| 摘要 |
The containment-reinforced flywheel is a simple device designed to increase a flywheels energy storage capability by placing as much mass as possible at the outer portion of the radius (rotor). The flywheel of the present invention comprises a rotor which may be either solid or hollow, and which is drawn to the hub by the tensioning straps of the containment portion of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the flywheel rotor is a hollow circular tube constructed of steel, titanium, or other metallic material; composite materials; rubber; or other materials suitable to withstand the loads and stresses of the intended use of the flywheel, but light enough to not add unnecessary weight to the combination. The interior of the flywheel rotor preferably is filled with a non-corrosive liquid such as water. The “fill ratio”, that is, the ratio of the fluid mass to the structural mass, determines the performance of the flywheel. The containment portion of the present invention is a combination of a wrap harness, straps, tensioners and hub designed to support the rotor when at rest and contain the rotor when rotating at a desired speed and at a desired radius while maximizing the ratio of rotor mass to the mass of the containment portion. The containment portion of the present invention is a simple containment where the outer harness wraps around and supports the entire outer circumference of the rotor. At desired intervals, a plurality of evenly spaced straps taper from the outer harness to adjustable tensioners attached to a hub. The variable inertia flywheel of the present invention is suitable for use in all applications in which flywheels in general are used.
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