Power Generating-type Flywheel Patents (Class 74/572.1)
  • Patent number: 11666797
    Abstract: A drag gain structure for the gravity wheel of fitness equipment includes an eccentric driving member disposed on the first side of the gravity wheel, which includes inner and outer side plate sections, and an interconnecting piece. The interconnecting piece is rotationally coupled to at least one of the plate sections. One end of outer side plate section is fitted over and fixed to the shaft, and one end of inner side plate section is connected to an eccentric position of gravity wheel through the first bias joint pin. A bearing pedestal is disposed on the second side of the gravity wheel, including a bearing screwed on the shaft, a pedestal shell fitted over the bearing and a radial protruding plate on the periphery of pedestal shell. The protruding end of the radial protruding plate is connected to an eccentric position of gravity wheel through the second bias joint pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Yung-Sung Yeh
  • Patent number: 10794699
    Abstract: A gyrostabiliser having a vacuum chamber assembly is disclosed. The gyrostabilizer can have a flywheel enclosed within a vacuum chamber formed by a housing. The flywheel shaft can be fixed to or integral with the flywheel and located relative to the housing by upper and lower spin bearings which permit rotation of the flywheel about the spin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: VEEM Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Miocevich, Michael Andrewartha
  • Patent number: 9863498
    Abstract: An outboard engine has a cowling defining an engine compartment and an outlet fluidly communicating therewith. An engine housed in the engine compartment includes an engine block and an output shaft defining an output shaft axis, an axial direction, a radial direction and a circumferential direction. An outer end thereof extends outside the engine block. A flywheel mounted thereto rotates therewith. A cover fixed with respect to the engine block defines a chamber housing the flywheel disposed axially between the engine block and the cover, and radially between the output shaft and the cover. The cover includes a channel member defining a channel between a first end and a second end fluidly communicating with the outlet. The channel member defines a cross-sectional area of the channel. A circumferentially-extending portion of the channel is continuous with the chamber and has a cross-sectional area increasing towards the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: BRP US INC.
    Inventors: Paul Westhoff, Jr., John Charles Scott, Dale Wiegele, Jonathan Servais
  • Patent number: 9303721
    Abstract: A high speed flywheel system, including a flywheel mounted on a shaft, the flywheel being located within an evacuated chamber within a housing, wherein the chamber is sealed by seals including a cavity containing sealing fluid, wherein the seal cavity can be topped up with sealing fluid from a reservoir, the reservoir having an aperture open to the atmosphere for pressure equalization, the flywheel housing being mounted on the shaft via a bearing arrangement including at least one bearing situated externally to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: FLYBRID AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Early, Jonathan James Robert Hilton, Douglas Isaac Lascelles Cross
  • Patent number: 9273755
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a flywheel for energy storage, specifically a method for finely balancing the flywheel during manufacture, the method being especially useful in conjunction with flywheels having a composite construction, and the method also being suitable for simultaneously proving the structural integrity of the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ricardo UK Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Atkins
  • Patent number: 8925666
    Abstract: A flywheel module has a closed housing with an opening, and an output which is formed by an output shaft that extends outward through the opening. A sealing ring is present between the output shaft and the boundary wall of the opening. A flywheel is accommodated in the housing, which flywheel is connected via a clutch to a first gear of a transmission whose other gear is connected to a first portion of a centrifugal disengaging clutch of which the other portion is connected to the output shaft. With this it be avoided that the flywheel starts to run at too high a speed, which guarantees the safety of the flywheel module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: DTI Group, BV
    Inventors: Roƫll Marie VanDruten, Alexander Franciscus Anita Serrarens, Bas Gerard Vroemen
  • Patent number: 8919170
    Abstract: A pot-shaped housing part, especially for a hub part of a hybrid drive. The housing part has a bottom and a wall extending axially away from the bottom, and an outer face of the wall extending at least approximately up to an outer face of the bottom, which outer face of the bottom faces away from a free edge of the wall. The wall and the bottom are configured as one piece. The outer face of the wall also has a projecting portion that projects axially beyond the outer face of the bottom and is produced from material of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Progress-Werk Oberkirch AG
    Inventors: Herbert Haas, Uwe Nestlen
  • Publication number: 20140298951
    Abstract: Back in the nineteen seventies with the energy crisis. I thought There has to be other sources of energy in the world so I started to experiment with magnets and designed a magnetic generator, but the more I experiment with it I discovered that the earths magnetic field could interfere and also when a magnet gets hot it stopped being a magnet. So as time went on my Attion directed me to gravity. but the energy needed to pick Something up to drop it would be the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Foore
  • Patent number: 8853977
    Abstract: A mechanical energy accumulator, suitable for being mounted in a vehicle has a spherical housing with three pairs of flywheel assemblies mounted therein. Each of the pair of flywheel assemblies is rotatable in opposite directions about a respective axis. Each of the axes are perpendicular to one another. At least one permanent magnet motor is mounted within the flywheel assemblies. Each of the flywheels of the flywheel assemblies has a double conical flywheel base, a motor-generator suitable for driving the double conical flywheel base, and a flywheel lid covering the motor-generator. The mechanical energy accumulator may be mounted in a shell having an expansion member. The mechanical energy accumulator has a strong side and a weak side due to varying retention strength of windings therearound so as to create a controlled burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Mario H. Gottfried
  • Publication number: 20140196567
    Abstract: The John Device has the ability to use relatively non-oscillating and linear forces, such as the forces of gravity and its' associated force of buoyancy, permanent and/or electro-magnetism and their forces of attraction and repulsion, and acceleration and its' associated force of deceleration, alone or in combinations, as a motive force to produce useful torque which may then be used for any work requiring torque, and therefore may also be used to generate electricity for any device or machine or system which requires electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: David Woodrow John
  • Publication number: 20140007737
    Abstract: A power auxiliary device includes a rotor having a pivot which is connected with a power device. The rotor has multiple slots and each slot receives a certain amount of liquid therein and the liquid freely flows in the slot. When the rotor rotates, the liquid flows in the slots and generates inertia and torque differences to assist the rotor to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Shih-Hang Chou, Jyun-Sih Wang
  • Publication number: 20130192915
    Abstract: A flywheel energy storage assembly and a method for dissipating energy stored in a flywheel assembly is provided. The flywheel energy storage assembly includes a flywheel rotatably disposed in a flywheel housing, a fluid source, a braking actuator in fluid communication with the fluid source and an interior of the flywheel housing, a sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the braking actuator. In response to a stimulus detected by the sensor, the controller directs the braking actuator to facilitate fluid communication between the fluid source and the interior of the flywheel housing to dissipate energy stored in the flywheel energy storage assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Spicer Off-Highway Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Mark R.J. Versteyhe, Steven J. Wesolowski, Donald J. Remboski, Timothy J. Morscheck
  • Publication number: 20130192413
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline and a method for transferring energy from a flywheel is provided. The vehicle driveline includes a power source, a clutch drivingly engaged with the power source, a transmission drivingly engaged with the clutch, a power transmission device drivingly engaged with one of the power source, the clutch, and the transmission, a controller in communication with the power transmission device, and a flywheel drivingly engaged with the power transmission device. The power transmission device facilitates a transfer of energy from the flywheel to one of the clutch and the transmission. The power transmission device also facilitates a transfer of energy from one of the power source, the clutch, and the transmission to the flywheel. The controller directs the transfer of energy to and from the flywheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Spicer Off-Highway Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Mark R.J. Versteyhe, Steven J. Wesolowski, Donald J. Remboski, Timothy J. Morscheck
  • Publication number: 20130112037
    Abstract: A flying device is provided, including a disk configured to rotate around its axis, a ring in parallel with the disk, multiple loads coupled to the disk and the ring, multiple first pivots circularly arranged in the peripheral region of the disk and respectively coupled to the multiple loads, and multiple second pivots circularly arranged in the ring and respectively coupled to the multiple loads. The ring is positioned in parallel with the disk with a shift relative to the disk to follow the rotation of the disk through the loads, while keeping the position with respect to the disk. The rotation of the disk generates a centrifugal force biased in the direction of the shift, providing a force to move toward a direction determined by the shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Minoru Oyama
  • Publication number: 20130015825
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flywheel apparatus for use as an energy storage system, the apparatus comprising: a housing unit having a base; a flywheel assembly mounted within the housing unit, the assembly comprising a flywheel supported by a rotatable axle arranged to enable rotation of the assembly within the housing, the axle defining an axis of rotation; stabilising means located within the housing unit arranged to stabilise rotation of the flywheel assembly about the rotation axis; and levitation means arranged to levitate the flywheel assembly above the base of the housing unit, in order to create a clearance between the flywheel assembly and the base of the housing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: THE CITY UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Keith Pullen
  • Publication number: 20120299424
    Abstract: A transmission shaft is disposed between a driving device and at least one driven device. At least one centrifugal device is disposed on the transmission shaft. The centrifugal device generates a centrifugal force and applies an inertia affect formed by the centrifugal force to the transmission shaft, so as to drive the transmission shaft to rotate. Energy generated by the driven device is greater than energy consumed when the driving device drives the driven device, thereby effectively reducing the consumption of earth resources and effectively solving a problem of earth environmental protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: SHEN YANG TECHNOLOGIES ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Yen TSAI, Wen-Lon CHENG, Chiu-Rong FAN, Tien CHUANG
  • Patent number: 8240231
    Abstract: An energy storage device including at least one shaft member, at least a pair of flywheels including a first flywheel and a second flywheel larger than the first flywheel, each flywheel associated with the at least one shaft member, a clutch assembly associated with each of the flywheels, at least one low power input device, and a power take off means associated with the second flywheel, wherein the first flywheel is rotated using a low power input device and is accelerated to a predetermined rotational velocity whereupon the clutch assembly engages to connect the first and second flywheels allowing inertial and kinetic energy to transfer between the flywheels to accelerate the second flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: James Kwok
  • Patent number: 8212442
    Abstract: The Harmonic Accumulation and Relative Transference of Kinetic Energy method does not transmit, but rather, transfers torque/energy from a power source to a driven system of higher rotational speed through the use of an oscillating flywheel and a potential energy storage device, for example, a torsion spring The power source adds energy to the oscillating flywheel by applying an impulse torque to the flywheel just as the flywheel begins to start rotating, and then transfers that energy to the driven system when the flywheel's speed (which may be its highest rotational speed) matches that of the driven system's rotational speed and direction. Thus, the energy is transferred when the flywheel and the driven system are at 0 rpm ā€œrelativeā€ to each other. Accordingly, the impulse torques may be applied using principles of electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Wayne Paul Bishop
  • Publication number: 20120096984
    Abstract: A flywheel system has damped gimbal system suspending a motor generator which is in turn linked by means of any number of flexible couplings and rigid shafts to a flywheel rotor system so as to provide safe passive stability to the highly energized spinning rotor system and high torque transmitting capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Bill Gray
  • Patent number: 8148935
    Abstract: A machine has a basic body and a machine element. The machine element can be moved relative to the basic body by an electric working drive which is connected to an electric supply system via a working converter. An electric buffer drive is connected to the electric supply system via a buffer converter. The working converter and the buffer converter are controlled by a control device in line with a predetermined travel movement of the machine element in a coordinated manner. The coordination is such that a total load on the supply system by both converters together during the total travel movement of the machine element remains below a maximum load prompted by the working converter alone. The buffer drive has a drive shaft which has no flywheel connected to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: JĆ¼rgen Decker
  • Publication number: 20120060643
    Abstract: Energy storage devices for storing energy are provided. An energy storage device includes a flywheel disposed in a chamber of a journal. A gas bearing is formed between an outer face of the flywheel and an inner face of the journal. The gas bearing exerts a compressive force on the flywheel, which allows for higher rotational velocities and higher energy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 8093773
    Abstract: A motor for a treadmill, containing at least a housing (1), a stator (2), a rotor (3) having a rotating shaft (4), a front end cover (9), a rear end cover (5), and a flywheel (13). The front end cover (9) and the rear end cover (5) are disposed on both ends of the housing (1), respectively. The stator (2) and the rotor (3) are disposed in the housing (1). A front end of the rotating shaft (4) extends from the housing (1). The flywheel (13) is disposed on the front end of the rotating shaft (4). The rotating shaft (4) is connected to the flywheel (13) via key (14). A sleeve (12) is fit on the front end of the rotating shaft (4). The sleeve (12) abuts against the flywheel (13). A locking device is disposed at the end of the rotating shaft (4) and tightly fixes the flywheel (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui Hu
  • Patent number: 8074534
    Abstract: A flywheel includes a hub portion concentrically defined around a center of the flywheel. A body portion located peripherally around the hub portion has a driver-side face and a driven-side face. A plurality of passageways in the body portion extend through the flywheel and fluidly connect the driver-side face with the driven-side face. Each of the plurality of passageways is adapted to receive a flow of lubricant spilling onto the driver-side of the body portion when the flywheel is rotating, and to expel lubricant out of the driven-side face of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Satish Savant, David Fee, Bradford Kough, Jonathan Baumann, Perry Cruce, Matthew Dames
  • Publication number: 20110271790
    Abstract: A flywheel module has a flywheel as well as a speed transforming device which has a first in/output which is connected to the flywheel, and a second in/output which is coupled to a drive line of a vehicle. The speed transforming device has a bypass speed transforming device and a motor and/or generator. Energy can then be exchanged with the flywheel by suitably controlling the motor and/or generator. As a result of the delivery of a negative torque by the motor and/or generator, the flywheel accelerates and because of the delivery of a positive torque by the motor and/or generator the flywheel decelerates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Roell Marie Van Druten, Bas Gerard Vroemen, Alexander Franciscus Anita Serrarens
  • Patent number: 8047175
    Abstract: A two-plane type crankshaft is provided. The weight of crank webs for the respective cylinders is divided between left and right half webs and balance ratios kL and kR of the half webs for the respective cylinders are set so as to be (kL?0.25)Ā·(0.25?kR)?DR/DL to form a track of a vector of a primary inertial couple into a substantial circle. A primary balancer offsets the primary inertia couple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kengo Nishi, Masao Furusawa
  • Publication number: 20110232415
    Abstract: A high speed flywheel system, including a flywheel mounted on a shaft, the flywheel being located within an evacuated chamber within a housing, wherein the chamber is sealed by seals including a cavity containing sealing fluid, wherein the seal cavity can be topped up with sealing fluid from a reservoir, the reservoir having an aperture open to the atmosphere for pressure equalization, the flywheel housing being mounted on the shaft via a bearing arrangement including at least one bearing situated externally to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew Early, Jonathan James Robert Hilton, Douglas Isaac Lascelles Cross
  • Patent number: 8006589
    Abstract: In a flywheel in which narrow portions to be engaged with a coil spring included in the flywheel are formed of recessed portions made by recessing the surface of a flywheel cover, the portions of a sensor plate welded to the front cover, which confront with the recessed portions are made more fragile than adjacent portions of the sensor plate. With this configuration, when the front cover is deformed, stress applied to welded portions adjacent to the recessed portions can be suppressed since the fragile portions are easily deformed. Accordingly, even if the recessed portions are formed to the surface of a flywheel cover, stress can be prevented from being concentrated on the coupling portions of the flywheel cover and the sensor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Muraki, Satoru Ookuma
  • Publication number: 20110114406
    Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system for a vehicle, comprising a first shaft, a second shaft operatively coupled to the first shaft and to the vehicle's drivetrain, a flywheel operatively coupled to the first shaft, and a motor operatively coupled to the first shaft and electrically coupled to a power source, the motor being adapted to receive energy from the vehicle's electrical system and the flywheel energy storage system being adapted to transfer energy to the vehicle's drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Charles GIBSON, Dolleva Rogers
  • Publication number: 20110088507
    Abstract: A multi-rotor flywheel motor system for powering a vehicle. The flywheel motor system includes at least the following components: a plurality of flywheel rotors, a housing assembly, an energy input mechanism for each of the flywheel rotors, a plurality of pressure plates, and a crankshaft. The flywheel rotors are configured such that they may be frictionally coupled or decoupled and powered or non-powered in various combinations. In this regard, the flywheel motor system is able to efficiently meet the power demands of a vehicle in a range of operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Zane C. Fields
  • Patent number: 7882765
    Abstract: A balancing assembly for a rotor comprises a mass, a displacement arrangement for displacing the mass along a guide arrangement. The guide arrangement extends circumferentially and the displacement arrangement can move the mass circumferentially around the principal axis of the rotor during rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: John R. Webster, Ian C. D. Care
  • Publication number: 20100328738
    Abstract: A document conveying device, include a conveyance roller which conveys a document that is attached to a conveyance roller shaft; and a flywheel connected to the conveyance roller shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: NEC ACCESS TECHNICA, LTD.
    Inventors: Toru UCHIDA, Yasukazu NAGURA, Atsushi UEMATSU
  • Publication number: 20100307285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a kinetic energy accumulator, comprising a plurality of rotatably mounted accumulator members (100, 198) positioned adjacent one another, an input drive mechanism (116) arranged to impart rotational drive to a first of the accumulator members, and velocity responsive coupling members (106, 192) arranged to provide for magnetic coupling of successive ones of the accumulator members when respective ones of the accumulator members are caused successively to rotate with an angular velocity equal to, or greater than, a predetermined velocity. The accumulator can store kinetic energy and thereby act as source of rotational drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: POWER 4 COUNTRY PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Perry John Underwood
  • Publication number: 20100288074
    Abstract: An efficient apparatus for converting momentum into useful work is provided. The apparatus is disposed within a roadway such that when a passing automobile drives over the device, the top of the device is moved downward on a hinge causing a pulley attached to a clutch to rotate a shaft. The clutch ensures that on the ā€œup-strokeā€ the shaft is not rotated in the opposite direction. Through a series of pulleys, an optimum gear ratio is achieved finally connecting to a generator to output electricity. The top of the device is returned to be even with the roadway by a spring loaded wheel assembly. The apparatus is designed to accommodate loads up to 18,000 lbs and be capable of being deployed across a multi-lane roadway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Ruben Becerra
  • Publication number: 20100292877
    Abstract: Comprehensive, Systematic and Practical Engineering/Manufacture/Operation/Management System for Electric Vehicle with dual usage for Decentralized Smart Power Storage that includes: Smart Battery Subsystem (SBS), which includes the Smart Battery Assembly (SBA) with embedded computer/data logger and the Battery Compartment (BC) on the EV and in the Swapping Recharge Stations (RS); the computers on the EV and RS; hardware and software for the SBA Exchange/Recharge/Maintenance/Management/Billing Subsystem; the Smart Decentralized Energy Storage Subsystem for on-line, off-line and/or emergency uses. The SBA can be swapped at RS or recharged at home or any recharge stations, or dismounted/mounted easily in garage or during roadside service. The SBA could include the built-in charge controller and inverter. All the subsystems are indispensable parts or options for this invented integrated system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicants: Gabrielle W. Lee, Paul Zi Fang Lee
    Inventor: Paul Zi Fang Lee
  • Publication number: 20100276222
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: James T. Gramling, James Cornell Martin
  • Publication number: 20100263479
    Abstract: Inertial energy storage systems are provided that include a generator and a rotor system. Non-rotating and rotating components of the system, such as a generator and a flywheel, are supported compliantly through the use of a gimbal system. The purpose-designed gimbal has software algorithms for proper operational control of an axially elongated pendulum flywheel. The inertial energy storage system further includes a mechanical adjustment system for permitting initial alignment of the generator and the rotor system so that the mass and geometric centers of the rotor system can be substantially co-axially aligned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Richard C. Thompson, Brian Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100175638
    Abstract: The instant invention presents combustion of hydrogen with oxygen producing environmentally friendly combustion products, wherein management of energy and of combustion is improved. The instant invention presents improved thermodynamics, thereby improving combustion power and efficiency. The instant invention utilizes steam from combustion to: 1) maintain power output of combustion, 2) provide method(s) of energy transfer, 3) provide method(s) of energy recycle, 4) provide power, and 5) cool the combustion chamber. Steam is used as a potential energy source, both from kinetic and available heat energy, as well as conversion to H2 and O2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Alan HAASE
  • Publication number: 20100175502
    Abstract: Method for generating a force vector, comprising the steps of: -providing at least a first mass and a second mass, -making the first mass rotate around an axis of rotation, -changing the distance between the first mass and the axis of rotation between two extreme positions while rotating the first mass, -making the second mass move around an axis of rotation, -changing the distance between the second mass and the axis of rotation between extreme positions while rotating the second mass, -making the masses move in opposite direction with respect to each other, -subjecting the masses to a deceleration phase and a subsequent acceleration phase while changing the direction of movement of said masses between the extreme positions, -making each acceleration phase of said masses directly adjoin a subsequent decelerating phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: KEI INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventor: Aroon Johannus Siriphant
  • Publication number: 20100147165
    Abstract: In an industrial machine using a flywheel, in order to prevent increase in size of a driving motor, etc. and very freely control velocity of a load, an output shaft of a reduction gear set is connected to a load driving shaft, an input-shaft-sided gear of the reduction gear set is driven by a first motor, a differential mechanism is connected to the flywheel, the differential mechanism is configured such that the output shaft of the reduction gear set is connected to a carrier, rotational force inputted from the sun gear is transmitted to the flywheel and stored as energy while the stored energy is discharged to the sun gear and the carrier. Further, the sun gear of the differential mechanism is driven by a second motor, energy is stored by accelerating the flywheel using the second motor according to the rotational angle position of the load driving shaft, and then the load driving shaft is driven while compensating insufficient torque of the first motor by discharging the stored energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Aida Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoso MASAKI, Shigeki MORINAGA, Hiroshi NAGASE
  • Publication number: 20100050809
    Abstract: A forces generative method is disclosed that generally comprises providing minimum one rotatable flywheel, providing the flywheel's first movement as rotation having a frequency f1, providing the flywheel's second cyclic movement simultaneously and phase-synchronized with the first movement, in the forms of rotation, swinging, linear reciprocating, and any combination thereof. The flywheel comprises a plurality of N=2, 3, 4, etc. work branches having equal or different masses concentrated along N radial directions and having an angle between any two adjacent N radial directions equal to 360 degrees divided by N, a plurality of connecting elements joining the work branches and having masses distributed along radial directions distinct from the N directions. The second movement has a frequency f2 equal to f1 multiplied by N multiplied by an aliquot coefficient K=1, 2, 3, etc. It's usable in propulsion systems, for attitude/orbit control, spacecraft artificial gravitation, in drills, screwdrivers, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Bojidar Djordjev
  • Patent number: 7536932
    Abstract: A spherical flywheel is described and specified that stores rotational energy more efficiently than cylindrical flywheels. The spherical flywheel is composed of multiple layers of material with the densest material at the surface. The flywheel surface is dimpled with a pattern similar to golf ball surfaces, to minimize aerodynamic drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Inventor: James Brown
  • Patent number: 7465146
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a balance weight access assembly are provided. The assembly includes an access cover, and an access tube including a first opening, a second opening, and a substantially hollow body extending therebetween. The first opening is positioned proximate to a balance weight retainer, the second opening is positioned proximate to the access cover, and the body is positioned in substantial alignment with an installation axis of the balance weight retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dale Michael Kennedy, Wayne Garcia Edmondson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7425807
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to transient energy systems for supplying power to a load substantially instantaneously on demand. Transient energy systems may include a flywheel coupled the rotor of an induction motor generator. One embodiment of the disclosure refers to systems and methods for reducing loads on a bearing in a transient energy system. In another embodiment, the disclosure refers to an induction motor generator that is optimized for high power transient power generation, yet low power motor operation. Yet another embodiment of the disclosure refers to using a flywheel as a drag pump to cool components of a transient energy system. In yet another embodiment, a slip control scheme is discussed for regulating a DC bus. In yet a further embodiment of the disclosure a method is provided for reducing unnecessary turbine starts by making turbine start a function of the rotational velocity of a flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Active Power, Inc.
    Inventors: David E Perkins, James A Andrews, Scott D Logan, Karl T Schuetze, David A Badger, Robert S Hudson
  • Patent number: 7365461
    Abstract: A crash management system for implementation in a flywheel energy storage system (FESS) is provided. Implementation of such a system entails designing an FESS rim that is highly failure resistant, and designing the FESS such that if one, some, or even all of its components fail, they are physically prevented from accumulating and releasing enough energy to cause rim burst, thus leaving the rim intact and capable of safely remaining spinning even after one or more FESS component failures have occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Beacon Power Corporation
    Inventors: Norman C. Brackett, James G. Crowley, Richard L. Hockney, Matthew L. Lazarewicz, Eric A. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20080087133
    Abstract: An energy storage flywheel system for a spacecraft is implemented with a fully redundant rotating group and gimbal actuator. In particular, the gimbal actuator, motor/generator, primary bearings, and secondary bearing actuator are each implemented with a pair of redundant coils or motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Calvin C. Potter, David Corcino, Paul T. Wingett, Casey Hanlon
  • Publication number: 20080047391
    Abstract: An auxiliary power supply includes a battery, a motor-generator and an inertial energy storage mass. The motor-generator draws power from the inertial energy storage mass to drive the motor-generator thereby creating electricity. As inertial energy is depleted from the drive mechanism during use, a battery recharges the inertial energy storage mass. The inertial energy storage mass includes a series of flywheels each having smaller disks contained therein. The disks translate radially with respect to the flywheels working with gravity to provide drive power to the motor-generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Steven W. Bissell
  • Patent number: 7302875
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive device, comprising a hydraulic motor (10), a rotating body (20) connected to the drive shaft (11) of the hydraulic motor (10), functioning, by itself as a flywheel, and having an internal gear (21) formed on the output side thereof, a rotation transmitting device (1) having a gear mechanism for transmitting the rotating force of the rotating body (20) to an output shaft gear (50) by allowing counter gears (30) to mesh with the internal gear (21) and the outer shaft gear (50) to mesh with the counter gears (30), and an output shaft connected to the output shaft gear (50). Whereby, since a variation in rotating speed of the hydraulic motor (10) can be absorbed by the rotation transmitting device (1), the hydraulic motor (10) can be used directly as the drive source of a vehicle such as a car and a truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 7240583
    Abstract: An auxiliary bearing assembly for selectively engaging a shaft, preferably in an energy storage flywheel system, is configured to include a vibration damping seal, and an axial preload spring. The vibration damping seal damps out vibrations from the rotating group, following engagement of the auxiliary bearing assembly, while the rotating group is spinning down. The axial preload spring absorbs any differential thermal expansion or contraction that may occur between components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Wingett, Todd R. Giles
  • Patent number: 7174806
    Abstract: A bearing damping system for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices, an evacuated energy storage system including such a bearing damping system for damping vibrations produced by the rotating shaft and conducting heat from bearings and/or bearing assemblies; and a method for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices. The bearing damping system includes one or more flexible bearing dampers in combination with one or more heat transferring rosettes. The heat transferring rosettes comprise a flexible thermally conductive member that transfers heat by conduction from the bearings, bearing assemblies and/or heat generating devices to a remote heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Beacon Power Corporation
    Inventors: Norman C. Brackett, Omar M. Kabir, James F. Arseneaux
  • Patent number: 7066050
    Abstract: A life counter that calculates and records the life utilized of the flywheel in a flywheel energy storage system and indicates when it should be removed from service, based on operational history instead of monitoring for symptoms of failure. The life counter can effectively monitor and measure any or all of the flywheel energy storage system parameters, such as the flywheel structural life, vacuum system life, bearing system life and electronics life. The life counter ensures safe operation of highly stressed flywheels by indicating when the safety margin for the flywheel is reached so that the flywheel energy storage system can be removal from service prior to encountering a risk of catastrophic failure. In some cases, failures may not be preceded by measurable warning symptoms, so removal from service at a calculated end of life would be desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher W Gabrys, David R. Campbell