A video that has been doing rounds over the internet has brought enthusiasts and critiques under angst. The video showcases a Citroen Ds running on three wheels. The Video has irked a profound discussion amongst the users, here’s an in-depth comparison of the same-
To help our users get a good knowledge of the system that allows the vehicle to attain such a feat here is an in Depth look at the innovation that led to such novel features.
Hydropneumatic Suspension
This is a ingenious suspension system that allows cars to have a setup that is highly effective to allow the vehicle to adapt to different terrains with ease. The Hydropneumatic Suspension offers superior ride quality on a variety on surfaces. The system uses the amalgam of both hydraulic Systems as well as pneumatic systems so that the gas absorbs excessive force. The suspension is able to easily modulate as per the weight that is being carried inside the car as well. The Suspension includes both Self Leveling and driver variable ride height to help the vehicle clear off any impediments and rough terrain with ease.
The innovation behind this kind of suspension was the presence of such equipment’s in the landing gar of aircrafts. These suspensions were filled with oil and lubrication to prevent gas leaks.
How is The Citroen DS Able To Drive On Three Wheels
The suspension has a connected network of ancillaries that are connected to a engine driven pump. The pump and the connected system allows the vehicle to have the capabilities to manage the ride height and suspension preload as per the weight being carried inside the vehicle. So when a tire is missing the weight of the vehicle is easily handled by the remaining suspension linkages that come under stress with a missing wheel.
These kind of suspensions were further used in industrial applications and on certain tanks such as the Challenger 2. A few other brands that used the system under license and different name were Maserati, Mercedes and British Leyland.
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