2 3 F o c u s ‹F›: For the first time ever, a hybrid racing car won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in June 2012. Has this victory marked the opening of a new era in motor racing? ‹Schöggl›: In Formula One, it has barely been possible to win races without a good hybrid KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) for the last two years. In the Le Mans Prototype Series (LMP), they did introduce the regulation that allows hybrid drives a little later, but it grants a much higher level of freedom, too. It is quite clear that the regulations in both racing series deliberately favor hybrid drives. ‹F›: What are the differences between the regulations of the two racing series where you need a hybrid to win? ‹Schöggl›: The regulations do have some fundamental differences. The Formula One regulations specify that the hybrid energy boost is limited to 400 kilojoules per lap. The maximum hybrid power output is limited to 60 kW. Depending on the racing track, this achieves an improvement in lap time of up to 0.5 seconds. The Le Mans regulations grant much greater freedom and merely limit the amount of energy that can be transmitted between two braking phases to 500 kJ. So if you have around ten braking phases in Le Mans, you have even more energy you can use. Apart from that, the LMP Regulations allow you to have an electric drive on the front and rear axle. The higher energy, the non-limited output and the electrical > The AVL Vehicle Simulation Model (VSM) is used successfully by many racing teams. four-wheel drive achieve much better lap times than can be achieved in the Formula One. Of course there are drawbacks though too, such as higher weight and increased cooling requirements. ‹F›: What kinds of hybrid technologies were used in Le Mans? ‹Schöggl›: The variety of technologies applied was surprisingly broad. Audi stores energy mechanically in the fast spinning rotor of an electric machine that works both as a generator and motor. Toyota, on the other hand, stores energy purely electrically in capacitors, so-called supercaps. Both storage systems are connected electrically to the electric motors, which are connected to the wheels. Audi drives the front axle, whereas Toyota drives the rear axle. ‹F›: With the new regulations, hybrid drive will be playing a much greater role in the Formula One too. What will change in 2014? ‹Schöggl›: The maximum amount of energy that can be used per lap will increase tenfold from 400 kJ to 4 MJ per lap. The electric power will double to 120 kW. Depending on the racing track, this will help hybrid drives improve lap times by considerably more ›› The new Formula One regulations open up new posibilities to generate, store and distribute energy. ‹‹ Potos: Helmut Lunghammer
Focus_2012_EN
To see the actual publication please follow the link above