Fluidic variable inertia flywheel and flywheel accumulator system
AssigneeWorcester Polytechnic Institute
InventorJames D. Van de Ven
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel that can maintain a constant angular velocity is disclosed. The flywheel uses a movable member to separate a liquid filled chamber from a gas occupying chamber. In one embodiment, a self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel includes a container having an internal volume and a movable member disposed within the container such that the internal volume is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber containing a fluid. The movable member is responsive to changes in angular velocity of the fluid.
Claims17
A self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel, comprising:
- a container having an internal volume;
- a movable member disposed within the container such that the internal volume is separated into a first chamber and a second chamber for containing a fluid, and
- the movable member responsive to changes in angular velocity of the fluid.
A self-governing fluidic variable inertia flywheel, comprising:
- a container having an internal volume;
- a movable member disposed within the container that separates the internal volume into a first chamber comprising a gas applying a first force on a first side of the movable member exposed to the first chamber, and a second chamber comprising a fluid applying a second force on a second side of the movable member;
- and
- a fluid port coupled to the second chamber for allowing the fluid to flow between the second chamber and a fluid reservoir tank.
A method for maintaining constant angular velocity of fluid within a flywheel assembly, comprising:
- adjusting an angular velocity of the flywheel assembly comprising a container having a first chamber containing gas and a second chamber containing fluid, the second chamber separated from the first chamber by a movable member disposed within the container;
- and
- passively adjusting a position of the movable member towards the first chamber when the angular velocity of the flywheel assembly increases;
- and
- passively adjusting a position of the movable member towards the second chamber when the angular velocity of the flywheel assembly decreases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.