Patent Publication Number: US-2022220946-A1

Title: Apparatus for generating energy

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/623,697, filed on Dec. 17, 2019, which is a national stage application of PCT/AU2018/050686, filed on Jul. 3, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2017902579, filed on Jul. 3, 2017, the entire contents of which are each incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates broadly to an apparatus for producing energy typically in the form of electricity. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are a variety of flywheel power generators known in the art. These power generators generally include a starter motor arranged to rotate a flywheel which in turn drives an electric generator for producing electrical power. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0120430 describes a power generator of this prior art type including a series of permanent magnets which cooperate with electrically-pulsed stationary electromagnets in a magnetic circuit which drives the flywheel after a predetermined number of rotations. The flywheel is coupled to the electric generator which applies the electrical pulses to the stationary electromagnets until the flywheel reaches a sufficient speed and continues to rotate under its own inertia. The flywheel rotates at a relatively high speed of around 400 rpm. U.S. Pat. No. 6,624,542 describes another prior art power generator having a motor designed to accelerate a flywheel to full speed wherein its rotational inertia is converted to electrical power in an associated generator. In order to efficiently operate the generator at high operating speeds of up to 40,000 rpm the power generator includes a cooling system designed to absorb heat generated during discharging of the flywheel power source. 
     SUMMARY 
     According a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an energy apparatus comprising:
         a flywheel assembly arranged for rotation;   drive means operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly, the drive means including biasing means connected to an actuator arranged to bias the biasing means providing stored energy in the biasing means;   transmission means coupled between the flywheel assembly and the biasing means wherein release of the stored energy from the biasing means provides a driving force which drives the transmission means to effect rotation of the flywheel assembly which gains momentum;   extraction means operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly for rapid extraction of the momentum of the flywheel assembly;   an energy generator associated with the extraction means for generating energy from the rapidly extracted momentum of the flywheel assembly.       

     According to a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided an energy storage apparatus:
         a flywheel assembly arranged for rotation;   drive means operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly, the drive means including biasing means connected to an actuator arranged to bias the biasing means providing stored energy in the biasing means;   transmission means coupled between the flywheel assembly and the biasing means wherein release of the stored energy in the biasing means provides a driving force which drives the transmission means to effect rotation of the flywheel assembly which gains momentum.       

     In certain embodiments, the actuator includes a drive motor coupled to the biasing means which is biased under the influence of the drive motor thus providing the stored energy in the biasing means. In certain such embodiments, the biasing means includes a spring coupled to the drive motor which is rotated to stress the spring thus providing stored spring energy which on release provides the driving force of the biasing means. In certain such embodiments, the spring is a torsion spring assembly connected to the transmission means, the torsion spring assembly including a torsion spring configured to be wound relative to the transmission means via the drive motor for stressing of the torsion spring which is arranged to release its stored spring energy for thus providing the driving force for rotation of the flywheel assembly. In certain embodiments, the spring is a constant torque spring assembly connected to the transmission means, the constant torque spring assembly including a constant torque spring configured to be wound relative to the transmission means via the drive motor for stressing of the constant torque spring which is arranged to release its stored spring energy for thus providing the driving force for rotation of the flywheel assembly. In certain embodiments, the drive motor is designed to rapidly bias the biasing means for a reduced period of time to provide the stored spring energy in the biasing means. 
     In certain embodiments, the biasing means is designed to be biased via the drive motor a reduced displacement relative to maximum displacement achievable with the biasing means. In certain such embodiments, the biasing means is designed to be biased the reduced displacement in consecutive stages. In certain embodiments, the biasing means is designed to be biased the reduced displacement in a succeeding stage prior to substantially full relaxation of the biasing means in the preceding stage of the consecutive stages. 
     In certain embodiments, the transmission means includes a drive coupling connected between the biasing means and the flywheel assembly for rotation of the flywheel assembly. In certain such embodiments, the drive coupling includes a continuous drive belt wrapped about the biasing means and a periphery of the flywheel assembly. Alternatively the drive belt is wrapped about the biasing means and a relatively small diameter spindle associated with the flywheel assembly. In certain embodiments, the drive means also includes a drive clutch operatively coupled to the biasing means to disengage the biasing means from either the actuator or the transmission means substantially simultaneous with or shortly after the stored energy in the biasing means being at least predominantly released thereby permitting continued rotation of the flywheel assembly independent of the actuator. 
     In certain embodiments, the extraction means includes an extraction coupling assembly arranged to cooperate with the flywheel assembly for rapid rotation of the energy generator relative to the flywheel assembly. In certain such embodiments, the energy generator is an electromagnetic generator including a rotor mounted within a stator which together cooperate to produce electricity under rapid rotation of the rotor which is operatively connected to the extraction means. In certain embodiments, the extraction means also includes a buffer arranged between the extraction coupling assembly and the rotor to gradually accelerate the rotor for rapid rotation on extraction of the momentum of the flywheel assembly. In certain embodiments, the extraction coupling assembly includes a continuous extraction belt wrapped about a periphery of the flywheel assembly and a relatively small diameter pulley associated with the rotor, said pulley being configured relative to the rotor for its rapid rotation. In certain embodiments, the electromagnetic generator is operatively coupled to the actuator of the drive means whereby the electricity produced by the electromagnetic generator is recycled to power the actuator. In certain embodiments, the electromagnetic generator is associated with one or more capacitors for storing the electricity produced by said generator, the capacitors associated with one or more batteries which are charged by the stored electricity and arranged to power the actuator. 
     In certain embodiments, the extraction means also includes an extraction clutch operatively coupled to the extraction coupling assembly to disengage either the flywheel assembly or the energy generator from the extraction coupling assembly while the transmission means is effecting rotation of the flywheel assembly, thereby permitting rotation of the flywheel assembly by the transmission means independent of the extraction means. In certain such embodiments, the extraction coupling assembly is arranged to engage either the flywheel assembly or the energy generator for extraction of the flywheel assembly momentum once the flywheel assembly has built up sufficient momentum. 
     In certain embodiments, the extraction coupling assembly includes a gear assembly operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly and the energy generator to increase rotational speed of the generator relative to the flywheel assembly. In certain such embodiments, the gear assembly includes a continuously variable transmission. 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus also comprises an outer chamber containing a fluid, the flywheel assembly housed for rotation within the outer chamber and designed for substantial neutral buoyancy within the fluid contained in the outer chamber. In certain such embodiments, the flywheel assembly includes a buoyant vessel within which a flywheel is mounted, said buoyant vessel being sufficiently buoyant to ensure the flywheel assembly is substantially neutrally buoyant within the fluid contained in the outer chamber. In certain embodiments, the flywheel is constructed of a relatively dense material and is of a substantially toroidal shape. In certain embodiments, the buoyant vessel is shaped in the form of a substantially cylindrical drum. 
     In certain embodiments, the flywheel assembly includes a rotating member connected to a flywheel, the rotating member operatively coupled to both the drive means and the extraction means. In certain such embodiments, the flywheel includes a shaft oriented substantially vertical and fixed coaxially to the rotating member, and a plurality of pivoted arms each at or adjacent one end pivotally coupled to the shaft. In certain embodiments, the flywheel also includes a plurality of weighted elements connected to an opposing end of respective of the plurality of pivoted arms. 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus is one of a plurality of the apparatus networked with one another. 
     According to a third aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for generating energy, said method comprising the steps of:
         actuating biasing means associated with a flywheel assembly, said actuation of the biasing means biasing it thereby providing stored energy in the biasing means;   releasing the stored energy in the biasing means to provide a driving force to the flywheel assembly to effect rotation of the flywheel assembly which gains momentum;   rapidly extracting the momentum of the flywheel assembly;   generating energy via an energy generator arranged to harness the rapidly extracted momentum of the flywheel assembly.       

     According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for storing energy, said method comprising the steps of:
         actuating biasing means associated with a flywheel assembly, said actuation of the biasing means biasing the biasing means and thus providing stored energy in the biasing means;   releasing the stored energy in the biasing means to provide a driving force to the flywheel assembly to effect rotation of the flywheel assembly.       

     In certain embodiments, actuation of the biasing means is performed rapidly for a reduced period of time to provide the stored energy in the biasing means compared to a relatively slow biasing of the biasing means for an extended period of time. In certain such embodiments, the biasing means is biased a reduced displacement relative to near maximum displacement achievable with the biasing means. In certain embodiments, the biasing means is biased the reduced displacement in consecutive stages. In certain embodiments, the biasing means is biased the reduced displacement in a succeeding stage prior to substantially full relaxation of the biasing means in the preceding stage of the consecutive stages. 
     In certain embodiments, the step of releasing the stored energy in the biasing means involves disengagement of the biasing means from either an associated actuator or transmission means substantially simultaneous with or shortly after the stored energy in the biasing means being predominantly released thereby permitting continued rotation of the flywheel assembly. 
     In certain embodiments, the step of rapidly extracting the momentum of the flywheel assembly involves rapidly rotating the energy generator relative to the flywheel assembly. In certain such embodiments, the ratio of the rotational speed of the energy generator relative to the flywheel assembly is at least around 100 to 1. In certain embodiments, the energy generator is gradually accelerated for rapid rotation relative to the flywheel assembly. 
     In certain embodiments, the energy generated from the energy generator is recycled for actuating the biasing means in providing the stored energy in the biasing means. 
     In certain embodiments, the method also comprises the step of governing the rotational speed of the flywheel assembly at a substantially constant speed. 
     Additional features are described in, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present disclosure several embodiments of an apparatus for producing energy will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a general arrangement of an apparatus for producing energy according to a first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are enlarged perspective views of drive means and part of transmission means taken from the apparatus of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of the drive means including biasing means and an actuator taken from the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of extraction means and an energy generator taken from the apparatus of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of an apparatus for producing energy according to the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of an apparatus for producing energy according to the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of alternative drive means including alternative biasing means and an actuator; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the alternative drive means of  FIG. 8  in the context of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 to 5 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus for producing energy according to the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  there is an apparatus  10  according to a first embodiment of the disclosure for producing energy, typically in the form of electrical energy or electricity. The apparatus  10  generally comprises a flywheel assembly  12 , drive means  14  operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly  12 , and an energy generator  16  operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly  12  via extraction means  18 . The drive means  14  of this embodiment includes biasing means  20  connected to an actuator  22  arranged to provide stored energy in the biasing means  20 . The apparatus  10  of this embodiment also comprises transmission means  24  coupled between the flywheel assembly  12  and the biasing means  20  wherein release of stored energy from the biasing means  20  provides a driving force which effects rotation of the flywheel assembly  12  which gains momentum. The extraction means  18  is arranged for rapid extraction of the momentum of the flywheel assembly  12 . The energy generator  16  generates energy or in this case electricity from the rapidly extracted momentum of the flywheel assembly  12 . 
     In this embodiment the apparatus  10  also comprises an outer chamber  26  within which the flywheel assembly  12  is contained for rotation. The outer chamber  26  is prismatic or cube-shaped and designed to contain a fluid  28  within which the flywheel assembly  12  is at least partly submerged. The flywheel assembly  12  in this embodiment includes a buoyant vessel  30  within which a flywheel  32  is mounted. The flywheel  32  is shaped substantially toroidal and constructed of a relatively dense material such as steel. The flywheel  32  is of a relatively large mass providing significant inertia on rotation and delivering relatively large momentum at relatively low rotational speeds. The buoyant vessel  30  is in the form of a cylindrical drum and is designed so that the flywheel assembly  12  is substantially neutrally buoyant within the fluid  28  of the outer chamber  26 . That is, the buoyancy of the cylindrical drum  30  largely counteracts the flywheel  32  weight force providing the flywheel assembly  12  with substantial neutral buoyancy. The specific gravity of the fluid  28  within the outer chamber  26  will influence the required buoyancy of the cylindrical drum  30  to achieve neutral buoyancy for the flywheel assembly  12 . For example, a higher specific gravity fluid relies upon less of a buoyant drum  30  (having a smaller volume) and/or will tolerate a heavier flywheel  32  whilst maintaining neutral buoyancy. 
     In this example the toroidal-shaped flywheel  32  is fixed axially within the buoyant vessel  30  via flywheel shaft  34 . The buoyant vessel or drum  30  includes a pair of bearing elements  36   a  and  36   b  axially aligned with the flywheel shaft  34  and mounted to opposing faces  38   a  and  38   b  respectively of the buoyant drum  30 . The bearing elements  36   a/b  are rotationally mounted to corresponding bearing elements  40   a  and  40   b  secured to opposing respective inside faces  42   a  and  42   b  of the outer chamber  26 . The flywheel assembly  12  is thus free to rotate within the outer chamber  26  and it is likely that under neutral buoyancy the flywheel assembly  12  will impart minimal load and friction to the bearing elements  36   a / 40   a  and  36   b / 40   b.    
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  the drive means  14  of this embodiment includes the biasing means  20  in the form of a spiral torsion spring  21  connected to the actuator  22  in the form of an electric motor  23 . The motor  23  is powered by a battery  44  for rotation of the torsion spring  21  from its central axis thus stressing the spring  21  providing stored spring energy. It is to be understood that the battery  44  is to be sufficiently charged to initially power the electric motor  23  in biasing the torsion spring  21  to initiate operation of the apparatus  10 . The transmission means  24  of this embodiment includes a drive coupling in form of a continuous drive belt  25 . The drive belt  25  is wound about the torsion spring  21  and the flywheel assembly  12  wherein release of the stored energy from the torsion spring  21  provides a driving force which:
         provides a driving movement of the torsion spring  21  or in this example rotation of the torsion spring  21 ;   this rotation of the torsion spring  21  drives the drive belt  25  with which it cooperates;   the drive belt  25  drives the flywheel assembly  12  with which it also cooperates.       

     As seen in  FIG. 4  the spiral torsion spring  21  is part of a torsion spring assembly  48  within which the torsion spring  21  is mounted. The torsion spring  21  is housed axially within a cylindrical housing  50  of the spring assembly  48 . An outer end region  52  of the torsion spring  21  is fixed internally of the cylindrical housing  50  whereas an inner end region  54  of the spring  21  is connected to an axle  56  of the motor  23 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the following sequence of events in biasing the torsion spring  21  in order to provide stored energy and thereafter releasing that stored energy as a driving force from the torsion spring  21 : 
     At  FIG. 4( a )  the motor  23  is rotated in one direction progressively stressing the torsion spring  21  from its relatively relaxed condition toward its fully stressed condition in  FIG. 4( b ) ; 
     Between  FIGS. 4( b ) and 4( c )  the stressed torsion spring  21  at a predetermined tension releases its stored spring energy providing the driving force by rotating the cylindrical housing  50  in said one direction until the stressed torsion spring  21  releases at least some of its stored spring energy. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the drive motor  23  is actuated or powered for a rapid biasing or stressing of the torsion spring  21  for a reduced period of time. It is understood that this reduced or shortened period which occurs between  FIGS. 4( a ) and 4( b )  is effective in improving the resultant efficiency of the drive operation in stressing the spring  21  and thus providing the stored spring energy. The reduced period of time may vary and is largely dependent on the spring constant for the torsion spring  21 , and the torque provided by the motor  23 . In this example the relatively short period of time is not expected to exceed around 5 seconds. This means the drive motor  23  is intermittently powered or cycled to only rotate in the course of biasing or tensioning the spring  21 . The subsequent release of the stored energy in providing the driving force on rotation of the spring assembly  48  occurs between the stages shown in  FIGS. 4 b    and  4   c.    
     In this embodiment the torsion spring  21  is also designed to be biased a reduced rotational displacement via the drive motor  23 . This means the torsion spring  21  is rotationally displaced a fraction only of the maximum rotational displacement achievable with the torsion spring within its elastic range. It is understood that this reduced displacement is effective in further improving the resultant efficiency of the drive operation in stressing the spring  21  and thus providing the stored spring energy. 
     The torsion spring  21  or other biasing means may in  FIG. 4  be stressed and released in stages rather than a single cycle or pulse. In this variation the spring  21  may be stressed in a succeeding stage without full relaxation of the spring  21  from a previous stage. It is understood that the torsion spring  21  in particular is more efficient in this staged mode of operation. In an alternative arrangement not illustrated, the drive belt is wrapped about the torsion spring assembly or other biasing means and a relatively small diameter spindle associated with the flywheel assembly. In this alternative embodiment it will be understood that the rotational travel of the flywheel assembly is, for a given rotational displacement of the torsion spring assembly, greater than other embodiments described herein. It will also be understood that the torsion spring assembly applies less torque in driving the small diameter spindle, compared to the large diameter of the flywheel assembly of other embodiments described herein. 
     As best envisaged in the context of  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the apparatus  10  may be modified to increase the mechanical efficiency at which the flywheel assembly  12  is driven by the drive means  14 . This modification would typically involve increasing the gearing ratio (leverage or amplification) provided by the biasing means  20  to the flywheel assembly  12 . In the context this embodiment the increased gearing increases the drive force provided by the spring assembly  48  to rotate the flywheel assembly  12  at a given rotational speed. The rotational speed of the spring assembly  48  is thus increased by a factor approximately proportional to the increased gearing ratio. This increased gearing may be achieved with meshed gears or a block and tackle purchase arrangement associated with the biasing means  20  or at least in part forming the transmission means  24 . 
     In this modification of certain embodiments, the spring assembly  48  would release its stored energy at an increased rotational speed over a reduced period of time. The reduced time will be approximately inversely proportional to the increased rotational speed of the spring assembly  48  achieved by the increased gearing ratio. This means the driving force provided by the spring assembly  48  or other biasing means is proportionally amplified with increased gearing. The driving force is required for a shorter period of time to rotate the flywheel assembly prior to rapid extraction of its momentum. In approximate terms if the gearing ratio was increased by a factor of 2 then the driving force and rotational speed of the spring assembly  48  would increase by a factor of 2 and the spring assembly  48  would release its stored spring energy in providing the driving force for around half the period of time (compared to the apparatus without increased gearing). This means additional energy efficiencies can be achieved in this geared modification of the apparatus with more cycles of the spring assembly within a given period of time (compared to the apparatus without gearing). 
     Although not illustrated or included in this embodiment, the drive means  14  may also include a drive clutch designed to disengage the biasing means  20  from the actuator  22  substantially simultaneous with or shortly after the stored energy in the biasing means being at least predominantly released. This disengagement may occur simultaneous with or slightly after  FIG. 4( c )  where the torsion spring  21  is at its relatively relaxed condition. This disengagement via the drive clutch enables the torsion spring  21  to continue to rotate independent of the actuator  22  without the drag of the drive motor  23 . Alternatively the torsion spring  21  may be released or disengaged from the transmission means  24  at this stage in the cycle. 
     The torsion spring may be one of a bank of torsion springs sharing a common actuator. The springs may be arranged in parallel with a drive shaft of the actuator fixed to each of them wherein actuation of the actuator simultaneously biases or stresses the bank of springs. The springs in parallel then together release their stored energy to provide the driving force to the flywheel assembly. Alternatively the springs may be arranged in series with the drive shaft of the actuator fixed to one only of the springs with adjacent springs connected to one another. The springs in series consecutively release their stored spring energy to provide the driving force to the flywheel assembly. This simultaneous or staged release of the stored spring energy increases either the driving force or the rotational travel of the flywheel assembly in order to increase the momentum of the flywheel assembly prior to rapid extraction of this momentum. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the energy generator  16  together with part of the extraction means  18  of this embodiment of the apparatus  10 . The generator  16  is in the form of an electromagnetic generator  17  including a rotor mounted within a stator (neither is shown). The rotor includes a rotor shaft  58  axially fixed to a small diameter rotor pulley  60 . The extraction means  18  of this embodiment includes an extraction coupling assembly in the form of a continuous extraction belt  19  wrapped about the rotor pulley  60  and the large diameter flywheel assembly  12 . The extraction means  18  is thus configured to rapidly extract the momentum of the flywheel assembly  12 . The extraction coupling assembly may also include a gear assembly (not shown) operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly  12  and the energy generator  16  to increase rotational speed of the generator  16 . This increase in speed relative to the flywheel assembly  12  may be effected by one of a variety of conventional gear assemblies including a continuously variable transmission (not shown). The continuously variable transmission not only increases the rotational speed of the generator  16  but also initially provides a buffer between the extraction means  18  and the rotor of the generator  16 . This buffer which will later be described in more detail provides a cushion for gradual acceleration of the rotor of the generator  16  for rapid rotation on extraction of the momentum of the flywheel assembly  12 . 
     Typically, the extraction means  18  or more particularly the extraction coupling assembly is disengaged from either the flywheel assembly  12  or the generator  16  whilst the flywheel assembly  12  is under the influence of the drive means  14 . The extraction coupling assembly is arranged to engage either the flywheel assembly  12  or the generator  16  once the flywheel assembly  12  has built up sufficient momentum and for example is coasting. The extraction means  18  may include an extraction clutch (not shown) for this purpose. In this example the rotational speed of the rotor pulley  60  relative to the flywheel assembly  12  is expected to be at a ratio of around 100 to 1. This means that for a flywheel assembly  12  having a rotational speed of around 60 to 120 rpm, the rotor pulley and associated rotor of the electromagnetic generator  16  will rotate at around 6000 to 12000 rpm. 
     The electromagnetic generator  16  is in the form of an alternator which on rotation of the rotor pulley  60  and associated rotor generates electricity in a conventional manner. In this embodiment the electricity is stored in one or more capacitors such as  64 . It is understood that the capacitors  64  are particularly well suited to storing the electricity which is generated on relatively rapid rotation of the electromagnetic generator  16 . Although not illustrated, the electricity generated by the generator  16  or stored within the capacitor  64  may in a closed-loop configuration of the apparatus  10  be recycled to power the actuator  22  of the drive means  14 . In the embodiment of the preceding figures the actuator  22  is powered via the battery  44  which is recharged utilizing electricity generated by the generator  16  or stored in the capacitor  64 . 
     The buoyant drum  30  of the flywheel assembly  12  includes a pair of relatively large pulleys  66  and  68  formed integral with the buoyant drum  30 . The pulleys such as  66  are located centrally of the buoyant drum  30  and each formed by an opposing pair of continuous rails  70   a  and  70   b  located about a periphery of the buoyant drum  30 . The drive belt  25  engages or wraps about one of the pulleys  66  whereas the driven belt  19  wraps about the other pulley  68 . The drive belt  25  and the driven belt  19  are sufficiently tensioned to provide the required rotation of the flywheel assembly  12  and the generator  16 . The drive belts  25  and/or the driven belt  19  may be ribbed or toothed in order to sufficiently grip or engage their associated rotating components. 
     The apparatus  10  may be scaled up or down depending on the power requirement to which it will be applied. The apparatus  10  may be one of a plurality of the apparatus of the same or different scales or sizes but networked with one another. The particular configuration of the networked apparatus may vary but includes apparatus configured in a branching arrangement. The flywheel assembly  12  of certain embodiments may be driven by a modular form of the drive means  14  including multiple biasing means/actuator modules operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly  12  via common transmission means  24 . The mass of the flywheel assembly  12  is expected to dictate the number of biasing means/actuator modules or scaling required to drive the flywheel assembly  12 . The biasing means/actuator modules are expected to be staged or consecutive in operation thereby releasing the stored energy in the biasing means to provide the driving force sufficient for rotation of the flywheel assembly  12 . Similarly, the energy generator  16  may be provided as multiple electromagnetic generator modules operatively coupled to common extraction means  18 . The generator modules may simultaneously generate electricity or be synchronized to generate electricity in consecutive stages or cycles. 
     In a variation on this embodiment of the apparatus  10 , the extraction means  18  may include a buffer (not shown) arranged between the extraction means  18  and the rotor of the generator  16 . The buffer may be in the form of a torsion spring such as the spring assembly of  FIG. 4  designed in this case to gradually accelerate the rotor of the generator  16  for rapid rotation on extraction of the momentum of the flywheel assembly  12 . In this variation the driven belt  19  wraps about the cylindrical housing  50  which is equivalent to the rotor pulley  60  of the preceding embodiment. The inner end region  54  of the torsion spring  21  is coupled to the rotor shaft  58  whereby:
         the initial rotation of the housing  50  under the influence of the driven belt  19  distorts the spring  21  without rotation of the rotor shaft  58 ;   the spring  21  at a threshold tension initiates rotation of the rotor shaft  58  which gradually accelerates in its rotation;   the torsion spring  21  reaches its limit of distortion at which stage the rotor shaft  58  has accelerated to a rotational speed substantially equal to that of the cylindrical housing  50 .       

       FIGS. 6 and 7  schematically illustrate second and third embodiments of the apparatus for producing energy. The apparatus in both cases is effectively the same as the apparatus  10  of the preceding embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 5 . For ease of reference and in order to avoid repetition, the same reference numerals with an additional “0” or “00” has been used for corresponding components. For example, the flywheel assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  has been designated as  120  and the flywheel assembly of  FIG. 7  designated as  1200 . 
     In the second embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the drive means  140  includes an actuator  220  coupled to the biasing means  200  via an intermediate clutch  110 . The actuator  220  in this embodiment is in the form of a rotating turbine  270  such as that present in a coal or gas fired power plant  290 . The biasing means  200  is driven for rotation by the turbine  220  via the clutch  110 . The apparatus  100  is otherwise similar in construction to the preceding embodiment except there is no requirement for utilizing electricity produced by the generator  160  in powering the actuator  220 . The apparatus  100  may include a gear assembly  102  operatively coupled to the generator  160  and driven by the extraction means  180 . The gear assembly  102  may include or cooperate with a buffer such as that described in the preceding embodiment. The apparatus  100  of this embodiment is thus of an open-loop configuration with the energy or electricity produced being available for consumption elsewhere. 
     In the third embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the drive means  1400  is similar in construction to the first embodiment except in this case the battery  4400  is recharged via electricity from the electricity grid  4500 . The electricity is generated by a fossil fuel or other generator  4700 , or electrical substation, associated with a coal or gas fired power plant  2900  local to the apparatus  1000 . The apparatus  1000  is thus of an open-loop configuration producing electricity for consumption elsewhere. The apparatus may thus be provided in the form of an energy module capable of retrofit to a power plant, or electrical substation, including non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels and uranium. Alternatively the apparatus may be in the form of an energy module capable of retrofit to a power plant, or electrical substation, including renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, wave, hydro, biomass, tide or geothermal sources. 
     The apparatus may vary in terms of its construction insofar as the drive means may include:
         a resiliently flexible elongate member (instead of the torsion spring of certain embodiments described herein);   a linear coil spring for extension or compression in a linear action (rather than the rotational distortion of a torsion spring);   a hydraulic drive or pneumatic drive (instead of the electric motor of certain embodiments described herein).       

     The transmission means and/or the extraction means may include meshed gearing or other mechanical contrivances operatively coupled to the flywheel assembly. Alternatively the continuous belts may be replaced with continuous chains. The flywheel assembly may be oriented with its axis of rotation vertical rather than horizontal. The outer chamber of certain embodiments may be an open prismatic shape at its top with the bottom chamber shaped partly cylindrical or complementary to the buoyant vessel. In the absence of the outer chamber and the buoyant vessel, the flywheel assembly may be supported for rotation by magnetic or other bearings. 
     In another embodiment and as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the biasing means may include a constant torque spring  80  included in a spring assembly  82 . The spring assembly  82  also includes an inner casing  84  fixed to an axle  86  of the motor  88 , and an outer casing  90  to which an outermost turn of the torque spring  80  is anchored. The inner casing  84  is anchored to an innermost turn of the torque spring  80  so that actuation of the motor  88  and rotation of the associated axle  86  effects stressing of the torque spring  80 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the following sequence of events in biasing the torque spring  80  in order to provide stored energy and thereafter releasing that stored energy as a driving force from the torque spring  80 : 
     At  FIG. 8( a )  the motor  88  is rotated in one direction progressively stressing the torque spring  80  from its relaxed condition toward its fully stressed condition in  FIG. 8( b ) ; 
     Between  FIGS. 8( b ) and 8( c )  the stressed torque spring  80  at a predetermined time or displacement of the torque spring  80  releases its stored spring energy providing the driving force by rotating the outer casing  90  in said one direction until the stressed torque spring  80  releases substantially all of its stored spring energy. 
       FIG. 9  shows the alternative drive means including the spring assembly  82  in the context of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 to 5 . For ease of reference we have used the same reference numerals for the apparatus  10  except for the various components of the constant torque spring assembly  82 . 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus  10000  according to the disclosure. It is to be understood that the apparatus  10000  includes the same drive means  14000  and energy generator  16000  as the first embodiment and therefore these components are not illustrated in any detail. The flywheel assembly  12000  may in line with the first embodiment be enclosed in a buoyant vessel for rotation in an outer fluid chamber or alternatively the flywheel assembly may exclude these additional features and merely be rotated in an atmospheric space. For ease of reference and in order to avoid repetition, the same reference numerals have been used for the same components of this alternative apparatus  10000 . 
     The apparatus  10000  primarily departs from the preceding embodiments insofar as the flywheel assembly  12000  includes a rotational member in the form of a first flywheel  32000  connected coaxially to a second flywheel  11000 . In this embodiment the second flywheel  11000  includes a flywheel shaft  13000  fixed axially to the first flywheel  32000  and oriented substantially vertical. The second flywheel  11000  is in the form of a governed flywheel including a plurality of flywheel arms such as  15000   a  and  15000   b  pivotally connected to an upper region of the flywheel shaft  13000 . The pivoting arms  15000   a/b  are weighted at their free or distal ends via respective flywheel weights  17000   a/b . In operation the first flywheel  32000  is rotated via the drive means  14000  wherein:
         the flywheel arms  15000   a/b  gradually rise in an increasing radial distance from the flywheel shaft  13000  increasing the rotational momentum of the governed flywheel  11000 ;   the flywheel arms  15000   a/b , depending on the weights  17000   a/b  and the rotational speed of the first flywheel  32000 , attain a predetermined height harnessing the input energy of the drive means  14000  in the form of gravitational potential energy and the rotational momentum.       

     The second or governed flywheel  11000  is also effective in cooperating with the first flywheel  32000  to regulate the rotational speed of the flywheel assembly  12000  at a substantially constant speed depending largely on the construction of the flywheel assembly  12000 . The governed flywheel  11000  is thus dynamic in the manner it controls rotation of the flywheel assembly  12000 . 
     The first flywheel  32000  of the flywheel assembly  12000  of this embodiment is coupled to the drive means  14000  via the continuous drive belt  25000 , and the first flywheel  32000  is coupled to the energy generator  16000  via the continuous extraction belt  19000 . 
     The apparatus  10000  in its extraction phase rapidly extracts the momentum of the flywheel assembly  12000 . In the extraction phase the flywheel arms  15000   a/b  of the governed flywheel  11000  gradually lower toward the flywheel shaft  13000  increasing the rotational speed of the flywheel assembly  12000  which may otherwise slow. The governed flywheel  11000  thus maintains rotation of the flywheel assembly  12000  at a substantially constant rotational speed during this extraction phase. It is also understood that the governed flywheel  11000 , in maintaining the substantially constant rotational speed of the flywheel assembly  12000  in both its drive and extraction phases, provides improved efficiency compared to the preceding embodiments of the disclosure. The size and mass of the first flywheel  32000  may be reduced from the preceding embodiments on the understanding that the governed flywheel  11000  promotes rotation of the flywheel assembly  12000  as the flywheel arms  15000   a/b  drop and the momentum of the flywheel assembly  12000  is rapidly extracted. In an alternative embodiment the rotating member may have reduced mass where it effectively does not function as a flywheel in which case the flywheel assembly  12000  is limited to a single flywheel in the form of the governed flywheel  11000  only. In this variation the rotating member may be in the form of a rotating platform which both supports the goverened flywheel  11000  and provides for coupling of the drive belt  25000  and the extraction belt  19000 . 
     In each of the preceding embodiments and according to another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method for producing energy. The method in the context of the first embodiment involves the following general steps:
         actuating biasing means  20  associated with a flywheel assembly  12 , said actuation providing stored energy in the biasing means  20 ;   releasing the stored energy in the biasing means  20  in the form of a driving force to the flywheel assembly  12  to effect its rotation whereby the flywheel assembly  12  gains momentum;   rapidly extracting the momentum of the flywheel assembly  12 ;   generating energy via an energy generator  16  arranged to harness the rapidly extracted momentum of the flywheel assembly  12 .       

     In improving the efficiency of the apparatus  10 , the biasing means  20  is actuated rapidly by an actuator  22  for a reduced period of time. In the first embodiment this means power is supplied to the drive motor  23  for a reduced period of time improving the resultant efficiency of the drive operation in biasing the biasing means  20  and providing the stored energy. As described in the context of the apparatus  10 , the biasing means  10  may be partly displaced or distorted a fraction of its maximum range of elastic displacement. In certain embodiments, the drive motor  23  may be intermittently powered or pulsed for periods of less than 5 seconds. 
     In releasing the stored energy in the biasing means  20  in providing the drive force, it may be preferable to disengage the biasing means  20  from either the actuator  22  or the transmission means  24 . This disengagement may occur substantially simultaneous with or shortly after the stored energy in the biasing means  20  being predominantly released thereby permitting continued rotation of the flywheel assembly  12  independent of the actuator  22 . This disengagement may occur at a predetermined period after each cycle or pulse of the intermittent powering of the actuator or drive motor  23 . The biasing means  20  must then be reengaged with the actuator  22  prior to its next power cycle. The drive dynamic may involve more than one winding of the spring or other biasing means  20  until the flywheel assembly  12  achieves a desired rotational speed. In any case the actuator  22  or drive motor  23  is halted to provide an anchor for the biasing means  20  to rotate against in providing the required driving force. 
     In this embodiment, the rapid extraction of the momentum of the flywheel assembly  12  involves rapid rotation of the energy generator  16  relative to the flywheel assembly  12 . In this case the ratio of the rotational speed of the rotor of the generator  16  relative to the flywheel assembly  12  is at least around 100 to 1. The generator  16  may be geared with the extraction means  18  in order to increase the relative rotational speed of the generator  16  for rapid extraction of the flywheel  12  momentum. 
     In its closed-loop mode the apparatus  10  recycles or extracts energy or electricity it produces for actuating the actuator  22  and biasing the biasing means  20 . In an open-loop mode, the apparatus  10  or more particularly the actuator  22  of the drive means  14  is powered or driven externally. 
     Now that several embodiments of the disclosure have been described it will be understood that the apparatus for producing energy has at least the following advantages:
         it harnesses the momentum of a flywheel assembly rotating at a relatively low rotational speed in efficiently producing energy;   the momentum of the flywheel assembly is rapidly extracted by extraction means associated with an energy generator for generating energy;   the drive means includes biasing means which effectively stores and releases energy to the flywheel assembly in the form of a driving force via transmission means providing the requisite rotation of the flywheel assembly which thus gains momentum.       

     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that disclosure described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the flywheel assembly may be simplified to a weighted flywheel without flotation in an outer chamber, provided adequate low friction bearings are incorporated in the design. The biasing means may depart from the torsion spring described herein and extends to other forms of springs including but not limited to compression or extension or other coil springs, constant force springs, leaf springs, or devices with an elastic storage and return dynamic. The transmission and extraction means may vary from the drive belts disclosed herein provided the stored energy in the biasing means is released as the driving force for transmission to the flywheel assembly for its rotation, and the extraction means provides rapid extraction of the momentum of the flywheel assembly. In this embodiment the driving force is a fundamental force in the form of a spring force. Alternatively the driving force may be in the form of a gravity force such as a buoyancy force. The biasing means may depart from springs depending on the required or designed driving force for the apparatus where, for example, the biasing means is in the form of a buoyant container associated with the flywheel assembly and submerged in the fluid of the outer chamber of certain embodiments. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present disclosure the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. As such, it is clear that the present disclosure includes variations that are not specifically described and fall within the scope of the protection of the following claims. Accordingly, various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.