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From: gt@hplvla.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Unconventional "suspension?"
Message-ID: <4300002@hplvla.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 10-May-84 14:06:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: hplvla.4300002
Posted: Thu May 10 14:06:00 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 21-May-84 03:32:10 EDT
References: <417@hou2h.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard - Loveland, CO
Lines: 21
Nf-ID: #R:hou2h:-41700:hplvla:4300002:000:879
Nf-From: hplvla!gt    May  4 10:06:00 1984


     There are basically two disadvantages to such an active 
     suspension system.  One is that it will use more engine
     power than a passive system and the other is the added
     complexity.

     The power losses may be significant to a car (some folks 
     (detractors) say as much as 10%) or they may not be.  A
     motorcycle could easily afford to give up the power.
     Either way, a refined system would result in reduced lap
     times on most tracks for most vehicles.

     The added complexity is a fact of life when trading active
     control for passive control.  We can have either aesthetic
     or technical reservations about such a tradeoff.  The bottom
     line will be how the cost, performance, and reliability
     factors all stack up in a refined system.

                George Tatge
		HP Loveland Instrument Div.
		ihnp4!hpfcla!hplvla!gt