Variable-Inertia Flywheel Using Ball Screws for Balanced Start-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flywheels in energy conversion equipment consume significant energy during start-up and fail to effectively manage the transition from kinetic to electrical energy conversion, lacking adequate solutions for varying moment of inertia and maintaining balanced rotation.
Innovation Solution
A flywheel device with a disc-shaped body and ball screw members, allowing masses to move synchronously to alter the moment of inertia based on rotation speed, coupled with a spring mechanism for stability, enabling detection of optimal operating modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the moment of inertia is increased to provide higher energy storage capacity, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the start-up energy consumption increases and the rotation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the moment of inertia variable rather than fixed. The flywheel system dynamically adjusts its moment of inertia based on operational requirements through the ball screw mechanism that moves masses radially. During start-up, the moment of inertia is kept small to reduce energy consumption, and during energy storage, it is increased to maximize energy capacity. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy storage capacity and start-up energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the moment of inertia parameter according to different operational phases. The system changes the distribution of mass relative to the rotation axis using the ball screw mechanism, thereby altering the moment of inertia parameter. This allows optimization of energy storage capacity when needed while minimizing start-up energy requirements, effectively resolving the technical contradiction.
2Productivity
If the moment of inertia is changed to optimize energy conversion, then the energy conversion efficiency is improved, but the rotational balance becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the rotational balance issue by using symmetric placement of counterbalancing masses. When the moment of inertia needs to be adjusted, masses are moved in a coordinated manner that maintains symmetry with respect to the rotation axis. The ball screw mechanism is designed with opposing threads that move masses in a balanced fashion, ensuring that the center of gravity remains on the rotation axis, thus maintaining rotational balance while allowing moment of inertia changes for optimized energy conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs counterweight principles through the use of balanced mass distribution. The ball screw mechanism incorporates counterbalancing masses that move in coordination to offset any imbalance created during moment of inertia adjustment. This ensures that while the moment of inertia can be varied for optimal energy conversion, the rotational balance is maintained through counteracting forces and symmetric mass arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a variable moment of inertia mechanism is introduced to improve energy management, then the energy management capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the ball screw mechanism to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The same mechanism that adjusts the moment of inertia also provides the structural framework for mass distribution and can be integrated with the existing flywheel rotation system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved energy management capability.
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
Stabilizes the moment of inertia variation with rotation speed, facilitating efficient energy conversion by detecting the optimal mode of operation, thereby maintaining balanced rotation and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of ball screw members (64), each including a screw shaft (640) and a pair of ball nuts (642)
Implementation Method 2
The spring member is arranged between the masses so that it stretches when the masses move apart and retracts when they come closer together
Data Source
AI summary
The flywheel device comprises a disc-shaped body, a pair of ball screw members, and a pair of masses. The ball screw member includes a screw shaft and a pair of ball nuts. The screw shaft is received in the disc-shaped body and has a middle section, a left section with forward threads, and a right section with reverse threads. One of the ball nuts is screwed to the left section of the screw shaft, and the other ball nut is screwed to the right section of the screw shaft. One of the masses is coupled to the ball nuts screwed to the left sections of the screw shafts, and the other mass is coupled to the ball nuts screwed to the right sections of the screw shafts.