Flywheel EV Recharging With Wind Capture and Direct Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems for electric vehicles (EVs) face challenges such as limited charging infrastructure, inefficient energy recovery, high manufacturing and maintenance costs, and reliance on fossil fuels, which hinder widespread adoption and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A novel flywheel-based energy generation and storage system that enables EVs to autonomously generate electricity during motion and stationary conditions, using a gear-based or gearless configuration, and incorporating wind energy capture and modular design for flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking is used for energy recovery, then some kinetic energy is converted to electricity, but the recovered energy is insufficient to meet high power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines regenerative braking with a flywheel energy storage system and wind energy capture. The flywheel stores rotational energy during braking and releases it during acceleration, while wind blades capture additional energy, together meeting the high power requirements that regenerative braking alone cannot satisfy.
Solution Approach 2:
The flywheel maintains continuous rotational motion to provide sustained power output. The wind blades continuously capture wind energy during vehicle motion, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply rather than intermittent energy recovery from braking alone.
2Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical energy recovery systems with shafts and axles are used, then kinetic energy can be recovered, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential energy storage function from complex mechanical systems and implements it through a simplified flywheel-direct-drive configuration, eliminating unnecessary shafts and axles while maintaining energy recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission systems with a direct flywheel-to-generator connection, reducing mechanical components and overall system weight while preserving energy recovery functionality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If external charging stations are used, then battery can be replenished, but reliance on infrastructure limits operational independence
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle serves itself by capturing wind energy through blades during motion and storing it in the flywheel and battery, eliminating dependence on external charging infrastructure and enhancing operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy source parameter from external grid dependency to autonomous wind energy capture, allowing the vehicle to recharge anywhere with wind resources rather than requiring fixed charging stations.
4Speed
If gears are used to transfer rotational energy from flywheel to generator, then rotational speed can be regulated, but frictional losses and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear transmission system entirely, using direct magnetic coupling between the flywheel and generator. Speed regulation is achieved through electronic control of the generator rather than mechanical gears, eliminating frictional losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical gear transmission with electromagnetic field-based speed control, substituting a friction-prone mechanical system with a loss-free electromagnetic control system.
5Speed
If gears are used for energy transfer, then rotational speed can be maintained, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the speed regulation function from the mechanical gear system and implements it through electronic control of the generator, removing all gears, shafts, and associated mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical gear-based speed control with electromagnetic control, replacing a complex mechanical transmission system with a simpler direct-drive system controlled electronically.
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 system enhances energy sufficiency and independence for EVs, reduces reliance on external charging, improves energy efficiency, and supports sustainable transportation by enabling continuous power generation and flexible power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The system includes a flywheel that rotates about a vertical axis and stores rotational energy
Implementation Method 2
The generator converts the rotational energy into electricity
Implementation Method 3
A weight control ball mounted on the flywheel's outer edge increases centrifugal force, enhancing rotational stability and optimizing the flywheel's inertial energy
Implementation Method 4
the system incorporates blades that capture wind energy produced during vehicle motion. These blades are adjustable in size and angle to match specific operational conditions, providing additional rotational force to the flywheel
Implementation Method 5
An electric motor in EVs plays a role in initiating and sustaining flywheel rotation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method for autonomous power generation and recharging in electric vehicles (EVs) enhance the energy sufficiency of EVs by enabling EVs to autonomously generate electricity during both motion and stationary conditions, reducing reliance on external charging stations. In some examples, a flywheel-based energy generation system stores rotational energy and transfers it to a generator for electricity production. Through the features such as flywheels with weight control balls, gear-based or gearless configurations, and optional wind-capturing blades, the system maximizes autonomous power generation and energy conversion.