—”1. Air springs are very inefficient, though. Absorb energy.”
Not my line of work, just asking.
If the air spring is not leaking and adding pumping losses, where is the efficiency lost?
“If the air spring is not leaking and adding pumping losses, where is the efficiency lost?”
Heat. Compressing air raises its temperature, the heat flows out and is lost energy. During expansion, it absorbs heat. Flowing heat is energy transfer. So where does the energy come from to heat the expanded air. Etc. It’s why running an engine via compressed air is not cost effective. Compressing it loses energy, expansion is inefficient, too.
ButI want to see what my bud says. I’m not a thermo expert.
I email pinged a buddy of mine, a thermo guy, to get his comments.