Active imaginations

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Kirby Smith writes:

Scott asked:

>>Davey, please do tell us the difference between an active damper and an 
>>active suspension.  Is there any?  I argue an active damper, makes for an 
>>active suspension.  Please do take this opportunity to correct my thinking 
>>here.  How else would one make an active suspension?

>Well, theoretically, at least, one need only provide a force actuator, no
>physical spring or damper.  A computer would calculate the force to be
>applied dynamically such that the natural frequencies (poles) appeared to be
>wherever one wanted them to be.  Further, the pole positions could be
>dynamically varied.  Thus, I would assert that while an active damper makes
>for an active suspension, its not the only way to do so.

You are way ahead of your time sir.  Even in the context of the discussion of 
WRC rallye cars.  My question still remains in the context of the discussion, 
and the reality of today.  Your theories, by definition, are beyond "state of 
the art" to the seemingly bottomless riches of the competing works WRC 
budgets.  

Consider the documentation this year at Acropolis and Argentina, several 
special stages reveal the heat of battle in the WRC wars.  With all cars 
running in top form, we can see the equality within the special stages, 1.5 
seconds between 1st and 10th position (Acropolis), 5.5 seconds between 1st 
and 10th position (Argentina), even Dave E's faterlund rallye showed the most 
impressive, the top 6 were only 1.3 seconds apart when all cars raced a SS in 
top form.  No wonder the teams are looking for something new.  Top guns 
piloting top gun fighters, WRC is a tough game to really win (impossible to 
dominate) when all you have is luck and service to improve on.  

The consistent domination of the marque audi enjoyed has long since gone to 
the history books.  Your theoretical proposal is a ways away if the active 
damper hasn't been mastered, or even applied.  When and if the Works boys do 
get to your theory, make no doubt Kirby, all will have, and the top guns will 
have only raised the sights collectively regarding ordinance.  

My question of today remains unanswered in context, your vivid imagination so 
noted.

:)

Scott Justusson