ROTATIONAL ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE AND TOOLS INCORPORATING SAME

摘要

A rotational energy storage device (10) or spring which includes a roller-cam assembly having a shaft (14), a ring (12) rotatably disposed about the shaft, and at least one roller (16) disposed between shaft and ring. The roller (16) is configured such that, upon rotating the ring relative to the shaft, the roller interferes with the ring and the shaft to convert and effect storage of mechanical energy created by the relative rotation of the ring and the shaft. Preferably a plurality of spaced rollers are positioned between ring and shaft. A cam geometry (20) which is symmetrical or asymmetrical is provided on the shaft, the ring, the roller, and combinations thereof. A rotational energy storage device having a back-up ring with alternating thin and thick cross-sectional areas is further provided which is indexed to provide regions of low and high stiffness regions against each roller.