What could this be? Electric shocks?

[Pine]

Seen on both of the rear shocks of the Bay wreck today, at first I thought it was some hydraulics, but on closer inspection it looked like an electrical wire. What could it be?

[Chris]

Magnetic shocks?

[Pine]

Magnetic shocks?

Hmmmm....never thought of that, but then again, never hear of that too! So when the engine is not running - no shocks, right?

[Chris]

You still have shocks,only when you flip the switch,the shocks are stiffer.

[Pine]

OK, thanks! Never too old to learn

[karmakoma]

Same thing as Magnetic adaptive damping as used on some Audi's. Porsche's etc. When you need a smooth, comfortable ride,no current is applied, and the shock work like a normal shock, when you apply a electrical current, thousands of tiny magnetically charged particles in the shock align to increase the oil viscosity, giving you a stiffer ie, sportier ride. This is an overly simplified explanation but gives you some idea.

If that is what is on that Bus, I would be very impressed. Perhaps someone thought it would look interesting when they took the bus to a show ?

[Pine]

Hi Karma, thanks! I've heard of that before, but thought it is only recent technology? I doubt whether that Bus has ever seen any shows though...

[Bugger]

Are you sure it is wires and not thin pipes you used to get what they called Hi jacker shocks and then when you tow just pump the shocks stiffer allthough that seems like wire plugs comming out there

[karmakoma]

Found this in wikipedia just now:
Military and commercial helicopters utilize magnetorheological dampers in cockpit seats as safety devices in the event of a crash. This decreases the shock delivered to each passenger's spinal column thereby decreasing the rate of permanent injury during a crash.


[edit] Human Prosthetics
Magnetorheological dampers are utilized in semi-active human prosthetic legs. Much like those used in military and commercial helicopters, a damper in the prosthetic leg decreases the shock delivered to the patients leg when jumping, for example. This results in an increased mobility and agility for the patient.

Full article on this amazing fluid: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetorheological_fluid

[IMPI]

Those are Gabriel High jackers Pine