Integral information and energy storage system

Claim 2

An energy storage device comprising: a housing; a shield mounted in the housing separating a disk platter section of the housing from a flywheel section of the housing; a rotatable shaft extending through the shield and having a first shaft portion extending into the disk platter section and a second shaft portion extending into the flywheel section, at least one disk platter mounted for rotation with the first shaft portion and a flywheel mounted for rotation with the second shaft portion; at least one magnet embedded in the flywheel, wherein the at least one magnet defines a magnetic field emanating therefrom; and at least one electrical coil positioned in the flywheel section and switchably connectable to an electrical power supply line for: receiving electrical energy from the power supply line and generating an electromagnetic field effective for selectively repulsing or attracting the at least one magnet to thereby rotate the flywheel in a predetermined direction and convert electrical energy in the at least one coil into kinetic energy in the flywheel; and generating electrical energy to the power supply line as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil and to thereby convert kinetic energy in the flywheel into electrical energy in the at least one coil to thereby provide power for continuing the flywheel rotation in said predetermined direction.

Claim 3

The energy storage device of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the disk drive further includes a controller operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and for controlling the writing and reading of data to and from the at least one disk platter according to the determined rate indicated by the generated signal.

Claim 4

The energy storage device of claim 1, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that electrical power is available from an external power supply, for determining whether the electrical power that is available is greater than a predetermined quantity of power; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that available electrical power is not greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating electrical power as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil.

Claim 5

The energy storage device of claim 3, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is greater than a predetermined rate; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is not greater than the predetermined rate, for generating an alert signal.

Claim 6

The energy storage device of claim 1, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that electrical power is available from an external power supply, for determining whether the electrical power that is available is greater than a predetermined quantity of power; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that available electrical power is greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating the electromagnetic field effective for selectively repulsing or attracting the at least one magnet thereby rotating the flywheel.

Claim 7

The energy storage device of claim 5, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is less than a predetermined rate; logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is less than a predetermined rate, for increasing the electrical power supplied to the at least one electrical coil; logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that available electrical power is greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for determining whether the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is greater than a predetermined rate; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is greater than a predetermined rate, for decreasing the electrical power supplied to the at least one electrical coil.

Claim 8

The energy storage device of claim 1, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that electrical power is not available from an external power supply, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating electrical energy as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil.

Claim 9

The energy storage device of claim 7, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is greater than a predetermined rate; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is not greater than the predetermined rate, for generating an alert signal.

Claim 10

The energy storage device of claim 8, further comprising means responsive to generation of the alert signal for providing an audible indication signal.

Claim 11

The energy storage device of claim 8, further comprising means responsive to generation of the alert signal for providing a visual indication signal.

Claim 12

The energy storage device of claim 10, wherein the indicating means is a light emitting diode (LED).

Claim 13

The energy storage device of claim 10, wherein the indicating means is a video display.

Claim 16

The system of claim 13, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: means for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; means responsive to a determination that electrical power is available from an external power supply, for determining whether the electrical power that is available is greater than a predetermined quantity of power; and means responsive to a determination that available electrical power is not greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating electrical power as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil.

Claim 17

The system of claim 14, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: means for determining whether the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is greater than a predetermined rate; and means responsive to a determination that the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is not greater than the predetermined rate, for generating an alert signal.

Claim 18

The system of claim 13, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: means for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; means responsive to a determination that electrical power is available from an external power supply, for determining whether the electrical power that is available is greater than a predetermined quantity of power; and means responsive to a determination that available electrical power is greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating the electromagnetic field effective for selectively repulsing or attracting the at least one magnet thereby rotating the flywheel.

Claim 19

The system of claim 16, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: means for determining whether the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is less than a predetermined rate; means responsive to a determination that the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is less than a predetermined rate, for increasing the electrical power supplied to the at least one electrical coil; means responsive to a determination that available electrical power is greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for determining whether the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is greater than a predetermined rate; and means responsive to a determination that the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is greater than a predetermined rate, for decreasing the electrical power supplied to the at least one electrical coil.

Claim 20

The system of claim 13, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: means for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; and means responsive to a determination that electrical power is not available from an external power supply, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating electrical power as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil.

Claim 21

The system of claim 18, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: means for determining whether the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is greater than a predetermined rate; and means responsive to a determination that the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is not greater than the predetermined rate, for generating an alert signal.

Claim 22

The system of claim 19, further comprising means responsive to generation of the alert signal for providing an audible indication signal.

Claim 23

The system of claim 19, further comprising means responsive to generation of the alert signal for providing a visual indication signal.

Claim 24

The system of claim 21, wherein the indicating means is a light emitting diode (LED).

Claim 25

The system of claim 21, wherein the indicating means is a video display.

Claim 26

A computer comprising: a power supply for supply electrical energy onto a power supply; a central processing unit (CPU) connected for receiving electrical energy from the power supply line; a disk drive memory having a housing, the housing having a shield therein separating a disk platter section of the housing from a flywheel section of the housing, a shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, at least one disk platter coupled to a first portion of the shaft for rotation in the disk platter section for storing data, and at least one head positioned in the housing and operatively connected to the CPU for transferring data between the at least one disk platter and the CPU; a flywheel coupled to a second portion of the shaft for rotation in the flywheel section; at least one magnet embedded in the flywheel, wherein the at least one magnet defines a magnetic field emanating therefrom; and at least electrical one coil positioned in the flywheel section and switchably connectable to an electrical power supply line for: receiving electrical energy from the power supply line and generating an electromagnetic field effective for selectively repulsing or attracting the at least one magnet to thereby rotate the flywheel in a predetermined direction and convert electrical energy in the at least one coil into kinetic energy in the flywheel; and generating electrical energy to the power supply line as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil and to thereby convert kinetic energy in the flywheel into electrical energy in the at least one coil to thereby provide power for continuing the flywheel rotation in said predetermined direction.

Claim 27

A computer comprising: a power supply for supply electrical energy onto a power supply; a central processing unit (CPU) connected for receiving electrical energy from the power supply line; a disk drive memory having a housing, the housing having a shield therein separating a disk platter section of the housing from a flywheel section of the housing, a shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, at least one disk platter coupled to a first portion of the shaft for rotation in the disk platter section for storing data, and at least one head positioned in the housing and operatively connected to the CPU for transferring data between the at least one disk platter and the CPU; a flywheel coupled to a second portion of the shaft for rotation in the flywheel section; at least one magnet embedded in the flywheel, wherein the at least one magnet defines a magnetic field emanating therefrom; and at least electrical one coil positioned in the flywheel section and switchably connectable to an electrical power supply line for: receiving electrical energy from the power supply line and generating an electromagnetic field effective for selectively repulsing or attracting the at least one magnet to thereby rotate the flywheel in a predetermined direction and convert electrical energy in the at least one coil into kinetic energy in the flywheel; and generating electrical energy to the power supply line as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil and to thereby convert kinetic energy in the flywheel into electrical energy in the at least one coil to thereby provide power for continuing the flywheel rotation in said predetermined direction.

Claim 28

The computer of claim 24 wherein the flywheel and the at least one disk platter are configured for rotating synchronously.

Claim 29

The computer of claim 24, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the disk drive further includes a controller operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and for controlling the writing and reading of data to and from the at least one disk platter according to the determined rate indicated by the generated signal.

Claim 30

The computer of claim 24, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that electrical power is available from an external power supply, for determining whether the electrical power that is available is greater than a predetermined quantity of power; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that available electrical power is not greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating electrical power as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil.

Claim 31

The computer of claim 27, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is greater than a predetermined rate; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is not greater than the predetermined rate, for generating an alert signal.

Claim 32

The computer of claim 24, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that electrical power is available from an external power supply, for determining whether the electrical power that is available is greater than a predetermined quantity of power; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that available electrical power is greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating the electromagnetic field effective for selectively repulsing or attracting the at least one magnet thereby rotating the flywheel.

Claim 33

The computer of claim 29, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is less than a predetermined rate; logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is less than a predetermined rate, for increasing the electrical power supplied to the at least one electrical coil; logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that available electrical power is greater than a predetermined quantity of power, for determining whether the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is greater than a predetermined rate; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is greater than a predetermined rate, for decreasing the electrical power supplied to the at least one electrical coil.

Claim 34

The computer of claim 24, further comprising means for inputting data to the CPU and means for outputting data from the CPU.

Claim 35

The computer of claim 31 wherein the inputting means is a keyboard electrically connected to the CPU.

Claim 36

The computer of claim 31 wherein the outputting means is a video monitor electrically connected to the CPU.

Claim 37

The computer of claim 24, further comprising circuitry operatively connected for controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the circuitry further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that electrical power is not available from an external power supply, for electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating electrical power as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil.

Claim 38

The computer of claim 34, further comprising: a sensor for determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and for generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and wherein the circuitry is operatively connected for receiving the generated signal and further comprises: logic executable by the circuitry for determining whether the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is greater than a predetermined rate; and logic executable by the circuitry in response to a determination that the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is not greater than the predetermined rate, for generating an alert signal.

Claim 39

The computer of claim 35, further comprising means responsive to generation of the alert signal for providing an audio indication signal.

Claim 40

The computer of claim 35, further comprising means responsive to generation of the alert signal for providing a visual indication signal.

Claim 41

The computer of claim 37, wherein the indicating means is a light emitting diode (LED).

Claim 42

The computer of claim 37, wherein the indicating means is a video display.

Claim 45

The method of claim 40, further comprising controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the step of controlling comprises: determining whether electrical power is delivered to or from the at least one electrical coil; in response to a determination that electrical power is available from an external power supply, determining whether the electrical power that is available is greater than a predetermined quantity of power; and in response to a determination that available electrical power is not greater than a predetermined quantity of power, electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating electrical power as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil.

Claim 46

The method of claim 41, further comprising: determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and determining whether the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is greater than a predetermined rate; and in response to a determination that the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is not greater than the predetermined rate, generating an alert signal.

Claim 47

The method of claim 40, further comprising controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, wherein the step of controlling comprises: determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; in response to a determination that electrical power is available from an external power supply, determining whether the electrical power that is available is greater than a predetermined quantity of power; and in response to a determination that available electrical power is greater than a predetermined quantity of power, electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating the electromagnetic field effective for selectively repulsing or attracting the at least one magnet thereby rotating the flywheel.

Claim 48

The method of claim 43, further comprising: determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; and determining whether the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is less than a predetermined rate; in response to a determination that the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is less than a predetermined rate, increasing the electrical power supplied to the at least one electrical coil; in response to a determination that available electrical power is greater than a predetermined quantity of power, determining whether the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is greater than a predetermined rate; and in response to a determination that the rate of rotation of the shaft indicated by the generated signal is greater than a predetermined rate, decreasing the electrical power supplied to the at least one electrical coil.

Claim 49

The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of controlling the transfer of electrical power to and from the at least one electrical coil, the step of controlling comprising: determining whether electrical power is available from an external power supply; and in response to a determination that electrical power is not available from an external power supply, electrically connecting the at least one electrical coil for generating electrical power as the magnetic field is caused from rotation of the flywheel and the at least one magnet embedded therein to move across the at least one coil.

Claim 50

The method of claim 45, further comprising: determining the rate of rotation of the shaft, and generating to the circuitry a signal indicative of the determined rate; determining whether the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is greater than a predetermined rate; and in response to a determination that the determined rate of rotation of the shaft is not greater than the predetermined rate, generating an alert signal.

Claim 51

The method of claim 46, further comprising providing an audio indication signal in response the alert signal.

Claim 52

The method of claim 46, further comprising providing a visual indication signal in response to the alert signal.

Claim 53

The method of claim 46, further comprising illuminating a light emitting diode (LED) in response to the alert signal.

Claim 54

The method of claim 46, further comprising generating a warning message to a video display in response to the alert signal.