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US 6,883,399 B2Granted
Variable inertia flywheel
AssigneePerkins Engines Company Limited
InventorOliver W. J. Burstall
Life of this patent
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AssigneePerkins Engines Company Limited
InventorOliver W. J. Burstall
Estimating the term…
Variable inertia flywheels are used in power generation apparatus to quickly release stored kinetic energy to meet transient power load demands. Such flywheels typically vary inertia by using either interconnected multiple flywheels having different inertia or by mechanically moving a mass connected with the flywheel radially with respect to the axis of rotation. A variable inertia flywheel according to the present invention comprises a body and a number of fluid movement devices disposed at equal angular intervals about the rotational axis of the body. Each device comprises at least first and second chambers axially aligned in a substantially radial direction and adapted to contain an electrolytic fluid. The first and second chambers are interconnected by a channel that permits transfer of the fluid between the chambers. The movement of the fluid between the chambers is facilitated by an electromagnetic pump.
A variable inertia flywheel comprising a body and a plurality of fluid movement devices disposed about the axis of rotation of the body, each of the devices comprising:
A method of varying the inertia of a flywheel comprising applying an electric field to an electrolytic fluid to move said fluid from a first chamber provided in said flywheel to a second chamber provided in said flywheel, the first chamber being radially spaced from said second chamber.
A method of generating electrical power in a power generation apparatus comprising a control system, a generator driving device, a variable inertia flywheel, and a generator, the method comprising the steps of:
A method of generating electrical power in a power generation apparatus comprising a control system, a generator driving device, a variable inertia flywheel, and a generator, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.