Active Torque-Controlled Flywheel Generator for Lighter Engines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flywheels attached to engines are heavy, increasing vehicle weight and reducing efficiency, and existing starter motors and generators are complex and heavy due to mechanical transmission structures.
Innovation Solution
A flywheel generator with an actively controlled electrical generating motor, featuring a stationary stator and rotating rotor made of magnetic, iron, and steel materials, designed for lightness, which replaces traditional flywheels and provides both mechanical and electrical power without mechanical transmission or gearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional heavy flywheels are used to maintain engine rotation, then sufficient rotational energy is stored, but vehicle weight increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flywheel energy storage function with an electrical generator into a single integrated unit. The flywheel rotor serves dual purposes: storing rotational energy and generating electricity through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for separate heavy mechanical energy storage systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical energy transmission and storage mechanisms with an electromagnetic system. The generator converts mechanical rotational energy directly into electrical energy, which can be stored in lighter electrical energy storage devices rather than requiring heavy mechanical flywheels
2Reliability
If traditional starter motors with mechanical transmission structures are used to start engines, then reliable starting is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical transmission system (gears, pinions, ring gears) with a direct electromagnetic coupling between the starter motor and the flywheel generator. The starter motor connects directly to the flywheel rotor, eliminating complex mechanical transmission components while maintaining starting reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The flywheel generator serves multiple functions: it acts as both an energy storage device and a power generation device, and can also function as the starter motor for engine starting. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity and component count
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flywheel generator reduces vehicle weight, simplifies engine design, and enables efficient extraction of electrical energy while maintaining sufficient rotational energy for engine operation, providing a lightweight and reliable power source.
Implementation Method 1
A flywheel generator may include an actively controlled electrical generating motor. The motor may include a stationary stator and a rotating rotor of magnetic, iron, steel and equivalent materials.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The application relates to an apparatus, comprising: a flywheel (120) attached to a crankshaft (112) of an engine (108) such that an axis of rotation of the flywheel (120) is aligned with an axis of rotation of the crankshaft (112); a rotor (122) attached to the flywheel (120) such that an axis of rotation of the rotor (122) is aligned with the axis of rotation of the flywheel (120); and a stator (124) positioned with respect to the rotor (122) such that the rotor (122) and the stator (124) together form an electric generator (126) for generating electrical power (140) when the rotor (122) is rotated by the crankshaft (112). The application also relates to a corresponding method. The aim is to reduce engine emissions.