Introduction of the different components the researcher will be
using will be acquired in this section. Sizes, dimensions, length, and any other factors that
will be considered for the assembly of the regenerative shock absorber.

3.5 Conceptualization of the Design

At this time, the concept of the regenerative shock absorber will be introduced.
Conventionally, shock absorbers absorb vibrations during travel, its function is to minimize
the effect on the vehicle on uneven roads, rough roads, or even concrete roads. This
regenerative shock absorber, a linear alternator type, is having the electromagnetic concept.
Magnets are attached on the piston and the cylinder surrounded by coils enable for every
fluctuation to generate power to supplement the charging of the battery.

The Power-Generating Shock Absorber (PGSA)uses energy that would be otherwise

lost as heat to generate electricity. The Power-Generating Shock Absorber (PGSA) converts
this kinetic energy into electricity instead of heat through the use of a Linear Motion
Electromagnetic System (LMES). The LMES uses a dense permanent magnet stack
embedded in the main piston, a switchable series of stator coil windings, a rectifier, and an
electronic control system to manage the varying electrical output and dampening load. The
electricity generated by each PGSA can then be combined with electricity from other power
 generation systems and stored in the vehicles batteries. The bottom shaft of the PGSA
mounts to the moving suspension member and forces the magnet stack to reciprocate within
the annular array of stator windings, producing alternating current electricity. That electricity
is then converted into direct current through a full-wave rectifier and stored in the vehicles
batteries.

3.6 Assembly of Components

The device consists of two components in the form of piston and cylinder
arrangement a hollow cylinder with surface coil assembly and a magnet assembly that uses
vibrational energy from the vehicles suspension to move up and down inside it. The magnets
are arranged with like-poles of adjacent magnets facing each other to help push the magnetic
flux outward. The magnetic assembly is encased in an outer cylinder made of high
magnetically permeable material to further increase magnetic flux density in the coils. The
coils were designed to align with the magnet stack and are connected to a rectifier set-up so,
as the Magnetic flux from permanent magnet moves inside the copper coils, a voltage will be
generated.

3.7 System Implementation Flow Chart

Start

Prototyping

System assembly on e-trike

Testing

IF NO
Working or not?

Troubleshooting

IF YES
Proceed to output

End
3.8 Tabulating Test Results

Tabulation of test results enable for us to see the different output on different
application of the regenerative shock absorber. All the results from the application and
experiments will be tabulated for the comparison of output generated from the installation.
All the data will be presented with respect to the inputs considering different types of
processes to have an allowable outcome or not.

3.9 Evaluation of Test Results

Start

System Operation

Output Data Collection

Different Loads(No
load, Full load, half
load)
Rough roads or
concrete roads with
or without loads
Experimental Results
Calculated Results

Analysis of Output Data

Comparison between
Experimental and
calculated results
Generated power
evaluation
Efficiency of the
system

Start
3.7 Conclusion
 The researcher will conclude relatively with the objectives of the study. Also, based
on the results on the application and the efficiency of the regenerative shock absorber.