Paulyy

I came across this. I'm not sure if anyone knows about these but they seem pretty dam cool. and expensive.

Tony G & Patrick.. I'm looking your way LOL!

http://www.hypercoils.com/bellows-springs.html

67King

Yeah, talked to the guy who developed them at PRI in 2011. They actually came about from trying to use something like that for I believe bump stops in NASCAR, but NASCAR wouldn't allow them. They were one of a few finalists for the 2012 Most Innovative New Product of the Year from Racetech Magazine. http://www.performanceracingoils.com...P_nominees.pdf is a PDF of all of the finalists. Not sure where they finished overall, the PCM2 won, the Millers Nanodrive oil was second.

333pg333

I remember seeing them back a few years. Still don't quite understand how they work...but I'm in!!!


..not really. :-)

mikey_audiogeek

They're basically carbon fibre Belleville washers. Careful design keeps them away from the normal non-linear characteristics of a Belleville.

Paulyy

They look quite neat. I know springs aren't heavy, but if you're concerned about 1kg of weight, i guess it's a good option. I'm not sure if it's in the category of sprung or unsprung weight?

333pg333

lol @ pun

I still don't get how these things work. I can't see how they compress and if not where is the movement?

Paulyy

The rings aren't flat. they're like a cone. because CF isn't brittle it has flex so when pushing the cone into a flat ring it acts like a spring. Like a suction cup with a hole in the middle.

333pg333

Interesting. Relying on the accuracy of the fibre in the weave to produce consistent flex.

Van

Actually, you're relying on the epoxy compound to allow the flex. Imagine you put pieces of string in rubber - it would stretch until the string was taught. The right plastic binder will allow the carbon fiber weave to stretch a little bit and allow the conical washer to get a little shorter.

I looked up the specs - for my car, a 30 washer stack would equal an 8" spring with 3" of deflection (and cost $2,250 - vs. a $100 steel spring).

Cyberpunky

is that just for one Van ?

Paulyy

That's Patricks bank right there

Now just wait for the "i've bought some carbon fiber bellows springs" thread

Yep just one. As one spring is usually $75 - $100

67King

I estimated $3K per corner.

But, for a professional system, rather than having 30 springs at 10 pound increments, it may be cost effective.

For anyone who bothers posting on internet forums, it isn't.

theedge

When you see "High performance alternative to Titanium" on a products feature list..... You know its time to close the browser tab.

V2Rocket

why not just make coils instead of washers?