Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A hybrid flywheel/compressed-fluid propulsion system for a self-propelled object, said system comprising: (A) a rotatable drive shaft adapted to propel said object when rotated; (B) energy conversion means connected to said drive shaft and employing a compressible working fluid, said energy conversion means being adapted, when supplied with said working fluid in a compressed state, to expand said working fluid and produce shaft work for transmission through said drive shaft; (C) a primary container for storing said compressible working fluid in compressed state; (D) first conduit means adapted to connect said primary container and said energy conversion means, and to supply compressed working fluid to said energy conversion means; (E) first valve means interrrupting said first conduit means and adapted to selectively control the flow of compressed working fluid to said conversion means; and (F) a flywheel connected to said drive shaft through disconnecting means adapted to selectively connect said disconnect, independent of said conversion means, said flywheel from said drive shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A hybrid flywheel/compressed-fluid propulsion system for a self-propelled object, said system comprising: (A) a rotatable drive shaft adapted to propel said object when rotated; (B) energy conversion means connected to said drive shaft and employing a compressible working fluid, said energy conversion means being adapted, when supplied with said working fluid in a compressed state, to expand said working fluid and produce shaft work for transmission through said drive shaft; (C) a primary container for storing said compressible working fluid in compressed state; (D) first conduit means adapted to connect said primary container and said energy conversion means, and to supply compressed working fluid to said energy conversion means; (E) first valve means interrrupting said first conduit means and adapted to selectively control the flow of compressed working fluid to said conversion means; and (F) a flywheel connected to said drive shaft through disconnecting means adapted to selectively connect said disconnect, independent of said conversion means, said flywheel from said drive shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Propulsion system according to claim 1 and additionally comprising separate drive means adapted to selectively and independently drive said flywheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Propulsion system according to claim 1 additionally comprising a generator connected to said flywheel and adapted to generate electrical power when rotated, and a rechargeable battery for storing the electrical energy so generated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
Propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein said energy conversion means also is adapted, when driven by said drive shaft and supplied with said working fluid in noncompressed state, to compress said working fluid through conversion of shaft work transmitted by said drive shaft into work of compression.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
Propulsion system according to claim 4 and additionally comprising: (A) a secondary container for storing said working fluid in compressed state; (B) second conduit means adapted to connect said secondary container and said energy conversion means, and to transmit compressed working fluid between said energy conversion means and said secondary container; (C) second valve means interrupting said second conduit means and adapted to selectively control the flow of compressed working fluid therethrough; and (D) third valve means adapted to selectively connect said first conduit means and said second conduit means to said conversion means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Propulsion system according to claim 1 or 5 and additionally comprising means for heating and controlling the temperature of said working fluid inside of said container.