Abstract:
Some implementations can include a liquid chamber disposed around the periphery of a flywheel. The liquid chamber can be equipped with one or more symmetrically spaced filling holes for introducing a liquid into the liquid chamber and expelling air there from, with corresponding counter balance weights as appropriate to maintain rotational balance. The liquid chamber also is fitted with one or more symmetrically spaced one-way restriction valves that allow the liquid to flow in the direction opposite of rotation of the flywheel body, again with corresponding counter balance weights as appropriate. When the flywheel encounters increased load conditions and slows its rate of rotation, the movement of the liquid closes the one-way restriction valves and prevents the liquid from slowing down or reversing direction. Thus, the kinetic energy stored in the liquid is released to meet the increased load demand.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/136,064, entitled “Variable Inertia Flywheel” and filed on Jul. 22, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/833,611 filed Aug. 3, 2007, now abandoned, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Some implementations relate generally to flywheels, and, more particularly, to variable inertia flywheels configured to store and then release kinetic energy to meet changing power load demands. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Flywheels are made in a variety of shapes and sizes, and of a variety of materials depending on the application in which the flywheel will be used. A flywheel may be a solid cylinder of any diameter and thickness. Many solid flywheels are thinner near the center of the flywheel and thicker near the perimeter to position the greatest mass at the perimeter of the flywheel. A flywheel also may consist of an outer rim connected to a central hub by spokes. Other configurations of flywheels also have been used. Flywheels may be designed to operate in a horizontal or vertical position. Flywheels generally are constructed of metal, such as various grades of steel, aluminum, sintered aluminum, and other metals, or of non-metallic materials or composites, such as carbon fiber, carbon/epoxy, fiberglass/epoxy, KEVLAR®/epoxy, E-. GLASS®/epoxy, and other composites. The configuration of the flywheel and the materials used are determined by the requirements of the application in which the flywheel will be used. 
         [0004]    Variable inertia flywheels are utilized in rotation machinery to store energy that may be released quickly to meet a sudden energy demand. Variable inertia flywheels frequently are used with machines that are called upon to do considerable work, but in which the work demand is not constant. Known variable inertia flywheels vary inertia by interconnecting multiple flywheels having different inertia, or by moving a mass connected with the flywheel radially with respect to the axis of rotation. The moveable mass can be a solid or a liquid. 
         [0005]    In the case of multiple interconnecting flywheels, complicated gearing and transmission systems are required to control the moment of inertia of each flywheel and transfer the angular momentum from at least one flywheel to an output shaft. Solid masses may be moved slidably toward or away from an axis, for example, by centrifugal force, with a spaced chain pulley having the solid masses attached, other mechanical apparatus, or hydraulic pressure. In the case of the liquid mass, movement generally is facilitated, for example, by use of an electromechanical, electromagnetic, oil, or other type pump. 
         [0006]    The more moving parts in any apparatus, the greater the chance of failure during operation of the apparatus. In addition, known mechanical and electromechanical devices lack responsiveness when dealing with a sudden increase in demand for power. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,627 issued to Maxwell on Jun. 22, 1982 discloses a hydraulic flywheel which varies the moment of inertia by increasing of the fluid in one hollow structure and decreases the fluid in another by separating the structures and releasing the fluid. As the fluid is introduced into the hollow structure, centrifugal force causes it to flow to the peripheral regions of the hollow structure. As the fluid accumulates within the hollow structure the moment of inertia of the flywheel increases. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,382 issued to Pinson on Apr. 5, 1988 uses a pair of annular rotating housings mounted on a shaft. The housings include individual compartments having a fill and a drain line connected to a pump. The compartments receiving material which is compartmentalized to accurately control the mass distribution during the rotation of the housing for maintaining speed as energy is withdrawn or generated. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,553 issued to Wagner on May 29, 1990 uses a complicated gearing and transmission system along with two pairs of variable inertia flywheels, one pair for energy storage and transfer and the second pair for control of inertia. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,399 B2 issued to Burstall on Apr. 26, 2005 uses electrical hydraulic pumps to move a fluid between chambers to vary inertia. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,669 issued to Pitkanen on Jan. 24, 1978 uses an inertial turbine system which stores energy in a rotating flywheel shell by passing a fluid, such as mercury, in and out of the shell during braking or acceleration of a vehicle in which the system is installed. 
         [0012]    Although the above five patents are directed to various types of variable inertia flywheels, the methods to vary the moment of inertia described in the above five patents is in contrast to the subject matter of the present disclosure, which includes action of liquid passing through one or more one-way restriction valves and not into a separate compartment or other liquid chamber. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,948 issued to Jerome on Aug. 11, 1981 discloses a motor vehicle propulsion system wherein a small engine drives a liquid filled flywheel to store kinetic energy in the liquid. Power is transferred to the vehicle propulsion wheels on driver demand by releasing the liquid, through nozzles by a manually operated valve controller system, to a turbine which is connected to the drive wheels through a drive train. Jerome&#39;s flywheel and turbine assembly rotate independently of each other and Jerome provides no operational way to seal the union between the flywheel and turbine for the liquid to be retained in the system. Other problems with Jerome&#39;s include: no provision for filling the flywheel, only an opening that returns the liquid from the turbine back into the flywheel; the liquid to be released through the nozzles would be slung out by centrifugal force only and not under any pressure, so any energy transferred to the turbine would be minimal at best, lacks any workable way to recapture the liquid that “falls to the bottom of the turbine and returns through the channel to the center of the flywheel”; any seal, that Jerome made no provision for between the flywheel and turbine, would create a substantial friction drag and related overheating problems. Furthermore, this patent does not attempt to vary the moment of inertia, nor is it a variable inertia flywheel. And, while it incorporates similar parts as subject patent, the objective, operation and accomplished results vary greatly. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    In some implementations, the variable inertia flywheel of the present disclosure comprises a relatively simple device having few moving parts. The liquid moveable mass incorporated in the flywheel is moved by the centrifugal force and friction within the rotating liquid chamber with the rotational force being provided via a hub and flywheel body. 
         [0015]    Some implementations can include a liquid chamber disposed around the periphery of the flywheel. The liquid chamber is equipped with one or more symmetrically spaced filling holes for introducing a liquid into the liquid chamber and expelling air there from, with corresponding counter balance weights as appropriate to maintain rotational balance. The liquid chamber also is fitted with one or more symmetrically spaced one-way restriction valves that allow the liquid to flow in the direction opposite of rotation of the flywheel body, again with corresponding counter balance weights as appropriate. When the flywheel encounters increased load conditions and slows its rate of rotation, the movement of the liquid closes the one-way restriction valves and prevents the liquid from slowing down or reversing direction. Thus, the kinetic energy stored in the liquid is released to meet the increased load demand. 
         [0016]    Optionally, one or more manually adjustable vanes also may be attached by a central pin to the front and rear surfaces of the liquid chamber of the flywheel in a manner such that the manually adjustable vanes protrude into the liquid chamber at an adjustable angle. This manually adjustable vane system comprises a central pin, stem, stem seal, handle and a lock. The flywheel of the present invention also may contain multiple independent liquid chambers. The variable inertia flywheel of the present invention may be suitable for use in applications in which flywheels in general are used. 
         [0017]    Some implementations can include a variable inertia flywheel comprising a central mounting hub and a flywheel body attached to the central mounting hub, the flywheel body extending radially from the hub. The flywheel can also include a single liquid chamber being disposed around the periphery of the flywheel body and connected to the hub via the body, the single liquid chamber having an outer wall and an inner wall. The flywheel can further include a liquid substantially filling an inside space of the single liquid chamber, said liquid having a rotational speed lagging behind a rotational speed of the single liquid chamber at start up and rotating in unison with the single liquid chamber at operational speed, thereby lowering moment of inertia at start up and increasing moment of inertia at operational speed. 
         [0018]    The flywheel also comprising a one-way restriction valve attached to an inside surface of the single liquid chamber, the one-way restriction valve being configured to permit the liquid within the single liquid chamber to rotate in a first direction relative to the single liquid chamber and to prevent the liquid from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the single liquid chamber. The flywheel further comprising at least one filling hole in the outer wall configured to permit the liquid to be introduced into the single liquid chamber, and a plug configured to seal the at least one filling hole in a first position and configured to be removed from the at least one filling hole in a second position, wherein when the plug is in the first position, the single liquid chamber is not in communication with any other liquid chamber. 
         [0019]    The flywheel also comprising one or more valve seats attached to the inner wall and extending radially inward from the inner wall into the inside space of the single liquid chamber, the one or more valve seats being disposed around an inner periphery of the inside space of the single liquid chamber so as to substantially contact each free edge of the one-way restriction valve when the one-way restriction valve is in a closed position. In some implementations, the flywheel body can include a solid body. In other implementations, the flywheel body can include a spoked body having two or more spokes. 
         [0020]    The one or more valve seats can be configured to permit the one-way restriction valve to rest against the one or more valve seats when the one-way restriction valve is in the closed position. The flywheel can further comprising one or more manually adjustable vanes configured to increase or decrease friction against the liquid at start up and acceleration of rotation of the flywheel. The manually adjustable vanes can be comprised of a handle, a central pin, a stem, a lock, and a stem seal. The single liquid chamber can have a cross sectional shape including one of substantially round, substantially oval, substantially square, and substantially rectangular. 
         [0021]    Some implementations can include a method of making a variable inertia flywheel. The method can include providing a central mounting hub, and attaching a flywheel body to the central mounting hub, the flywheel body extending radially outward from the hub. The method can also include providing a single liquid chamber being disposed around the periphery of the flywheel body and connecting the single liquid chamber to the hub via the flywheel body, the single liquid chamber having an outer wall and an inner wall. 
         [0022]    The method can further include providing a liquid substantially filling an inside space of the single liquid chamber, said liquid having a rotational speed lagging behind a rotational speed of the single liquid chamber at start up and rotating in unison with the single liquid chamber at operational speed, thereby lowering moment of inertia at start up and increasing moment of inertia at operational speed. The method can also include forming a one-way restriction valve configured to provide a seal for the one-way restriction valve and attaching the one-way restriction valve to an inside surface of the single liquid chamber, the one-way restriction valve being configured to permit the liquid within the single liquid chamber to rotate in a first direction relative to the single liquid chamber and to prevent the liquid from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the single liquid chamber. 
         [0023]    The method can further include forming at least one filling hole in the outer wall configured to permit the liquid to be introduced into the single liquid chamber, and providing a plug configured to seal the at least one filling hole in a first position and configured to be removed from the at least one filling hole in a second position, wherein when the plug is in the first position, the single liquid chamber is not in communication with any other liquid chamber. The method can also include forming one or more valve seats attached to the inner wall and extending radially inward from the inner wall into the inside space of the single liquid chamber, the one or more valve seats being disposed around an inner periphery of the inside space of the single liquid chamber so as to substantially contact each free edge of the one-way restriction valve when the one-way restriction valve is in a closed position. 
         [0024]    Some implementations can include a method of storing and releasing energy. The method can include providing a variable inertia flywheel as described herein. The method can also include storing energy in the variable inertia flywheel by causing the variable inertia flywheel to rotationally accelerate to an operational speed. The method can further include releasing energy from the variable inertia flywheel by placing a rotational load on the variable inertia flywheel that causes the one-way restriction valve to move to a closed position. 
         [0025]    In some implementations, the flywheel body can include a solid body. In other implementations, the flywheel body can include a spoked body having two or more spokes. 
         [0026]    The one or more valve seats can be configured to permit the one-way restriction valve to rest against the one or more valve seats when the one-way restriction valve is in the closed position. The flywheel can further comprising one or more manually adjustable vanes configured to increase or decrease friction against the liquid at start up and acceleration of rotation of the flywheel. The manually adjustable vanes can be comprised of a handle, a central pin, a stem, a lock, and a stem seal. The single liquid chamber can have a cross sectional shape including one of substantially round, substantially oval, substantially square, and substantially rectangular. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1A and 2A  show lateral views of the flywheel with one type of a one-way restriction valve in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 1B and 2B  are cross-sectional views of the flywheel showing the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A and 2A  respectively. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 3A and 4A  show lateral views of the flywheel with another type of a one-way restriction valve in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 3B and 4B  are cross-sectional views of the flywheel showing the embodiments of  FIGS. 3A and 4A  respectively. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates four types of one-way restriction valves suitable for use in the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6A  shows a lateral view of the flywheel with adjustable vanes in the open position in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6B  is a lateral view of the flywheel with adjustable vanes in a partially closed position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6C  is an exploded view of  FIG. 6B  at line  6 C to  6 C of the adjustable vane in a partially closed position. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show diagrammatic views of a variable inertia flywheel having a spoked flywheel body in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    An example flywheel implementation is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Beginning in the center of the flywheel  1  is a central mounting hub  6  configured to accept a rotational power source (not shown). The central mounting hub  6  is attached to a flywheel body  11 , and the flywheel body  11  can be a solid disc (as shown) or can have two or more spokes (as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) and constructed of any known materials suitable for the application in which it is used. A single liquid chamber  2  is disposed around the periphery of the flywheel body  11  and may be of any convenient shape that will allow a liquid  10  to flow freely. For example, the circular shape shown in  FIG. 1A  has a rectangular cross section, but could be a toroidal or doughnut shape having a circular cross section (not shown in the drawings). The liquid chamber  2  comprises an inner wall  4  and an outer wall  3 . Attached on the inside surface of the outer wall  3  within the liquid chamber  2  is at least one one-way restriction valve  5 . The one-way restriction valve  5  is attached to the inside surface of an outer wall  3  (e.g., at a point of greatest radius from the center of the flywheel  1 ). A valve seat  19  is attached to inner wall  4  (e.g., at a shortest distance from outer wall  3 ) to provide a seal for restriction valve  5  in closed position. The valve seat  19  substantially contacts free edges of the one-way restriction valve  5 . Free edges of the one-way restriction valve include those edges that do not form a portion of the one-way restriction valve hinge or hinged portion. A liquid  10  completely fills the inside of the liquid chamber  2 . The outer wall  3  of the liquid chamber  2  includes at least one filling hole  7  to introduce the liquid  10  into the liquid chamber  2 . The filling hole  7  is sealed by a closure such as a plug  13 . Attached to the outside surface of the outer wall  3  is at least one counter balance weight  16 . 
         [0037]    In this embodiment,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate the one-way restriction valve  5  in an open valve position.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the same embodiment as previously described shown in the closed position. Another embodiment of the flywheel  1  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Previously described parts illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are the same in this embodiment except for illustrating a different type of one-way restriction valve  5 . In this embodiment the one-way restriction valve  5  is attached to the inside walls of the outer wall  3  so that the one-way restriction valve  5  is placed in the center of the liquid chamber  2 , and is illustrated in an open valve position.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are the same embodiment as  FIGS. 3A and 3B  except that the one-way restriction valve  5  illustrates closed valve position against valve seat  19 .  FIG. 5  illustrates types of one-way restriction valves  5  suitable for use with the flywheel  1 , illustrated in each of the other figures. 
         [0038]    The one-way restriction valve  5  may be of any known configuration. The one-way restriction valve  5  may, be constructed of any material suitable for the type of valve being used and the application in which the flywheel will be used. For example, a flapper or hinge valve would be constructed of an inflexible material having sufficient strength to resist the combined mass of the contained liquid  10 . For example, metals, hard plastics, carbon fiber, various composites, or other materials may be used so long as such materials are both inflexible and resistant to the liquid  10  used to fill the liquid chamber  2 .  FIG. 5  show purge or reed valves which would be constructed of a soft plastic or elastomeric material such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride), PE (polyethylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), or other materials so long as such materials are both flexible and resistant to the liquid  10  used to fill the liquid chamber  2 . Other types of one-way restriction valves  5  also may be used. 
         [0039]    During acceleration, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  which is in a counter clockwise direction, the flywheel  1  initially rotates at a greater speed than the liquid  10  and the movement of the one-way restriction valve  5  through the liquid  10  forces the one-way restriction valve  5  open. At a steady rotational speed of the flywheel  1 , the liquid  10  and the flywheel  1 , rotate at the same speed and the one-way restriction valve  5  stays open. When the flywheel  1  decelerates, for example when additional load is applied to the flywheel  1  via the hub  6 , the movement of the liquid  10  against the one-way restriction valves  5  causes the one-way restriction valves  5  to close against valve seat  19  so that the liquid  10  is prevented from rotating more quickly than the liquid chamber in the direction of flywheel rotation, and now rotates at the same rotational speed as the flywheel body  11 , thus combining the kinetic energy stored in the liquid  10  with that of the flywheel  1  to meet the additional load demands and maintain the speed of the inertia flywheel  1 . The greater the ratio of the weight of liquid to the weight of solid in the inertia flywheel  1  the greater the efficiency of the flywheel and the greater the change in the moment of inertia. 
         [0040]    Optionally one of more manually adjustable vanes  8  also may be attached by a central pin  12  to the front and rear surfaces of the liquid chamber  2  of the flywheel body  11 , as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Each manually adjustable vane  8  includes a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the adjustable vane  8  within the liquid chamber  2 . This mechanism is accessible from the exterior of the flywheel body  11  as shown in  FIG. 6C  and comprises a stem  14  and stem seal  18  that is exterior to the flywheel body  11  and has a knurled knob, paddle shaped blade, or other handle  9  for adjusting the angle of the manually adjustable vane  8  within the liquid chamber  2 . This mechanism also comprises a lock  15  to lock the manually adjustable vane  8  at the desired angle within the liquid chamber  2 . The manually adjustable vanes  8  protrude into the liquid chamber  2  at an adjustable angle and push against the liquid  10  at the same speed of rotation as the flywheel body  11 . Thus, these manually adjustable vanes  8  assist the liquid  10  to accelerate more rapidly to the rotational speed of the flywheel  1 . More rapid acceleration of the liquid  10  is useful in situations where the flywheel  1  and the liquid  10  need to reach the same rotational speed more rapidly, for example, when it is known that the load on the flywheel will increase soon after the flywheel begins to rotate. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  shows a diagrammatic view of a variable inertia flywheel having a spoked flywheel body. The flywheel  700  includes a hub  702 , two spokes ( 704  and  706 ) and a single liquid chamber  708 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  shows a diagrammatic view of a variable inertia flywheel having a spoked flywheel body. The flywheel  800  includes a hub  802 , four spokes ( 804 - 810 ) and a single liquid chamber  812 . It will be appreciated that an embodiment with spokes can have two or more spokes that can be placed so as to provide a substantially rotationally balanced flywheel body. A single spoke embodiment could be constructed in which the flywheel is balanced to accommodate the offset weight of the single spoke. 
         [0043]    Optionally, the flywheel  1  of the present invention may contain multiple independent liquid chambers (not shown in drawings). If each of the multiple independent liquid chambers holds less liquid than one single chamber, but the total weight of the liquid  10  in both cases is the same, the total liquid  10  in the multiple independent chamber flywheel will accelerate to the rotational velocity of the flywheel faster than the liquid  10  in the single chamber, because the liquid  10  in the multiple independent chambers is exposed to a greater surface area, and therefore to greater frictional effects than the liquid  10  in just one chamber. Each of the multiple independent chambers may be filled with the same liquid or with different liquids. 
         [0044]    The flywheel  1  of the present invention having a liquid chamber  2  and one-way restriction valves  5  and valve seat  19  requires less energy to attain its desired steady rotational speed than a traditional solid flywheel, because the liquid  10  in the liquid chamber  2  slides over the surrounding surfaces as the flywheel body  11  begins to rotate requiring significantly less energy for the flywheel body  11  to attain optimum speed. Near or at optimum speed the liquid  10  is rotating at the same speed as the flywheel body  11  due to the action of friction and centrifugal forces upon the liquid  10 . The flywheel  1  of the present invention that also has manually adjustable vanes  8  will require a minimal increase in start-up energy than a flywheel without the manually adjustable vanes  8 , but will accelerate to the rotational speed of the flywheel  1  more rapidly. Existing traditional flywheels may be retrofitted with an external peripheral liquid chamber  2  and one-way valves  5  and valve seat  19  which will significantly increase the stored kinetic energy of the flywheel while requiring only a minimal increase in start-up energy. 
         [0045]    The variable inertia flywheel of the present invention is suitable for use in applications in which flywheels in general are used, for example, with internal combustion engines, continuously variable transmissions, and electrical power generation/storage equipment among others. 
         [0046]    While some implementations have been described in terms of a general embodiment with several specific modifications, it is recognized that persons skilled in this art will readily perceive many other modifications and variations of the embodiments described above. Applicant intends to embrace any and all such modifications, variations and embodiments. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1  flywheel 
           2  liquid chamber 
           3  outer wall 
           4  inner wall 
           5  one-way restriction valve 
           6  hub 
           7  filling hole 
           8  manually adjustable vane 
           9  handle 
           10  liquid 
           11  flywheel body 
           12  central pin 
           13  plug 
           14  stem 
           15  lock 
           16  counter balance weight 
           17  (unused) 
           18  stem seal 
           19  Valve seat 
           700  flywheel 
           702  hub 
           704  and  706  spokes 
           708  single liquid chamber 
           800  flywheel 
           802  hub 
           804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810  spokes 
           812  single liquid chamber