If the BriTek wheel is constructed from elastic membranes, such as for example
aluminum membranes, then the BriTek wheel can operate as a fully elastic system and
return all deformational energy without hysteresis loss. This would give the BriTek
wheel a potential energy saving advantage over pneumatic tires.
In the rail industry, the forces resisting forward motion are described by the Davis
formula which is of the form:
Rf = k1 + k2 v + k3 v2
for constant velocity on a flat surface. There are additional terms for acceleration,
grades and curves. Here Rf is the total resistive force and v is the velocity.
The first term is independent of velocity and is associated with losses between
wheel and surface, bearings, wheel deformational losses.