Kinetic energy storage device
OwnerJames T. Gramling, James Cornell Martininventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A kinetic energy storage device includes first and second counter-rotating variable flywheels coupled to a differential. A control mechanism coupled to both flywheels allows the moment of inertia of each flywheel to be adjusted so that the flywheels, differentia, and control mechanism operate as a true infinitely variable transmission. The differential includes an output to allow kinetic energy to be extracted from and added to the device. The counter-rotating flywheels provide stability and controllability making the device suitable for use with short duty-cycle vehicle motivation. Also disclosed is a vehicle drive train configured to be driven by said kinetic energy storage device and a fixture for providing initial kinetic energy to the device.
Claims30
A kinetic energy storage device, comprising:
- first and second flywheels, wherein said first flywheel rotates in a first direction and wherein said second flywheel rotates in a second, counter direction, said first and second flywheels each comprising at least one movable fly-weight operable to vary a moment of inertia of the associated flywheel;
- a differential coupled to said first and second flywheels, said differential operable to transfer kinetic energy to and from said flywheels;
- a control mechanism operable to adjust said moveable flyweights simultaneously to vary a moment of inertia of each of said flywheels;
- wherein each of said flywheels includes a movable linkage extending between a control hub and said flyweight, and wherein said control hub is attached to said control rod such that moving said control rod operates said movable linkage to extend or retract said fly-weight away from or towards an axis of rotation of said flywheel.
A kinetic energy storage device, comprising:
- first and second flywheels, wherein said first flywheel rotates in a first direction and said second flywheel rotates in a second, counter direction, said first and second flywheel each including at least one movable fly-weight operable to vary a moment of inertia of the associated flywheel;
- a differential coupled to said first and second flywheels, said differential operable to transmit kinetic energy to and from each of said flywheels;
- a control mechanism operable to adjust said movable flywheels simultaneously so as to command kinetic energy transfer from said flywheels such that said flywheels, differential and control mechanism operate as an infinitely variable transmission;
- and
- wherein each of said flywheels includes a movable linkage extending between a control hub and said flyweight, and wherein said control hub is attached to a control rod such that moving said control rod operates said movable linkage to extend or retract said fly-weight away from or towards an axis of rotation of said flywheel.
A kinetic energy storage device, comprising:
- first and second counter-rotating variable inertia flywheels, wherein said first and second flywheels each comprise at least one movable fly-weight and a control mechanism operable to move said fly-weight so as to vary a moment of inertia of the associated flywheel;
- wherein said control mechanism is operable to adjust said movable flyweights simultaneously;
- a differential coupled to said first and second flywheels, operable to transfer kinetic energy to and from said flywheels;
- and
- a command device coupled to said first and second control mechanisms and operable to vary the moments of inertia of each of said flywheels;
- and
- wherein each of said flywheels includes a movable linkage extending between a control hub and said flyweight, and wherein said control hub is attached to said control rod such that moving said control rod operates said movable linkage to extend or retract said fly-weight away from or towards an axis of rotation of said flywheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.