Flywheel Energy Storage for Internal Combustion Engine Transient Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive systems face inefficiencies due to the need to operate internal combustion engines at higher speeds than the energetically optimal speed to achieve required power dynamics and torque, leading to reduced efficiency and difficulty in compensating for transient load torques with conventional flywheel accumulators.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed flywheel accumulator is constantly connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via a transmission, allowing for reduced operating speed while maintaining sufficient torque dynamics by storing rotational energy, thus avoiding the limitations of conventional flywheel accumulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the operating speed of the internal combustion engine is reduced to improve energetic efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to cover transient load torques and maintain power dynamics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into two functional parts: the internal combustion engine operating at optimized speed for efficiency, and a flywheel accumulator handling transient power demands. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal range - the engine at efficient steady-state speeds while the flywheel provides rapid power response during transients.
Solution Approach 2:
The flywheel accumulator stores rotational energy in advance during periods of low demand, preparing energy reserves before transient load torques occur. This preliminary energy storage enables immediate power delivery when needed, without requiring the engine to operate at suboptimal high speeds continuously.
2Speed
If a conventional flywheel accumulator is used to compensate for speed drops, then speed compensation is improved, but the system cannot maintain sufficient energy content at reduced operating speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the flywheel accumulator by rotating it at high speed (multiple times the engine speed) through a gear connection. This parameter change - high rotational speed of the flywheel versus low engine speed - allows the flywheel to store sufficient kinetic energy even when the engine operates at reduced speeds, resolving the contradiction between speed compensation capability and energy content maintenance.
3Loss of energy
If the operating speed is lowered to improve efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the time-delayed increase in output torque increases, slowing down power provision
Solution Approach 1:
The flywheel accumulator performs preliminary energy storage during steady-state operation, so when transient load torques occur, the stored energy is immediately available to supplement engine torque. This eliminates the time delay associated with engine torque buildup, as the flywheel can deliver power instantaneously from its pre-stored rotational energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-speed rotating flywheel creates a dynamic energy reservoir that responds rapidly to load changes through its rotational inertia. The mechanical energy stored in the rotating mass can be quickly converted to torque output, providing rapid response times that complement the slower thermal response of the internal combustion engine.
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
This solution enables a reduction in operating speed without compromising torque dynamics, achieving higher system efficiency by allowing the internal combustion engine to operate at a more favorable energy point and providing a sufficient dynamic reserve during transient load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a flywheel accumulator (8), which is constantly connected to the output shaft (4a) of the internal combustion engine (1) via a transmission (7)
Implementation Method 2
the flywheel accumulator (8) is constantly connected to the output shaft (4a) of the internal combustion engine (1) via a transmission (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive system with an internal combustion engine (1) which drives a hydraulic system (5) and/or which has a control unit that controls the internal combustion engine (1) so that it operates at a constant target speed under transient load torque. According to the invention, the drive system includes a flywheel energy storage device (8), wherein the flywheel energy storage device (8) is connected to the output shaft (2) of the internal combustion engine (1) via a transmission (7).