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.
Claims10
A fluidic variable inertia flywheel, comprising:
- a container having an internal volume;
- a shaft for rotating the container about a longitudinal axis of rotation;
- 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 liquid applying a second force on a second side of the movable member;
- and
- the movable member moves along the longitudinal axis of rotation of the container;
- a port coupled to the second chamber for allowing the liquid to flow between the second chamber and a liquid 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 a liquid, the second chamber separated from the first chamber by a movable member disposed within the container;
- rotating the first and second chambers about a longitudinal axis of rotation;
- passively adjusting a position of the movable member for movement along the longitudinal axis of rotation towards the first chamber when the angular velocity of the flywheel assembly increases;
- and
- passively adjusting a position of the movable member along the longitudinal axis of rotation towards the second chamber when the angular velocity of the flywheel assembly decreases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.