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:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2010
Date of Patent:
August 30, 2011
Inventors:
James T. Gramling, James Cornell Martin
Abstract: A high output transmission comprising a planetary drive with input driven by an electric motor, arranged as a variable speed translator to deliver power and speed to the wheels of the vehicle, with vehicle movement being controlled by automatically increasing and decreasing gear ratios in cooperation with variations in electric motor speed and comprising a generator arranged to provide regenerative power to the power supply during automatic imposition of scheduled resistance of rotation which enables change in output gear ratio.
Abstract: A drive train energy system is provided for a motor vehicle of the type having a drive shaft which rotates a drive shaft pinion that is transversely engaged with a differential crown wheel which operates a rear axle and a pair of wheels. The drive train energy system consists of a second crown wheel mounted to the drive shaft proximate the drive shaft pinion, with a second pinion transversely engaged with the second crown wheel. A driven shaft is connected to the second pinion, while a flywheel is connected to the driven shaft to be rotated thereby. A plurality of flyballs are spaced apart and pivotally connected to the flywheel so that when the flywheel is rotated and reaches a predetermined speed, the flyballs will pivot outwardly from the flywheel to increase the momentum of the flywheel to help maintain the speed of the rear wheels of the motor vehicle at higher speeds.
Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system with a continuously-variable output speed employing a pair of variable inertia flywheels for energy storage and transfer and a second pair of variable inertia flywheels for control of the inertia of the first flywheels. A gear type transmission is provided for coupling each of the flywheels to an input shaft and each of the flywheels with an output shaft with multiple output shaft speed ranges. A system for automatic control of shifting is provided.
Abstract: A torque converter system is provided with two differential gears, the cage of the first differential gear receiving the power from the engine motion input shaft and the output shaft of the second differential gear cage driving the system output shaft. The two differential gears have their four planetaries coupled two by two, wherein:the engine motion input shaft and the system power output shaft are coaxial;the motion is transmitted through each differential gear by planetary shafts which are coaxial to each other and coaxial to the shaft respectively connected to the input cage and the output cage,a mechanism is provided for the staging of fixed ratios between the rotation speeds at the input and the output; a rotation of the converter system output shaft in one direction and in the other; a disconnection of the output shaft in order to obtain a dead point, and the blocking of the output shaft rotation.