Quote:
Originally Posted by lucid
What exactly is the value of a progressive spring for a vehicle that will need to support a fairly constant mass? If the total m of the system is pretty much a constant, a spring with non-linear k should not provide any noticable benefit. One should be able to control the velocity dependent response characteristics of the suspension system with the damping ratio, which is F=-cv. Also, I believe the Corvette has a variable damping suspension system, which should allow for even futher control of the response characteristics of the suspension.
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Springs do not support constant mass. Technically, they do support constant mass, but not constant weight. Weight=force. People often use weight and mass interchangeably, which is ok, but in physics there is a clear delineation because weight takes into account gravity. Nit picking...anway. If you assume frictionless, even road, then yes. Real world ...definitely not. If you are in a curve do you think your springs are experiencing the same force as on the straight?
Damping and springs are two separate things. I believe vette on one of the packages (and caddy as well) have MR fluid suspension which can vary damping and rebound.