Mathematical Analysis of an Ideal ZED

[MarkE]

The equation for energy in an individual column of water is shown at the bottom of this graphic.  It covers the general case of a column of water that is elevated as well as the more specific case of a column that always rests at the system zero. 

[MarkE]

   I don't know if the Citroen BX ever made it to your part of the world.
      I used to run one and it was one of the smoothest running vehicles
   I've ever known.
      The system used spheres with diaphragms and I think it was compressed
    nitrogen. Over time the gas escaped and re-con spheres were needed.
     Unfortunately the steel oil lines were prone to rust out and it rather
     spoiled a very good car.
                    John.

No, I never saw one.  Fancy suspensions use variable rate springs and dampers.  The really fancy ones use electronically variable components.  Bose, the audio component company developed an actively suspended driver's seat for long haul truckers.  I don't know if it ever made it to market.

[mondrasek]

   I don't know if the Citroen BX ever made it to your part of the world.
      I used to run one and it was one of the smoothest running vehicles
   I've ever known.
      The system used spheres with diaphragms and I think it was compressed
    nitrogen. Over time the gas escaped and re-con spheres were needed.
     Unfortunately the steel oil lines were prone to rust out and it rather
     spoiled a very good car.
                    John.

Early CVTs had Engineering issues that gave that technology a bad rep initially, AFAIKO.  But further Engineering and Materials advancements have solved most of those issues.  And so today, a properly Engineered CVT that is mated via an equally well Engineered Control System (computer algorithms) to a similarly well Engineered and controlled Engine results in a highly efficient and smooth "ride."

Engineering (the practical application of Physics) rules!

[MarkE]

Early CVTs had Engineering issues that gave that technology a bad rep initially, AFAIKO.  But further Engineering and Materials advancements have solved most of those issues.  And so today, a properly Engineered CVT that is mated via an equally well Engineered Control System (computer algorithms) to a similarly well Engineered and controlled Engine results in a highly efficient and smooth "ride."

Engineering (the practical application of Physics) rules!

While all of that is basically true, I don't think Minnie was talking about  a CVT.  I think he was talking only about the suspension.  A quick check on that car does not indicate that it was ever offered with a CVT.

[orbut 3000]

Mercedes-Benz used a hydro-pneumatic suspension system in their W220 (S-Class) cars, and in earlier models too.