Energy storage device

Abstract

To provide an energy storage device suitable for storing received electrical energy as rotational energy and, providing the stored energy as electrical energy on demand.SOLUTION: The energy storage device comprises electrical circuitry functionally associated with a stator lead and a stator lead. The electrical circuitry has at least three states: i. a first state where an electrical machine functions as a motor, the first state allowing electricity input to the electrical circuitry to increase a rate of rotation of a rotor, and allowing electrical energy of the electricity to be stored as rotational energy of the rotor; ii. a second state where no electricity passes through the stator lead and the stator lead so that the rotor can rotate without inductive braking by interaction with the stator; and iii. a third state where the electrical machine functions as a generator, allowing controlled conversion of rotational energy of the rotor to electricity that can be output from the electrical circuitry.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority from Israeli Patent IL 309026, which was filed on December 2, 2023, and granted on July 2, 2024. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to the field of energy storage, and more particularly, to an apparatus suitable for storing received electrical energy as rotational energy and supplying the stored energy as electrical energy as needed.

Background Art

[0002] An issue in power utilization is to balance the load between the generated power and the power required at that time. When demand is insufficient, for example, during regenerative braking, during the day when using solar panels, especially when the wind is strong when using wind turbines, surplus power may be generated. On the other hand, for example, when an electric vehicle accelerates, at night when using solar panels, when the wind is insufficient, etc., there may be a shortage of power when needed. Known electrical energy storage devices have various limitations and drawbacks. It would be convenient to have a device that can store the received electrical energy and supply the stored energy as electrical energy as needed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] In this specification, some embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. By referring to this specification and the drawings together, those skilled in the art will be able to understand how to implement some embodiments. The drawings are for illustrative purposes and do not show the structural details of the embodiments in more detail than necessary for an essential understanding of the invention. For clarity, some of the objects depicted in the figures are not to scale.

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some embodiments of this invention relate to an apparatus suitable for storing received electrical energy as rotational energy and supplying the stored energy as electrical energy as needed.

[0005] According to one aspect of some embodiments of the present teachings, there is provided an apparatus that accumulates received electrical energy as rotational energy and supplies the accumulated energy as electrical energy as needed (in some preferred embodiments in an electric vehicle, during operation, rotation, vibration, and other disturbances, without losing energy). a. A base (e.g., the chassis of an electric vehicle), and b. A frame rotatably attached to the base and rotatable about a frame spin axis oriented in a first direction, and c. A gimbal rotatably attached to the frame and rotatable about a gimbal spin axis perpendicular to the frame's spin axis, and d. A rotor rotatably attached to the gimbal and rotatable about a rotor spin axis perpendicular to the gimbal spin axis, comprising The base, the frame, the gimbal, and the rotor together constitute a gyroscope assembly (preferably providing three-dimensional free rotation of the rotor as a place to eliminate mechanical friction that causes energy loss), The rotor is configured as the rotor of an electric rotating machine that is functionally related to the field of the electric rotating machine, The gimbal is configured as the stator of an electric rotating machine having functionally related stator leads for transmitting electricity between the gimbal, and the stator leads comprise at least two rotary electrical connectors: a gimbal frame rotary electrical connector for the two stator leads and a frame base rotary electrical connector for the two stator leads.

[0006] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an electrical circuit that is functionally associated with stator lead 1 and stator lead 2, and the electrical circuit includes at least i. a first state in which the electromechanical device functions as a motor, an electrical output to the electrical circuit increases the rotational speed of the rotor, and electrical energy is stored as rotational energy of the rotor; ii. a second state in which no electricity is passed through stator lead 1 and stator lead 2, and the rotor can rotate without induction braking due to interaction with the stator; iii. a third state in which the electromechanical device functions as a generator, enabling a controlled conversion of the rotational energy of the rotor into electrical energy that can be output from the electrical circuit. It has three states.

[0007] In some embodiments, at least one of the rotary electrical connectors comprises a slip ring that securely couples the stator coil to another electrical device. In some embodiments, at least one of the rotary electrical connectors comprises a rotary transformer. In some embodiments, the rotor is the armature of the rotating electrical machine and the stator is the field of the rotating electrical machine. In some embodiments, the rotor is the field of the rotating electrical machine and the stator is the armature of the rotating electrical machine. The characteristic aspects and embodiments of this invention are described in the following description, the appended claims, and the figures.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for accumulating received electrical energy as rotational energy and supplying the accumulated energy as electrical energy as needed.

[0009] The principles, uses, and implementations of the teachings herein will be better understood by reference to the accompanying description and drawings. By perusing the description and drawings herein, those skilled in the art will be able to implement the present invention without undue effort or experimentation. In the figures, reference numerals indicate like parts throughout.

[0010] Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it should be understood that the details of the configurations and arrangements of the components and / or the details of the methods described herein are not necessarily limited in their application. The invention described herein is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. The expressions and terms used herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus according to the teachings described herein are schematically shown in FIG. 1A (mechanical components of the apparatus) and FIG. 1B (electrical circuit of the apparatus).

[0012] In FIG. 1A, according to the teachings described herein, an apparatus 10 for accumulating received electrical energy as rotational energy and supplying the accumulated energy as electrical energy as needed is a. a base 12, b. a frame 14 rotatably attached to the base 12 and enabling rotation of the frame 14 about a frame spin axis 16 that is oriented in a first direction, c. a gimbal 18 rotatably attached to the frame 14 and enabling rotation of the gimbal 18 about a gimbal spin axis 20 that is perpendicular to the frame spin axis 16, d. a rotor 22 rotatably attached to the gimbal 18 and enabling rotation of the rotor 22 about a rotor spin axis 24 that is perpendicular to the gimbal spin axis 20, and the base 12, the frame 14, the gimbal 18, and the rotor 22 together constitute a gyroscope assembly 26.

[0013] Specifically, the rotatable attachment of the various components is performed via low-friction bearings or similar components, and the gyroscope assembly 26 can function as a gyroscope well-known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, what is included in the gimbal 18 is configured as the stator of the rotary electric machine 28 having the stator lead wires 30 of the functionally related stator for transmitting electricity between the stator windings of the gimbal 18, and is configured as the lead wires of the stator of the rotary electric machine 28 having the second lead wires 38 of the functionally related stator for transmitting electricity between the stator lead wires of the gimbal 18.

[0014] In some embodiments, the rotor is the field of the rotary electric machine, and the stator is the armature winding of the rotary electric machine. In some alternative embodiments, the rotor is the armature winding of the rotary electric machine, and the stator is the field of the rotary electric machine.

[0015] The stator lead wires 30 and 38 each include at least two rotary electrical connectors. The first pair of rotary electrical connectors are the frame base rotary electrical connectors 42 and 36 of the stator lead wires. These provide electrical communication across the rotary joint between the frame 14 and the base 12. The second pair of rotary electrical connectors are the gimbal frame rotary electrical connectors 40 and 34 of the stator lead wires. These provide electrical communication across the rotary joint between the gimbal 18 and the frame 14.

[0016] In some alternative embodiments where the rotor is the lead wires 30 and 38 of the stator winding, at least three sets of rotary electrical connectors are provided. The first set of rotary electrical connectors are the frame-based rotary electrical connectors 36, 42 of the rotor lead wires. These provide electrical communication at the rotary joint between the frame 14 and the base 12. The second set of rotary electrical connectors are the rotor lead wire gimbal frame rotary electrical connectors 34, 40 that provide electrical communication at the rotary joint between the gimbal 18 and the frame 14. The third set of rotary electrical connectors are the rotor gimbal rotary electrical connectors 32, 51 of the rotary lead wires. These provide electrical communication at the rotary joint between the rotor 22 and the gimbal 18.

[0017] The various rotary electrical connectors may be any suitable rotary electrical connectors. In some embodiments, at least one rotary electrical connector of the device comprises a slip ring. In some embodiments, at least one rotary electrical connector of the device comprises a rotary transformer. In some embodiments, all of the rotary electrical connectors are of the same type. Alternatively, in some embodiments, at least one rotary electrical connector is of a different type than at least one other rotary electrical connector.

[0018] The device 10 further comprises an electrical circuit 44. The details of the electrical circuit 44 are shown in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 1B, it can be seen that the electrical circuit 44 of the device 10 comprises a three-way switch 46 having three positions.

[0019] When the conductor 46a is in electrical communication with the contact 46b, an electrical circuit exists between the electromechanical machine 28 and the power source 48 via the stator lead wire 30 and the stator lead wire 38. This is the first state of the electrical circuit 44 that enables the electromechanical machine 28 to function as a motor. Specifically, the electricity input from the power source 48 to the electrical circuit 44 increases the rotational speed of the rotor 22, whereby the electrical energy of the electricity from the power source 48 is stored as the rotational energy of the rotor 22.

[0020] When conductor 46a is in electrical communication with contact 46c (shown in FIG. 1B), the electromechanical device 28 is not part of the electrical circuit passing through stator lead 30 and stator lead 38. This is the second state of electrical circuit 44, and since electricity does not pass through stator lead 30 and stator lead 38, the rotor 22 can be rotated without induction braking due to the interaction with the stator of the electromechanical device 28.

[0021] When conductor 46a is in electrical communication with contact 46d, an electrical circuit is formed between the electromechanical device 28 and the motor / battery 50 via stator lead 30 and stator lead 38. This is the third state of electrical circuit 44 in which the electromechanical device 28 functions as a generator, and controls the conversion of the rotational energy of rotor 22 for electricity that can be output from electrical circuit 44 to operate the motor or charge battery 50.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

[0023] As used in this specification, "comprising", "including", "having" and their grammatical variations are to be construed as specifying the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. As used in this specification, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" mean "at least one" or "one or more" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0024] As used herein, when the word "about" is placed before a numerical value, the word "about" shall mean ±10%. As used herein, a phrase in the form of "A and / or B" shall mean a selection from the group consisting of (A), (B), or (A and B). As used herein, the expression "at least one of A, B, and C" shall mean a selection from the group consisting of (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A and B and C).

[0025] Certain features of the invention that are described in the context of separate embodiments for clarity may sometimes be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are described in the context of a single embodiment for brevity may be provided separately, or in any suitable sub-combination, or in any other suitable embodiment of the invention. Specific features described in the context of various embodiments are not considered essential features of those embodiments, except where the embodiment would not operate without that element.

[0026] Embodiments of the methods and / or apparatuses described herein may include performing or completing a selected task manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Some of the methods and / or apparatuses described herein are implemented using components configured of hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, some components are general-purpose components such as general-purpose computers, digital processors, or oscilloscopes. In some embodiments, some components are dedicated or custom components such as circuits, integrated circuits, or software.

[0027] For example, in some embodiments, a portion thereof is implemented as a plurality of software instructions executed by a data processor that is, for example, part of a general-purpose or custom computer. In some embodiments, the data processor or computer comprises volatile memory for storing instructions and / or data, and / or non-volatile storage for storing instructions and / or data, such as a magnetic hard disk and / or removable media. In some embodiments, the implementation includes a network connection. In some embodiments, the implementation includes a user interface, which generally consists of one or more of an input device (e.g., enabling the input of commands and / or parameters) and an output device (e.g., enabling the reporting of parameters of operations and results).

[0028] Although the invention has been described herein in connection with specific embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0029] The citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art with respect to the present invention.

[0030] Section headings are used herein for ease of understanding and should not necessarily be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus (10) for receiving electrical energy, storing it as rotational energy, and supplying the stored energy as electrical energy on demand in an electric vehicle without energy loss during driving, rotation, vibration, or other interference, comprising: a. An electric vehicle chassis base (12); b. a frame (14) rotatably mounted to the base (12) to allow the frame (14) to rotate about a frame spin axis (16) oriented in a first direction; c. a gimbal (18) rotatably mounted to said frame (14) and rotatable about a gimbal spin axis (20) perpendicular to said frame spin axis (16); d. a rotor (22) rotatably mounted to the gimbal (18) and rotatable about a rotor spin axis (24) perpendicular to the gimbal spin axis (20); the base (12), the frame (14), the gimbal (18), and the rotor (22) together form a gyroscope assembly (26) that provides three-dimensional free rotation of the rotor as a field that eliminates mechanical friction associated with energy losses; the rotor (22) being configured as a rotor of a rotating electric machine (28) operatively associated with a field of the rotating electric machine (28); The gimbal (18) is configured as a stator of the rotating electric machine (28) with operatively associated stator leads (38, 30) for transmitting electricity to and from the gimbal (18), the stator leads (38, 30) being connected to at least two rotating electrical connectors, i.e. a gimbal frame rotating electrical connector for the two stator leads (34, 40); and a frame-based rotating electrical connector (36, 42) for the two stator leads.

2. an electrical circuit (44) operatively associated with said stator lead 1 (30) and said stator lead 2 (38), said electrical circuit (44) comprising at least i. a first state in which the electric machine (28) functions as a motor, and the electrical output to the electric circuit (44) increases the rotational speed of the rotor (22) and the electrical energy of the electricity is stored as rotational energy of the rotor (22); ii. a second state in which no electricity passes through the Stator Lead 1 (30) and the Stator Lead 2 (38), thereby allowing the Rotor (22) to rotate without inductive braking due to interaction with the Stator; and and iii. a third state in which the electric machine functions as a generator and controls the conversion of rotational energy of the rotor (22) into electricity that can be output from the electric circuit (44).

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rotating electrical connectors comprises a slip ring for securely coupling a stator coil to another electrical device.

4. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rotating electrical connectors comprises a rotary transformer.

5. the rotor being the armature of the rotating electrical machine; An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the stator is a field of the rotating electrical machine.

6. the rotor is a field of the rotating electrical machine; An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the stator is an armature of the rotating electrical machine.

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