RELAZ Devices

Abstract

The biggest energy resource on our world is the sun. Its energy is conserved literally everywhere, for example on wind or in wood. In this paper, we deal with one of the less known sun energy form. This new alternative and renewable energy resource was called “mountain energy”, because it is kept by trees growing in mountain ranges. The new energetic subsystem concept was designed to use this energy for empowering machines. Devices created in relation to this new conception was called “RELAZ devices” (Recuperative Cable Devices). Technical description of these hybrid devices is in the second focus part of this paper. RELAZ devices were initially designed for foresters working in mountain ranges. Principles used in RELAZ devices construction allows us to use them in working machines with combustion engines in common. RELAZ devices are hybrid devices. They are equipped with an internal combustion engine that only serves to charge a powerful energy battery. The charging process is carried out at the nominal speed of the internal combustion engine, which allows to reduce fuel consumption by 3-4 times. Therefore, RELAZ devices can be used profitably not only in mountainous areas, but also on the plain. The optimal mode of operation of RELAZ devices , which has a wider range than the classic machines, has been found. The specific energy of the RELAZ devices are less than that of the classic machines. It has been found that the use of a RELAZ cable car on the W30 forest cable car produced in Switzerland can save 780 litres per year of diesel fuel, which is 64 % of the savings. The results confirm the prospects and competitiveness of the RELAZ devices.