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 has a filing date of December 2, 2023, and claims priority from Israeli patent IL 309026, 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 receiving electrical energy, storing it as rotational energy, and providing the stored energy as electrical energy as needed. [Background technology]

[0002] A challenge in utilizing electricity is to balance the load between the generated power and the power needed at that time. When demand is insufficient, for example, during regenerative braking, during the day when solar panels are used, or when wind turbines are used in particularly windy conditions, excess power can be generated. On the other hand, when needed, for example, when an electric vehicle accelerates, during the night when solar panels are used, or when there is insufficient wind, there can be a shortage of power. Known electrical energy storage devices have various limitations and drawbacks. It would be useful to have a device that can store received electrical energy and supply the stored energy as electrical energy when needed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0003] Some embodiments will be described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. By referring to this specification in conjunction with the drawings, those skilled in the art will understand how some embodiments may be implemented. The drawings are for illustrative purposes and do not show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. For clarity, some objects depicted in the drawings are not drawn to scale. [Figure 1A] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the teachings described herein, showing the mechanical parts of the apparatus. [Figure 1B]1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the teachings described herein, showing a portion of the device's electrical circuitry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to devices suitable for receiving electrical energy, storing it as rotational energy, and providing the stored energy as electrical energy on demand.

[0005] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present teachings, an apparatus is provided that receives and stores electrical energy as rotational energy, and supplies the stored energy as electrical energy as needed (in some preferred embodiments in electric vehicles, without losing energy during driving, rotation, vibration, and other disturbances). a. a base (e.g., an electric vehicle chassis); b. a frame rotatably mounted to the base and rotatable about a frame spin axis oriented in a first direction; c. a gimbal rotatably mounted to the frame and rotatable about a gimbal spin axis perpendicular to the spin axis of the frame; d. a rotor rotatably mounted to the gimbal and rotatable about a rotor spin axis perpendicular to the gimbal spin axis; the base, the frame, the gimbal, and the rotor together form a gyroscope assembly (preferably providing free rotation of the rotor in three dimensions, eliminating mechanical friction that causes energy loss); the rotor is configured as a rotor of a rotating electric machine operatively associated with a field of the rotating electric machine; The gimbal is configured as a stator of a rotating electrical machine having operatively associated stator leads for transmitting electricity to and from the gimbal, the stator leads including at least two rotary electrical connectors: two stator lead gimbal frame rotary electrical connectors and two stator lead frame-based rotary electrical connectors.

[0006] In some embodiments, the device further comprises an electrical circuit operatively associated with stator lead 1 and stator lead 2, the electrical circuit comprising at least: i. a first state in which the electric machine functions as a motor, the electrical output to the electrical circuit increasing the rotational speed of the rotor and electrical energy being stored as rotational energy of the rotor; ii. A second state in which Stator Lead 1 and Stator Lead 2 are de-energized, allowing the rotor to rotate without inductive braking due to interaction with the stator; iii. a third state in which the electric machine acts as a generator, allowing for the controlled conversion of the rotor's rotational energy into electricity that can be output from an electrical circuit; It has three states:

[0007] In some embodiments, at least one of the rotary electrical connectors includes 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 a rotating electrical machine and the stator is the field of the rotating electrical machine. In some embodiments, the rotor is the field of a rotating electrical machine and the stator is the armature of the rotating electrical machine. Feature aspects and embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the following description and accompanying claims and drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for receiving electrical energy, storing it as rotational energy, and providing the stored energy as electrical energy as needed.

[0009] The principles, applications, and implementations of the teachings herein may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and figures. After perusal of the description and figures herein, one skilled in the art will be able to practice the invention without undue effort or experimentation. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

[0010] Before describing at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the application is not necessarily limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of components and / or methods described herein. The inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0011] An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the teachings described herein is shown generally in FIG. 1A (mechanical components of the device) and FIG. 1B (electrical circuitry of the device).

[0012] In FIG. 1A, an apparatus 10 for storing received electrical energy as rotational energy and providing the stored energy as electrical energy on demand in accordance with the teachings herein includes: a. Base 12 and b. a frame 14 rotatably mounted to the base 12 to allow rotation of the frame 14 about a frame spin axis 16 oriented in a first direction; c. a gimbal 18 rotatably mounted to the frame 14, allowing rotation of the gimbal 18 about a gimbal spin axis 20 perpendicular to the frame spin axis 16; d. a rotor 22 rotatably mounted to the gimbal 18, allowing rotation of the rotor 22 about a rotor spin axis 24 perpendicular to the gimbal spin axis 20; Together, the base 12 , the frame 14 , the gimbal 18 , and the rotor 22 comprise a gyroscope assembly 26 .

[0013] In particular, the rotatable mounting of the various components is via low friction bearings or similar components, allowing the gyroscope assembly 26 to function as a gyroscope as is known to those skilled in the art. Further included within the gimbal 18 is configured as a stator of a rotating electrical machine 28 having operatively associated stator leads 30 for communicating electricity to and from the stator windings of the gimbal 18, and operatively associated second stator leads 38 for communicating electricity to and from the stator leads of the gimbal 18.

[0014] In some embodiments, the rotor is the field winding of a rotating electrical machine and the stator is the armature winding of the rotating electrical machine. In some alternative embodiments, the rotor is the armature winding of a rotating electrical machine and the stator is the field of the rotating electrical machine.

[0015] Each of the stator leads 30 and 38 includes at least two rotary electrical connectors. The first pair of rotary electrical connectors are the stator lead frame-based rotary electrical connectors 42 and 36. 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 stator lead gimbal frame rotary electrical connectors 40 and 34. 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 armature winding leads 30 and 38, there are at least three sets of rotary electrical connectors. The first set of rotary electrical connectors are rotor lead frame base rotary electrical connectors 36, 42. These provide electrical communication for the rotary joint between the frame 14 and the base 12. The second set of rotary electrical connectors are rotor lead gimbal frame rotary electrical connectors 34, 40, which provide electrical communication for the rotary joint between the gimbal 18 and the frame 14. The third set of rotary electrical connectors are rotor lead rotor gimbal rotary electrical connectors 32, 51. These provide electrical communication for 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, the rotary electrical connectors are all 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 which are shown in Figure 1B, where it can be seen that the electrical circuit 44 of the device 10 comprises a three-way switch 46 having three positions.

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

[0020] When conductor 46a is in electrical communication with contact 46c (as shown in FIG. 1B), electric machine 28 is not part of the electrical circuit through stator leads 30 and stator leads 38. This is the second state of electrical circuit 44, and no electricity passes through stator leads 30 and stator leads 38, allowing electric machine 28 to interact with the stator to rotate rotor 22 without inductive braking.

[0021] When conductor 46a is in electrical communication with contact 46d, an electrical circuit is completed between electric machine 28 and motor / battery 50 via stator leads 30 and stator leads 38. This is the third state of electric circuit 44 in which electric machine 28 acts as a generator, controlling the conversion of rotational energy of rotor 22 into electricity that can be output from electric circuit 44 to run the motor and / or charge battery 50.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein 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 herein, the words "comprise," "include," "have," and grammatical variations thereof are to be construed as identifying the stated features, integers, steps, or components, but do not exclude the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. As used herein, 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, it is intended to mean ±10%. As used herein, phrases in the form "A and / or B" mean selection from the group consisting of (A), (B), or (A and B). As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" means 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, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or with any other described embodiment of the invention, as appropriate. Particular features described in the context of various embodiments are not considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperable without that element.

[0026] Embodiments of the methods and / or apparatus described herein may involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Some of the methods and / or apparatus described herein are implemented using components made up of hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, some components are general-purpose components such as a general-purpose computer, a digital processor, or an oscilloscope. In some embodiments, some components are specialized or custom components such as circuits, integrated circuits, or software.

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

[0028] While the present invention has been described herein in conjunction 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] Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the instant invention.

[0030] Section headings are used herein for ease of understanding and should not be construed as necessarily 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 due to driving, rotation, vibration, or other interference, comprising: a.The base of the electric vehicle chassis (12); b. a frame (14) rotatably mounted to the base (12) and rotatable about a frame spin axis (16) oriented in a first direction; c. a gimbal (18) rotatably mounted to the frame (14) and rotatable about a gimbal spin axis (20) perpendicular to the 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); the rotor (22) is configured as a rotor of a rotating electrical machine (28) operatively associated with a magnetic field of the rotating electrical machine (28); The gimbal (18) is configured as a stator of the rotating electrical 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 (34, 40) for the stator lead wires; and a frame-based rotary electrical connector (36, 42) for the stator lead wires; the rotor is the magnetic field of the rotating electrical machine, and the stator is the armature of the rotating electrical machine, with magnets of the magnetic field rotating within a cavity defined by windings of the armature; The stator leads include a first stator lead and a second stator lead, and further include an electrical circuit operatively associated with the first stator lead and the second stator lead, the electrical circuit comprising at least: i. a first state in which the electric machine functions as a motor and applies an electrical input to the electrical circuit to increase the rotational speed of the rotor and store electrical energy of the electricity as rotational energy of the rotor; ii. a second state in which no current flows through the first stator lead and the second stator lead and the rotor is capable of rotating without induced braking due to interaction with the stator; a third state in which the electric machine functions as a generator and controllably converts the rotational energy of the rotor into electricity that can be output from the electrical circuit.

2. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rotary electrical connectors comprises a slip ring that securely couples a stator coil to another electrical device.

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

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