Title: Recovery of potential energy in the lifting system of a battery electric catering lift truck

Authors: Lamyaa Wdaah; Steffen Müller

Addresses: Department of Automotive Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany ' Department of Automotive Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany

Abstract: Following the principle of energy conservation, this investigation aims to reduce consumption and enhance the energy efficiency of the lifting system of a battery electric catering lift truck through the recovery of potential energy. During operation, the truck elevates the catering container to the door height of the aircraft being serviced. When the container is lowered, its potential gravitational energy is released as heat, thus becoming unavailable to the system. The feasibility of recovering this energy is analysed in two different configurations of the lifting system; the first represents the current system consisting of a hydraulic circuit driven by the truck's main electric motor, while an alternative configuration suggests the use of a mechanical helical band actuator in place of the hydraulic circuit, powered by its own electric motor. Using Matlab/Simulink, both system configurations are simulated and evaluated for energy efficiency and energy saving for various load speeds and weights.

Keywords: potential energy recovery; energy efficiency; energy saving; hydraulics; electro-mechanical actuator; lifting system; catering lift truck.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPT.2025.151030

International Journal of Powertrains, 2025 Vol.14 No.4, pp.365 - 381

Received: 17 Jun 2024
Accepted: 30 Dec 2024
Published online: 09 Jan 2026 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article