The present invention provides a flywheel having a high energy density, a designing method which facilitates the designing of the flywheel, and an energy storage system which can achieve both an increase in storage energy and a reduction in weight by adopting the flywheel. A flywheel A includes: a low-density disk 10 having a low average density; and a high-density outer edge section 11 which is provided on the outer circumference of the low-density disk 10, and has an average density higher than that of the low-density disk 10.

The present invention provides a flywheel having a high energy density, a designing method which facilitates the designing of the flywheel, and an energy storage system which can achieve both an increase in storage energy and a reduction in weight by adopting the flywheel. A flywheel A includes: a low-density disk 10 having a low average density; and a high-density outer edge section 11 which is provided on the outer circumference of the low-density disk 10, and has an average density higher than that of the low-density disk 10.

A rotary device with an unbalance drive, a carrier unit, which rotates around a first axis of rotation R1, which is rotatably mounted, at least two unbalances (U.sub.1; U.sub.2; . . . U.sub.x) of first type, each around a corresponding unbalance axis (UA.sub.1; UA.sub.2; . . . UA.sub.x) running parallel to the first axis of rotation R1 and at a distance (d.sub.UA1; d.sub.UA2; . . . d.sub.UAx) and are arranged from the first axis of rotation R1 and an unbalance drive device, which is arranged stationary with respect to the carrier unit and at least for driving the unbalances (U.sub.1; U.sub.2; . . . U.sub.x) and rotationally coupled with the unbalances (U.sub.1; U.sub.2; . . . U.sub.x).

Flywheel system properties are enhanced with rim designs that control stress at operational rotational velocities. The tensile strength of fiber-resin composites can be aligned with radial forces to improve radial stress loading. Loops with composite casings can be arranged around the flywheel circumference with a majority of the fibers being aligned in the radial direction. The loops can enclose masses that contribute to energy storage in the flywheel system. Masses can be arranged around the hub circumference with a hoop wound composite casing enclosing the masses and hub. The masses subjected to radial forces are radially displaced with increasing rotational velocity and can provide compressive force to the fiber-resin composite to contribute to maintaining composite integrity. With the alignment of fibers in hoop or radial directions, higher loading permits increase rotational velocities, which can significantly add to the amount of energy stored or produced with the flywheel.

Flywheel system properties are enhanced with rim designs that control stress at operational rotational velocities. The tensile strength of fiber-resin composites can be aligned with radial forces to improve radial stress loading. Loops with composite casings can be arranged around the flywheel circumference with a majority of the fibers being aligned in the radial direction. The loops can enclose masses that contribute to energy storage in the flywheel system. Masses can be arranged around the hub circumference with a hoop wound composite casing enclosing the masses and hub. The masses subjected to radial forces are radially displaced with increasing rotational velocity and can provide compressive force to the fiber-resin composite to contribute to maintaining composite integrity. With the alignment of fibers in hoop or radial directions, higher loading permits increase rotational velocities, which can significantly add to the amount of energy stored or produced with the flywheel.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus can comprise a driven mass, a generator, a capacitor storage device, and a battery storage device. The driven mass can rotate in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The generator can generate an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The capacitor storage device can receive at least a portion of the electrical output from the generator. The capacitor storage device can store at least the portion of the electrical output. The capacitor storage device can convey at least the portion of the electrical output received from the generator to the battery storage device.

A folding exercise bike has handlebar telescoping members configured to support handlebars, seat telescoping members configured to support a seat, a lower frame member from which the seat telescoping members and the handlebar telescoping members extend, pedals having an attachment point above the lower frame member, a first pair of legs attached to one end of the lower frame member and a second pair of legs attached to another end of the lower frame member. Each leg of the first pair of legs extending at an oblique angle from the lower frame member in a deployed position configured to support the folding exercise bike on a surface and each leg of the second pair of legs extending from lower frame member at an oblique angle in the deployed position.

A folding exercise bike has handlebar telescoping members configured to support handlebars, seat telescoping members configured to support a seat, a lower frame member from which the seat telescoping members and the handlebar telescoping members extend, pedals having an attachment point above the lower frame member, a first pair of legs attached to one end of the lower frame member and a second pair of legs attached to another end of the lower frame member. Each leg of the first pair of legs extending at an oblique angle from the lower frame member in a deployed position configured to support the folding exercise bike on a surface and each leg of the second pair of legs extending from lower frame member at an oblique angle in the deployed position.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

A flywheel system comprises a flywheel rotor comprising a rotor disc and a rotor shaft and has a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the rotor disc and the rotor shaft. The system further comprises a journal assembly configured to facilitate rotation of the flywheel rotor. The journal assembly comprises a sleeve having an aperture extending therethrough from a first end to a second, opposite end, a rod at least partially disposed within the aperture of the sleeve, and a nut coupled to a portion of the rod. The rod has a length greater than the sleeve such that a portion of the rod extends axially beyond the first end of the sleeve. A method of forming the flywheel comprises coupling the rod to the rotor shaft and pulling the second end of the rod to tension the rod. The nut maintains the tension in the rod when coupled thereto.