I came across a thread which reminded me of regenerative braking. Not sure how much this relates with UAVs, but it's a fair topic to review.
In my mind, mechanically storing momentive energy when braking is practically most efficient as one conversion is required with few direct losses, whereas adding electrical conversion is less kinetically direct (Momentum > Mechanical > Electrical > Mech > Force).
Also, attaining maximum energy requires that kinetic momentum be converted to potential mechanical energy instantaneously (t = 0). Obviously, that is impossible in practice, though the objective is to convert, or "brake", as immediate as possible. The longer the unconverted kinetic energy is not converted to potential energy, the more the kinetic energy is logarithmically dissipated rather that absorbed or contained into the system. And vice-versa on the polars. I bring this up because pulse braking over a period of time, disregarding drastic operational losses, would only prolong overall kinetic energy dissipation time.
A flywheel is simply a secondary redistribution of kinetic energy and serves useless in kinetic energy volatile environment. Perfectly effective in space since there is no atmosphere.
Electrical storage of potential energy is perhaps a good method for the reason that it can 'skip' the mechanical conversion step. Capacitive and inductive efficiency becomes the core of potential energy reductions.
Regarding transportation, I would invest in how to avert the stop light as stopping and starting from faster velocities between an overall displacement of destinations is unwanted. I don't think that's going to happen with ground-bound vehicles, so we might as well get on with socially accepting flight as No.1!
What does everyone think about this issue. It's certainly important among increased-efficiency-minded ones. Is there one definitive way of approaching this to reasonably effective standards? I know when I'm on the highway exiting to the feeder toward the intersection that I don't decelerate at 30M.P.H. per second.
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It's a great idea: in flight it must be called regenerative soaring - and used to convert thermals into stored energy.
The challenge I believe is redesigning the ESC so it can achieve this modality.