Momentum management in a wheel such as a traction wheel under a changing load
OwnerRussell John Kalilinventor
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Abstract
A wheel, such as a traction wheel, with a momentum enhancing apparatus. The momentum enhancing apparatus may selectively enhance the wheel's ability to maintain its angular velocity at relatively high speeds, while having a reduced effect on the angular velocity of the wheel at relatively slow speeds. The momentum enhancing apparatus may include one or more bodies that either translate radially between the hub and the rim of the wheel to change the mass moment of inertia of the wheel, or rotate with the wheel and transfer the momentum of the bodies to the wheel under increasing loads. Methods of using such apparati and vehicles equipped with such apparati are also enclosed.
Claims40
A wheel adapted to provide locomotive traction with a surface, said wheel including means for enhancing the mass moment of inertia of said wheel when said wheel is rotating.
A traction wheel having a variable mass moment of inertia, said wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation, said wheel including.
- a peripheral portion radially separated from the axis of rotation, said peripheral portion adapted to contact a surface;
- at least one radially translatable body having a center of mass radially disposed between the peripheral portion and the axis of rotation, and
- means for radially translating the center of said at least one body's mass with respect to the axis of rotation.
A traction wheel having a variable mass moment of inertia, the traction wheel including:
- wheel components including a body;
- and
- means for changing the angular velocity of said body relative to the angular velocity of other components of said wheel.
A wheeled vehicle adapted to travel over a surface, said vehicle including:
- at least one wheel adapted to provide locomotive traction with said surface, said at least one wheel including means for changing the moment of inertia of said at least one wheel when said vehicle is traveling.
A motor-driven wheel capable of rotating at different angular velocities, said wheel including means for selectively, controllably changing the moment of inertia of said wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.