EP0081968A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Energy storage flywheels
Assignee: BP PLC
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Filing: 1982-12-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-12-08
Abstract
Abstract An energy storage flywheel comprises a hub (3) having a plurality of spokes (4) and a rim (1) mounted on the spokes (4). The rim (1) remains substantially circular and substantially concentric with the hub (3) at all times. The spokes (4) are geometrically elastically deformable such that a force applied to the outer surfaces of the spokes and acting towards the centre of the hub (3) elastically deforms the spokes (4) thereby reducing their radial length. The spokes (4) which suitably are hoop shaped have a radial length, when not deformed, which is greater than the inner radius of the rim (1). The rim, hub and spokes are preferably manufactured from fibre composite materials. The flywheel is suitable for storing kinetic energy in motor vehicles.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian Duff Barclay
- 👤 Rayner Michael Mayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/30; F16F15/305; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A flywheel comprising a hub having a plurality of spokes and a rim positioned on the spokes is characterised in that the rim is substantially circular and substantially concentric with the hub at all times, and the spokes are shaped so that they are elastically deformable, such that a force applied to the outer surfaces of the spokes and acting towards the centre of the hub elastically deforms the spokes thereby reducing their radial length, the radial length of the undeformed spokes being greater than the inner radius of the rim.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A flywheel comprising a hub having a plurality of spokes and a rim positioned on the spokes is characterised in that the rim is substantially circular and substantially concentric with the hub at all times, and the spokes are shaped so that they are elastically deformable, such that a force applied to the outer surfaces of the spokes and acting towards the centre of the hub elastically deforms the spokes thereby reducing their radial length, the radial length of the undeformed spokes being greater than the inner radius of the rim.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flywheel as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the spokes are radially deformable in the plane of rotation of the flywheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A flywheel as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the spokes are in the shape of continuous loops extending from the hub.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A flywheel as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that each spoke comprises two elongate members attached at one end to the hub and extending divergently therefrom, the ends of the two elongate members distant from the hub being connected by a third member to form a continuous loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A flywheel as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that the outer surface of the third member is curved and is an arc of a circle the centre of which is midway between the two elongate members and the radius of which is less than the radius of the inner surface of the rim.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flywheel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the spokes and the hub are integrally formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flywheel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the radial length of the undeformed spokes is from 0.3 to 4% greater than the internal radius of the rim.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flywheel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the radial stiffness of the rim is at least twice the radial stiffness of the spokes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A flywheel as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the radial stiffness of the rim is at least 10 times the radial stiffness of the spokes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A flywheel as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 9 characterised in that a mechanical interlock is provided between the rim and the spokes to restrict axial movement of the spokes with respect to the rim.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flywheel as claimed in claim 10 characterised in that the mechanical interlock comprises a recess on the outer surface of the spokes and a projection on the rim which fits into the recess.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flywheel as claimed in claim 11 characterised in that the depth of the recess is from 0.2 to 1.5% of the radial length of the undeformed spoke.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A flywheel as claimed in either of claims 11 or 12 characterised in that the total axial length of the recess is from 80 to 90% of the axial length of the spoke.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of producing a flywheel comprising providing a substantially circular rim and a hub having a plurality of elastically deformable spokes, the radial length of the spokes being greater than the radius of the inner surface of the rim, applying a force to deform the spokes so as to reduce their radial length, positioning the rim on the deformed spokes and removing the applied force.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of producing a flywheel comprising providing a substantially circular rim and a hub having a plurality of elastically deformable spokes, the radial length of the spokes being greater than the radius of the inner surface of the rim, applying a force to deform the spokes so as to reduce their radial length, positioning the rim on the deformed spokes and removing the applied force.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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