초록 ▼

A flywheel assembly for storing energy and rotatable in response to the rotation of a shaft includes a hub having a transition portion having a constant stress intermediate region operatively coupled to the shaft and an outer connecting portion forming a flexible cylinder, wherein the shaft and the

A flywheel assembly for storing energy and rotatable in response to the rotation of a shaft includes a hub having a transition portion having a constant stress intermediate region operatively coupled to the shaft and an outer connecting portion forming a flexible cylinder, wherein the shaft and the flexible cylinder are substantially coaxial, and an outer cylinder wherein a majority of the mass of the flywheel assembly is concentrated. The flexible cylinder includes connecting pads disposed at opposing edges of the outer side of the flexible cylinder thereby permitting connection to the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder increases radially responsive to a corresponding increase in rotational speed of the flywheel assembly, while the diameter of the transition portion of the hub follows the radial increase of the outer cylinder.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A flywheel assembly storing energy and rotatable in response to the rotation of a shaft, comprising:a hub containing a substantially cylindrical region disposed proximate to the shaft, a constant stress intermediate region and an outer connecting region forming a flexible

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A flywheel assembly storing energy and rotatable in response to the rotation of a shaft, comprising:a hub containing a substantially cylindrical region disposed proximate to the shaft, a constant stress intermediate region and an outer connecting region forming a flexible cylinder substantially parallel to and concentric with the shaft; anda cylinder portion wherein a majority of the mass of said flywheel assembly is concentrated wherein:said cylinder portion includes an innermost cylinder and an outermost cylinder:said innermost cylinder mechanically connects said flexible cylinder to said outermost cylinder;said outermost cylinder includes an inner first region and an outer second region: said innermost cylinder, said first region and said second region are composed of a first strength fiber, a second strength fiber and third strength fiber, respectively; andthe respective strength of said fibers is selected responsive to distance from the shaft.