Energy control

Abstract

An energy storage apparatus is provided comprising a flywheel (12) having at least one input. According to an aspect, the flywheel input is arranged, in use, to supply energy to the flywheel, wherein that energy has been recovered from engine exhaust gas. According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising a charge boosting device arranged, in use, to provide inlet pressure boost to an engine. The apparatus further comprises a flywheel wherein said flywheel is arranged to supply energy to drive operation of the charge boosting device.

Description

[0001]This invention relates to control of energy. In particular, it relates to using a flywheel for supply, storage and recovery of energy.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The conservation and optimal use of energy is a key consideration in the manufacture and running of modern vehicles and machinery. There is an increasing user demand for efficiency and for obtaining the best possible output at the lowest possible cost to the user. Considerations in this cost / output balance include both financial and environmental factors. In addition, there is a demand for improved power and speed from vehicles and machinery, whilst at the same time a desire to provide a comfortable and user friendly feel. Furthermore, there is a trend for engines, motors and other equipment to become ever more compact and streamlined.[0003]There are many known approaches for dealing with the above discussed balance. For example, as user demand for environmentally friendly vehicles grows and the regulations on ca...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text discusses the problem of efficiently using energy in vehicles and machinery while also considering user-important factors like comfort, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. The text describes an energy storage apparatus that uses a flywheel to store and recover energy, which can be used to power vehicles and machines. The technical effect of this invention is to optimize energy usage in vehicles and machinery while also improving user experience and reducing waste energy dissipation.

Problems solved by technology

Problems exist with known hybrid systems since the high cycling frequency of the hybrid battery system charge level caused by, for example, regenerative braking and recovery during a typical vehicle usage scenario and the high power flows associated with these operations accelerate the deterioration of battery health, thereby limiting the system life.

Warranty is thus often limited on batteries in conventional hybrid systems.

Furthermore, battery cycling may be limited by protective control systems which control distribution of power supply and / or charging in a hybrid system.

An effect of this protective limiting is to impair the CO2 reduction efficacy of the corresponding hybrid system.

However, both these devices have associated disadvantages in practice.

However superchargers do introduce parasitic losses of engine power, thereby reducing their overall efficacy in terms of reducing fuel consumption.

Whilst this transmission type is very efficient, this feeling of torque-interrupt during gearshifts compromises shift comfort and driveability for the user.

However, additional energy supply is required within the vehicle in order to power such electric motors and, furthermore, there is inevitable energy loss during the energy conversion stage between electric and kinetic energy.

Dual clutch and automatic transmissions limit the torque-interrupt during a gearshift, however these transmission types are more expensive than, and / or inherently less efficient than, the automated manual transmission due to associated losses when supplying the drive system with energy.

However, a problem with known flywheel implementation remains that of how to charge the flywheel initially and at points of low energy therein.

However, it will be appreciated that this is not ideal since it introduces an additional energy demand on the electrical energy storage system within a vehicle, whilst at the same time not providing a reduction in waste energy dissipation from the vehicle.

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