Patent ID: 6995529

Claim:
Energy storage apparatus comprising: a. a shaft; b. a flywheel rotatable relative to said shaft; c. means for selectably rotating said flywheel responsively to electrical power input or producing electrical power upon rotation thereof by said flywheel; d. bearing means facilitating rotation of said flywheel and said flywheel rotation/power production means respecting said shaft; e. means for connecting said flywheel and said means for selectably rotating said flywheel or producing electrical power output to a portion of said bearing means which is rotatable relative to said shaft, comprising: i. an inner member rotatable with a portion of said bearing means relative to said shaft; ii. an outer member fixedly connected to said flywheel and flywheel rotation/power production means combination; iii. said inner and outer members contacting when stationary; iv. means for connecting said members for facilitating continued unitary rotation of said outer member with said inner member as rotation of said inner and outer member, said flywheel and said flywheel rotation/power production means combination reaches a rate at which centrifugal force separates said members.