Patent ID: 8006794

Claim:
A kinetic energy storage device, comprising: first and second flywheels, wherein said first flywheel rotates in a first direction and wherein said second flywheel rotates in a second, counter direction, said first and second flywheels each comprising at least one movable fly-weight operable to vary a moment of inertia of the associated flywheel; a differential coupled to said first and second flywheels, said differential operable to transfer kinetic energy to and from said flywheels; a control mechanism operable to adjust said moveable flyweights simultaneously to vary a moment of inertia of each of said flywheels; wherein each of said flywheels includes a movable linkage extending between a control hub and said flyweight, and wherein said control hub is attached to said control rod such that moving said control rod operates said movable linkage to extend or retract said fly-weight away from or towards an axis of rotation of said flywheel.