Flywheel Drive Train with Planetary Start-Up for Fluctuating Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive train assemblies for working machines with fluctuating loads or power consumption face challenges in managing significant speed fluctuations due to limited installation space and the inability of the drive source to provide sufficient kinetic energy for flywheel accumulators, leading to jerky operations and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
A drive train assembly incorporating a flywheel accumulator connected via a planetary transmission with variable speeds or transmission ratios, utilizing an actuator and brake actuator to adjust the step-up/step-down ratio, allowing the flywheel accumulator to adapt to power consumption fluctuations, thereby smoothing energy fluctuations without overloading the drive source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the flywheel mass is increased to provide sufficient kinetic energy for smoothing power fluctuations, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the installation space requirements and construction weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable transmission ratio mechanism that dynamically adjusts the speed relationship between the drive source and flywheel accumulator. By varying the transmission ratio, the system can achieve high kinetic energy storage in the flywheel without requiring proportionally high mass, as the speed multiplication compensates for the energy storage requirement. This resolves the contradiction by making the flywheel mass adaptable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the flywheel system by introducing variable speed transmission. The transmission ratio can be adjusted to optimize the balance between flywheel mass and achieved kinetic energy. This allows the system to achieve sufficient energy smoothing capability with reduced flywheel mass compared to a direct-drive configuration.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the flywheel accumulator is directly connected to the drive source, then the kinetic energy can be maximized, but the drive source becomes overloaded during start-up and cannot provide sufficient torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a variable transmission ratio mechanism as an intermediary between the drive source and flywheel accumulator. This intermediary allows the system to decouple the direct torque relationship, enabling the flywheel to be accelerated to high speeds without imposing excessive torque demands on the drive source during start-up. The transmission mechanism mediates the power transfer to protect the drive source while still achieving the desired kinetic energy storage.
3Device complexity
If a fixed transmission ratio is used in the planetary transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different power consumption fluctuations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable transmission ratio mechanism that can dynamically adjust to different operating conditions and power consumption patterns. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying load fluctuations without requiring a completely complex multi-gear system. The variable ratio provides adaptability while maintaining relatively simple planetary transmission architecture.
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 solution effectively smooths power consumption fluctuations by adjusting the flywheel accumulator's kinetic energy to match the working unit's demands, reducing jerky operations and extending the life of the drive source.
Implementation Method 1
a flywheel accumulator (13) for mitigating load impacts or fluctuations
Implementation Method 2
the kinetic energy of which mitigates the load or power consumption fluctuations of the working unit
Implementation Method 3
connected via a planetary transmission (14) with variable speeds or transmission ratios
Implementation Method 4
a planetary transmission which is connected in terms of drive to the flywheel accumulator and has at least one planetary transmission stage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates in general to working machines with working units which are subject to fluctuating loads or have a fluctuating power consumption. The invention relates in particular to a drive train assembly for driving such a working unit, the drive train assembly having a flywheel accumulator for mitigating the load impacts or load fluctuations. According to the invention, a starting aid for easier starting up of the flywheel accumulator into its desired operating speed range is provided, the starting aid having a planetary transmission, which is connected in terms of drive to the flywheel accumulator, and a control actuator for braking and/or accelerating a planetary transmission element in order to adjust the step-up/step-down ratio of the planetary transmission when starting up the flywheel accumulator. Furthermore, for refined smoothing of the power consumption in the started-up working mode, a control device is provided which accelerates and can brake the flywheel accumulator cyclically by adjusting the planetary transmission in accordance with the operating fluctuations of the working unit.