[DeTomaso] "Shock" technology

Dick Koch arkoch at earthlink.net
Wed Dec 16 16:24:36 EST 2009 

Richard, in reference to your questions in your memo shown below, first 
if you don't want to use all the functions available to tailor shock 
performance profiles, you can set the shocks to whatever 
compression/rebound you want depending on the ride and/or performance 
you desire.  The shocks can be adjusted from the softest to hardest ride 
settings you desire, each setup saved as one of 5 unique setups which 
can be recalled instantaneously.

As far as what happens with the shock if you loose power, it retains the 
last settings characteristics due to magnetic hysteresis. 

Keep in mind, my Pantera was used as a test vehicle to see how fast an 
experienced race car driver could "tune the car in".  When I took the 
car to the Vegas get together several years ago, my partner in the 
Shadrach Mustang project, Mike Langston, who owned and drove for his 
ARCA race team for 7 years, worked with Dick Anderson to see how fast 
they could "tune in" the car when we ran it at Pahrump. 

It took less than two laps to dial the shocks in, with Mike telling 
Dick, as they went around the track, how he wanted to improve the 
handling and Dick making the changes as they went around the track. 
Pretty incredible.

With Anderson's 3rd generation software, the user now has the capability 
to change many additional shock attribute variables, other than 
compression/rebound.  Anderson's MagneShock is the only shock on the 
market with the extensive list of shock variables that the end user can 
adjust, dynamically while underway (assuming you have someone riding 
with you to input the data). 

It also is the easiest to install system, given that all the sensors are 
built into the shock itself, with one cable running from each shock to 
the controller.  All of the other users of the damping fluid technology 
do not incorporate the majority of the sensors internally in their 
shock, such as Delphi.

To give you an idea of the damping fluid technology used in the shock, 
the following summary should prove helpful.  Additional information can 
be found on the web.
 
Magneto-Rheological (MR) technology enables new levels of performance in 
automotive primary suspension systems by replacing traditional hydraulic 
fluid in each shock absorber. As sensors monitor road and vehicle 
conditions, a controller modifies the damping characteristics up to one 
thousand times per second. This enables dramatic improvements in both 
ride comfort and handling. 

See http://www.magneshocks.com/techinfo.htm for a summary on how MR 
fluids work.
 
Many current line auto manufacturers use the MR technology in their high 
performance vehicles, such as the Delphi's MagneRide^(TM) system.  The 
Delphi system incorporates MR fluid to provide real-time optimization of 
suspension damping characteristics. A MR fluid base shock is incredibly 
flexible.  That is why it is used to improve the driving characteristics 
of any vehicle, from high-end sports cars, to sedans and SUVs. 

The technology has been around for awhile and is now used in many late 
model vehicles.  As an example, Delphi's MR shock was first introduced 
in the 2002 model year. Their system now appears on more than a dozen 
models from a wide variety of OEMs, including: 

    * Acura MDX 
    * Audi TT
    * Audi R8
    * Buick Lucerne
    * Cadillac DTS
    * Cadillac SLR
    * Cadillac SRX
    * Cadillac STS
    * Chevrolet Corvette
    * Ferrari 599GTB
    * Holden HSV Commodore


    Some of the MR Technology Advantages are:

_*Unparalleled performance*_. The controllable MR damping technology 
outperforms all existing passive and active suspension systems.

_*Unequaled shock and vibration control*_. MR systems offer unsurpassed 
effectiveness in precise, real-time control of mechanical systems, 
resulting in an unequaled ride experience.  MR-based suspensions are a 
"no-compromise" suspension solution that provides both firm cornering 
and superior isolation from road shocks and vibrations.

_*Fewer moving parts*, *less manufacturing complexity*_. Delphi's 
MagneRide shocks with MR fluid have fewer moving parts than conventional 
controllable shocks --- 60 percent fewer parts than valve-based 
semi-active damper systems.

_*Low power consumption*_. MR suspension systems typically require very 
little power. In the MagneRide system, peak power is 20 watts at each of 
the system's four dampers.

_*Durability-tested and approved*_. MR technology has surpassed all 
automotive durability testing for primary suspension shocks and is 
endorsed by two leading component manufacturers. The durability of this 
technology is further validated by more than five years of production 
and billions of incident-free road miles in Class 8 vehicle seat 
suspensions.

Richard, one thing to keep in mind - Dick Anderson's MagneShock is 
intended for the serious competitor that is looking to gain an edge on 
their competition.  The installation on my Pantera was and is as a test 
vehicle for the shocks.

Dick Koch - Atlanta


Richard Barkley wrote:
> Dick,
> That looks like some pretty amazing technology. But I'm not much 
> interested in the racing applications. What are the benefits on a 
> street driven Pantera? I'd be interested if it could switch the car 
> from a smooth freeway cruiser to an agile GT and back at the flip of a 
> switch. As the roads seem to be getting worse, smoothing out potholes 
> is becoming more important. Also, what state are you left in if the 
> electronics crap out. Could you get home without killing yourself.
> Richard
>
> Dick Koch wrote:
>> For those of you that want to keep abreast of the latest auto 
>> technologies available, you might be interested in the 3rd generation 
>> implementation of the Magneshock which gives the promised increased 
>> user control of important shock variables.
>>
>> Dick Anderson, the inventor and developer of the packaging and user 
>> programmability aspects of the shock, is the friend of mine who , as 
>> you may remember, worked with me to install the Magneshock system in 
>> my 74 Pantera several years ago.
>> See http://home.earthlink.net/~arkoch/images/Shocks/ to view a few 
>> pictures of the shock selection controls, both on the dash and the 
>> steering wheel, and the placement and installation of the shock 
>> computer control unit.  The steering wheel switches allow the driver 
>> to instantaneously change the shock settings from 3 of the 5 user 
>> shock setups saved in the shock computer unit, giving the driver 3 
>> distinct shock setups to match road or track conditions.  The dash 
>> mounted switch that is to the right of the AC fan switch allows the 
>> driver to switch between 1 of 5 user shock setups saved in the shock 
>> computer unit.
>>
>> The installation is extremely simple, with all the components 
>> including the cabling lengths provided based on my specifications.  I 
>> am now getting the latest software installed to take advantage of the 
>> increased programmability of the shock attributes.
>> As you will see from the information on the Magneshock web site 
>> <http://www.magneshocks.com/index.htm> this shock system provides an 
>> industry unique solution for adapting a shock profile to a vehicle's 
>> intended purpose.
>> The following attributes describe some of the attributes that make 
>> the MagneShock system the best solution for the serious road, oval or 
>> drag racer:
>>
>> * The MagneShock^(TM) is an "intelligent Computer Controlled 
>> ULTRA-adjustable" shock absorber (damper) system.
>> * It is MUCH MORE than any double, triple or even six-way adjustable 
>> shock! It allows you to actually "tailor" the shape of the 
>> Force-Velocity curve -- by merely inputting the damping you want at 
>> five (5) different velocities.
>> * You can set the ENTIRE damping curve on one or ALL 4 SHOCKS 
>> simultaneously to settings YOU determine. And, you can save it all as 
>> a "SETUP".
>> * You can save up to five (5) SETUPs. And, call any of these SETUPs 
>> up with a Remote-Switch, instantly changing ALL 4 shocks to the 
>> settings you previously determined, whenever you like.
>> * It has UNIQUE "damping bump-stops" for both Rebound & Compression - 
>> you can program the points, near the limits of travel, where the 
>> damping force will increase to FULL-STIFF to help prevent 
>> Bottoming-out & Topping-out.
>>
>> There are many functions that are available to a user to "program" 
>> the shock.  Click on the following for s summary of the functions 
>> available for different uses:
>>
>> Road Racing 
>> <http://www.magneshocks.com/Documents/3rdGenSPECSMagneShocksOvalRoadrace112409.pdf> 
>>
>> Oval and Circle Track Racing 
>> <http://www.magneshocks.com/Documents/3rdGenSPECSMagneShocksOvalRoadrace112409.pdf> 
>>
>> Drag Racing 
>> <http://www.magneshocks.com/Documents/3rdGenSPECSMagneShocksDRAGRACE112409.pdf> 
>>
>>
>> As you will note from these functional summaries, there are new 
>> functions implemented, through both software and hardware, that can 
>> give the serious racer an edge over his competition.
>>
>> If you have the desire to test the boundaries of leading edge 
>> performance solutions, the Magneshock system may be the next logical 
>> step you might take in that direction.
>>
>> Dick Koch
>> Atlanta, Georgia
>>
>>
>> </div>
>

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