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.

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.

Abstract: A high speed flywheel system for a vehicle, i.e. capable of running at speeds of 20,000 rpm or greater, the system comprising a flywheel mounted on a shaft and contained within a housing, and at least one bearing arrangement, wherein the bearing arrangement is mounted to the flywheel or the housing via an elastomeric component such as a ring and/or a metalastic bush, thereby to reduce NVH and prevent the resonant modes of the flywheel and housing interfering with one another.

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.

Abstract: A seal for a high speed flywheel mounted on a shaft, the seal having a two housing sections, and a cavity formed between the housing sections, lip seal beings provided on either side of the cavity, the lip seals being in contact with and encircling the shaft, wherein an oil based fluid can be inserted into the cavity via a fill nipple, and during insertion of the fluid, air can be expelled from the cavity via a bleed nipple, whereby the fluid can form a hermetical seal against the shaft.

Abstract: An air vehicle 1 has a port and starboard wing 2 capable of transitioning in mid-flight from fixed to counter-rotation. This generates lift at low airspeeds and enables a short landing to be performed without the need for a runway. The counter rotating wings are intermeshed at 90 degrees and angled slightly to avoid collision. Deployable counterweights 5 balance the rotating wings.

Abstract: A high speed flywheel system for a vehicle, i.e. capable of running at speeds of 20,000 rpm or greater, the system comprising a flywheel mounted on a shaft and contained within a housing, and at least one bearing arrangement, wherein the bearing arrangement is mounted to the flywheel or the housing via an elastomeric component such as a ring and/or a metalastic bush, thereby to reduce NVH and prevent the resonant modes of the flywheel and housing interfering with one another.

Abstract: An air vehicle 1 has a port and starboard wing 2 capable of transitioning in mid-flight from fixed to counter-rotation. This generates lift at low airspeeds and enables a short landing to be performed without the need for a runway. The counter rotating wings are intermeshed at 90 degrees and angled slightly to avoid collision. Deployable counterweights 5 balance the rotating wings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high inertia flywheel for a vehicle including a hub, a periphery of which is surrounded by a rim, and a housing, wherein at least one annular ring is provided on either side of the flywheel, whereby, on oscillation of the flywheel, a contact surface of the flywheel contacts against a contact surface of the annular ring, thus causing friction.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high inertia flywheel for a vehicle including a hub, a periphery of which is surrounded by a rim, and a housing, wherein at least one annular ring is provided on either side of the flywheel, whereby, on oscillation of the flywheel, a contact surface of the flywheel contacts against a contact surface of the annular ring, thus causing friction.

Abstract: A seal for a high speed flywheel mounted on a shaft and comprising an evacuated core, the seal having two housing sections, and a cavity formed between the housing sections, lip seals being provided on either side of the cavity, the lip seals being in contact with and encircling the shaft, wherein an oil based fluid can be inserted into the cavity via a fill nipple, and during insertion of the fluid, air can be expelled from the cavity via a bleed nipple, whereby the fluid can form a hermetical seal against the shaft, and wherein the fluid inserted into the cavity does not vaporize at the pressure of the evacuated flywheel core.