A system and a method for deceleration

Abstract

A system designed to decelerate a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (A) (100), said system (100) comprising: one or more shafts (110) intended for coupling to the one or more rotating components (A), and one or more masses (120) hinged onto the one or more shafts (110); wherein the one or more masses (120) are designed to oscillate; and wherein the one or more masses (120) engage with the one or more rotating components (A) upon coupling the one or more shafts (110) to said one or more rotating components (A) for decelerating the kinetic machinery.

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR DECELERATION

[0002] Field of the Invention:

[0003]

[0001] , The present invention pertains to the field of controlled motion & mobility, particularly in the field of deceleration, including retarding, braking, slowing down and / or stopping kinetic machineries.

[0004] Background of the Invention:

[0005]

[0002] , Kinetic machinery refers to an assembled system of components designed to perform work through controlled motion, characterised by the intentional management of their movement. Kinetic machinery encompasses, among other things, transportation systems such as automobiles, trains, and aircraft, as well as equipment like industrial flywheels and wind turbines.

[0006]

[0003] , The defining feature of the kinetic machinery is the necessity of a dedicated mechanism to actively decelerate, slow down, and / or stop the kinetic machinery to perform its designated work. Such mechanisms essentially operate and act upon the rotating components within the kinetic machinery to slow them down, achieving the desired deceleration of the kinetic machinery. Such rotating components may include driveshafts, wheel axles, and wheels in automobiles, wheels of landing gears in aircraft, wheels and axles in train coaches, rotating shafts in industrial flywheels, shafts in wind turbines, air shafts, conveyor belts, and other moving and rotating parts within the kinetic machinery.

[0007]

[0004] , With the evolution of technology and the development of high-speed kinetic machinery, technological development in its deceleration has become equally critical.

[0008]

[0005] , Conventional brakes, such as drum and disc brakes, have been used for deceleration for centuries, operating on those rotating components through a friction-based mechanism. While conventional brakes are effective and widely adopted, they have a long-standing and well-documented list of limitations, ranging from brake fade to overheating, particularly in heavy and fast kinetic machinery, which reduces the efficacy and operational lifespan of these brakes.

[0006] , To address the limitations of conventional brakes, retarder systems were introduced as a supplement, offloading excessive pressure and thereby improving their efficacy and operational lifespan, while achieving deceleration of the kinetic machinery.

[0009]

[0007] , One such retarder system in the existing state of the art operates on hydraulics. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that this retarder system is commonly used in heavy kinetic machinery, such as trucks & buses, and functions through a viscous drag force within a fluid-filled chamber to decelerate the kinetic machinery. This system consists of rotating vanes attached to the rotating components of the kinetic machinery and static vanes located within a chamber of this system. Once the system is triggered, a working fluid is pumped into the chamber, where the viscous drag force between the rotating vanes and the static vanes slows down the rotating component and decelerates the kinetic machinery.

[0010]

[0008] , However, a person skilled in the art would also acknowledge the apparent drawbacks of the hydraulic retarder system, which generates a significant amount of heat and is heavily dependent on an external cooling system, which is not only expensive but also inefficient during prolonged or heavy deceleration. Furthermore, continuous use of this system leads to overheating of the working fluid, making it more susceptible to failure.

[0011]

[0009] , Another retarder system in the existing state of the art is known an eddy current retarder system. This system operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction, wherein a metallic disc or rotor is connected to the rotating components of the kinetic machinery, which rotates within the magnetic field of a magnet, specifically an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. Upon initiation of this retarder system, an eddy current is induced in the rotor, creating a magnetic drag force that slows down the rotating component to decelerate the kinetic machinery. However, this system also generates a significant amount of heat, for which an additional external air-cooling system is required. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art appreciates that complex electrical circuits, magnetic coils, control panels, and cooling systems make this system a costly mechanism.

[0012]

[0010] , Another existing state-of-the-art technology known to the person skilled in the art is a regenerative braking system, used in kinetic machinery operating on electric motors, such as electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. This system utilises the rotating motion of the rotating components of the kinetic machinery to generate electricity, causing the electric motor to operate as a generator. This creates a braking effect, which slows down the rotating components while recharging its battery. However, this system has its own limitations, as it works only with kinetic machineries having electric powertrains and does not work on those machines operating on internal combustion engines, railway locomotives, and other similar kinetic machineries. Furthermore, the efficiency of this system depends on the battery capacity of the kinetic machinery, rendering it ineffective in a kinetic machinery without batteries or with smaller batteries.

[0013] [Oi l], Another existing state-of-the-art technology includes an engine compression retarder, which utilises the compression stroke of the engine to slow down the kinetic machinery. However, this system generates excessive heat energy through the compressed air, causing rapid wear and tear of engine components. Additionally, engine brakes produce high noise levels during operation, causing environmental noise pollution.

[0014]

[0012] , A person skilled in the art would appreciate that these existing states of the art generate significant heat, which can cause overheating, brake fading, and system failure. Furthermore, these existing state-of-the-art systems require an external cooling mechanism, which significantly increases the system's cost. Furthermore, these systems are not compatible with all kinds of kinetic machineries, having their applicability limited to only heavy automobiles. It goes without saying that these existing state-of- the-art systems are expensive and require high maintenance and operational costs.

[0015]

[0013] , The present invention, which aims to address at least the above-identified problems in existing state-of-the-art mechanisms, is technically advanced and significantly more economical compared to existing state-of-the-art mechanisms, while being novel and industrially applicable to a person skilled in the art.

[0016] Summary of the Invention:

[0017]

[0014] , The Present invention addresses at least the above-mentioned problem(s) and provides an optimal solution, which is not only novel but is technically advanced, economically viable, and industrially practical.

[0015] , Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is a system to decelerate a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (A) (100), said system (100) comprising - (i) One or more shafts (110) configured for coupling to the one or more rotating components (A), and (ii) One or more masses (120) hinged onto the one or more shafts (110); wherein the one or masses (120) are configured to oscillate; wherein the one or more masses (120) engage with the one or more rotating components (A) upon coupling the one or more shafts (110) to the one or more rotating components (A) for decelerating the kinetic machinery.

[0018]

[0016] , Another aspect of this invention is a method for decelerating a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (200), wherein said kinetic machinery is in motion and said one or more rotating components are in rotating motion, said method (200) comprises the steps of - (a) Engaging one or more masses with the one or more rotating components (210); wherein said one or more masses are configured to oscillate and wherein the one or more masses are in an equilibrium position, (b) Transmitting the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components onto the engaged one or more masses (220); wherein said transmission (220) perturbs those engaged one or more masses from the equilibrium position to an oscillating motion, (c) Resisting the oscillating motion of the engaged one or more masses (230); wherein said resistance (230) dampens the oscillating motion of the engaged one or more masses, and (d) Transmitting the dampened oscillating motion of those engaged one or more masses onto the one or more rotating components in rotating motion (240); wherein this transmission (240) slows down the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components to obtain the deceleration of the kinetic machinery.

[0019]

[0017] , Other aspects and features of the present invention are evident and clarificatory from the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying figures and exemplary embodiments.

[0020] Description of Figures & Drawings:

[0021]

[0018] , Figure 1. Illustrates a system to decelerate a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (A) (100); wherein Figure 1A illustrates one or more masses (120) in the system (100) which are configured to oscillate linearly, and Figure IB illustrates one or more masses (120) in the system (100) which are configured to oscillate angularly.

[0022]

[0019] , Figure 2. Illustrates the system to decelerate the kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (A) (100) installed therein, wherein Figure 2A illustrates the interaction of the system (100) as depicted in Figure 1A with the one or more rotating components (A), and, Figure 2B illustrates the interaction of the system (100) as depicted in Figure IB with the one or more rotating components (A).

[0023]

[0020] , Figure 3. Illustrates a method for decelerating a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (A) (200).

[0024]

[0021] , Figure 4. Illustrates a step of engaging one or more oscillating masses with the one or more rotating components (A) (210) in the method for decelerating the kinetic machinery (200).

[0025]

[0022] , Figure 5. Illustrates a method for decelerating the kinetic machinery configured with the one or more rotating components, wherein said kinetic machinery is an automobile and said one or more rotating components are a driveshaft (300).

[0026] Detailed Description of the Invention:

[0027]

[0023] , This detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying figures, intends to elaborate on the advantages and features of this invention readily. Various embodiments and illustrations may be used here to describe the invention, which shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. These embodiments and illustrations are provided to properly convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. For the sake of simplicity, various aspects of the embodiments are referred to using numerals that correspond to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0028]

[0024] , A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” used herein are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. A person skilled in the art would further appreciate that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising”, when used in this specification, would specify the presence of stated features, steps, or operations, but would not preclude the presence or addition of other features, steps, or operations.

[0029]

[0025] , It is further emphasised that terms, including scientific and technical terms used herein, should be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with their dictionary meanings. They should not be interpreted and construed in an idealised or overly formal sense unless the context expressly states so.

[0030]

[0026] , Referring to the figures, sub-figures in Figure 1 depict a stand-alone system to decelerate a kinetic machinery (100). As illustrated, the system (100) comprises one or more shafts (100) configured for coupling to the one or more rotating components (A), and one or more masses (120) hinged onto the one or more shafts (110), wherein the one or masses (120) are configured to oscillate. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that these figures depict crankshafts as a preferred embodiment, which are a particular type of the one or more shafts (110) capable of converting rotational motion to oscillating motion (back-and-forth or to-and-fro) and vice versa. The one or more masses (120) are hinged onto the one or more shafts (110) through the connecting rods and couplers, enabling these one or more masses (120) to oscillate in coordination with the one or more shafts (110). A person skilled in the art would further appreciate that the one or more masses (120) may either be configured to oscillate linearly, as depicted in Figure 1 A, or angularly, as depicted in Figure IB, or a combination thereof.

[0031]

[0027] , The system (100), as illustrated in sub-figures of Figure 1, is installed into the kinetic machinery, configured with one or more rotating components (A) such that the system (100) is enabled to interact with the one or more rotating components (A) for deceleration of the kinetic machinery by its operating user as required, as illustrated is the sub-figures of Figures 2. As depicted in those sub-figures, the system (100) is enabled to interact with the one or more rotating components (A) through one or more coupling media (130). A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the one or more coupling media (130) serve as a mechanical interface to couple the one or more shafts (110) with the one or more rotating components (A), enabling the transmission of motion between these two parts. In a preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in the sub-figures of Figure 2, the one or more coupling media (130) used for the intended purpose is known to the person skilled in the art as clutch plate system, but, gear wheels, belt and pulley systems, chain and sprocket systems, dog clutches, flexible couplings, rigid couplings, magnetic couplings, hydraulic couplings, spline shafts and hubs, and cone clutches are a few examples of coupling media which may also be used for this purpose.

[0032]

[0028] , A person skilled in the art would further appreciate that the one or rotating components (A) within the kinetic machinery are essentially required to be slowed down for achieving the desired deceleration of the kinetic machinery, and may include driveshafts, wheel axles, and wheels in automobiles, wheels of landing gears in aircraft, wheels and axles in train coaches, rotating shafts in industrial flywheels, shafts in wind turbines, air shafts, conveyor belts, and other moving and rotating parts within the kinetic machinery, as known thereto. Accordingly, the applicability of the system (100) is apparent from this detailed description and the accompanying figures, which are suitable for a person skilled in the art.

[0033]

[0029] , To understand the operation of the system (100), a person skilled in the art would acknowledge that the kinetic machinery, which requires deceleration, is in motion, and the one or more rotating components (A) therein are in rotating motion, which needs to be acted upon and slowed down to decelerate the kinetic machinery. Once the system (100) interacts with the one or more rotating components (A) for the deceleration of the kinetic machinery, the one or more shafts (110) in the system (100) couple to the one or more rotating components (A) to engage the one or more masses (120) with those one or more rotating components (A).

[0034]

[0030] , This engagement transmits the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A) initially to the one or more shafts (110), and eventually to the one or more masses (120) hinged onto those one or more shafts (110). Person skilled in the art would appreciate that the one or masses (120), before the interaction of the system (100) with the one or more rotating components (A), are in an equilibrium position, and the transmission of this motion perturbs the one or more masses (120) from the equilibrium position to an oscillating motion, leading them (120) to oscillate in their (120) path, as illustrated by arrowed lines in sub-figures of Figures 1 and 2. A person skilled in the art would know that the equilibrium position is the point where the net force on the one or more masses (120) is zero, and those one or more masses (120) would stay at rest if left undisturbed.

[0031] , A person skilled in the art would appreciate that as the one or more masses (120) start oscillating, their motion is inherently resisted by the one or more masses (120) themselves in accordance with the Law of Inertia. A person skilled in the art would understand that the oscillating motion of the one or more oscillating masses (120) is a form of pertinent and continuous change in velocity of those one or more masses (120), and this change in velocity is resisted by the inertial forces applicable to those one or more masses (120).

[0035]

[0032] , This inertial resistance experienced by the one or more masses (120) dampens the oscillating motion of the one or more masses (120), which in turn transmits onto the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A), as depicted by circular arrows in sub-figures of Figure 2. This transmission of the dampened oscillating motion of the one or more masses (120) onto the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A) slows down the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components. As the person skilled in the art would know, since the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A) is slowed down, the desired outcome of the deceleration of the kinetic machinery by the system (100) is thereby achieved.

[0036]

[0033] , Another aspect of the present invention is a method for deceleration of a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (200). As elaborated before, since the method (200) is intended to decelerate the kinetic machinery, person skilled in the art would acknowledge that the kinetic machinery is in motion and the one or more rotating components therein are in rotating motion, which needs to be acted upon and slowed down for the deceleration of the kinetic machinery.

[0037]

[0034] , Figure 3 illustrates said method (200), which starts off with the step of engaging one or more masses with the one or more rotating components (210); said one or more masses are configured to oscillate and wherein the one or more masses are in an equilibrium position. This engagement (210) is achieved by first hinging the one or more masses onto one or more shafts (211) and thereafter coupling the one or more shafts to the one or more rotating components (212), as illustrated in Figure 4. This coupling (212) may conveniently be achieved by a person skilled in the art by one more coupling media, which has been explained in the foregoing description and is not repeated herein for the sake of brevity.

[0035] , Once the one or more masses are engaged with the one or more rotating components, the next step of the method (200) is performed, that is, transmitting the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components onto the engaged one or more masses (220). This transmission (220) perturbs the engaged one or more masses from the equilibrium position to an oscillating motion.

[0038]

[0036] , After the transmission of the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A) onto the engaged one or more masses, the step of resisting the oscillating motion in the engaged one or more masses (230) is performed, wherein this resistance (230) is performed and achieved by inertial forces, which explained in the foregoing description in detail and is not repeated here for the sake of brevity. This inertial resistance (230) dampens the oscillating motion of the engaged one or more masses.

[0039]

[0037] , And finally, upon resisting the oscillating motion of the engaged one or more oscillating masses, which dampens the oscillating motion in those engaged one or more oscillating masses, the last step of the method (200) is performed, which is, transmitting the dampened oscillating motion of those one or more masses onto in rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (240). This transmission, in turn, slows down the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components to ultimately achieve the desired outcome of the method for decelerating the kinetic machinery (200).

[0040] Best Mode:

[0041]

[0038] , While all the foregoing description explains the present invention clearly and sufficiently, the present invention is best performed by the system to decelerate a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (A) (100), wherein said system (100) comprises one or more shafts (110), (b) one or more masses (120), and (c) one or more coupling media. The one or more shafts (110), which are configured for coupling to the one or more rotating components (A), are configured with connecting rods and couplers, and the one or more masses (120), which are configured to oscillate, are hinged onto these one or more shafts (110) through those connecting rods and couplers. Further, the one or more coupling media (130) is configured to couple the one or more shafts (110) to the one or more rotating components (A) to engage the one or more masses (120) with the one or more rotating components (A).

[0039] , The system (100) in the best mode decelerates the kinetic machinery configured with the one or rotating components (A), and upon its initiation, the one or more shafts (110) in the system (100) couple to the one or more rotating components (A) through the coupling media (130) to engage the one or more masses (120) with the one or more rotating components (A). This engagement transmits the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A) initially to the one or more shafts (110), and eventually to the one or more masses (120) hinged onto those one or more shafts (110). As the one or masses (120), before the initiation of the system (100), are in an equilibrium position, the transmission of this motion perturbs the one or more masses (120) from the equilibrium position to an oscillating motion, leading them (120) to oscillate in their (120) path. As the one or more oscillating masses (120) get into oscillating motion, their motion is inherently resisted by the one or more oscillating masses (120) themselves in accordance with the Law of Inertia. This inertial resistance experienced by the one or more masses (120) dampens the oscillating motion of the one or more masses (120), which in turn transmits onto the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A). This transmission of the dampened oscillating motion of the one or more masses (120) onto the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A) slows down the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A), and since the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components (A) is slowed down, the desired outcome of the deceleration of the kinetic machinery by the system (100) is thereby achieved in this preferred embodiment.

[0042]

[0040] , As depicted in Figure 5, the present invention is also performed best by the method (200) for decelerating the kinetic machinery configured with the one or more rotating components, said method (300) comprises the steps of - (a) Engaging one or more masses with the one or more rotating components (310); wherein said one or more masses are configured to oscillate and wherein the one or more masses are in an equilibrium position; wherein said engagement is achieved by - (i) Hinging the one or more masses onto one or more shafts (311); wherein said one or more shafts are configured with connecting rods and couplers, wherein said one or more masses are hinged onto the one or more shafts through the connecting rods and couplers therein, and (ii) Coupling the one or more shafts to the one or more rotating components (312); wherein said coupling is achieved through one or more coupling media, (b) Transmitting the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components onto the engaged one or more masses (320); wherein said transmission (320) perturbs those engaged one or more masses from the equilibrium position to an oscillating motion, (c) Resisting the oscillating motion of the engaged one or more masses (330); wherein said resistance (330) dampens the oscillating motion of the engaged one or more masses, and (d) Transmitting the dampened oscillating motion of those engaged one or more masses onto the one or more rotating components in rotating motion (340); wherein this transmission (340) slows down the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components to obtain the deceleration of the kinetic machinery.

[0043]

[0041] , The foregoing specification constitutes the entire body of literature to support and enable a system and a method for deceleration in accordance with the present invention. While this disclosure and appended claim set is extensive, we carve leave to provide other information including drawings and working models to elaborate upon the invention if requested by the authorities. Further, this specification has left out the disclosure of obvious equivalents which are included in this invention by way of implication. It is further emphasized that the figures annexed herewith should be regarded as illustrative examples of the present disclosure, and not as restrictive manifestations.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system to decelerate a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (A) (100), said system (100) comprising -One or more shafts (110) configured for coupling to the one or more rotating components (A), andOne or more masses (120) hinged onto the one or more shafts (110); wherein the one or masses (120) are configured to oscillate; wherein the one or more masses (120) engage with the one or more rotating components (A) upon coupling the one or more shafts (110) to the one or more rotating components (A) for decelerating the kinetic machinery.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more shafts (110) are configured for coupling to the one or more rotating components (A), said coupling is achieved through one or more coupling media (130).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) comprises the one or more shafts (110) and the one or more masses (120) hinged onto the one or more shafts (110), said one or more shafts (110) are configured with connecting rods and couplers and said one or more masses (120) are hinged onto the one or more shafts (110) through those connecting rods and couplers.

4. A method for decelerating a kinetic machinery configured with one or more rotating components (200), wherein said kinetic machinery is in motion and said one or more rotating components are in rotating motion, said method (200) comprises the steps of- a. Engaging one or more masses with the one or more rotating components (210); wherein said one or more masses are configured to oscillate and wherein the one or more masses are in an equilibrium position, b. Transmitting the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components onto the engaged one or more masses (220); wherein said transmission (220) perturbs thoseengaged one or more masses from the equilibrium position to an oscillating motion, c. Resisting the oscillating motion of the engaged one or more masses (230); wherein said resistance (230) dampens the oscillating motion of the engaged one or more masses, and d. Transmitting the dampened oscillating motion of those engaged one or more masses onto the one or more rotating components in rotating motion (240); wherein this transmission (240) slows down the rotating motion of the one or more rotating components to obtain the deceleration of the kinetic machinery.

5. The method (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the method comprises the step of engaging the one or more masses to the one or more rotating components (210), said engagement (210) is achieved by - a. Hinging the one or more masses onto one or more shafts (211), and b. Coupling the one or more shafts to the one or more rotating components (212).

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