“…able to power itself solely by capturing energy from its brake system during its downhill journeys.”
So someone has finally invented a perpetual motion machine?
Entropy always increases.
Leosays
That’s over=simplistic. Potential energy is added at the top in the form of the load it’s bringing down. It’s much heavier going down than returning up. The transfer of the load is where the energy comes from — similar to hydroelectric. Pretty fascinating.
rocketridesays
I figured either that that (large net-downhill mass transfer) was what was going on, or it was being recharged wirelessly. (And if the latter, with the energy density that would have to be involved, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere nearby.)
Given the former, it obviously would need to recharge if it were carrying loads uphill and deadheading downhill.
James Riddell says
“…able to power itself solely by capturing energy from its brake system during its downhill journeys.”
So someone has finally invented a perpetual motion machine?
Entropy always increases.
Leo says
That’s over=simplistic. Potential energy is added at the top in the form of the load it’s bringing down. It’s much heavier going down than returning up. The transfer of the load is where the energy comes from — similar to hydroelectric. Pretty fascinating.
rocketride says
I figured either that that (large net-downhill mass transfer) was what was going on, or it was being recharged wirelessly. (And if the latter, with the energy density that would have to be involved, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere nearby.)
Given the former, it obviously would need to recharge if it were carrying loads uphill and deadheading downhill.