A vibration absorber which, in addition to a main mass which is fixed thereto and moved along a curved trajectory by a driving mechanism, comprises a substantially smaller variably adjustable rotating flywheel mass which is moved together with the main mass along the trajectory thereof, enabling the adjustment of the frequency of the absorber. The rotating flywheel mass is driven by a novel belt device independently of the driving mechanism. A rotating vibration absorber which, along with the main mass and the rotating flywheel mass, comprises its own damping unit, such as an eddy-current damping unit.

Product transport structures are provided which include a self-stabilizing platform assembly configured to support a product on a deck of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and to stabilize the product during moving of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and product. The self-stabilizing platform assembly includes multiple torque-generating devices and a stability control system. The multiple torque-generating devices are controllable to produce a stabilization torque within the self-stabilizing platform assembly, and the stability control system is configured to control operation of the multiple torque-generating devices. The stability control system is configured to adjust operation of one or more torque-generating devices of the multiple devices to produce the stabilization torque to facilitate stabilizing the product during moving of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and product.

Product transport structures are provided which include a self-stabilizing platform assembly configured to support a product on a deck of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and to stabilize the product during moving of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and product. The self-stabilizing platform assembly includes multiple torque-generating devices and a stability control system. The multiple torque-generating devices are controllable to produce a stabilization torque within the self-stabilizing platform assembly, and the stability control system is configured to control operation of the multiple torque-generating devices. The stability control system is configured to adjust operation of one or more torque-generating devices of the multiple devices to produce the stabilization torque to facilitate stabilizing the product during moving of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and product.

Methods are presented which include moving a self-stabilizing platform assembly with product disposed on a deck of the self-stabilizing platform assembly. The self-stabilizing platform assembly includes multiple torque-generating devices, a stability control system to control operation of the multiple torque-generating devices, and the deck to support the product being moved. The methods also include adjusting, by the stability control system, operation of one or more torque-generating devices of the multiple torque-generating devices to produce during the moving a stabilization torque within the self-stabilizing platform assembly to facilitate stabilizing the self-stabilizing platform assembly and product during moving of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and product.

Some implementations can include a supplemental regenerative braking system comprising a power take-off section to receive mechanical energy, and an electric clutch to engage the power take-off section and transfer mechanical energy from the power take-off section to an output of the electric clutch. The system can also include a roller stop assembly coupled to the output of the electric clutch and constructed to transfer mechanical energy from the output of the electric clutch, and a generator coupled to the roller stop assembly. The system can further include a flywheel coupled to the generator.

Some implementations can include a supplemental regenerative braking system comprising a power take-off section to receive mechanical energy, and an electric clutch to engage the power take-off section and transfer mechanical energy from the power take-off section to an output of the electric clutch. The system can also include a roller stop assembly coupled to the output of the electric clutch and constructed to transfer mechanical energy from the output of the electric clutch, and a generator coupled to the roller stop assembly. The system can further include a flywheel coupled to the generator.

An example flywheel energy storage device includes a continuously curved fiber-resin composite ovoid shell. Hubs are concentrically disposed within and outside the shell at the shaft. A plurality of radially oriented, fiber-resin composite helical wraps of uniform width are used to construct the ovoid shell and couple the shell to the hubs for co-rotation and torque transfer. Integrated internal structures are attached to the external ovoid shell and provide compression support for the external ovoid shell. Upon rotation, the ovoid shell elongates slightly to increase the flywheel effective moment of inertia at operational speeds.

An example flywheel energy storage device includes a continuously curved fiber-resin composite ovoid shell. Hubs are concentrically disposed within and outside the shell at the shaft. A plurality of radially oriented, fiber-resin composite helical wraps of uniform width are used to construct the ovoid shell and couple the shell to the hubs for co-rotation and torque transfer. Integrated internal structures are attached to the external ovoid shell and provide compression support for the external ovoid shell. Upon rotation, the ovoid shell elongates slightly to increase the flywheel effective moment of inertia at operational speeds.

A device for damping torsional oscillations, including: a pendulum-type torsional oscillation damper, a supplementary torsional oscillation damper including an input element, an output element, wherein both are configured to rotate around one axis rotation, and at least one mechanical energy accumulator device disposed between the input and output elements, a torque limiter, including at least one friction coating fixed on a disk, configured to be displaced around the axis. The disk is connected to rotate with the input element of the supplementary torsional oscillation damper and the friction coating is fixed to the disk of the torque limiter by an adhesively bonded surface-to-surface joint.

A torque fluctuation inhibiting device configured to inhibit torque fluctuations is disclosed. The torque fluctuation inhibiting device comprises a first rotor, a second rotor disposed to be rotatable relative to the first rotor, a centrifugal element, and a cam mechanism. The centrifugal element is configured to receive a centrifugal force generated by rotation of the first rotor. The centrifugal element is disposed to be movable with respect to the first rotor. The centrifugal element includes an engaging portion configured to be engage with the first rotor. The centrifugal element is formed by a plurality of components. The cam mechanism is configured to generate a circumferential force in movement of the centrifugal element and the circumferential force reduces relative displacement between the first rotor and the second rotor.