A regenerative shock absorber is a type of shock absorber that converts parasitic

intermittent linear motion and vibration into useful energy, such as electricity.
Conventional shock absorbers simply dissipate this energy as heat.
When used in an electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle the electricity generated by the
shock absorber can be diverted to its power train to increase battery life. The electricity
generated can then be combined with electricity from other power generation systems,
such as solar panels or regenerative brakes, and stored in the vehicle’s batteries or used to
power ancillary features.In non-electric vehicles the electricity can be used to
power accessories such as air conditioning.

Several different systems have been developed recently, for generating electrical
energy from shock absorbers.

n electromagnetic linear generator and regenerative electromagnetic shock absorber is disclosed which
converts variable frequency, repetitive intermittent linear displacement motion to useful electrical power. The
innovative device provides for superposition of radial components of the magnetic flux density from a
plurality of adjacent magnets to produce a maximum average radial magnetic flux density within a coil
winding array. Due to the vector superposition of the magnetic fields and magnetic flux from a plurality of
magnets, a nearly four-fold increase in magnetic flux density is achieved over conventional electromagnetic
generator designs with a potential sixteen-fold increase in power generating capacity. As a regenerative
shock absorber, the disclosed device is capable of converting parasitic displacement motion and vibrations
encountered under normal urban driving conditions to a useful electrical energy for powering vehicles and
accessories or charging batteries in electric and fossil fuel powered vehicles. The disclosed device is
capable of high power generation capacity and energy conversion efficiency with minimal weight penalty for
improved fuel efficiency.
The electricity generated can then be combined with electricity from other power generation
systems, such as solar panels or regenerative brakes, and stored in the vehicle’s batteries or
used to power ancillary features.

figure out where energy is being wasted in a vehicle,"

If the electronics fail for any reason, the system simply acts like a regular shock absorber.
The amount of electricity generated is not huge, but it’s an easy way to bump up fuel efficiency without
require drastic changes. Initial tests have been conducted with military Humvees because in large vehicles
the shock action is significant due to their weight, rough-riding capabilities, and speed. In fact, their
technology works best with vehicles like Humvees and, as we indicated the last time we covered the
company, they are targeting military applications.
The shock absorbers and control electronics will cost slightly more than conventional shock
absorbers, he says, but in applications such as commercial trucking, the fuel savings are
expected to pay for the extra costs within 18 months.
Don’t curse the potholes, they can give you energy, says a team of MIT students. The MIT
undergraduates have devised a shock absorber that can smoothen your ride as well as harvest
energy from bumps that will generate electricity! The study was published in MIT Tech Talk on
Wednesday. The team wanted to figure out where energy is being wasted in a moving vehicle.
Some hybrid cars are already recovering the energy from breaking. So the team searched
elsewhere and quickly concentrated on suspension. Shakeel Avadhany and his teammates said
they can generate up to a 10 percent enhancement in overall vehicle fuel efficiency by using the
regenerative shock absorbers.