Patent · US Expired

Power capacitor powertrain

US5384521A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
10References
14Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 25, 1992
Grant dateJan 24, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 25, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/62
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention involves a mechanical and electrical arrangement for an energy efficient powertrain that reduces fuel consumption and environmental impact. The powertrain consists of a power and torque capacitor, using a flywheel that is fully isolated from the power production elements. The powertrain consists of a mechanically isolated flywheel, a power unit and a power receiving device which can be selectively connected and disconnected through use of electromagnetic joints. The joints are configured to mechanically isolate the power receiving device, the flywheel and the power plant from one another. As a result, the drive shaft to the power plant drives the flywheel through the torque transfer joint at an RPM greater than the maximum RPM for the flywheel. Likewise, the flywheel's minimum speed would be greater than that required for the power receiving device as defined by its rotation rate. The respective electromagnetic joints would also be operated as generators/motors so that differential rates between the main drive shaft and the flywheels are sensed, and those joints are activated to provide torque to the flywheel. In addition, the invention provides a new construc…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.